Circular bronze-gilt medal; the face with the head of Emperor Haile Selassie I looking forward and left, circumscribed ‘H.I.M. HAILE SELASSIE I’ in Latin script above and Amharic script below; dated ‘19’ ‘67’ centrally; the reverse with the Imperial arms of Ethiopia; diameter 38.76mm (1.53 inches).
Haile Selassie (1892-1975) claimed direct descent from The Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. He was born on 23 July 1892, became Crown Prince and Regent in 1916 and was Emperor from 1930 to 1974 when a revolution brought a Marxist military junta to power. He died on 27 August 1975.
His greatest challenge arose from the Italian invasion of 1935 and he is best remembered for his moving and dignified speech to the General Assembly of the League of Nations, being the only head of state ever to address that assembly, which won him instant worldwide acclaim and respect that he never lost.
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