Watch List notes:

MAURITANIA. 500 Ouguiya, 1975. Paris Mint. NGC MS-65.
Fr-1; KM-7. Struck with a mintage of only 1,800 pieces in commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of Independence. Full gleaming quality with no visible marks and just the faintest sprinkling of tone in the fields. Highly coveted as a type.

An interesting type, sought not only by African collectors, but Russian collectors as well and for good reason. An unusual pair, diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and Mauritania were first established in 1964, which shortly thereafter resulted in a formal trade agreement that was signed in October of 1966. Of chief importance to this relationship was the eventual establishment of largely State-owned fisheries off the fish-rich coast of Mauritania. As of 2016, seafood (including non-fillet frozen fish and mollusks) ranked second only behind iron ore on the list of Mauritania's largest exports.

From the Collection of Dr. James Eustace Bizzell, II.

Estimate: $1500.00- $2000.00