COLOMBIA. 1886-M 5 Decimos. Medellín mint. Restrepo 305.1. MS-61 (PCGS).The three-star reverse with the Wyon obverse, perhaps the finest example of the few known specimens. Highly lustrous and attractive with a faint golden tone on both sides. The centers are a bit softly defined, a condition at least partly owed to the crack that spiders through ESTADOS UNIDOS DE. The lower grade Restrepo plate coin features similar striking weakness. The reverse fields show raised die polish lines, and a further crack is seen through the legend left of the shield. The 1985 Norweb sale suggested this coin has been gilt; it has not. The collector believed this could be a proof striking, which seems unlikely. It is, without question, a significant rarity with a very desirable provenance.From Christies Dallas sale of the Norweb Collection, November 1985, lot 767. Earlier, acquired from A.H.F. Baldwin.
