Ceylon 1870 5 cents
This specimen was lot 71273 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2020), where it sold for $528. The catalog description[1] noted, "CEYLON. 5 Cents, 1870. London Mint. Victoria. NGC MS-63 Red Brown. Choice quality throughout, exhibiting strong luster, beautiful color and relatively few signs of handling." This five cent piece was struck 1870, 1890-92 and 1900 as part of the decimal currency reform of 1870 in Ceylon. The earlier mix of stivers and rixdollars was inherited by the British from the Dutch, who occupied the island until 1796. Bronze ¼, ½, 1 and 5 cents were issued in bronze and 25 and 50 cents issued in silver. Ceylon attained its independence in 1948 after the British left India and is now known as Sri Lanka.
Recorded mintage: 7,055,000.
Specification: 4.72 g, copper, 22.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-93.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
Link to: