CHILE. Tarapaca. Peso, 1891. Iquique Mint. PCGS AU-50.
KM-1. An EXTREMELY RARE provisional type with only a small number known to exist, this piece tells a story that is hard for most coins to match. The present example offers sharply struck details and very little evidence of actual wearing on the surfaces. Some glossiness remains, and despite the obviously crude nature of the piece, it does not lack much for attractivity. An example which we cannot find records of trading since 2011, making this an exquisite opportunity for the advanced specialist. In 1891 Chile had descended into Civil War, with the liberal president of Jose Manuel Balmaceda coming into conflict with the conservative congress. The Chilean army and navy supported Balmaceda and the congress, respectively. This intriguing issue was produced by the pro-congress insurgency, and was struck in Tarapaca, which had only been absorbed into Chile in 1885. The rebels ultimately proved victorious, after which Balmaceda committed suicide.
Estimate: $5000.00- $10000.00