Burma CS 1214 mat
The first specimen was lot 23064 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $2,640. The catalog description[1] noted, "BURMA. Mat, CS 1214 (1852). Mindon. NGC MS-63. Variety without tail on final digit of date. Featuring a level of Choice quality that is SCARCELY seen, as evident by its status as being exceeded merely by one example at NGC, the present minor offers a delightful deep iridescence along with a tremendous cabinet allure." The second specimen was lot 3582 in Steve Album Auction 51 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2025), where it sold for $1,020. The catalog description[2] noted,
"BURMA: Mindon, 1853-1878, AR mat, CS1214 (1853), an attractive nearly mint state example, PCGS graded AU58, ex Howard A. Daniel III Collection. The Early Modern Era Coinage issued by Kings Mindon and Thibaw between 1852 and 1885 circulated in Upper Burma. Indian coins were current in Lower Burma, which was annexed in 1852. Burma coins are frequently known by the equivalent Indian denominations, although their values are inscribed in Burmese units. Upper Burma was formally annexed in January 1, 1886. Burma coins remained in circulation until 1889, when Indian coins became current throughout Burma. The machinery and dies for producing the 'peacock' series silver coins were imported from Birmingham, England. These peacock coins were issued from the Mandalay Mint, which was set up within the Mandalay palace complex, the ruins of which are still in existence. Actual mintage commenced 'Saturday, 9 waning Tasaungmon (November 11, 1865). In 1878, new bronze and gold coins bearing a lion motif were issued by Mindon's successor Thibaw, thus, silver kyat production ceased."
This type comes in many varieties, including some struck in gold. Burma was conquered by the British in the 1880's and added to their empire of India. Her independence was restored in 1948 after the British left India. The kyat was equal to the rupee and the mat was a quarter rupee.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.92 g, 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: the first specimen KM-8.2, the second specimen KM-8.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th 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.
- [2]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 51, featuring the Howard Daniel III Collection of Asian Coins, the Almer H. Orr III Collection of World Coins and the Joe Sedillot Collection of German Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
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