Obverse. Photo © egynotes_74
  • 50 Centimes 1865, KM# Tn2, Suez Canal, Abdülaziz
  • 50 Centimes 1865, KM# Tn2, Suez Canal, Abdülaziz
Description

The Eyalet of Egypt operated as an administrative division of the Ottoman Empire from 1517 to 1867.

Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps and his Suez Canal Company built the Suez Canal between 1859 and 1869.

These tokens were issued by Charles and Auguste Bazin during the construction of the Suez Canal for use as money by company employees. Charles and Auguste were merchants and shipowners from Marseille who were precursors of steam navigation on the Marseille-Naples link. Charles & Auguste Bazin & Cie supplied and shipped Suez Canal Company worksite equipment from Marseille.

Obverse

Depicts a ship with sails and oars at the sea within a circle, surrounded by the legend in French "Isthmus of Suez Channel", tiny anchors flank the date below.

CANAL DE L'ISTHME DE SUEZ
⚓ 1865 ⚓

Reverse

Denomination ("Good for 50 Centimes") in the center, surrounded by a wreath, and the issuer company name.

CH • & • A • BAZIN
BON POUR
50
CENTIMES
✶ SUBSISTANCES ✶

Edge

50 Centimes

Eyalet, Suez Canal Token
KM# Tn2
Characteristics
Material Copper
Weight 2.07 g
Diameter 21 mm
Thickness -
Shape polygon
Sides 18
Alignment Coin

Related coins

Eyalet, Suez Canal Token

Brass, 2.75 g, ⌀ 20 mm
Khedivate, Suez Canal Token

Aluminium, 1.53 g, ⌀ 24.5 mm