Watch List notes:

Carved coconut "toasting cup" from the Republic of Independent Guiana, scrimshawed with denomination "2 CTS" (2 centimes) and date 1886, rare. 76 grams, 4-1/2" x 2-3/4". Finely scrimshawed on native coconut by a liberated prisoner of the notorious penal colony of Devil's Island (established in 1852 some 28 miles off the mainland) representing the short-lived Republic of Independent Guiana, better known by the name of its capital, Counani, south of the French Guiana capital of Cayenne, in an area that at the time was disputed between Brazil and France and whose borders are not totally settled to this day. The Republic of Independent Guiana lasted only from 1886 to 1891, under the life-presidency of Julio (Jules) Gros. The design on this cup consists of a laurel wreath around the 20 centimes denomination (possibly the amount required for the prisoner's release to freedom), plus the French Imperial eagle, a native Indian in ornate dress, and a capped monkey perched in a detailed tree and foliage. A one-of-a-kind piece with appeal to several areas of history.
($400-600)