Lesotho 1966 10 maloti
This specimen was lot 1817 in SINCONA Auction 97 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 1,700 CHF (about US$2,466 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LESOTHO, Moshoeshoe II. 1966-1990. 10 Maloti 1966, Probe. Avers mit Brustbild des Königs nach rechts, Haarschmuck mit Feder, entsprechend der 4-Maloti-Ausgabe. Rv. Wappen über Wertangabe und Jahreszahl, entsprechend der Probeprägung mit Kopf nach rechts. Geriffelter Rand. 900/1000. Von grosser Seltenheit. Fast FDC. Feine Kratzer. Die verschiedenen Literaturquellen geben die Anzahl der Probeprägungen mit 2 bis 7 Exemplaren an. (kingdom of Lesotho, Moshoeshoe II, 1966-90, ten maloti of 1966, pattern. Obverse: bust of the king facing right, head ornamented with a feather, matching the 4-maloti issue; reverse: arms above the value and date, corresponding to the proof, with head facing right. Reeded edge. Of high rarity, About Mint State, Minor hairlines. The various literature sources indicate the number of trial strikes as 2 to 7 copies.)"
The pattern shown in the SCWC and on Numista has a different obverse. This one matches the other independence commemoratives, such as the four maloti.
Recorded mintage: 7.
Specifications: 0.900 fine gold, reeded edge, this specimen 16.08 g.
Catalog reference: KM Pn8 var, Fr-1/5.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 97: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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