HONDURAS. 10 Lempiras, 1995. London (Private) Mint. NGC MATTE PROOF-67. KMX-Pn4. Weight: 40.3 gms. Obverse: Native American facing right, DIEZ LEMPIRAS inside beaded border near edge; Reverse: Arms of Honduras with split date, 19 / 95 above and REPUBLICA DE HONDURAS below. A masterfully conceived proposed pattern issue that was produced with an impressive coarse matte finish that produces jewel-like sparkle when viewed beneath a light. After close inspection, no imperfections are seen, suggesting the grade assigned is actually quite conservative.Produced by International Currency Bureau, Ltd. (ICB) in London, this little-known issue was struck in an effort to gain a coining contract with this small Central American nation. That effort was ultimately unsuccessful however, leaving this unique sample, as well as others in a handful of other metals, as the only remnants of the attempt. ICB would not survive much longer as a company, its archives (including this coin) having been liquidated by Glendining Auctions in 1999.</em> From the Oro del Nuevo Mundo Collection.Ex: ICB Archives (Glendining 5/1999) Lot # 145.
