Ceylon 1892 50 cents
This specimen was lot 51088 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $504. The catalog description[1] noted,
"CEYLON. 50 Cents, 1892. Victoria. PCGS MS-65 Gold Shield. A robust, vibrant Gem, this minor represents the first year of issue and offers mostly gray surfaces that are dominated by a palette of olive, sea foam green, and burnt sienna. Tied with just two other specimens for the finest in the PCGS census."
This type was struck 1892-95, 1899-1900, and the 1892 a slightly better date. 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 ten cents issued in silver. Ceylon attained its independence in 1948 after the British left India and is now known as Sri Lanka.
Recorded mintage: 250,000 + proofs.
Specification: 5.83 g, 0.800 fine silver, 24 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-96.
- 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 April 2021 Hong Kong Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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