Owner Comments:
General Comments:
Hoarding of coins by the public started in 1914 as World War I began. As a result, the government began issuing paper currency (cheques circulares) and ramped up production of silver and gold coinage to meet the public need.
1/5 Sols, however, were apparently not a priority (not to mention Dineros which were not struck in 1914 or 1915). With a low mintage of 10,000, the 1914 is a late series Key Date. Most coins of the date saw circulation. All 1914's were struck with the old-style "No R" dies.
In circulated grades, the 1914 does occassionally come to market and should not be considered overly scarce. Uncirculated coins rarely do appear, however, despite a decent number of certified examples. For whatever reason, most raw mint state coins seem to have some sort of cleaning or damage.
Strangely, there were three reverse dies used in this year, all paired with the same obverse die (see below). One of these appears to be quite rare.
varieties:
Despite a low mintage of 10,000, 1914 has three reverse dies, yet only one obverse die.
FC-1:
Obverse Die #1: Superscript o/o, some letters strongly re-punched (see especially the "M" in FIRME). Advanced state: Die crack through base of letters in "DE SOL". This is likely the second use of the obverse die.
Reverse Die #1: Topsy-turvy date. FG/G. Advanced state: Strong die cracks through date and much of the lettering including "A LIM"(A) and the tops of the assayer initials.
FC-2:
Obverse Die #1 This appears to be the first use of this die without any cracks. More research is needed.
Reverse Die #2: Date is straighter, "14" closer than on Reverse Die #3.
FC-3:
Obverse Die #1 in advanced state. Likely the third and last use of this die. Cracks through FIRME and other letters.
Reverse Die #3: Straighter date, "14" farther apart.
Rarity of the three die varieties:
FC-1 is far and away the most common. About half of FC-1 show extensive die cracks.
FC-2 is scarce. Perhaps 20 percent of 1914's are this die pairing.
FC-3 is rare. I have only seen one example!
Availability:
G-VF: Somewhat Common
XF-AU: Somewhat Scarce
60-62: Very Scarce
63-64: Rare
65-66: Very Rare
Population Report (June 2018):
NGC: One in 55; Two in 58; Two in 62; Two in 64; Two in 65
PCGS: One in 63; One in 66 (previously there was a 65 but not a 66 - that coin likely got re-graded at a point up)
Total at both services: 11; 8 in Uncirculated; 3 in Gem or better
Value Guide:
1972 Almanzar/Seppa: F: 35 VF: 45 EF: 60
2009 KM: VF: 12 XF: 25 UNC: 55
Current KM: VF: 40.50 XF: 90 UNC: 180
The price increase in Krause may be a bit severe (the 1914, 1915, and 1917 saw large price jumps). The price increase at the high end was justified, at the low end not. Almanzar/Seppa were overly enthusiastic about the 1914, pricing it higher than any other 1/5 Sol (sans the 1915 that was unpriced). Pricing at the higher end is not easy due to paucity of traded coins.
My pricing is as follows: VF/XF: $20-$35 AU: $35-60 MS 61/62 raw: $60-$100 MS 63/64 certified: $150-300 MS 65/66 certified: $300-$500
Mintage: 10,000
Auction Results:
Ebay 2/17/14 NGC MS 64 $26 (WP) - This apparently, and shockingly, sold for this amount. Perhaps it was in listed in an incorrect category. Still, shocking, and the biggest bargin by a long margin I've seen in a holder. Should be a $300+ coin.
Ebay 12/9/14 NGC AU 58 $92.40
Ebay 5/18/15 VF/XF $26.89
Ebay 6/4/15 VF/XF $26.89
Ebay 7/3/15 Cleaned VF/XF $36
Ebay 8/21/15 Cleaned Fine $12.67
Ebay 11/30/15 VF $16.95
Ebay 2/26/16 VF/XF $16.44
Heritage 3/3/16 NGC MS 62 plus 1914/3 1/2 dinero MS 64 $211.50 (I don't usually include coin lots in results, but due to paltry trading information for high end coins, I include this here. I was underbidder on this lot. The MS 62 didn't look overly exciting to me, so I didn't bid at my usual strong levels).
Ebay 5/8/16 VF Flat Strike $25.25
Ebay 5/13/16 Nice AU but possibly cleaned $22.51
Ebay 5/18/16 XF $24.50 (includes $8 ship.)
Ebay 6/15/16 VF $33.50
Ebay 11/16/16 AU Dings $20.99
Ebay 11/22/16 XF/AU $30.50
Ebay 11/27/16 Raw AU 58 light hairlines $40 (I bought.)
Ebay 4/2/18 cleaned VF $16.95
Ebay 4/14/18 Ugly XF/AU $35.55
The raw Whittier coin that sold in a June 2006 Heritage lot appears to be very nice, perhaps as high as MS 66.