Greece 1830 lepton KM-5
This specimen was lot 1724 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €650 (about US$895 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"GRÈCE, Jean Capodistrias (1828-1831), Cu 1 lepton, 1830, Égine. Type B.2. Rare dans cet état. Très Beau à Superbe. (Greece, John Capodistrias, 1828-31, copper lepton of 1830, Aegina mint, type B2. Rare in this condition, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
After wresting her independence from the Turks, Greece was established as a republic under John Capodistrias. This regime lasted until 1831, during which time copper one, five, ten and twenty lepta were issued. All are scarce. This type, with a beaded circle around the phoenix, was struck 1830 only. It superseded a lepta with a circle of pearls (KM 1).
Recorded mintage: 25,995 of KM 1 plus 400,000 of KM 5.
Specification: 1.8 g, copper, 17 mm diameter, plain edge.
Catalog reference: KM 5, Divo, Grèce, 7a; Karamitsos 5.
- Jean-Paul Divo, Modern Greek Coins, 1828-1968. Amsterdam: Jacques Schulman NV, 1968.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 165, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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