Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
August 2016 ANA Auction - Sess. A-C 10-12 August 2016
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ROMANIA. 50 Bani Pattern Prova in Nickel, 1921. Uncertain Mint in Italy (Likely Rome). NGC PROOF-64.
Stamb-97-1.1; KM-unlisted. Plain edge, coin die axis. EXTREMELY RARE. The years during and immediately after World War I were excruciating for several of the Allied countries who fought alongside the main combatants. In the case of Romania, withdrawal of support by the Russians after the Bolsheviks gained power in 1917, coupled with crushing military defeat at the hands of the German and Bulgarian Axis Powers, left the country occupied for the last year of the war with Romania only able to rejoin the fight on November 10, 1918, the day prior to the war's end. In the case of Italy, while they too were Allies, the losses sustained during the war were devastating with 700,000 casualties at the Battle of Caporetto alone. Interestingly enough, the Romanians fared far better at the Treaty of Versaille negotiating table, as they stressed their key geographic ability to provide containment of the communist threat coming from Russia after the war. The Italians, though victorious in the war, received virtually nothing in war reparations, which led to literal starvation in some parts of Italy in 1919. Little wonder, then, that someone like Mussolini would rise to power the year this coin was struck, declaring himself "Duce of Fascism" as he was elected to parliament. Because of their treatment by the Allies after the war, much like Romania, Italy would switch allegiance to the Axis Powers at the start of the Second World War. But at the time this coin was struck, the "Great War" or "War To End All Wars", was still widely viewed as a bright day for humanity; lessons learned in the previous years would help prevent another similar war from ever occurring again. Or so it was thought at the time. (The United States Peace Dollar was also first issued in 1921, the same year this prova was struck). The design elements of the coin are purely Italian, featuring a portrait of Arethusa (similar to Tetradrachm coinage from Syracuse) with the only truly Romanian influence being the reverse legends. Designed by Attilio Motti (who was the head engraver at the Rome mint during this period), it stands to reason the coin was also struck in Rome, much like the 1.25 Lei which featured the "R" mint mark (not seen on this coin). A touch of strike weakness can be seen in the reverse central legends, but with the obverse portrait well struck up and full of detail, all the way down to the triple pendant earring. A soft glowing champagne luster emanates from the surfaces. A coin that captures perfectly the intersection of history, commerce and art, the prova offered here is perhaps a once in a generation opportunity to add the type to a collection. NGC PROOF-64.
From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection.
Estimate: $2000.00- $2500.00
Stamb-97-1.1; KM-unlisted. Plain edge, coin die axis. EXTREMELY RARE. The years during and immediately after World War I were excruciating for several of the Allied countries who fought alongside the main combatants. In the case of Romania, withdrawal of support by the Russians after the Bolsheviks gained power in 1917, coupled with crushing military defeat at the hands of the German and Bulgarian Axis Powers, left the country occupied for the last year of the war with Romania only able to rejoin the fight on November 10, 1918, the day prior to the war's end. In the case of Italy, while they too were Allies, the losses sustained during the war were devastating with 700,000 casualties at the Battle of Caporetto alone. Interestingly enough, the Romanians fared far better at the Treaty of Versaille negotiating table, as they stressed their key geographic ability to provide containment of the communist threat coming from Russia after the war. The Italians, though victorious in the war, received virtually nothing in war reparations, which led to literal starvation in some parts of Italy in 1919. Little wonder, then, that someone like Mussolini would rise to power the year this coin was struck, declaring himself "Duce of Fascism" as he was elected to parliament. Because of their treatment by the Allies after the war, much like Romania, Italy would switch allegiance to the Axis Powers at the start of the Second World War. But at the time this coin was struck, the "Great War" or "War To End All Wars", was still widely viewed as a bright day for humanity; lessons learned in the previous years would help prevent another similar war from ever occurring again. Or so it was thought at the time. (The United States Peace Dollar was also first issued in 1921, the same year this prova was struck). The design elements of the coin are purely Italian, featuring a portrait of Arethusa (similar to Tetradrachm coinage from Syracuse) with the only truly Romanian influence being the reverse legends. Designed by Attilio Motti (who was the head engraver at the Rome mint during this period), it stands to reason the coin was also struck in Rome, much like the 1.25 Lei which featured the "R" mint mark (not seen on this coin). A touch of strike weakness can be seen in the reverse central legends, but with the obverse portrait well struck up and full of detail, all the way down to the triple pendant earring. A soft glowing champagne luster emanates from the surfaces. A coin that captures perfectly the intersection of history, commerce and art, the prova offered here is perhaps a once in a generation opportunity to add the type to a collection. NGC PROOF-64.
From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection.
Estimate: $2000.00- $2500.00