Guatemala 1893 1/2 real KM-163
This specimen was lot 1352 in Sedwick sale 34 (Winter Park, FL, November 2023), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description[1] noted, "Guatemala, 1/2 real, 1893/2, small wreath, no fineness, rare, NGC MS 64, finest known in NGC census, ex-Lissner. Nice luster, with deep rainbow toning on about a third of the peripheral surfaces plus a few tan spots centrally, cataloged in Lissner as "finest ever graded" (which is still true today). Pedigreed to the R.L. Lissner collection (stated on label), lot 1733 of the St. James's/CNG/Teller auction of August 2014." For 1893, the SCWC notes three subtypes for the silver half real: KM 147a.2 (shield obverse), KM 163 (shown here) and KM 164 (large wreath). This seated figure of Justice was used on the half real until 1901, by which time the coin was copper-nickel.
Recorded mintage: 360,000 (all types).
Specification: 1.50 g, 0.835 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-163.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Raymond, Wayte, The Coins of Central America, Silver and Copper, 1824-1940, New York: Wayte Raymond Inc., 1941.
- Robinson, Charles, The Coins of Central America, 1733-1965, San Benito, TX: 1965.
- Stickney, Brian, A Monetary History of Central America, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2017.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing and Connor Falk, Treasure Auction 34, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2023.
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