Honduras 1862-T A 4 pesos
The first specimen was lot 1019 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 28 (Winter Park, FL, November 2020), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, "Tegucigalpa, State of Honduras (struck in London, England), provisional 4 pesos, 1862T-A, NGC MS 64 BN ("top pop"). Much original color and luster for the grade (especially on pyramid side), tied with one other in RB for finest in NGC census, no marks, small carbon spot to upper right of tree." The second specimen was lot 34128 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $4,560. The catalog description[2] noted,
"HONDURAS. Silver 4 Pesos Pattern, 1862-T A. Tegucigalpa Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-61. The only certified example struck in this composition on either the NGC or PCGS population reports. The nicely preserved specimen boasts a strong strike with well-defined devices and mottled smokey gray tone. Seldom encountered in this format and should be considered EXTREMELY RARE and desirable struck in silver. A real treat for the advanced collector seeking difficult to obtain issues sure to see spirited bidding. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Purchased privately from Heritage Rare Coin Galleries."
The third specimen was lot 71628 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $552. The catalog description[3] noted, "HONDURAS. Provisional Coinage. Copper 4 Pesos Pattern, 1862-TA. London Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-63 Brown. From a series of trial strikes struck in London, this piece offers razor-sharp devices and attractive reddish-brown patina. From the Pat Johnson Collection." The fourth specimen was lot 71629 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[3] noted, "HONDURAS. Provisional Coinage. 4 Pesos, 1862-TA. Tegucigalpa Mint. PCGS MS-64 Brown. By far the finest certified by PCGS, this near-Gem displays lovely brown patina with abundant cartwheel luster in the fields. The beautifully designed devices are perfectly struck and scarcely touched. The finest details, such as the grassy foreground on the obverse and the overflowing cornucopiae on the reverse, can be fully appreciated. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This type, struck in small numbers in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, was a provisional coin struck in copper from dies originally meant for a gold coinage. They were struck the one year only and probably ill-received by the populace but definitely an improvement over the wretched copper-lead provisionals issued in the 1840's and 1850's. Most survivors are worn and have large rim bumps, making the specimen shown unusually nice.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper.
Catalog reference: KM-26, the second specimen KM-Pn3A, the third specimen KM Pn3.
- 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 and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 28, featuring the Dr. Peter Jones and John O'Brien collections, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2020.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III, the Augustana Collection and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
- [3]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
Link to: