Liechtenstein 1990 50 franken
This specimen was lot 72106 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2020), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, "LIECHTENSTEIN. 50 Francs, 1990. NGC PROOF-70 Ultra Cameo. Commemorating the accession of Hans-Adam II. A stunning and exceptional example of the type, standing as the single finest graded in the NGC census." Liechtenstein, a tiny country sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, has been ruled for generations by a Austrian family that did not even visit its domain until after World War One. The collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the loss of that family's estates in the crash forced the prince, Johan II, to focus on his tiny domain. Since then, Liechtenstein has been aligned with Switzerland. In 1924, the krone was dropped in favor of the frank, modelled on the Swiss franc. This fifty franken piece was issued to honor the new grand duke, Hans-Adam II. Coinage for Liechtenstein has been sporadic and generally limited to commemoratives; the natives use Swiss money for everyday transactions. This NCLT was accompanied by a silver ten franken (KM Y22).
Recorded mintage: 25,000 proofs.
Specification: 10 g, 0.900 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-25; KM-Y23.
- 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.
- Richter, Jürg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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