Greece 1855 1/2 drachma
This specimen was lot 1301 in Sincona sale 6 (Zürich, May 2012), where it sold for 850 CHF (about US$1,046 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"GRIECHENLAND Otto, 1831-1863. ½ Drachme 1855, Wien. Kl. Rdf. und Kr. Sehr schön. (Greece, Otto I, 1831-63, half drachma of 1855, Vienna mint. Cleaned, minor scratches, very fine.)"
This type is listed for 1851 and 1855 and, like most of the issues of nineteenth century Greece, is scarce. Fifty lepta struck 1868 and later were minted to the standard of a French silver fifty centimes. Greece, poor, backward, corrupt and riven by feuds, could ill afford a substantial silver coinage. King Otto fell foul of the local politicians and was forced to abdicate in 1863.
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: 2.22 g, 0.900 fine silver, .129 troy oz ASW; this specimen is 2,21 g.
Catalog reference: Divo 15b. KM 34.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 6, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2012.
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