Central American Republic gold 8 Escudos 1828 CR-F AU58+ NGC, San Jose mint, KM17, Fr-1, Onza-1746 (Rare), Stickney-C102. Mintage: 5,302. The notable inaugural date for this largest denomination of the Central American Republic, always coming highly demanded when found, and a certain conditional rarity at this level. While not the absolute finest certified example, the caliber of the present coin certainly allows for a brief review of the roster of major examples to come to market over the last several decades--the Mayer specimen (ungraded), deemed by the Spink-Smythe catalog to be uncirculated; the Lissner specimen, certified AU58 by NGC; the Hammel specimen (ungraded), considered by Stack's to be AU, though more likely Mint State; the Eliasberg example, certified MS62 by NGC; and, most recently, the Oro del Nuevo Mundo piece, certified MS63+ by NGC. Perhaps most interestingly, the type was altogether missing from the Norweb Collection. Though almost universally weakly struck towards the centers, this piece more than secures its location on the very cusp of Mint State status, the margins beaming with originality and sharp detailing, acting as an excellent lustrous frame for the central features. To date, we have yet to offer a nicer piece, with an AU58 (lacking this coin's plus designation), bringing $21,600 in our January 2020 Auction #3081.

HID09801242017

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