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100 Francs 1952, Djibouti

in Krause book Number: 26
Years of issue: 1952
Edition:
Signatures: no signature
Serie: French Somaliland
Specimen of: 1952
Material: 100% raw cotton
Size (mm): 131 х 84
Printer: National printing office, Paris

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100 Francs 1952

Description

Watermark:

watermark watermark

Watermark on banknote - presumably - Marianne - a national symbol of the French Republic.

This is just my personal opinion, is that it is not documented. I do not know why, but I'm pretty sure it's Marianne. It is known, that she was portrayed not always in a pair of classic effigies, issued for stamps, coins and banknotes of France, or, for example, in a phrygian cap. There are different variations of her image.

However, I have to recognize, that, if here is actually Marianne, then this effigy is very rare. This profile I could not found on any stamps or the old banknotes of France and its dependent territories.

Marianne in the watermark looks pretty young and wearing on her head, I do not even know how to call it right in English, I would say - either Headwrap or Headband. Something like monochrome shawl, which tied around her head, fastened on the side in tie, and though this tie will be not visible there are will be wear a lacy flower. It was very fashionable in the late 1930s - beginning of 1940s. I have made only one photo of the girl in a headdress, though the visitors of my site will get an idea, what exactly I meant by the special headdress on this watermark.

Avers:

100 Francs 1952

The coral.

Djibouti City (the capital of the country) was founded in 1883 at Cape Rae-Djibouti (Arabic:. Races "cape"), consisted of small coral reefs. With an uneven surface Cape and the adjoining coast is Djibouti name associated.

Republic of Djibouti is difficult to imagine without the sea. Unfortunately, information on its marine flora and fauna is very poor, but we can confidently say that the gifts of the sea - very much, until you open the country's wealth. In the territorial waters of Djibouti can be seen not only all kinds of marine fauna and flora typical of the vast area of ​​the Red Sea, Indian and Pacific Oceans, but also those who live in the coastal waters of this country. The fact that the temperature of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Tadzhur bay is very favorable for the development of marine vegetation, which is food for many species of marine fauna. The sharp smell of seaweed especially clearly felt during ebb tide. Extensive and magnificent coral formations with complex and intricate ramifications in Tadzhur Bay and the Gulf of Aden are good hiding places for fry from attacking their prey fish. Corals themselves, which often attach themselves to the bright red exterior and the sparkling white on the inside sea anemones, are also food for many fish.

In the Gulf of Aden and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait are also spectacular coral reefs, the dream of any diver, but considered quite difficult and dangerous to dive due to the peculiarities of local currents. However - this is one of the most visited by scuba divers places in the world, due to the unfortunate reputation of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait sailors of all ages - on its bottom rests, according to various estimates, from 1500 to 6000 shipwrecks of all time.

Since 1985, the Government taken measures for the conservation of marine resources. In accordance with the presidential decree from the bottom of the Gulf are not allowed to extract coral, spearfishing is prohibited. This Law shall protect such rare species of marine fauna, like sperm whales, dolphins. Strictly regulated fishing, it can only deal with officially registered fishermen with Djibouti citizenship, and fisheries cooperatives. Fishermen must obtain a license. The catch is strictly limited and should not exceed 10 fish per day regardless of their size. Certain places of Tadzhur Bay converted into protected areas.

Denomination in numeral is in top left corner, in words on top right in French and Arabic.

Revers:

100 Francs 1952

Date palm Date palm

Phoenix is a genus of 14 species of palms, native to the Canary Islands east across northern and central Africa, the extreme southeast of Europe (Crete), and southern Asia from Turkey east to southern China and Malaysia. The diverse habitats they occupy include swamps, deserts, and mangrove sea coasts. Most Phoenix species originate in semiarid regions, but usually occur near high groundwater levels, rivers, or springs. The genus is unusual among members of the subfamily Coryphoideae, with it and Arenga being the only ones with pinnate, rather than palmate leaves. The generic name derives from φοῖνιξ (phoinix) or φοίνικος (phoinikos), the Greek word for the date palm used by Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder. It most likely referred to the Phoenicians; Phoenix, the son of Amyntor and Cleobule in Homer's Iliad; or the phoenix, the sacred bird of Ancient Egypt. The palms were more numerous and widespread in the past than they are at present.

Denomination in numeral is in lower right corner, in words on top, centered, in French and Arabic.

Comments:

Designer:W. Fel.

Engraver of obverse: André Marliat.

Engraver of reverse: Baudier.

French Somaliland (French: Côte française des Somalis, lit. "French Coast of Somalis"; Somali: Dhulka Soomaaliyeed ee Faransiiska) was a French colony in the Horn of Africa. It existed between 1883 and 1967.

It was established between 1883 and 1887, after the ruling Somali and Afar sultans signed the land away in various treaties with the French.

Map of French Somaliland, modern-day Djibouti, showing the French possession of a small peninsula in the Aden territory

On the other side of the Bab el Mandeb strait, the French held a small peninsula in the Aden territory.

The construction of the Imperial Ethiopian Railway west into Ethiopia turned the port of Djibouti into a boomtown of 15,000 at a time when Harar was the only city in Ethiopia to exceed that.

Although the population fell after the completion of the line to Dire Dawa and the original company failed and required a government bail-out, the rail link allowed the territory to quickly supersede the caravan-based trade carried on at Zeila (then in the British area of Somaliland) and become the premier port for coffee and other goods leaving southern Ethiopia and the Ogaden through Harar.

The railway continued to operate following the Italian conquest of Ethiopia but, following the tumult of the Second World War, the area became an overseas territory of France in 1946. In 1967, French Somaliland was renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas and, in 1977, it became the independent country of Djibouti.