South Africa 1938 2-1/2 shillings
The first specimen was part of lot 21851 in Heritage sale 3010 (Boston, August 2010), which sold for $5,750. The catalog description[1] noted, "George VI eight-piece Proof Set 1938, Farthing-Halfcrown, all toned Proof, most with some PVC that can be removed to bring out the full mirrored fields. A very scarce set with tiny a mintage of only 44 sets. Included is the original case of issue." The second specimen was lot 30725 in Heritage sale 3037 (New York, January 2015), where it sold for $940. The catalog description[2] noted, "George VI Proof 2-1/2 Shillings 1938 PR64 NGC. A strong, near-gem example of this type with incredibly flashy, mirrored fields and light amber tone surrounding the peripheries. Rare, with a tiny mintage of just 44 pieces." This type was struck 1937-47. This date is somewhat scarce.
Recorded mintage: 534,000 plus 44 proof sets.
Specification: 14.14 g, 0.800 fine silver, 32.3 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 30, KM PS13 for the set.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Hern, Brian, John Bothma and Hercie Pieterse, Hern's Handbook on South African Coins & Patterns, Ferndale, South Africa, 2013.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, Scott Cordry and John Kraljevich, Heritage Sale 3010: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2010.
- [2]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3037, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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