First variety, flagpoles visible below arms. An extremely choice example of this elusive type, a near twin to the AU-53 (NGC) Eliasberg example that brought nearly $75,000 in 2005. Even light yellow gold with superb luster on both sides, furnishing unbroken cartwheel luster at the rims and satiny luster across the reverse. The strike is exceptional, with full detail in the high relief portrait and excellent fine detail in the reverse shield. The visual appeal is excellent, and the surfaces show no notable issues whatsoever, just a minor abrasion right of the eagle and a few shallow scrapes under DOR of ECUADOR.<br /><br />This is an extremely rare type, and many of the surviving examples show significant wear, weak strikes, or damage. The choice preservation of this specimen is the exception rather than the rule. From the Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins.<p>From Smith & Daughter, Inc.s sale of Rare and Choice Coins of Ecuador, September 1996, lot 20.
