Nomos 31

GREECE. Constantine I, second reign, 1920-1922. 50 Lepta 1921 (Copper-Nickel, 25 mm, 6.90 g, 12 h), struck in medal alignment, i.e., 12h, King's Norton mint = Nobel Industries (Birmingham), struck from dies by Georgios Iakovidis, plain edge with a central hole. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ / 1921 Crowned and mantled shield bearing the coat of arms of the kingdom of Greece. Rev. 50 / ΛΕΠΤΑ Olive branch, above KN (= King's Norton). Divo 101. Karamitsos 169 var. KM 65 var. A great rarity, apparently the first known example of this coin type struck in medal alignment! Graded by NGC "AU details / environmental damage". Cert number: 2909009-005.

From the El-Greco Collection of Modern Greek Rarities.

This is a surprising discovery for the modern Greek coin series! All previously known examples of the 1921 50 lepta, regardless the mint, were struck with the dies in coin alignment (6h, as, for instance, lot 201 above). Surprisingly, this coins was struck in medal alignment (12h); this variety has never been recorded in any previous catalogue or auction. This coin is, thus, a new variety and as far as we know the only existing example; but it is, of course, possible that there are other examples of this variety, but no one has ever noticed them! Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the King's Norton 1921 50 lepta is, in general, much rarer than the already rare Heaton ones.