1670-A French Colonies 5 Sols. Paris Mint. Martin 6-D. Lecompte-186, W-11605, Breen-256. EF Details--Environmental Damage (PCGS). A fascinating coin that Syd chose for its impressive die state, a characteristic that merited its inclusion as the late die state plate coin in his book. A "huge horn-like break" dramatically extends from the forehead of the portrait, one of the most impressive breaks in this entire series. Martins Reverse D shows a raised speck of spalling between REGN and I, which appears to be the stop or period mentioned by Lecompte in the listing of his 186a. The surfaces of this piece show significant corrosion from ground exposure, including dark scale around the central reverse. Undoubtedly this coin, acquired for its spectacular die state, would have been even more interesting to Syd if he knew where it came out of the ground. PCGS# 905848. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Stacks) January 2010 Americana Sale, lot 4083.
