BIAFRA: AR crown, 1969, KM-5, 38mm, bust of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, chief of staff during Biafra's brief independence 1967-1970 / coconut palm tree, NGC graded MS61, RRR. Little is known about this seldom encountered commemorative, probably intended for two years of independence, and inscribed "independence and liberty". No specimen has appeared at auction or for sale in recent years, to the best of our recollection. It is listed as "rare" by Krause, valued €1000 by Schon (Welt Münzkatalog, 20. Jahrhundert, 2008 edition). It has been suggested that it was produced by an Italian operation known as Istituto Numismatico Europeo, but there is no evidence to confirm this assumption. Uncertain letters, perhaps N.C.R., beneath the trunk of the palm tree and letter C at base of palm may reflect mint and designers initials. In any case, the style & arrangement are totally different from any of the other issues struck for Biafra during its ephemeral existence. A similar coin sold in Stephen Album Rare Coins Auction 18, Lot 2185 for $13,000. One the rarest of modern crown coins.
Estimate: 5,000-7,000 USD