Arthur Rimbaud et ses akçes yéménites à Charlevilles-Mézières

This contribution offers the first study of a group of a few hundred akçes – Ottoman silver coins – minted in Yemen in the 16th century which once belonged to Arthur Rimbaud. The poète maudit spent the last ten years of his life between Yemen and Ethiopia, first working for a coffee firm and later on dealing in arms, ivory, and jewels. Just before returning to France, Rimbaud entrusted a small bag containing those coins to one of his previous employers. The treasure is currently exhibited at the Arthur Rimbaud Museum in Charleville-Mézières, the poet’s hometown.