Ionian Islands 1851 lepton
This specimen was lot 33314 in Heritage sale 3073 (Chicago, April 2019), where it sold for $432. The catalog description[1] noted, "British Administration Lepton 1851 MS65 Brown PCGS. Flourishing radiant luster with hues of metallic blue define the surfaces of this outstanding piece." This type is listed for 1834-35, 1848-62 and, like most of the issues of nineteenth century Greece, is scarce, despite the substantial mintage. The 1862 is the most common date. The Ionian Islands, long contested by the Venetians and the Turks, were seized by the British from the French in 1809 and held by them until 1864, when they were united with Greece. The French issued coins for the "Septinsular Republic" in 1801 and the British issued coins intermittently in 1814, 1819-21 and 1834-62.
Recorded mintage: 13,483,000 for 1848-51.
Specification: copper.
Catalog reference: KM 34.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3073, featuring the Lake County Collection of British coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
Links to:
- 1851 30 lepta
- 1857 lepton
- Coins and currency dated 1851
- return to coins of the Ionian Islands