French Indochina 1885-A 20 cent
This specimen was lot 51099 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRENCH INDO-CHINA. 20 Cents, 1885-A. Paris Mint. PCGS MS-64 Gold Shield. Tied for second finest certified with one other example on the PCGS population report, only one finer (MS-65). This lovely nicely preserved near Gem survivor, a SCARCE date in this state of preservation, exhibits crisp frosty design elements with good definition of the fine features. The surfaces displaying lovely smooth satiny surfaces with only trivial signs of handling consistent for the grade with quite attractive rich mottled patination offering much originality and a pleasing appearance." This type was also struck 1887, 1889, 1892-95 then reduced in weight.
Recorded mintage: 1,280,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 5.44 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-3; Lec-188.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Gadoury, Victor, and George Cousinié, Monnaies Coloniales Françaises, 1670-1988, 2me Éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 1988.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The April 2021 Hong Kong Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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