Honduras 1870-A 1/4 real
This specimen was lot 73582 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $144. The catalog description[1] noted, "HONDURAS. 1/4 Real, 1870-A. Paris Mint. PCGS MS-65. Completely lustrous and with sharp details, this Gem is a sure standout. From the David Sterling Collection." Honduras issued a series of increasingly debased minor coinage during 1832-53, ending with a copper-lead 8 reales. When coinage resumed in 1869, it was this series of copper nickel one-eighth, quarter, half and one reales produced in Paris under contract. This series was superseded by a decimal issue in 1871 (see five, twenty-five and fifty centavos below).
Recorded mintage: unknown but not rare.
Specification: copper-nickel.
Catalog reference: KM-31.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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