Tonga 1962 koula
This specimen was lot 31188 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $2,880. The catalog description[1] noted, "Tonga: Queen Salote gold Koula 1962 MS67 NGC. Depicting a solemn representation of Queen Salote Tupou III opposite the Tongan coat of arms, this piece finds itself second only to one other at NGC. From the Paramount Collection." Tongan coinage commenced in 1962 and was converted to decimal coinage in 1967. This type was accompanied by a gold half koula and a quarter koula. One koula = 16 pounds. Salote Tupou III was queen of Tonga from 1918 until her death in 1965.
Recorded mintage: 1,500 + proofs + some struck in platinum (KM 3a).
Specification: 32.50 g, 0.916 fine gold, AGW 0.9571 oz.
Catalog reference: KM 3, Fr-1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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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