Albania 1938-R 50 franga ari
This specimen was lot 1021 in Sincona sale 66 (Zurich, October 2020), where it sold for 2,600 CHF (about US$3,423 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALBANIA | misc. Zogu I. Präsident 1925-1928, König 1928-1939. 50 Franga Ari 1938 R, Rom. Auf sein 10-jähriges Regierungsjubiläum. Selten. Nur 600 Exemplare geprägt. (kingdom of Albania, Zog I, 1928-39, fifty franga ari of 1938, Rome mint, on his tenth anniversary of rule. Rare. Only 600 pieces struck. NGC MS64.)"
Albania was created 1912 during the Balkan Wars by the Great Powers as a means of preventing the region from falling into Greek or Serbian control. She was occupied by Austria during World War One but had her independence restored by the Treaty of Versailles. King Zog, tho a ruthless and capable leader, was unable to prevent Albania from falling into Italy's orbit and Mussolini's grandiose plans for the restoration of the Roman Empire. In 1939, Italy invaded and annexed Albania.
Recorded mintage: 600.
Specification: 16.13 g, 0.900 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 24, Mont. 24. Schl. 34. Fr-16.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 66, Gold and Silver Coins and Medals, featuring the Claude Stritt Collection, Zurich: Sincona AG, 2020.
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