1078820 | MADAGASCAR. Ranavalona III. (Empress, 1883-1897). 1888 AR Fantasy Kirobo. NGC MS65. Edge: Reeded. Crowned bust, left / Crown above denomination, within branches; date below. KM 4-4 (Prev. KY #155); Lecompte 9 (Medaliic die axis).

Fantasy Coinage.

Ex. Jean Vinchon Numismatique (Paris) May 2023 Auction, 24 May 2023 Lot 698.


Please use this link to verify the NGC certification number 6639229023




Ranavalona III (1861–1917) was the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar. Her reign was marked by ultimately futile efforts to resist the colonial designs of the government of France. Ranavalona tried to stave off colonization by strengthening trade and diplomatic relations with foreign powers throughout her reign, but French attacks on coastal port towns and an assault on the capital city of Antananarivo led to the capture of the royal palace in 1895, ending the sovereignty and political autonomy of the century-old kingdom.

Ranavalona and her court were initially permitted to remain as symbolic figureheads, but the outbreak of a popular resistance movement called the menalamba rebellion, and the discovery of anti-French political intrigues at court led the French to exile her to the island of Réunion in 1897.

She was never permitted to return home to Madagascar, however, despite her repeated requests. She died of an embolism at her villa in Algiers in 1917 at age 55. Her remains were buried in Algiers but were disinterred 21 years later and shipped to Madagascar, where they were placed within the tomb of Queen Rasoherina on the grounds of the Rova of Antananarivo. [Wikipedia].