|
Sale 46
The Millennia Collection
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 709 |
 |
Greece. 5 Drachmai, 1833-A (Paris). KM-20; Dav-115. 22.56 grams. Otto, 1832-1862. Bare head right. Reverse: Crowned arms within wreath. Lovely iridescent and steel-gray toning. Rare this nice. NGC graded MS-64.
Otto was the second son of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. While the elder son, Maximilian, ascended to the Bavarian throne, Otto became the first king of modern Greece. His intentions were honorable, but he had compromised himself politically and had to obey the great powers of Europe who had placed him on the throne. When he didn't attack the Ottoman Empire, his nation's arch-enemy, he lost the support of the Greek people and was deposed. As a symbol of modern democratic force in Greece, this coin has few equals.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$6,038 |
Lot 710 |
 |
Greece. 100 Drachmai, 1876-A (Paris). Fr-13; Divo-44; Schl.-4. 32.24 grams. George I, 1863-1913. Bare head right. Reverse: Crowned and manteled arms of the Kingdom of Greece, with badge of the Order of the Saviour below. Sharp, velvety cameo devices on reflective fields. Faint cabinet hairlines in the fields; nevertheless, the consensus remains on this piece as being the finest example to appear on the market in approximately the last 30 years, with a lovely golden tone to the metal. Of the highest rarity, with only 76 specimens struck. NGC graded Proof 64.
George, younger brother of King Frederick VIII of Denmark, then known as Vilhelm, was not the first choice of the Greek people to assume the throne, but the Great Powers, and especially Queen Victoria of Britain, lobbied for his selection. He learned Greek, tried to be accessable to the people, but still he was assassinated. He did rule almost fifty years, and here we view his portrait in his middle years, looking quite regal.
Estimated Value $100,000 - 120,000.
An About Uncirculated example sold in 2003 at Swiss Bank Corp.'s auction for $46,000; Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 131.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$218,500 |
|
|