Sarawak 1870 1/4 cent
The first specimen was lot 54409 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $2,640. The catalog description[1] noted, "SARAWAK. 1/4 Cent, 1870. Birmingham (Heaton) Mint. Charles J Brooke. PCGS PROOF-64 Red Brown. Very elusive as a specimen strike this wholesome example is rich and glowing with luster, and strong details abound. A piece that will capture the attention of many excited bidders. From the Selvaraj Collection. Ex: Heaton Mint Archives." The second specimen was lot 58377 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[1] noted, "SARAWAK. 1/4 Cent, 1870. Birmingham (Heaton) Mint. Charles J. Brooke. PCGS MS-62 Brown. From the Selvaraj Collection." Sarawak, a British colony on the northwest coast of Borneo, was ruled by a dynasty of white rajahs from 1841 to 1946. This type was issued 1870 and 1896 from London, along with a half cent and one cent. It is common in low grade but expensive in nice condition.
Recorded mintage: 100,000 plus proofs.
Specification: copper.
Catalog reference: KM-4; Prid-63; SS-4.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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