Greece 1849 10 lepta
This specimen was lot 1732 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €8,000 (about US$11,016 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"GRÈCE, Othon Ier (1832-1862), Cu 10 lepta, 1849, Athènes. Grande couronne. Très rare. Fines griffes au droit. Type frappé par erreur avec le coin de revers d'un essai non retenu de 1847. Quelques exemplaires furent mis en circulation. presque Très Beau. (kingdom of Greece, Otto I, 1832-62, copper ten lepta of 1849, Athens mint, large crown variety. Very rare, hairlines on the obverse. Struck in error using a reverse die from an unadopted pattern of 1847; few placed in circulation. About Very Fine.)"
This is from a type struck 1847-51 and 1857 and, like most of the issues of nineteenth century Greece, is scarce. Despite the substantial mintage, this type is scarce in nice condition. King Otto fell foul of the local politicians and was forced to abdicate in 1862.
Recorded mintage: 1,160,000, including the small crown variety.
Specification: 12.99 g, copper, 28 mm diameter, plain edge.
Catalog reference: KM 29, Divo, Grèce, 20d; Karamitsos 87.
- 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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