Quintos - The 1/5 Sols of Peru
1899 JF


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS 64
Owner: Forest City
 
Set Category: World Coins
Set Name: Quintos - The 1/5 Sols of Peru
Slot Name: 1899 JF
Research: See NGC's Census Report for this Coin

Owner's Description

1864 is perhaps the most interesting date in the 1/5 Sol series. Variety, rarity, and mystery await! Derteano And His Initials: Among collectors of Peruvian Sols, the 1864 with "Derteano" spelled out within the coins of the cornucopia is a prized possession. Dionisio Derteano was a senator and member of the commission that held oversight over the contractors minting coins in 1864 inside the mint in Peru to help replace the Bolivian moneda feble, a debased currency then circulating in the country. He was also the representative at the mint for the contractors, thus he embodied a conflict of interest. It came to light that Derteano had placed his name in the cornucopia, and an investigation ensued. He reported wanting to put an "imperceptible" mark on the coins, so that any counterfeits appearing at later date could be more easily ascertained. It is unclear how many of the coins with the name were melted or released to the public. What is less known, is that on some 1864 1/5th Sols, the initials "DD", rather than the full spelled-out name of "Derteano" were placed in the coins of the cornucopia. On coins with the 1864/3 overdate, the D's have one coin seperating them. For the plain date, two coins are found between the letters. The 1864-DD and 1864/3-DD are certainly among the most historically important fifth sols (and rare, and expensive). Flatt writes that the overdate Derteano 1/5 Sol was not descovered until 1976, and the plain date version thereafter. Flatt lists an astonishing 13 varities for this coin. Surprising, as this date is not seen often, and in the circulated grades it usually is seen in, varieties are hard to distinguish. A summary of his varieties is as follows: Plain Date Varities: 1. REPUB., small DE, large superscript o 2. REPUB., small DE, large superscript o, rotated dies 3. REPUB., large DE, high small superscript o 4. REPUB., large DE, low small superscript o 5. REPUB., large DE, low small superscript o, large O in SOL 6. REPUB., large DE, large superscript o 7. REPUB., large DE E/E, large superscript o 8. REPUB., DD, small DE 9. REPUB., DD, high superscript o, RB close 10. REPUB., DD, RB apart These are Flatt's designations. I'm not going to try to make any disorder to them, as large/small are subjective descriptions. Here is what I've seen: 1. REPUB., large DE, small superscript o, RB apart 2. REPUB., large DE, small oval o, RB apart 3. REPUB., High 4 in date, high small superscript o, large DE, RB apart 4. REPUB., filled 6 in date, RB apart 5. REPUB., large low oval o, large DE, RB apart Flatt feels that the overdate is in actuality an 1864/5 rather than over 3. I find that unlikely, given the shape of the numeral, and the chronology problem that would create. That most of the overdate coins are REPUB: should put the issue to rest. The only really exciting minor variety in my opinion is the High 4 in the date. Note that the normal 4 generally appears a bit high, this "High 4" is much higher. For the plain date DD, the second D is in the second to last coin in the cornucopia from the right. Overdate Varities: 1. 4/3 REPUB., large superscript o, RB close 2. 4/3 REPUB:, small superscript o, RB apart 3. 4/3 REPUB:, DD in cornucopia, RB apart 4. 4/3 REPUB:, RB close, very high superscript o (FC) For the overdate DD, the first D is in the Top Left Cornucopia coin, the second D is in the top third from left coin. The first three varieties are Flatt's, I discovered #4. Availability: The 1864 is generally available in circulated grades, and could be considered somewhat common. In Uncirculated, however, it is rare. I have never seen a plain date with "DD", so I can't comment other than to say, it's likely very rare. The overdate is quite scarce in circulated grades, although it does appear once in awhile. In uncirculated it is rare, and my coin is the only "DD" I've encountered in any grade. I've never seen a raw Uncirculated example of any 1864 variety on the market, nor even a nice AU. Beware of ebay sellers claiming "DD" when there is none to be seen! Report any fraudulent claims! It should be noted that Flatt's close-up photos of the 1864-DD and 1864/3-DD feature well worn coins, the overdate perhaps a VG. Often, with that much wear, you wouldn't be able to see the "DD" even if it originally existed. Population Report (Jan 2015): Plain Date NGC: Two in 63 PCGS: None graded Total at both services: 2; 2 in Uncirculated Overdate: NGC: Two in 64 PCGS: One in 58 Total at both services: 3; 2 in Uncirculated It's impossible to say what varieties the other 3 graded examples of this date are, and if any also have "DD". My educated guess is, they are not "DD's". Value Guide: 1972 Almanzar/Seppa: F: 1.40 VF: 2 XF: 5 Current KM: 1864: VF: 6 XF: 13 UNC: 57 1864-DD: VF: 40 XF: 65 UNC: 250 1864/3: VF: 9 XF: 12 UNC: 57 1864/3-DD: VF: 25 XF: 55 UNC: 250 KM gave a nominal price increase to the 1864 and 64/3, and no price increase to the "DD's" from the last volume. The current guide had the 1915 at a higher value than the 1864-DD's. I think, whatever the value, the "DD's" should be on top. For nice circulated examples of the plain or overdate "DD" variety, expect to pay $30-$100. For a certified select UNC, expect to pay $400-$1000++. Auction Results: Ebay 1864 1/24/2013 AG $10.55 (WP) Ebay 1864 2/20/2013 VF Cleaned $8.90 (WP) Ebay 1864 2/11/2015 $13.49+ship Ebay 1864 VF/XF 1/12/2015 $8.89 Set Speciman: The KM Plate Coin! I didn't realize this for quite some time, as their plate coin photo is so fuzzy. This coin has very strong obverse clash marks. Often the smaller 1/2 Dinero's, and sometimes on the larger denominations, the ferns on the reverse clash on the obverse. On this coin not only the ferns, but the leaves and bow are heavily clashed. The clash mark behind Liberty's head is so strong that anyone not familiar with the series may mistake it for a large scratch. I own one coin with stronger clashing, a raw 1875 in AU where even the berries are visible on the obverse. A large die crack appears around and through the date. Full cartwheel lustre is present, though a bit subdued by delicate toning. The strike is a bit weak on the hair, chest, and leg of Liberty, as is usual on these early dates. A wire rim surrounds the coin. Some very light vertical die polish lines run through the reverse. Importantly, the "DD's" in the cornucopia are very strong and full of mint frost. NGC did not designate this coin as a "DD" coin on the holder. The cornerstone of the collection. Also, tied with one other coin for finest known, regardless of "DD".

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