Colombia 1888-M 5 decimos
The first specimen shown was lot 1143 in Sedwick sale 11 (Winter Park, FL, April 2011), where it sold for $385.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Medellin, Colombia, 5 decimos, 1888, "mulata," rare. Lustrous AU, typically softly struck, with faint rainbow-toning." The second specimen was lot 42060 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Philadelphia, August 2018), where it sold for $384. The catalog description[2] noted, "COLOMBIA. 1888-M 50 Centavos. Medellín mint. AU-50 (PCGS). Lustrous silver gray with typical uneven surfaces and light, dusky toning. A high grade example of this type, using the "classic effigy" rather than any of the more unusual busts employed in 1888." While Colombian half dollars are common as a class, even in uncirculated, this is not a common date. This would be the last effort from the Medellin mint for many years. Many varieties exist (KM 166, shown here, KM 186.1, KM 165, KM 167).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 12.5 g, 0.500 fine silver, .201 troy oz ASW, edge lettered DIOS LEI LIBERTAD, this specimen 12.3 grams.
Catalog reference: Restrepo-403.1; KM-166; the second specimen KM 165, Restrepo 400.2.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Restrepo, Jorge Emilio, Monedas de Colombia, 1619-2006, Medellin, Colombia: Impresiones Rojo, 2006.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 11, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2012.
- [2]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio and Chris Chatigny, The August 2018 Philadelphia ANA Auction: World Coins and Selections from the El Dorado Collection of Colombian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
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