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A Brief History of Comoros

Early History
Comoros was according to legend, first visited by the Phoenicians in the centuries B.C. However, it has only been inhabited for around 1,500 years, when Africans, and later Arabs arrived to settle the islands. Initially nature-worshippers, the islands inhabitants mostly converted to Islam from around the 7th Century A.D, due to extensive trading links with the Arab peninsula during the time of the prophet Muhammad.
During medieval times, Comoros was an important trading hub for spices, gold, ivory and other commodities (most of which were imported from elsewhere and later exported to other places).
The Portuguese arrived on the islands in 1505, and periodically raided the islands. However, they never settled, and it was not until the 19th Century, in 1841, that the islands were colonised by a foreign power.

Colonisation
In 1841, several of the islands were declared protectorates. In 1908, the various islands were consolidated into a single colony, Mayotte and dependencies. Comoros was however administered from Madagascar until 1945. The colony declared for Vichy France during the Second World War, but was overrun by the British in 1942 and handed over to Free French administration.
Post-War, the colony was made an integral part of France, sending elected deputies to the French Parliament. In 1961, full internal autonomy was granted. In 1973, it was agreed that the islands would become independent by 1978. However, independence was unilaterally declared in 1975. Mayotte abstained from this vote however, having rejected independence from France in a referendum held the previous year.

Post Independence
In January 1976, Ali Soilih, ousted the incumbent president Ahmed Abdallah in a coup and began to implement policies which might charitably be described as 'eccentric', including lowering the voting age to 14. He attempted to appeal to this new extreme youth constituency by placing teenagers in positions of important political responsibility, by legalising cannabis, and discouraging the study of history and abolishing many of the traditional customs of the islands, including many aspects of funeral and wedding rites. He enforced these policies by recruiting a largely teenaged militia, known as the 'Moissy' whom were used to beat down political opponents, including tribal elders. All this took place as the people of Mayotte looked on aghast at what was going on in the lands of their 'liberated' former compatriots. A further referendum held in 1976 saw over 99% of the population of Mayotte voting against joining Comoros.
Soilih was overthrown by former president Ahmed Abdallah in 1978 and was later assassinated, bringing an end to his insanity. In 1989, Ahmed Abdallah was himself overthrown (again) by Soilhi's half-brother Said Mohammed Djohar, who ruled until 1995.
In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In the intervening years, coups occurred fairly frequently, until 2006, when Ahmed Sambi was democratically elected as president, and ruled until leaving office peacefully in 2011, to be succeeded by the current president, Ikililou Dhoinine.

Comoran Coins
In 1886, the French Franc became the official currency of the islands, this was replaced by the Magalasy (Madagascan) Franc (which remained at par with the French Franc until after the Second World War) in 1925. Although French coins continued to circulate. The Comorian Franc was effectively created when Madagascar left the CFA zone in 1973.
Today, just three denominations of coins are issued for general circulation; the 25, 50 and 100 Franc pieces. The Centime has long since been destroyed by inflation.

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

Gold Coins
We also have gold coins from Comoros on our taxfreegold website:-
Comoran Gold Coins



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