Nomos 31

GREECE. Otho, 1832-1862. Pattern 10 Lepta 1847 (Copper, 28 mm, 14.23 g, 6 h), (Large Crown Pattern), Athens, struck from dies by K. Lange, plain edge. BΑΣΙΛΕΙON ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ Crowned shield bearing the coat of arms of Greece with the Wittelsbach arms at the center. Rev. 10 ΛΕΠΤΑ 1847 Denomination and date in three lines within a laurel wreath tied above and below. Divo -. Karamitsos T.30 = KM Pn17 = Loulakakis NCirc. 85, 7/8, July/August 1977, p. 304 = Tzamalis, 1980, Δ9 (this coin). Unique. Cancellation mark on reverse, otherwise, uncirculated.

From the El-Greco Collection of Modern Greek Rarities, and from collection of Dimitri Loulakakis, Spink 5, 17 May 1979, 116, and published by Loulakakis in 1977.

In the year 1847 a notable modification occurred in the design of King Otho's copper coins: a new design, by Lange was approved for all the bronze coins, the coat of arms on the obverse was reduced in size and the wreath on the reverse became more elaborate.

The present coin is the sole known pattern testifying to Kurt Lange's unsuccessful endeavor to renovate King Otho's bronze coinage. Eventually the dies were not approved (note the cancellation mark on the reverse) but nevertheless in 1849 a limited number of coins were struck from the same master dies (with the alteration of the date) and escaped into circulation (see, below, lot 114).