View source for Gibraltar 2000 1/2 crown KM-883

[[Image:S80-02434.jpg|550px|thumb|Sincona sale 80, lot 2434]]

This specimen was lot 2434 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 450 CHF (about US$539 including buyer's fees). The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"''GIBRALTAR, Elizabeth II. 1952-2022. 1/2 Crown 2001, Pobjoy Mint. 160 Jahre Uniform Penny Post. Blaue Mauritius. Bimetall: 2 g Titanum und 9 g Gold. Nur 5'000 Exemplare geprägt. Polierte Platte. Im Originaletui mit Zertifikat.'' ([[Gibraltar]], Elizabeth II, 1952-2022, half crown of 2001, Pobjoy mint, 160th anniversary of the postage stamp, the Blue Mauritius, bimetallic titanium and gold. Only 5,000 pieces struck, Choice Proof, In original box with certificate.)"</blockquote> Wikipedia comments, "The Mauritius 'Post Office' stamps were issued by the British Colony Mauritius in September 1847, in two denominations: an orange-red one penny (1d) and a deep blue two pence (2d). Their name comes from the wording on the stamps reading "Post Office", which was soon changed in the next issue to 'Post Paid'. They are among the rarest postage stamps in the world." This design was struck in bimetallic format (shown here) and a half ounce gold version (KM 894). The Popjoy Mint honored another stamp, the Penny Black on an [[Isle of Man 1990 2 crowns]].

''Recorded mintage:'' 5,000 proofs.

''Specification:'' 9 g gold and 2 g titanium, this specimen 11.00 g. 
 
''Catalog reference:'' KM 883.

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* 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. 
* Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, ''Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed.,'' Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019. 
* <sup>[1]</sup>Richter, Jürg, ''SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland,'' Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
 
''Links to:''
* [[Isle of Man 1990 2 crowns]], 150th anniversary of the Penny Black
* [[Gibraltar 1999 1/2 crown]], millennium
* [[Gibraltar 2000 crown KM-884|2000 crown, 160th anniversary of the postage stamp, the Blue Mauritius, bimetallic titanium and gold]]
* [[Gibraltar 2001 5 crowns]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 2000]]

[[Category:Selections from Sincona sale 78, 79, 80, 81]]