Romania 1940 100 lei
This specimen was lot 25748 in Heritage sale 3032 (Chicago, April 2014), where it sold for $38,187.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "20th Century Rarity in Gold--Carol II gold 100 Lei 1940, Bucharest mint, AU55 PCGS. A celebrated 20th century rarity in the Romanian series with examples being conceived and struck in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Carol's reign. Typical of most of the survivors, the present example holds a myriad of flyspeck marks on the obverse surfaces, all while retaining impressive brightness in the fields. In all likelihood never truly circulated, some stacking friction appears on the high relief obverse bust and accounts for the grade. The reverse, fully Uncirculated by comparison, is pleasingly detailed with relatively few marks. An important opportunity for the Romanian specialist or pursuer of large - and rare - world gold type." This type is not listed in the regular SCWC. It was likely a presentation piece. It is difficult to imagine gold coins circulating in post-World War One Romania.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 32.25 g, 0.900 fine gold, 37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-XM12, Fr-19, Stamb-111.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3032, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014
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