Nomos 31

GREECE. Otho, 1832-1862. 10 Lepta 1849 (Copper, 28 mm, 12.28 g, 6 h), variety with the Large Crown, Athens, struck from dies by K. Lange, reeded edge. BΑΣΙΛΕΙON ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ Crowned shield bearing the coat of arms of Greece with the Wittelsbach arms at the center. Rev. 10 ΛΕΠΤΑ 1849 Denomination and date in three lines within a laurel wreath tied below. Divo 20d. Karamitsos 87. KM 29. Loulakakis 121 (this coin). Graded by NGC "VF details / environmental damage". Cert number: 2908897-006.

From the El-Greco Collection of Modern Greek Rarities, and from the collection of Dimitri Loulakakis, Spink 5, 17 May 1979, 121.

As already mentioned in the note to lot 104 (above), in 1847 the design of the copper coins was altered to reduce the size of the coat of arms. However, in 1849, a small quantity of coins with the older, larger version were minted. Even though these coins were put into circulation as usual, today finding one of them in good condition is exceptionally difficult. Only a very few of them have survived and are, thus, extremely desirable for collectors.