Albania 1931-L 1/2 lek
The first specimen was lot 23029 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $1,920. The catalog description[1] noted, "ALBANIA. 1/2 Lek, 1931-L. London Mint. Zog I. PCGS PROOF-66 Cameo. Exceedingly alluring and immediately conjuring a classical appearance with the design motif, this wonderful Lek is beyond stunning in this stellar proof format. An entrancing cameo contrast is seen, with delicate delineation between field and device. Escaping anything but the barest whispers fogginess, this piece is certain to enliven the eye and entertain the specialist in Albanian coinage. From the Star City Homer Collection." The second specimen was lot 40490 in the same sale, where it sold for $80. The catalog description[1] noted, "ALBANIA. 1/2 Lek, 1931-L. London mint. Zog I. NGC MS-62. From the Star City Homer Collection." Albania was created in 1912 during the Balkan Wars by the Great Powers as a means of preventing the region from falling into Greek or Serbian control. This type was struck in 1930-31. Only the proofs are rare. Zog, tho a ruthless and capable leader, was unable to prevent Albania from falling into Italy's orbit and Mussolini's grandiose plans for the restoration of the Roman Empire. In 1939, Italy invaded and annexed Albania.
Recorded mintage: 500,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 6 g, nickel, 24 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-13.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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