Greece 1849 5 lepta

Heritage sale 3073, lot 33256

photo courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries

This specimen was lot 33256 in Heritage sale 3073 (Chicago, April 2019), where it sold for $2,160. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Othon 5 Lepta 1849 MS62 Brown NGC, Athens mint. Pleasing reddish-brown surfaces. The 1849 5 Lepta is an issue the circulated quite heavily, thus it is quite difficult to find Mint State specimens. From the Engelen Collection of World Coinage." This type is listed for 1847-49 and, like most of the issues of nineteenth century Greece, is scarce, especially in nice condition. There are also copper one, two and ten lepta. King Otto fell foul of the local politicians and was forced to abdicate in 1863.

Recorded mintage: 374,000.

Specification: copper.

Catalog reference: KM 28.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3073, featuring the Lake County Collection of British coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.

Link to:

• 1848 5 ΛΕΠΤA (lepta)
• 1849 2 ΛΕΠΤA (lepta)
• 1851 5 ΛΕΠΤA (lepta)
• Coins and currency dated 1849
• return to coins of Greece