Straits Settlements 1881 20 cents
This specimen was lot 51329 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $8,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 20 Cents, 1881. London Mint. Victoria. PCGS MS-63 Gold Shield. The single finest certified of the date on either the NGC or PCGS population reports, and the only Mint State example of the date on the PCGS census. This highly attractive and flashy survivor boasts strong design features with frosty devices and semi-reflective fields that are complemented by beautiful rich multicolored patina exuding originality certain to catch the attention of advanced collectors with a discerning eye worthy of serious consideration." This type was struck in 1877-1901 and is only rare in high grade such as is shown here.
Recorded mintage: 100,000 including 1881/71, a scarce date.
Specification: 5.43 g, 0.800 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-12; Tan-SSC27.
- 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, The April 2021 Hong Kong Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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