Cambodia 1993 20 riels KM-85
This specimen was lot 71631 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $120. The catalog description[1] noted, "CAMBODIA. 20 Riels, 1993. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo. Protection of Nature series: Elephant. The sole finest example of this animal type in the NGC census, the present specimen offers a resounding cameo nature upon untoned, blast white surfaces." The People's Republic of Kampuchea was renamed the State of Cambodia in 1990 but the country remains a shambles. We don't know if this NCLT was intended to be one of a series but no more were issued. The crude engraving suggests one of the lesser private mints won the contract to strike them.
Recorded mintage: unknown but all proofs.
Specification: 19.95 g, 0.999 fine silver, 36 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-87.
- 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, May 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Featuring the Richard Elliott Collection of Hooknecks, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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