Greece 1954 5 drachmai

from the Stack's Bowers June 2021 Collector's Choice sale, lot 71565

This specimen was lot 71565 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $156. The catalog description^[1] noted, "GREECE. 5 Drachmai, 1954. Paris Mint. PCGS MS-66+ Gold Shield. Hollow cheek variety. The finest seen at PCGS, this tremendous Gem offering presents olive-gray surfaces that are further enlivened by glistening iridescence on each side." This type, struck 1954-65, essentially worthless in circulated condition, is quite scarce in uncirculated. A few rare proofs exist of this date. It is accompanied by a fifty lepta (KM 80), one drachma (KM 81) and two drachmai (KM 82).

Recorded mintage: 21,000,000.

Specification: 9 g, copper-nickel, 27.5 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM-83.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.

Link to:

• 1957 2 drachmai
• 1959 20 lepta
• 1959 50 lepta
• Coins and currency dated 1954