BRITISH INDIA: Victoria, Queen, 1837-1876, AV 5 rupees, 1870(c), KM-476, Fr-1603a, Calcutta Mint proof restrike, perfectly preserved with mirror-like luster, a magnificent example with great provenance and a prodigious grade (with only one superior example at PR65+), Proof 65, RR, ex Heritage ANA Signature Sale 3094, lot 34871, ex Louis E. Eliasberg Collection. Louis Eliasberg (1896-1976) was best known for his collection of United States coins, which was the only complete private collection of United States coins ever assembled (he lacked the 1870-S half dime, as the only known example was not discovered until the 1980s). He also put together an immense collection of world gold coins, with his Latin American section one of the finest in the world. After his death, his numismatic collection was passed to his two sons Louis Jr and Richard, who eventually consigned the American collection for sale at three auctions between 1982 an 1997, and finally his incredible world gold coin collection in 2005. Louis Eliasberg was born in Selma, Alabama, but at about the age of 11, his family moved to Baltimore, where he remained for the rest of his fascinating life.
