Watch List notes:

Venezuela, gold 500 bolivares, 1975, nationalization of the oil industry, NGC MS 69 ("top pop"). Fr-9; KM-Y54. The key coin of modern Venezuela, with only 100 examples struck, all in a proof finish (alternately called PF Ultra Cameo or MS by NGC, combined in the same census), and many subsequently melted. The design is unique, with cameo bust of Bolivar against mirror field inside a rounded-rhomboid incuse placed to right of center, the rest of that side frosty matte, and a similar arrangement on the reverse with oil derricks inside the mirror incuse (left of center). Die-polish lines pervade throughout, but no marks or cloudiness, just a faint red spot between the 7 and 5 in the date. Currently this specimen shares top honors at NGC with three other entries, but to our knowledge none of those has been auctioned in the past decade.


Estimate: 20000 - 40000 USD