GUATEMALA. Quetzal, 1925. Philadelphia Mint. NGC AU-58.

KM-242; El-143. Impressively preserved for this KEY DATE 20th century crown with soft golden tone that envelopes both sides. Beneath the color, virtually full luster remains apparent, while pleasing surfaces and perfect rims solidify the quality. Easily among the finest examples of this issue we have seen. An endlessly sought type with an estimated mintage of approximately 10,000 pieces, 7,000 of which were withdrawn from circulation between 1927 and 1928 and melted. An unknown amount were again withdrawn in 1932, leaving less than 3,000 examples that could possibly exist.