Lot 1070
Haiti. Silver Proof Gourde, 1887. Eliz-3; KM-46. Veiled female head right. Reverse: Palm surmounted by Cap of Liberty, arms around. Deeply toned with lovely iridescent toning. Rare. NGC graded Proof 65.
Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola, discovered by Columbus in December of 1492. The island became the base from which Spain conducted its exploration of the New World. Over time the western part of the island became settled by French buccaneers, eventually creating the situation in which Spain was forced to cede that portion to France. Under French rule, slaves were imported to work the sugar and coffee, and soon the colony became one of the richest of France's New World possessions. At the end of the 18th century, the French revolution also brought revolution to the island, culminating in 1804 in true independence. However, its subsequent years were marred by recurring coups, violence, and border clashes. Still, sugar and coffee provided an economy of some affluence. Its French-derived coinage was reorganized at the beginning of the 1880's, presumably for enhancing France's commercial ties in the region to be more in line with that current in France. Thus the silver Gourde, the only dollar-sized circulating coin to come out of the country up to that time, is a precise match in weight and fineness to France's 5 Franc.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
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| Realized $16,675 |
