Diversity in Numismatics
Cayman Islands


Obverse
Enlarge  
  
Reverse
Enlarge  

Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC AU 55 Brown
Owner: RAM-VT
 
Set Category: Other (Diverse collecting in the style of Garrett while on a very limited budget)
Set Name: Diversity in Numismatics
Slot Name: Cayman Islands
Research: See NGC's Census Report for this Coin

Owner's Description

Republic of Rhodesia (1970 – 1978) Prime Minister Ian Smith ½ Cent – Business Strike AU-55 KM #9 Census - If you used the above census link you will see two AU-55 specimen of this coin. However, because this coin is so rare (yes I used the rare) I thought it best I point out that a total of four such coins have been certified by NGC the other two are UNC’s. Obv. – Value and date to upper left of sprig Rev. – Arms and supporters In 1977 ten proof specimens of this ½ Cent were struck and issued. There was also a production run of business strike ½ cents. However, all the business strikes were to be melted down. As is typical in such cases a small number of business strikes escaped the melting pot. For decades the Standard Catalogue of World Coins 1901 to 2000 simply stated that “Less than 10 surviving specimens are known. When statements like “less than X are known to exist” are made the person making the statement is saying I have no idea how many there are. If they had a definitive number they would give it. Since the basic statement has not changed in 33 years, there apparently has been no obvious increase show up in the documented population of this issue In addition to the four NGC certified specimens, I also know that a collector in Singapore has an uncertified specimen which should grade at least AU and possibly higher. Then there is PCGS, I don’t know if they have certified any. So that “less than 10” estimate might still be a valid estimate but I would like to say there might be 20 specimens. Twenty specimens still makes for an extremely small population for the collecting universe. The Portuguese were the first European nation to exert any control over this part of Africa. But it was Cecil Rhodes and the South Africa Co. that opened up and developed the resources of this part of Africa. Rhodes obtained a concession for mineral rights from the local chiefs in 1888 and administered his African empire (named Southern Rhodesia in 1895) through the British South Africa Co, until 1923 when the British government annexed the area after the white settlers voted for existence as a separate entity. The British government exerted control over this area in various forms from 1923 to march 2, 1970 when the Rhodesian parliament severed all ties with the British government and established the Republic of Rhodesia. On March 3, 1978 Prime Minister Ian Smith and three moderate black nationalist leaders signed an agreement providing for the black majority rule. The name of the country was changed to Zimbabwe. I purchased this coin from an Australian auction house some time ago (they had it listed as an impaired proof, the second I saw it I knew what it was). I do not remember my exact cost. The coin cost me $400 Australian and at that time the Australian dollar about 75% of a US dollar (how things change) but then you had to add on buyers fee, VAT and P&H and you still end up with a number close to $400 US.

To follow or send a message to this user,
please log in