Definition

• A copper coin issued for Italian Somaliland; it represents the value of the one hundredth part of a silver Rupee, and there are multiples of two Bese and four Bese.

  These pieces were first struck at Rome, from Giorgi's models, and they were au- thorized by a roval decree of January 28, 1909.

  In the Abyssinian coinage the one fifth of the Gersh, or one hundredth part of the Talari, is a copper coin called Besa.

Source

• Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)

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