Rhodesia and Nyasaland 1955 2 shillings KM-6a
This specimen was part of lot 22974 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Anaheim, CA, August 2016), which sold for $329. The catalog description[1] noted, "RHODESIA & NYASALAND. Partial Proof Set, 1955. ICG PROOF-63 CAMEO to PROOF-66 DEEP CAMEO. KM-PS2. 5 pieces in set. Mintage of 2,000 pieces each. A fairly scarce set and with fabulous designs to the reverses. The 2 Shilling and Half Crown are PROOF-66 CAMEO and DEEP CAMEO respectively, and these coins alone make this partial set extremely desirable given their spectacular all white state of preservation. The balance of the set is attractive as well, with all of the coins exhibiting at least some cameo affect. No spots, with a few of the smaller denominations showing light haze. Missing the bronze 1/2 Penny and Penny coins from the set." The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was a shortlived grouping of the British colonies of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), Southern Rhodesia (later Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe) and Nyasaland (now Malawi). Formed in 1953, it was very much a shotgun marriage, the black-dominated Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland wanting to have nothing to do with white-dominated Southern Rhodesia. Zambia and Malawi left in 1964, and Rhodesia declared independence in 1965, terminating the federation.
Recorded mintage: 1,750,000 plus 2,000 proofs.
Specification: proofs: 11.31 g, .500 fine silver, 28.5 mm diameter; the circulation strikes were in copper-nickel.
Catalog reference: KM-6a (silver proofs) or KM 6 (copper-nickel).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2016 Anaheim ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2016.
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