Papua New Guinea 1987 5 toea
This specimen was lot 73578 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $90. The catalog description[1] noted, "PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 5 Toea, 1987. Llantrisant Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-66 Gold Shield. A charming animal issue featuring a pig-nosed turtle, this steely gray Gem radiates with brilliance and is tied with just three others for the finest certified in the PCGS census. Ex: Kings Norton Mint Collection." This type was struck 1975-90, 1995-99 to the module of the Australian five cents. It was replaced in 2004 by a similar coin made of nickel-plated steel. Dutch and Portuguese explorers surveyed New Guinea but, deterred by harsh terrain and hostile natives, made no attempt to settle. The eastern half of the island was partitioned between Germany and Australia in the 1890's; the German portion was seized by Australia on the outbreak of World War One. New Guinea was the scene of fierce fighting in World War Two but reverted to Australian rule after the war. Papua New Guinea, which includes New Britain and other islands, was granted her independence in 1975.
Recorded Mintage: unknown but common.
Specification: 2.83 g, copper-nickel, 19.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 3.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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