Greece 1834-A 1/4 drachma
This specimen was lot 73537 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it passed. The catalog description[1] noted, "GREECE. 1/4 Drachma, 1834-A. Paris Mint. Otto. NGC MS-62. A very elusive type, particularly when preserved this nicely, this nearly Choice minor displays strong luster that underlies the rich toning of this example. An impressive and wholesome piece that is certain to capture much attention." This is a scarce date of a type struck 1833-34 and 1845-46.
Wikipedia comments,
"Otto (1815-67) was a Bavarian prince who ruled as King of Greece from the establishment of the monarchy on 27 May 1832, under the Convention of London, until he was deposed on 23 October 1862. The second son of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Otto ascended the newly created throne of Greece at age 17. His government was initially run by a three-man regency council made up of Bavarian court officials. Upon reaching his majority, Otto removed the regents when they proved unpopular with the people, and he ruled as an absolute monarch. Eventually his subjects' demands for a constitution proved overwhelming, and in the face of an armed (but bloodless) insurrection, Otto granted a constitution in 1843."
Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: 1.11 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-18.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
Link to: