YEMEN. Gold Fantasy 10 Lira (2 Riyals), AH 1358 (1939). CHOICE UNCIRCULATED.Fr-7a; KM-Y-N10 (4 Known). 46 mm; 68.97 gms. A massive and enigmatic issue, cataloged in both the Standard Catalog of World Coins as well as Gold Coins of the World, but of which little is actually known. What is known is that this type was manufactured in high quality, and in seemingly very low numbers. That said, the Arabic script does not conform stylistically with other issues of the period. While it was certainly accomplished by a knowledgeable hand, the working best guess scenario of modern scholars in the field is that the issue is a fantasy type, produced in the late 1970s or early 1980s by an accomplished coinsmith. This assertion seems to hold water, as the first appearances in numismatic auctions appear to date to the early 1980s and it wasnt until 1995 that it was cataloged in the Standard Catalog of World Coins. Whatever the reality is, one cannot dispute this types impressiveness or its rarity, as weve only been able to trace a maximum of four examples sold at auction. For the specialist collector of Yemen, numismatic rarities at large or fantasy types, were certain this piece will add a real layer of depth regardless of the collections present sophistication. SOLD AS IS/NO RETURNS.From the Collection of Dr. James Eustace Bizzell, II.Ex: UBS Auction (9/2000) Lot 3308.
