Haiti 1887 50 centimes
This specimen was lot 24034 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (Newport Beach, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $115. The catalog description[1] noted, "HAITI. 50 Centimes, 1887. Paris Mint. NGC MS-62. A shimmering and glistening, nearly choice minor, offering steely gray surfaces and great luster, along with some burnished toning near the peripheries." This type was struck 1882-83, 1887, 1890 and 1895 during a brief period of political stability in Haiti. All issues seem to have been struck at the Paris mint altho not all are mintmarked. The coin is the same weight and fineness as a contemporary French 2½ francs (had such a coin existed).
Recorded mintage: 250,000 + proofs.
Specification: 12.5 g, 0.835 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-47.
- 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 January 2021 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Oro del Nuevo Mundo and Matt Orsini Collections, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
Link to: