Chile 1884 1/2 decimo KM-149
This specimen was lot 73161 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $408. The catalog description[1] noted, "CHILE. 1/2 Decimo, 1884-So. Santiago Mint. PCGS MS-65. Mule variety without "0.5". A brilliant little jewel, ablaze with flashy luster." The regular half décimo was struck in 0.500 fine silver 1879-94. This mule was struck without the fineness using the old reverse die from KM 137.2. It is awarded a slight premium in the SCWC but this example realized eight times the catalog value. The design was shared with the décimo, twenty centavos, fifty centavos and silver peso.
Recorded mintage: 664,000 including KM 137.3.
Specification: 1.25 g, 0.500 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-149.
- 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, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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