Tuvalu 2011-P dollar KM-181
This specimen was lot 75605 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $240. The catalog description[1] noted, "TUVALU. Dollar, 2011-P. Perth Mint. Elizabeth II. NGC PROOF-70 Ultra Cameo. An attractive piece with the coloring applied to the map and sea boldly framing the Santa Maria under sail. The ultimate perfect grade simply enhances the appeal." 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. Other commemorative dollars for 2011 include KM 126, 163, 177, 178, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186 and 187. Most were made at Perth.
Recorded mintage: 5,000.
Specification: 31.13 g, 0.999 fine silver, 40.6 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-181.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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