Mauritius 1878 20 cents
This specimen was lot 31253 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "British Colony. Victoria Proof 20 Cents 1878 PR66 PCGS, London mint. An immaculate survivor of this rare presentation issue, displaying intricate detail throughout, including bold segmentation of the outer edge reeding, near-pristine surfaces and luxurious tone that showcases a mixture olive-green and russet over the obverse and speckled earthen hues on the reverse. The only example graded by PCGS and unsurpassed in quality at NGC. From the Jamestown Collection." This twenty cent piece was struck for Mauritius in 1877-78, 1882-83, 1886, 1889, 1899 and is the first coin of that denomination issued for that island along with an accompanying five, ten, two and one cent pieces. It is fairly common in circulated condition but the price ascends rapidly with grade. The island remained under British rule until 1968.
Recorded mintage: 50,000, a better date.
Specification: 2.33 g, 0.800 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 11.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
Link to:
- 1877-H 20 cents
- 1878 cent
- 1878 2 cents
- 1878 10 cents
- 1886 20 cents
- Coins and currency dated 1878
- return to coins of Mauritius