Guinea 1977 500 sylis KM-47
This specimen was lot 1274 in Jean Elsen sale 138 (Brussels, September 2018), where it sold for €190 (about US$262 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"GUINEE, République (1958-), AR 500 sylis, 1977. Patrice Lumumba. Très rare Seulement 150 p. frappées. Flan poli. (republic of Guinea. silver 500 sylis of 1977, for Patrice Lumumba. Very rare only 150 pieces struck. Proof.)"
The coinage of the West African nation of Guinea is sporadic and scanty. Originally a French colony using coinage of French West Africa, Guinea obtained her independence in 1958 in the general rush to decolonization. The original franc-based coinage was mostly commemoratives made and marketed outside the country. In 1971, the franc was retired and the sylis introduced (100 cauris (cowries) = 1 syli). This gold 500 sylis honors Patrice Lumumba, murdered in 1961 so that Mobutu could seize power in the Congo. The "CNI" mintmark on the reverse indicates that this coin was made in Italy. Guinea returned to the franc in 1985.
Recorded mintage: 250 + 150 proofs.
Specification: 40 g, 0.925 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-47.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 138, Collection A. BLONDEL, Collection M. HENDRICKX, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2018.
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