Guadeloupe 1903 50 centimes
The official coinage of Guadeloupe during the twentieth century is limited to two types; this fifty centimes and a matching copper-nickel one franc (KM 46). Both were issued in 1903 and 1921 and are scarce, especially in nice condition. These are technically tokens, "good for one franc," but they were struck at the Paris mint and issued by the colonial authorities. There is an extensive issue of notes for the French Antilles which were valid on the island. This specimen was lot 42387 in Stack's Bowers Winter sale (Baltimore, November 2015), where it sold for $305.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "GUADELOUPE. 50 Centimes, 1903. NGC MS-64. Struck on an eighteen-sided planchet. Catalog value skyrockets in true mint state. Lovely Easter-egg pastel tone, both sides, compliments the near flawless surfaces. Very much worthy of a serious bid."
Recorded mintage: 600,000.
Specification: copper-nickel, 18 sided, plain edge, designed by A. Patey.
Catalog reference: KM-45; Gad-47.
- Byrne, Ray, Coins and Tokens of the Caribees, Decatur, IL: Jess Peters, Inc., 1975.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, and Todd McKenna, The November 2015 Baltimore Auction, World Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Ray Czabor Collection and selections from the Strong Museum, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2015.
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