KM-146; EL-126. Tied for second finest certified with one other example at NGC and one finer (MS-65), none in mint state at PCGS. <strong>VERY RARE</strong> in this state of preservation. Mariano Melgarejo (1820-71), 18th president of Bolivia, obtained his office by gunning down his predecessor, Belzu, in 1864. After allegedly giving away Bolivian territory to Brazil in exchange for a beautiful white horse, he was toppled in a coup and assassinated six months later in Lima. Few wept at his demise. A handsome, lustrous example with a good strike of this usually well-worn type, struck in debased .666 fine silver. Light attractive champagne tone. NGC MS-62. From the Alex Siegel Collection.<p>Ex: Stacks Bowers & Ponterio ANA auction August 16, 2011, lot# 20286.
