Yemen AH 1382 2/10 riyal

from Stack's Bowers October 2020 Collector's Choice sale, lot 72858

This specimen was lot 72858 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2020), where it sold for $180. The catalog description^[1] noted, "YEMEN. 2/10 Riyal (8 Buqsha), AH 1382 (1962). PCGS MS-66 Gold Shield. Thick planchet variety. Mostly steely gray and shimmering, this largely untoned minor offers impeccable surface quality and great brilliance. Only a few light spots on the reverse prevent an even more elite designation." The Mutawakkilite Kingdom began forming in 1890 AD, but it was not until 1911 that the local ruler (Yahya bin Muhammad, who came to power in AH 1322 / 1904 AD) was recognized as both the secular and religious head by the occupying (but weakening) Ottoman forces. In 1919 AD, the Ottomans withdrew from Yemen. The first local coinage to recognize independent Yemeni rule was struck in AH 1342 (1924 AD).

Shown is a silver 2/10 riyal. It was struck the first year coins were issued under the new Yemen Arab Republic, which formed in 1962 AD. Thick and thin varieties exist.

Recorded mintage: unknown but fairly scarce.

Specifications: thick 5.8-6.5 g, thin 4.9-5.1 g, both 0.720 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-Y25.1 (thick planchet), KM Y25.2 (thin planchet).

Sources:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.

Link to:

• AH 1378 1/80 riyal (aluminum)
• AH 1379 1/40 riyal (bronze)
• AH 1380 1/40 riyal (bronze)
• AH 1382 (1963) 1/20 riyal
• AH 1382 1/10 riyal
• AH 1379 ½ riyal
• AH 1382 ¼ riyal
• AH 1382 riyal
• Coins and currency dated 1962