| The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
| Slot: |
NGC: 6/0
PCGS: 2/0 |
| Origin/Country: |
COSTA RICA |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
5C 1912 GCR KM-145 |
| Grade: |
PCGS MS 67 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Costa Rica - KM #145 - 1912 Silver 5 Centavos - Mintage: 535,565
Minted by the Philadelphia mint for circulation in Costa Rica.
Date acquired: 9/22/2013 (Already graded by PCGS)
Rev. 9/23/2013
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| Slot: |
NGC: 4/0
PCGS: 2/0 |
| Origin/Country: |
CUBA |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
40C 1952 REPUBLIC ANNIVERSARY KM-25 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 66 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Cuba - 1952(P) 20 Centavos - KM #25 - Mintage: 1,250,000
Ten, twenty, and Forty Centavo coins were struck by the US Mint in Philadelphia, all with the same design by Cuban artist Esteban Valderrama.to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Cuba.
The obverse is composed of the Cuban flag, a lighthouse, and the Havana skyline with 1952 above 1902 below. The text "REPUBLICA DE CUBA" (Republic of Cuba) at the top, and the denomination "CUARENTA CENTAVOS" (forty centavos) below.
The reverse prominently displays a Star, Tree, and Wheel of Industry. "CINCUENTA ANOS DE LIBERTAD Y PROGRESO" (50 Years of Liberty and Progress) around the periphery and the date 1952 below. A revolution led by Carlos Manuel de Cespedes erupted at his sugar mill La Demajaagua, on October 10, 1868. The hostilities finally ended in 1878 when peace was restored by the Pact of Zanjon. Valderrama depicted the ruins of this sugar mill on the common reverse of all three of the 1952 commemorating coins.
This particular coin is relatively well struck for this design and exhibits a very full dark, multicolored, peripheral toning. It is one of only four graded by NGC at this grade with none finer. As of this revision, the PCGS population is 2/0.
Date acquired: 2/27/2013 (already graded by NGC)
Rev. 4/20/2017
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| Slot: |
NGC: 1/0
PCGS: 0/0 Finest Known |
| Origin/Country: |
CURACAO |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
CENT 1944D KM-41 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 67 RD |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Curaçao - 1944D (Palm Privy) 1 Cent - KM #41 - Mintage: 3,000,000
Obverse: Rampant Lion and Field from the shield of the coat of arms
Obverse Legend: MUNT VAN CURAÇAO (Mint of Curaçao), date below
Reverse: Denomination within a wreath of orange tree branches.
Edge: Reeded
This coin was minted by the Denver Mint during World War II for circulation in the Dutch Colony of Curaçao. I find it particularly interesting that unlike all US cents, this one cent coin has a reeded edge.
The primary element on the obverse is the central elements of the shield from the Dutch coat of arms. The background (field) of the shield is azure which is a dark royal blue that is represented by horizontal lines in engraving. Also part of the background is gold billetty which are vertically oriented gold blocks, twice as long as they are wide, arranged in rows but not directly underneath each other. A hatched pattern of dots is used in engraving to represent the gold color of the billets. The lion is rampant (standing on his back legs), crowned with a coronet, and is also gold with a red tongue and red claws. In his sinister (left front) paw he is holding seven silver arrows bound together with a gold ribbon, representing the seven provinces of the Union of Utrecht. In his dexter (right front) paw he is brandishing a silver sword with a golden hilt representing the determination to defend their liberty.
This particular coin is an exceptionally attractive red example of this relatively common coin. So much so in fact that NGC/Numismaster used this coin as the plate coin for their price guide.
Date acquired: 8/23/2014 (raw coin)
Date graded: 9/18/2015 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 12/5/2018
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| Slot: |
NGC: 1/0
PCGS: 0/0 Finest Known |
| Origin/Country: |
CURACAO |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
CENT 1947 KM-41 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 67 RD |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Curaçao - 1947(u) (KM #41) - Mintage:1,500,000
Obverse: Rampant Lion and Field from the shield of the coat of arms
Obverse Legend: MUNT VAN CURAÇAO (Mint of Curaçao), date below
Reverse: Denomination within a wreath of orange tree branches.
Edge: Reeded
1947 is the first year after World War II that minting of coinage for Curaçao was resumed by the Royal Dutch Mint. This coin contains two privy marks which identify the mint and the mint master.
The fish to the left of the date represents the mint master at the time the coin was minted. J.W.A. van Hengel served as the mint master from 1945 through 1969. Van Hengel started as acting mint master during World War II from 1942 until 1944. After the war he became the true mint master of the Royal Dutch Mint, and used a fish as his privy mark.
The caduceus to the right of the date has been the mint mark of the dutch Royal Mint since 1816 and is present on most coins minted by the Utrecht mint. This mark is called "staff of Mercury" in dutch, referring to the God Mercury. He is often depicted with a staff and symbolizes trade and profit, hence it's relation with the mint. The wings on top of the staff, as well as the two snakes, refer to Mercury's Greek predecessor Hermes who is often seen with two wings on a helmet or on his sandals.
The primary element on the obverse is the central elements of the shield from the Dutch coat of arms. The background (field) of the shield is azure which is a dark royal blue that is represented by horizontal lines in engraving. Also part of the background is gold billetty which are vertically oriented gold blocks, twice as long as they are wide, arranged in rows but not directly underneath each other. A hatched pattern of dots is used in engraving to represent the gold color of the billets. The lion is rampant (standing on his back legs), crowned with a coronet, and is also gold with a red tongue and red claws. In his sinister (left front) paw he is holding seven silver arrows bound together with a gold ribbon, representing the seven provinces of the Union of Utrecht. In his dexter (right front) paw he is brandishing a silver sword with a golden hilt representing the determination to defend their liberty.
This coin is a beautiful red example of this issue and is the finest known.
Date acquired: 3/13/2016 (Already graded by NGC)
Rev. 12/5/2018
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| Slot: |
NGC: 1/0
PCGS: 0/0 Finest Known |
| Origin/Country: |
CURACAO |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
2.5C 1944D KM-42 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 RB |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Curaçao - 1944D (Palm Privy) 2 1/2 Cents - KM #42 - Mintage: 1,000,000
Obverse: Rampant Lion and Field from the shield of the coat of arms
Obverse Legend: MUNT VAN CURAÇAO (Mint of Curaçao), date below
Reverse: Denomination within a wreath of orange tree branches.
Edge: Reeded
This coin was minted by the Denver Mint during World War II for circulation in the Dutch Colony of Curaçao. I find it particularly interesting that unlike small denomination US coins, this minor coin has a reeded edge.
The primary element on the obverse is the central shield from the Dutch coat of arms topped by the Dutch royal crown. The background (field) of the shield is azure which is a dark royal blue that is represented by horizontal lines in engraving. Also part of the background is gold billetty which are vertically oriented gold blocks, twice as long as they are wide, arranged in rows but not directly underneath each other. A hatched pattern of dots is used in engraving to represent the gold color of the billets. The lion is rampant (standing on his back legs), crowned with a coronet, and is also gold with a red tongue and red claws. In his sinister (left front) paw he is holding seven silver arrows bound together with a gold ribbon, representing the seven provinces of the Union of Utrecht. In his dexter (right front) paw he is brandishing a silver sword with a golden hilt representing the determination to defend their liberty.
This particular coin is an attractive dark red brown example of this relatively common date.
Date acquired: 4/26/2006 (raw coin)
Date graded: 9/18/2015 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 10/31/2015
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| Slot: |
NGC: 1/0
PCGS: 0/0 Finest Known |
| Origin/Country: |
CURACAO |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
5C 1943 KM-40 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 68 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Curaçao/Suriname - KM #40 - 1943 (P) 5 Cents - Total Mintage: 8,595,000
Curaçao: 500,000 minted in 1943
Curaçao: 1,500,000 minted in 1944 (dated 1943)
Suriname: 6,595,000 minted in 1944 (dated 1943)
Obverse: Orange branch within circle "KONINGRIJK DER NEDERLANDEN" (Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Reverse: Date divided by denomination within shells and beads.
The coin does not bear either a palm tree privy mark or a mint mark, but it was struck for use in Curaçao and Suriname by the Philadelphia mint during World War II while The Netherlands was occupied by Germany. The homeland type of KM#153 was last issued in the Netherlands in 1940.
This particular specimen is the finest known by either NGC or PCGS. It had originally been mislabeled as a coin of The Netherlands instead of Curaçao. NGC did however fix this error for free.
Date acquired: 10/29/2014 (Already graded by NGC)
Rev. 12/5/2018
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| Slot: |
NGC: 1/0
PCGS: 0/0 Finest Known |
| Origin/Country: |
CURACAO |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
1/10G 1944D KM-43 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 66 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Curaçao - 1944D (Palm Privy) 1/10 Gulden - KM #43 - Mintage: 1,500,000
Obverse: Head of Queen of the Netherlands Wilhelmina I facing left
Obverse Legend: WILHELMINA KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN (Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands)
Reverse: Denomination, date below
Reverse Legend: MUNT VAN CURAÇAO (Mint of Curaçao)
Edge: Reeded
This coin was minted by the Denver Mint during World War II for circulation in the Dutch Colony of Curaçao.
The portrait of Queen Wilhelmina used on the Dutch coinage changed as the Queen aged. At the time these coins were struck, the Queen was 64 years old and was living in exile in England. The third style of her left facing portrait which dominates the obverse of this coin, was first used in 1921 when she was just 41 years old.
This particular coin is a high grade example of this relatively common coin.
Date acquired: 11/12/2006 (raw coin)
Date graded: 9/18/2015 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 12/5/2018
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| Slot: |
NGC: 1/0
PCGS: 0/0 Finest Known |
| Origin/Country: |
CURACAO |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
25C 1943P KM-38 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Curaçao/Suriname - 1943P (Palm Privy) - 25 Cents - KM #38 - Total Mintage: 2,500,000
Curaçao mintage: 500,000
Suriname mintage: 2,000,000
Obverse: Head of Queen of the Netherlands Wilhelmina I facing left
Obverse Legend: WILHELMINA KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN (Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands)
Reverse: Denomination and date within wreath
Reverse Legend: none
Edge: Reeded
Minted by the Philadelphia Mint during World War II for circulation in the Dutch colonies of Curaçao and Suriname. This coin contains two "mint marks." The first is the right tilted "P" to the right of the date on the reverse indicating that it was minted by the Philadelphia Mint. The second is the left tilted tilted Palm Tree "privy" mark to the left of the date. These exact coins were also minted by the Philadelphia Mint for the Netherlands proper, also with the "P" mint mark, but with an Acorn privy mark to the left of the date in place of the Palm Tree found on this coin. The privy mark is the only way to tell the two coins apart.
The portrait of Queen Wilhelmina used on the Dutch coinage changed as the Queen aged. At the time these coins were struck, the Queen was 63 years old and was living in exile in England. The third style of her left facing portrait which dominates the obverse of this coin, was first used in 1921 when she was just 41 years old.
There is a moderately rare variety of this issue which appears to be an overdate variety in which a faint vertical line appears in the lower loop of the three in the date. It is referred to by Krause as 1943/1P. There has been some debate as to whether this is an actual overdate or just a die crack in a strategic location. Time will tell, but it will likely remain a collectible variety either way.
Date acquired: 3/28/2006 (raw coin)
Date graded: 9/23/2015 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 12/5/2018
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| Slot: |
NGC: 2/0
PCGS: 0/0 |
| Origin/Country: |
CURACAO |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
25C 1943/'1'P KM-38 |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 58 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Curaçao/Suriname - 1943/1 P (Palm Privy) 25Cents - KM #38 - Total Mintage: 2,500,000 (Variety mintage unknown)
Curaçao total mintage: 500,000
Suriname total mintage: 2,000,000
Obverse: Head of Queen of the Netherlands Wilhelmina I facing left
Obverse Legend: WILHELMINA KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN (Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands)
Reverse: Denomination and date within wreath
Reverse Legend: none
Edge: Reeded
This coin was minted by the Philadelphia Mint during World War II for circulation in the Dutch colonies of Curaçao and Suriname. These coins contains two "mint marks." The first is the right tilted "P" to the right of the date on the reverse indicating that it was minted by the Philadelphia Mint. The second is the left tilted tilted Palm Tree "privy" mark to the left of the date. These exact coins were also minted by the Philadelphia Mint for the Netherlands proper, also with the "P" mint mark, but with an Acorn privy mark to the left of the date in place of the Palm Tree found on this coin. The privy mark is the only way to tell the two coins apart.
The portrait of Queen Wilhelmina used on the Dutch coinage changed as the Queen aged. At the time these coins were struck, the Queen was 63 years old and was living in exile in England. The third style of her left facing portrait which dominates the obverse of this coin, was first used in 1921 when she was just 41 years old.
This is the moderately rare variety which appears to have an over-punched date with a faint vertical line appearing in the lower loop of the three in the date. It is referred to by Krause as 1943/1P. There has been some debate as to whether this is an actual over-punched date or just a die crack in a strategic location. NGC has expressed their apprehension about the validity of this overdate by enclosing the underlying one in single quotes do the designation is "1943/'1'P" Time will tell, but it will likely remain a collectible variety either way.
Date acquired: 12/14/2014 (raw coin)
Date graded: 9/23/2015 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 6/13/2024
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| Slot: |
NGC: 6/0
PCGS: 0/0 |
| Origin/Country: |
CURACAO |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
2.5G 1944D KM-46 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 66 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Curaçao - 1944D (Palm Tree privy mark) - 2-1/2 Gulden (KM# 46) - Mintage: 200,000 (140,000)
(60,000 coins melted down after minting)
Obverse: Head of Queen of the Netherlands Wilhelmina I facing left
Obverse Legend: WILHELMINA KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN (Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands)
Reverse: Crowned Shield from the coat of arms dividing the denomination
Reverse Legend: MUNT VAN CURAÇAO (Mint of Curaçao), date below
Edge Lettering: GOD * ZIJ * MET * ONS * (God be with us)
This coin was minted in Denver for circulation in the Dutch Colony of Curaçao during World War II. It is interesting to note that the O in CURAÇAO is actually tilted.
The portrait of Queen Wilhelmina used on the Dutch coinage changed as the Queen aged. At the time these coins were struck, the Queen was 64 years old and was living in exile in England. The third style of her left facing portrait which dominates the obverse of this coin, was first used in 1921 when she was just 41 years old.
The primary element on the reverse is the central shield from the Dutch coat of arms topped by the Dutch royal crown. The background (field) of the shield is azure which is a dark royal blue that is represented by horizontal lines in engraving. Also part of the background is gold billetty which are vertically oriented gold blocks, twice as long as they are wide, arranged in rows but not directly underneath each other. A hatched pattern of dots is used in engraving to represent the gold color of the billets. The lion is rampant (standing on his back legs), crowned with a coronet, and is also gold with a red tongue and red claws. In his sinister (left front) paw he is holding seven silver arrows bound together with a gold ribbon, representing the seven provinces of the Union of Utrecht. In his dexter (right front) paw he is brandishing a silver sword with a golden hilt representing the determination to defend their liberty.
This is a beautiful, bright white coin with minimal scuffs and contact marks.
Date acquired: 12/7/2014 (already graded by NGC)
Rev. 12/5/2018
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| Slot: |
NGC: 2/0
PCGS: 0/0 |
| Origin/Country: |
ECUADOR |
| Design Description: |
R-3E-SH-N--3B |
| Item Description: |
5C 1919 3 BERRIES KM-63 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 66 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Ecuador - 1919 (Providence Mint) - 5 Centavos - (KM #63, EC #132) - Mintage: 12,000,000
History
These coins were minted for the "Republica Del Ecuador" by the Providence Mint, a division of Gorham Manufacturing Company in Providence Rhode Island. Known primarily for producing high-quality sterling silverware and holloware, they also produced silver and base metal coins for several foreign countries including Ecuador, Serbia, and Cuba. The most notable of these are the several varieties of 1897 Cuban "Souvenir Pesos", and the 1898 Cuban Peso. It is interesting to note that the engravers at the Providence mint did the best job depicting the steamship Guayas, the Guayas River and the snow capped Chimborazo volcano at the center of the coat of arms. They are probably the only engravers to correctly depict a Caduceus as the main mast of the ship.
Varieties
I became interested in this "one year type" in 2004, and I have acquired quite a few of these coins over the years since. Krause & Mishler identifiy three main varieties, but I have come to realize that there are many more significant die varieties than that. The ones that everyone knows are all linked to the configuration of berries directly to the left of the C in CENTAVOS on the reverse. They are as follows:
- 3 berries to left of C on reverse. Most common variety.
- 4 berries tightly grouped to left of C on reverse. (aka 4 Berries tight) Sub-varieties exist.
- 4 berries loosely grouped to left of C on reverse. (aka 4 Berries loose) This variety is extremely rare.
In addition to these, I have noticed that there are at least three sub-varieties of the grouping of the 4 berries tight variety. They exist in square and diamond configurations and there are two types of diamond patterns. The diamond pattern being much more common than the square pattern. Varieties also exist in the style and positioning of the letters in the word CENTAVOS.
All of the focus has been on the varieties exhibited on the reverse, but there are very noticeable varieties on the obverse as well. The four main characteristics of the obverse that are easily identifiable are:
- The overall style of the design (Refined or Crude)
- The number and style of tail feathers on the condor perched atop the coat of arms.
- The size and position of the sun just below the condor.
- The presence or absence of the backstay on the mizzenmast of the ship.
Combine all of the obverse and reverse varieties, and one could define a collection similar to all of the varieties known for the 1878 8TF Morgan Dollar!
Based on the large number of die varieties and style of the design, I have come to the conclusion that there was probably no master hub used and that each die was very likely hand cut.
NGC has certified 4 of the 3 Berry variety coins as "Specimen", but I have never seen one of these, so I do not know what distinguishes these specimen coins from the normal production strike coins.
This coin
This particular coin is an exceptionally high quality example of the most common 3 Berry variety. As of this revision, there is only one other graded MS66 by NGC with none higher. PCGS has none graded higher than MS64.
Obverse characteristics are:
Overall design: ............Refined
Condor Tail Feathers: 3, even
Sun Size: ......................Small, slightly above center
Mizzenmast Backstay: No
Date acquired: 5/24/2016 (already graded by NGC)
References:
Seppa, Dale and Anderson, Michael, the COINS of ECUADOR (second edition), Almanzar's Coins of the World, San Antonio, 1973.
Rev. 11/19/2018
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| Slot: |
NGC: 1/0
PCGS: 0/0 Finest Known |
| Origin/Country: |
ECUADOR |
| Design Description: |
R-4E-LC-N--4B-TS |
| Item Description: |
5C 1919 4 BERRIES KM-63 TIGHT BERRY CLUSTER (square) |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Ecuador - 1919 (Providence Mint) - 5 Centavos (4 Berries tight) - (KM #63, EC #134)
Total Mintage: 12,000,000 (all varieties)
History
These coins were minted for the "Republica Del Ecuador" by the Providence Mint, a division of Gorham Manufacturing Company in Providence Rhode Island. Known primarily for producing high-quality sterling silverware and holloware, they also produced silver and base metal coins for several foreign countries including Ecuador, Serbia, and Cuba. The most notable of these are the several varieties of 1897 Cuban "Souvenir Pesos", and the 1898 Cuban Peso. It is interesting to note that the engravers at the Providence mint did the best job depicting the steamship Guayas, the Guayas River and the snow capped Chimborazo volcano at the center of the coat of arms. They are probably the only engravers to correctly depict a Caduceus as the main mast of the ship.
Varieties
I became interested in this "one year type" in 2004, and I have acquired quite a few of these coins over the years since. Krause & Mishler identifiy three main varieties, but I have come to realize that there are many more significant die varieties than that. The ones that everyone knows are all linked to the configuration of berries directly to the left of the C in CENTAVOS on the reverse. They are as follows:
- 3 berries to left of C on reverse. Most common variety.
- 4 berries tightly grouped to left of C on reverse. (aka 4 Berries tight) Sub-varieties exist.
- 4 berries loosely grouped to left of C on reverse. (aka 4 Berries loose) This variety is extremely rare.
In addition to these, I have noticed that there are at least three sub-varieties of the grouping of the 4 berries tight variety. They exist in square and diamond configurations and there are two types of diamond patterns. The diamond pattern being much more common than the square pattern. Varieties also exist in the style and positioning of the letters in the word CENTAVOS.
All of the focus has been on the varieties exhibited on the reverse, but there are very noticeable varieties on the obverse as well. The four main characteristics of the obverse that are easily identifiable are:
- The overall style of the design (Refined or Crude)
- The number and style of tail feathers on the condor perched atop the coat of arms.
- The size and position of the sun just below the condor.
- The presence or absence of the backstay on the mizzenmast of the ship.
Combine all of the obverse and reverse varieties, and one could define a collection similar to all of the varieties known for the 1878 8TF Morgan Dollar!
Based on the large number of die varieties and style of the design, I have come to the conclusion that there was probably no master hub used and that each die was very likely hand cut.
This coin
This particular coin is an example of the 4 Berries tight variety with a square shaped grouping of the 4 berries. This is the rarer of the two sub-varieties I am aware of.
Obverse characteristics are:
Overall design: ............Refined
Condor Tail Feathers: 4, even ends
Sun Size: ......................Large, centered
Mizzenmast Backstay: No
Date acquired: 11/29/2013 (already graded by NGC)
Date regraded: 9/4/2018 (MS63 ==> MS64)
References:
Seppa, Dale and Anderson, Michael, the COINS of ECUADOR (second edition), Almanzar's Coins of the World, San Antonio, 1973.
Rev. 9/25/2023
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| Slot: |
NGC: 1/0
PCGS: 0/0 Finest Known |
| Origin/Country: |
ECUADOR |
| Design Description: |
R-3E-LH-N--4B-L |
| Item Description: |
5C 1919 4 BERRIES KM-63 LOOSE BERRY CLUSTER |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 50 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Ecuador - 1919 (Providence Mint) - 5 Centavos (4 Berries, loose) - (KM #63, EC #133)
Total Mintage: 12,000,000 (all varieties)
History
These coins were minted for the "Republica Del Ecuador" by the Providence Mint, a division of Gorham Manufacturing Company in Providence Rhode Island. Known primarily for producing high-quality sterling silverware and holloware, they also produced silver and base metal coins for several foreign countries including Ecuador, Serbia, and Cuba. The most notable of these are the several varieties of 1897 Cuban "Souvenir Pesos", and the 1898 Cuban Peso. It is interesting to note that the engravers at the Providence mint did the best job depicting the steamship Guayas, the Guayas River and the snow capped Chimborazo volcano at the center of the coat of arms. They are probably the only engravers to correctly depict a Caduceus as the main mast of the ship.
Varieties
I became interested in this "one year type" in 2004, and I have acquired quite a few of these coins over the years since. Krause & Mishler identifiy three main varieties, but I have come to realize that there are many more significant die varieties than that. The ones that everyone knows are all linked to the configuration of berries directly to the left of the C in CENTAVOS on the reverse. They are as follows:
- 3 berries to left of C on reverse. Most common variety.
- 4 berries tightly grouped to left of C on reverse. (aka 4 Berries tight) Sub-varieties exist.
- 4 berries loosely grouped to left of C on reverse. (aka 4 Berries loose) This variety is extremely rare.
In addition to these, I have noticed that there are at least three sub-varieties of the grouping of the 4 berries tight variety. They exist in square and diamond configurations and there are two types of diamond patterns. The diamond pattern being much more common than the square pattern. Varieties also exist in the style and positioning of the letters in the word CENTAVOS.
All of the focus has been on the varieties exhibited on the reverse, but there are very noticeable varieties on the obverse as well. The four main characteristics of the obverse that are easily identifiable are:
- The overall style of the design (Refined or Crude)
- The number and style of tail feathers on the condor perched atop the coat of arms.
- The size and position of the sun just below the condor.
- The presence or absence of the backstay on the mizzenmast of the ship.
Combine all of the obverse and reverse varieties, and one could define a collection similar to all of the varieties known for the 1878 8TF Morgan Dollar!
Based on the large number of die varieties and style of the design, I have come to the conclusion that there was probably no master hub used and that each die was very likely hand cut.
This coin
This particular coin is the only example I have ever seen of the extremely rare 4 Berries loose variety. Unfortunately, this coin has seen circulation and had some surface dirt issues. It originally received a grade of VF-Details from NGC, but after conservation by NCS it received a grade of AU50. It also took several years, but I was finally able to convince NGC to identify the "loose" 4 berry sub-type on the label, although it is not yet cataloged as a distinct variety.
Obverse characteristics are:
Overall design: ............Refined
Condor Tail Feathers: 3, even ends
Sun Size: ......................Large, high
Mizzenmast Backstay: No
Date acquired: 2/17/2007 (raw coin)
Date graded: 10/28/2015 (self submitted to NGC)
Date regraded: 9/25/2018 (resubmitted to MS at NGC for upgrade and proper designation as 4 Berry Loose variety)
References:
Seppa, Dale and Anderson, Michael, the COINS of ECUADOR (second edition), Almanzar's Coins of the World, San Antonio, 1973.
Rev. 11/19/2018
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| Slot: |
NGC: 1/0
PCGS: 1/0 |
| Origin/Country: |
ECUADOR |
| Design Description: |
|
| Item Description: |
5C 1942 KM-75a |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 67 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Ecuador - 1942(P) 10 Centavos - (KM #75a, EC #138) - Mintage: 2,000,000
Brass (80% copper, 20% zinc)
Ecuador began adopting a decimal coinage system in 1874 with the minting of one and two centavo coins at the Mint in Birmingham, England. The transition was completed on March 22, 1884 with the creation of the silver sucre coin which was equivalent to 100 centavos. The sucre remained the official unit of currency in Ecuador for 116 years until the President of Ecuador announced on January 9, 2000 that the US dollar would be adopted as Ecuador's official currency.
This coin was minted by the Philadelphia Mint using brass most likely recovered from spent artillery shell casings. Half of the mintage of this coin was listed in the U.S. Mint report of 1943, however all are dated 1942.
Obverse
These coins were minted for the "Republica Del Ecuador" by the Philadelphia mint, however no mint marks were used on the minor coinage produced for Ecuador in Philadelphia. Ecuador dictated the various elements that of their coat of arms, but the actual rendering of these elements by the various mints which produced their coins can vary greatly from mint to mint. In this case the central elements of the ship, water and mountain look more like an ocean going freighter sailing away from a mountainous coastline rather than the river steamship Guayas, sailing the Guayas river with the snow capped Chimborazo volcano in the distant background. There is also no Caduceus appearing as a mast on the ship, an aspect which seems to have eluded all but one mint. The following is a depiction of the 1841 steamship Guayas for comparison:
Reverse
The reverse of this coin is very simple, containing only the denomination 5 CENTAVOS surrounded by a Laurel wreath.
This coin
This is a beautiful coin with spectacular eye appeal. If Brass coins could receive a "Red" designation, this one would have it. As of this revision, this coin is the finest graded example of this date and denomination by either NGC or PCGS.
Date acquired: 4/6/2017 (raw coin)
Date graded: 9/28/2018 (self submitted to NGC)
References:
Seppa, Dale and Anderson, Michael, the COINS of ECUADOR (second edition), Almanzar's Coins of the World, San Antonio, 1973.
Rev. 10/2/2018
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| Slot: |
NGC: 3/0
PCGS: 2/0 |
| Origin/Country: |
ECUADOR |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
10C 1946 KM-76b |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 66 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Ecuador - 1946 10 Centavos - (KM#76b, EC #165) - Mintage: 40,000,000
Copper-Nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Ecuador began adopting a decimal coinage system in 1874 with the minting of one and two centavo coins at the Mint in Birmingham, England. The transition was completed on March 22, 1884 with the creation of the silver sucre coin which was equivalent to 100 centavos. The sucre remained the official unit of currency in Ecuador for 116 years until the President of Ecuador announced on January 9, 2000 that the US dollar would be adopted as Ecuador's official currency.
1946 was the last year the Philadelphia mint produced coinage for Ecuador. Four denominations (5, 10, and 20 Centavos, and Un Sucre) were coined with a total combined mintage of 128,000,000 coins with a total face value of 29,500,000 Sucres.
Obverse
These coins were minted for the "Republica Del Ecuador" by the Philadelphia mint, however no mint marks were used on the minor coinage produced for Ecuador in Philadelphia. Ecuador dictated the various elements of their coat of arms, but the actual rendering of these elements by the various mints which produced their coins can vary greatly from mint to mint. In this case the central elements of the ship, water and mountain look more like an ocean going freighter sailing away from a mountainous coastline rather than the river steamship Guayas, sailing the Guayas river with the snow capped Chimborazo volcano in the distant background. There is also no Caduceus appearing as a mast on the ship, an aspect which seems to have eluded all but one mint. The following is a depiction of the 1841 steamship Guayas for comparison:
Reverse
The reverse of this coin is very simple, containing only the denomination 10 CENTAVOS surrounded by a Laurel wreath.
This coin
This coin is a beautiful, flashy, bright white example of this very common date. It is a common coin in a very uncommon condition. As of this revision this is one of the finest examples of this year and denomination know with an NGC population of 3/0.
Date acquired: 11/27/2014 (already graded by NGC)
References:
Seppa, Dale and Anderson, Michael, the COINS of ECUADOR (second edition), Almanzar's Coins of the World, San Antonio, 1973.
Rev. 10/20/2018
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