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A Brief History of Benin

Pre-Colonial History
A large part of what is now the Republic of Benin was part of the Kingdom of Dahomey. This war-like kingdom was notorious for human-sacrifice rituals and aggressive behaviour towards its neighbours, motivated by its desire to seize prisoners from its enemies in order to sacrifice at its ‘annual customs’ ceremony, in which prisoners of war were sacrificed in order to provide previous kings with servants in the afterlife. In later years, prisoners were also used as goods to trade with European slave traders, and the Dohomeians (or more specifically, their king) became rich off the profits of selling their unfortunate neighbours to toil in the plantations and fields of the Americas. Such was the importance of the slave trade, that the area became known as the ‘Slave Coast’.

French Colonisation
Dahomey was conquered by the French in the second Franco-Dahomeian War of 1892-1894 after Dohmey refused to stop raiding nearby French assets. Ironically, this war-like kingdom apparently suffered most of its casualties through French bayonet charges, despite French technological superiority that might have rendered this unnecessary. Dahomey subsequently became a French protectorate, and in 1900, the Kingdom of Dahomey was abolished and was formally turned into a French colony.

Independence
As the winds of change swept through Africa during the post-war period, Dohmey was granted autonomy in 1958 and full independence in 1960. Hubert Maga became the Republic of Benin’s first President and Premier. He was ousted in a coup in 1963. Benin was subject to frequent coups over the next few years until 1972, when the army officer He did however, step down voluntarily after holding a popular election in 1991, before regaining the presidency again in 1996, and then stepping down again in 2006.

Beninese Coins
Benin is part of a common currency zone, and alond with 7 other former French colonies, uses the West African CFA Franc. This currency had an astonishing 9 coin denominations in circulation including the 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 250 and 500 franc pieces. the centime sub-unit now exists only in theory.

For Sale and Wanted
If you are interested in coins from Benin please see our product index:-
Beninese Coins

Gold Coins
We also have gold coins from Benin on our taxfreegold website:-
Beninese Gold Coins



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