Tuvalu 2006 15 dollars KM-159
This specimen was lot 75494 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2022), where it sold for $312. The catalog description[1] noted, "TUVALU. 15 Dollars, 2006. Elizabeth II. NGC PROOF-70 Ultra Cameo. This flawless proof displays much frostiness on the devices that contrast sharply with the mirrored fields. A wonderful piece for anyone who loves birds." Tuvalu is a Pacific island nation within the British Commonwealth. It was known as the Ellice Islands before independence in 1978. The islands were used as a staging area for US forces during attacks on the Japanese occupied Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) during World War Two. Today, the population is about 10,000 and the major economic activity is processing frozen fish and remittances from Tuvaluans who work as merchant seamen. The Tuvaluan dollar is pegged to the Australian dollar. The last coinage for local circulation was struck in 1985, so locals probably use Australian or New Zealand coins for ordinary transactions. The SCWC lists two coins of this denomination for 2006 but does not include a photo of KM 233. This type was struck 2005-07.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.11 g, 0.999 fine gold, 0.100 troy oz AGW, 17.95 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-B3; KM-159.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The February 2022 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients & World Coins, Featuring Selections from the Kings Norton Mint Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.
- 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.
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