Latvia 1932 5 lati
This specimen was lot 41110 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Costa Mesa, CA, August 2021), where it sold for $14,400. The catalog description[1] noted,
"An Extremely Rare Proof of Record Issue, LATVIA. 5 Lati, 1932. London Mint. PCGS PROOF-65 Gold Shield. Unmatched in quality, this Proof example is the finest certified by either PCGS or NGC. Though no record exists pertaining to the number produced, they are undoubtedly VERY RARE, with this Gem, nearly blast white with reflective fields and soft cameo devices, at the top of the list. A needle-like, sharp strike creates an exquisite and beautiful piece that anyone would be lucky to add to their cabinet. According to A New History of the Royal Mint, the mint in London sought contracts from foreign countries instead of just those within her empire following World War I. Fortunately, some of the countries were newly created and independent due to the Treaty of Versailles, including Latvia, were in need of coin making services. Ex: Melbourne Mint Collection."
This type was minted for the Republic of Latvia in 1929-32 to the standard of a French silver five francs. Latvia's independence was snuffed out by Russian (then Nazi) occupation in 1940. Independence was not reclaimed until 1991.
Recorded mintage: 600,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 25 g, .835 silver, .671 troy oz ASW, lettered edge, 37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-9, Dav-214.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The August 2021 ANA sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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