Haiti 1820 2 gourdes
This specimen was lot 21337 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Las Vegas, August 2020), where it sold for $14,400. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Beautiful North Haiti Pattern, Platted in Arroyo. HAITI. Silver Crown (2 Gourdes) Pattern, 1820. Henri I as King of North Haiti. PCGS SPECIMEN-63 Gold Shield.
Plain edge. Laureate and armored bust of Henri I right, legend around; Reverse: Crowned "H" and crowned "ML" monogram flanking the crowned arms of Haiti (1811-20) representing Henri I and his consort Marie-Louise Coidavid, legend around with date written "L'an 17". A very pleasing representative of this one-year type exhibiting a needle sharp strike with crisp clearly defined intricate high relief devices. The fine details of the masterfully executed engraving of the dies highlights the expressive bust and arms of northern Haiti offering a perspective not normally associated with coins from this country. Close inspection reveals signs of old handling in the open fields long since toned over blending nicely with the smooth surfaces offering much reflectivity, though slight subdued by soft grey tone complemented with rich slated patina in the legends and amongst the devices adding to its eye appeal and originality. A highly interesting and EXTREMELY RARE issue from the short lived Kingdom of north Haiti certain to add depth to the next collection it enters.
A slave himself, Henri Christophe (Henri I), rose through the ranks of the Haitian Revolutionary military and was integral to Haiti's war for independence from France. After independence Henri founded the State of Haiti on February 17, 1807 and was elected as President. A few years later on March 28, 1811 he created the Kingdom of North Haiti adding nobility and naming his legitimate son as heir to the throne. Under his policies of corvee, forced labor, the kingdom generated much revenue, but was resented by the people. Fearing an uprising and coup from his unpopularity he committed suicide on October 10, 1820; 10 days later his son and remaining heirs were assassinated.
We note an inferior example sold in an April 2020 auction graded NGC PF 61 sold for $11,000 hammer plus buyers fee. Ex: Hans M.F. Schulman Auction July 7-9, 1970 Lot # 547. Plated in "Coins Of Haiti 1803-1970" by Carmen Arroyo and Dale Seppa published 1970."
Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM-Pn37; Arroyo-HA#P127 (plate coin); Fonrobert-7502; Guttag-2088E.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Byrne, Ray, Coins and Tokens of the Caribees, Decatur, IL: Jess Peters, Inc., 1975.
- Arroyo, Carmen, Coins of Haiti, 1803-1970, San Antonio, TX: 1970.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The August 2020 ANA Auction: World Coins, featuring the Duke of Lansing Collection, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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