Palo Seco (1919) 5 cents
This specimen was part of lot 25589 in Heritage sale 3032 (Chicago, April 2014), which sold for $4,112.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Palo Seco. Leper Colony Token Pair ND (1919), KM-Tn1 & KM-Tn2 (2 pieces), MGM-700 and MGM-701 (2 pieces). A pair of tokens as follows: 1 Cent (AU50 NGC) and 5 Cents (XF45 NGC). The 1 Cent scarce and in unusually high grade, the 5 Cents scarcer and in attractive unflawed grade. An appealing pair, very scarce and with an important pedigree. From The Collection of Dr. Roger R. McFadden." Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, inspired fear and loathing among the neighbors of the unfortunates afflicted with the disease. Many countries set up colonies where sufferers could find refuge. Some, including Panama and the Canal Zone, issued coinage for those colonies so that money used there would not contaminate the neighbors. Medical advances demonstrated that Hansen's disease is only slightly contagious and it is treatable with antibiotics. The colonies were closed and their inmates released. The Palo Seco colony was closed in the fifties and the coinage used there was redeemed and destroyed. This cent was accompanied by five, ten twenty-five and fifty cents and a dollar token, all scarce to rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: brass, 21 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM Tn2, MGM-701.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [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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