Hi everyone,
I have come across this unknown Italian Somaliland token. I haven't been able to find anything similar to it. Here is some research I have done:
Weight: 5,35 grams
Diameter: 27,3 millimetres
Thickness: 1,98 millimetres
Composition: Suspected to be made of pewter
Edge: Plain Edge
Obverse:
Azienda : Translates to “Agency” in Italian
Cesare Maria De Vecchi : Governor of Italian Somaliland from 1923-1928 (Probably means it was made around this time?)
Kaitoi : Presumably a Somalian village located on the Juba River in southern Somalia. The only reference I could find to this town are in papers regarding a hydrological station located at Kaitoi. This station can be found at this page: https://snrfa.faoswalim.org/stations/jb004/
Somalia Italiana : Translates to “Italian Somalia” in Italian
Bouno Per 25 Bese : Translates to "Good For 25 Bese" in Italian. Bese refers to the currency used in Italian Somaliland
Reverse:
Large 25 surrounded by a wreath that refers to its denomination. The numbers “7” and “4” are overstamped . Does this possibly mean this token was used in 1974?
I suspect that this token was issued sometime between 1923-1928 by the agency of Cesare Maria De Vecchi to the village of Kaitoi. If anyone has any information or a possible value of this token please let me know as this is a very interesting specimen.
Thanks,
Alexander