Crete 1900-A 5 lepta
This specimen was lot 70424 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2021), where it sold for $1,860. The catalog description[1] noted, "CRETE. 5 Lepta, 1900-A. Paris Mint. NGC MS-66. A beautifully preserved example, the highest graded by NGC and tied for the highest graded with a PCGS example. A true Gem with full soft luster, and traces of almond toning throughout. As evidenced by the low certification rates, this is one of the few survivors in truly pristine condition." Around the turn of the century, the island of Crete was contested by Greece and Turkey. The overwhelmingly Greek population of the island favored union with Greece but the Powers, not wanting to partition Turkey too rapidly, forced the Greek king to accept Turkish suzerainty over his control. This unwieldy arrangement lasted until 1913, when Greece annexed the island. This five lepta, struck 1900 only, is common in grades up to Extremely Fine.
Recorded mintage: 4,000,000.
Specification: copper-nickel.
Catalog reference: KM-3.
- 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 October 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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