Greece 1959 2 drachmai
This specimen was lot 71566 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $204. The catalog description[1] noted, "GREECE. 2 Drachmai, 1959. Paris Mint. PCGS MS-65 Gold Shield. Steely gray and brilliant, this Gem offers a delightful pastel iridescence on the reverse when cradled back and forth." This type, struck 1954-65, essentially worthless in circulated condition, is quite scarce in uncirculated. A few rare proofs exist of this date. It is accompanied by a fifty lepta (KM 80), one drachma (KM 81) and five drachmai (KM 83). This coin was issued during the waning years of the monarchy, which was never able to resolve the conflicts between the communists, the former Nazi collaborators and the corrupt political cliques. The monarchy was ousted in 1967 by a military dictatorship and then abolished completely in 1973. Today the country is the Hellenic Republic of Greece.
Recorded mintage: 5,000,000.
Specification: 6.25 g, copper-nickel, 22.9 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-82.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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