Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3044 3-4 January 2016
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Honduras
Republic gold 10 Pesos 1889 AU58 NGC, Tegucigalpa mint, KM58, Fr-5. A handsome and lustrous coin, with very slight friction evidence confined to the highest points preventing the Mint State designation and only light surface handling marks albeit with noticeable die polishing on the obverse. Until the present specimen surfaced in the early 2000's (not to be confused with the appearance of 13 examples of the previously unknown 1883 date, all probably struck later as wedding tokens) the 1889 Honduras 10 Pesos, of which only 25 pieces were struck, was considered unique. That first (and until then, only) known example is the KM plate coin and was previously included in two of the greatest collections ever formed, namely the Virgil Brand (Glendining's 3/1936, lot 226) and Eliasberg (ANR 4/2005, lot 3071 for $65,000) collections. The latter legendary numismatist was proud enough of this example to display it as a highlight of his holdings in the April 27, 1953 issue of Life Magazine! The 1883 and 1889 dates are the only known for this extremely rare issue, with the combined population of the entire type a mere 15 pieces. Clearly the finest of only two confirmed examples of this date - the aforementioned Brand-Eliasberg example was certified as XF45 by NGC - and, more importantly, the finest confirmed representative of one of the rarest modern world gold types - of which only 15 examples are known, as noted previously - the present coin is destined to occupy a preeminent place in the next owner's cabinet.
Estimate: 50000-60000 USD
Republic gold 10 Pesos 1889 AU58 NGC, Tegucigalpa mint, KM58, Fr-5. A handsome and lustrous coin, with very slight friction evidence confined to the highest points preventing the Mint State designation and only light surface handling marks albeit with noticeable die polishing on the obverse. Until the present specimen surfaced in the early 2000's (not to be confused with the appearance of 13 examples of the previously unknown 1883 date, all probably struck later as wedding tokens) the 1889 Honduras 10 Pesos, of which only 25 pieces were struck, was considered unique. That first (and until then, only) known example is the KM plate coin and was previously included in two of the greatest collections ever formed, namely the Virgil Brand (Glendining's 3/1936, lot 226) and Eliasberg (ANR 4/2005, lot 3071 for $65,000) collections. The latter legendary numismatist was proud enough of this example to display it as a highlight of his holdings in the April 27, 1953 issue of Life Magazine! The 1883 and 1889 dates are the only known for this extremely rare issue, with the combined population of the entire type a mere 15 pieces. Clearly the finest of only two confirmed examples of this date - the aforementioned Brand-Eliasberg example was certified as XF45 by NGC - and, more importantly, the finest confirmed representative of one of the rarest modern world gold types - of which only 15 examples are known, as noted previously - the present coin is destined to occupy a preeminent place in the next owner's cabinet.
Estimate: 50000-60000 USD