Jordan 1977 50 dinars
This specimen was lot 1628 in Sincona sale 38 (Zürich, May 2017), where it sold for 1,600 CHF (about US$1,919 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Hussein II. 1952-1999 50 Dinars 1977. Kragentrappe (Houbara). Selten. Nur 829 Exemplare geprägt. FDC. (kingdom of Jordan, Hussein II, 1952-99, fifty dinars of 1977, for the houbara bustard. Rare. Only 829 pieces struck. Uncirculated.)"
Jordan, long a part of the Ottoman Empire, was seized by the British at the end of World War One but then granted independence under a local monarchy in 1946. King Hussein (r. 1951-99) proved to be an adroit politician who managed to maneuver between Israeli armed strength and the urgings of his Arab neighbors to attack Israel. Forced to participate in the wars of 1948, 1956 and 1967 (losing all three), the king stood aside when Nasser attacked Israel once again in 1973. This NCLT promotes wildlife conservation along with a 2½ dinars (KM 31) and three dinars (KM 32).
Recorded mintage: 829 plus 287 proofs.
Specification: 33.44 g, 0.900 fine gold, this specimen 33.47 g.
Catalog reference: KM 34, Fr-9.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 38, Gold Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2017.
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