Fiji 1978 10 dollars
This specimen was part of lot 33697 in Heritage sale 3082 (New York, January 2020), which sold for $1,980. The catalog description[1] noted, "Fiji: British Colony. Elizabeth II 3-Piece Lot of Assorted Issues 1978 Proof, 1) silver 10 Dollars 1978 - Proof; 2) silver 20 Dollars 1978 - Proof, KM42a. Mintage: 3,869. 42 mm. 35.00 g; 3) gold "Banded Iguana" 250 Dollars 1978 - PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC. Sold as is, no returns." This issue is one of a series featuring Fijian wildlife. Wikipedia notes, "The pink-billed parrotfinch (Erythrura kleinschmidti) is a species of estrildid finch found on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji. Commonly found at undisturbed mature forest in the centre and east of Viti Levu. This species is found at mid-height along tree-trunks and branches, usually alone or in pairs but also joining mixed-species flocks, feeding primarily on insects, but also on flower buds and fruits." The uncirculated issue was struck in billon (KM 41) and the proofs struck in sterling silver (KM 41a).
Recorded mintage: 3,582 plus 4,026 proofs.
Specification: 28.28 g, 0.500 fine silver, 38 mm diameter. Proofs were struck in 0.925 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-41a.
- 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 Online Auction 3082, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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