★ The First Paraguayan Gold CoinAn Ultimate Rarity ★

PARAGUAY. 4 Pesos Fuertes, 1867. NGC EF-40.
21 mm; 6.36 gms. Fr-1; KM-A2. Plain edge. Obverse: Lion seated right, head facing; radiant liberty cap on pole in background; Reverse: Justice seated facing on throne, holding branch and scales, and resting hand upon reversed sword; branch to left and right. Mildly circulated, this example exhibits a deeper yellow hue with golden highlights near the peripheries. A few scattered marks are noted, as well as some light edge filing. An ultimate RARITY, this piece is from the first series of gold coins issued for Paraguay, and the only type struck before the modern era. When we last offered this coin in the 2005 Eliasberg auction, we noted just a handful of specimens outside of this one, such as one in the 1988 Guia sale, one sold privately roughly 40 years ago, one in the 1908 Ulex sale, and one in the museum in Rio de Janeiro. Following the fire at the museum last September, the Rio specimen may no longer be extant. Accordingly, for the collector of South American rarities, this is assuredly near the top of the list, and is almost never available on the market. We wholeheartedly expect immense interest and bidding for this Paraguayan treasure.
Ex: Eliasberg Collection (American Numismatic Rarities, 4/2005) Lot # 3449 (@ $36,000). Ex: John H. Clapp Collection.
Estimate: $40000.00- $60000.00