Albania 1968 500 leke
This specimen was lot 31002 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $6,300. The catalog description[1] noted, "Albania: People's Socialist Republic gold Proof "Prince Skanderbeg" 500 Leke 1968 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC. #655. An imposing piece commemorating the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Skanderbeg, an Albanian military leader most notable for his conquests over the Ottomans. From the Paramount Collection." In addition to this NCLT, the communists issued a gold 200 leke (KM 55.1), gold 100 leke (KM 54.1), gold 50 leke (KM 53.1), silver 25 leke (KM 52.1), gold 20 leke (KM 51.1), silver 10 leke (KM 50.1) and silver 5 leke (KM 49.1). Albania not having a mint, these were made in Paris.
Recorded mintage: 1,520 proofs.
Specification: 98.74 g, 0.900 fine gold, AGW 2.8570 oz.
Catalog reference: KM 56.1, Fr-18.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, The Paramount Collection World & Ancient Coins: Signature Auction 3096, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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