Chile 1857 decimo
The first specimen was lot 1375 in Classical Numismatic Group's sale of the Lissner Collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $363. The catalog description[1] noted, "CHILE, Republic. 1818-present. AR Decimo. Santiago mint. Dated 1857 So. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 64. Very choice uncirculated with just a hint of patina on the borders. The only specimen graded for the date. Purchased from Mike Cotta (an old frie[n]d and longtime numismatic dealer)." This silver decimo or ten centavo piece was minted in Santiago, Chile, in 1852-60. A slightly lighter coin (2.3 g) was issued 1860-62 with the same condor design. Later, more common decimos (minted 1864-94) used the perched condor design also seen on the one peso. This condor with outspread wings also appeared on half decimos and twenty and fifty centavos coins of the 1850's. The low relief contributed to a rather drab design which wore down rapidly in circulation.
Recorded mintage: 1,481,000 (highest mintage date prior to 1881).
Specification: 2.5 g, 0.900 fine silver, .072 troy oz ASW, this specimen Ø18 mm, 2.48 g, 6h axis.
Catalog reference: KM 124.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Teller, M. Louis, and Victor England, Jr., The Richard Lissner Collection, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, 2014.
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