Dahomey 1971 100 francs
This specimen was part of lot 30427 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), which sold for $4,440. The catalog description[1] noted, "Dahomey: Republic 7-Piece Certified gold & silver "10th Anniversary of Independence" Proof Set 1971 Ultra Cameo NGC, 1) "Lake Ganvie" 100 Francs - PR69; 2) "Abomey Woman" 200 Francs - PR68, KM2.2; 3) "Oueme Woman" 500 Francs - PR68, KM 3.1; 4) "Somba Woman" 1000 Francs - PR69, KM 4.1; 5) gold "Dancers" 2500 Francs - PR68, KM6, AGW 0.2569 oz. 6) gold "Water Buffalos" 5000 Francs - PR68, KM 7. AGW 0.5142 oz. 7) gold "Hippopotamus" 10,000 Francs - PR68, KM 8. AGW 1.028 oz. Scarcely ever offered as a set, all stunning premium gem Proofs. Sold with the original case of issue and COA #333. Total AGW 1.779 oz." The sole coinage from this state in west Africa is this series of NCLT's of 1971, ranging from a silver hundred francs to gold 25,000 francs (KM 1 thru 9). A variety exists (KM 1.1) with the mintmark above the denomination instead of to the right as shown here. Dahomey was renamed the Republic of Benin in 1975. Ganvie is a village lying in Lake Nokoué, near Cotonou.
Recorded mintage: 4,650.
Specification: 5.10 g, 0.999 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 1.3.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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