Romania 1939 100 lei Fr-15
This specimen was lot 30439 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $156,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"A Pinnacle Romanian Rarity. Carol II gold "Angel over Arms" 100 Lei 1939 MS62 NGC, Bucharest mint. Coin alignment. Reeded edge. A coin at the apex of Romanian numismatics, this extremely rare angelic type was struck to celebrate the centennial of the birth of Carol I. Though Pattern examples of this issue are sometimes available in gilt bronze, this is the first gold specimen we have offered, and it is the finer of only two examples graded across NGC and PCGS to date. The fields over both sides are enveloped in glossy luster, with shallow handling marks reflective of the grade assigned. An exceptional survivor boasting impressive eye appeal for the issue, and an ideal target for the condition-minded collector. Ex. Numismatica Genevensis Auction 2 (November 2002, Lot 939). From the Paramount Collection."
The circulating 100 lei coin (KM 54) was struck in nickel. This type was strictly for presentation.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 32.50 g, 0.900 fine gold, 37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-XM8, Fr-15, Stamb-102 var. (listed as medal alignment).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011..
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, The Paramount Collection World & Ancient Coins: Signature Auction 3096, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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