Nicaragua 1952 10 centavos
This specimen was lot 41245 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Costa Mesa, CA, August 2021), where it sold for $1,920. The catalog description[1] noted, "NICARAGUA. 10 Centavos, 1952. PCGS PROOF-66 Gold Shield. A VERY RARE proof-of-record striking, this coin represents one of only two examples certified by PCGS and NGC combined, and is the first to have surfaced at public auction. True to its assigned grade, limited handling is apparent, with a soft golden tone visible on both sides. An ideal coin for the collector specializing in hard to find Central American issues." This type was struck 1939, 1946 and 1950-56 while the Somozas were in power. The weight was reduced to 3.91 g in 1961. In 1967, the brutal and corrupt Luis Somoza died of a heart attack and was succeeded by his brutal, corrupt and incompetent brother, Anastasio, with baleful consequences for Nicaragua.
Recorded mintage: 1,500,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 4 g, copper-nickel, 20 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-17.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Flores, Luis H., Nicaragua: Its Coins, Paper Money, Medals and Tokens, Managua: La Prensa, 2002.
- Harris, Robert P., A Guide Book of Modern Latin American Coins, Racine, WI: Whitman Publishiing Co., 1966.
- Robinson, Charles, The Coins of Central America, 1733-1965, San Benito, TX: 1965.
- Stickney, Brian, A Monetary History of Central America, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2017.
- [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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