Chile 1884 1/2 decimo KM-149

from the Stack's Bowers September 2023 Collector's Choice sale, lot 73161

This specimen was lot 73161 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $408. The catalog description^[1] noted, "CHILE. 1/2 Decimo, 1884-So. Santiago Mint. PCGS MS-65. Mule variety without "0.5". A brilliant little jewel, ablaze with flashy luster." The regular half décimo was struck in 0.500 fine silver 1879-94. This mule was struck without the fineness using the old reverse die from KM 137.2. It is awarded a slight premium in the SCWC but this example realized eight times the catalog value. The design was shared with the décimo, twenty centavos, fifty centavos and silver peso.

Recorded mintage: 664,000 including KM 137.3.

Specification: 1.25 g, 0.500 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-149.

Source:

• 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, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

Link to:

• 1880 ½ décimo, without fineness
• 1884 medio décimo, with "0.5" fineness
• 1884 peso
• 1887 medio décimo
• Coins and currency dated 1884