Newfoundland 1865 20 cents
This specimen was lot 24258 in Heritage sale 3032 (Chicago, April 2014), where it sold for $9,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "Newfoundland. Victoria Specimen 20 Cents 1865, London mint, SP64 PCGS. Plain Edge - Medal Alignment. A coin with commanding eye-appeal, bathed in amber-gold patina that transitions to red, blue and purple hues at the edges. Watery reflectivity remains in the fields which produces a sparkling effect when turned against a light. Light handling confirms the grade, but hardly diminishes the appearance. The type, once cataloged as "Possibly Unique" in the famous Norweb sale has since proven not to be, however the number of examples extant certainly remain below 10. Of those, the present piece must be among the most appealing - a real treasure! From The Prager Collection of Canadian Specimen Coins." This type was struck 1865-1901 and many of the later dates are common. The specimen strikings of 1865 come in plain and reeded edges.
Recorded mintage: 100,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 4.71 g, 0.925 fine silver, .140 troy oz ASW, 23.2 mm diameter, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM 4.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Cross, W. K., The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, 62nd Ed., Toronto: Charlton International, 2008.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3032, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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