OK, lets try a different angle then.
Without knowing the size and weight, looking at the Ethiopian coins on here, it seems to be a 1/4 Birr
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces11935.html (guessing the denomination is below the lion)
So we're on EE 1887/88/89.
Not an 8 as the last two character are different.
Not a 7 as it seems that the last character's sides are straight.
So I'd say EE 1889 (1897 AD)
That's what I'm guessing, but I don't have a great deal of experience with Ethiopian coins, so I may be wrong.
http://www.facebook.com/NumismaticsUK
I'm not an expert in any kind of coins, but I reckon I'm good at research and will do my best to help. Feel free to tell me my identifications/valuations/gradings are wrong. It's the only way I'll learn.