Latin American Beauties
Guatemala 1829-NG M Real KM75 Rare

Owner Comments:

Guatemala 1829-NG M (Nueva Guatemala mint, assayer, "M") Real, KM75. One of the classic rarities of Latin American, a rare one-year type, provisional issue as the State of Guatemala. The SCWC reports only 4 known, but realistically about 12-15 exist. I have traced most of them and the majority are in low grade and/or damaged. The few that are nice and two that are numerically graded by NGC in the same grade I find to be in lower grade than this example. Even one of the finest graded Whittier example, graded NGC EF40 appears to be inferior to this coin. In essence, I believe that this coin is under-graded and is equal to or better than the Whittier coin. There are a couple of AU examples out there that are really nice. (See next item).
As noted in the Roberts' description, this is a historically important one year type. It indicates that it is both a "moneda" and a "provisional" issue. It is the only coin of Guatemala to be labeled "Estado" The history of this coin is intimately linked to the politics of this most-important Central American nation during its formative years after Spanish rule was ended. While other series indicate, "PROVISIONAL", this one precedes it with the declaration, "MONEDA", thus making it unique. The obverse is also unique in its legend, "ESTADO DE GUATEMALA".

Sold 12/2020