1670-A French Colonies 5 Sols. Paris Mint. Martin 8-C. Lecompte-186, W-11605, Breen-256. EF-45+ (PCGS). A beautiful, choice example of this important issue. Rich luster covers both sides amidst elegant toning of gold, pale violet, and blue on the obverse, with concentric violet, blue, and sea green on the reverse. A trifle soft at central reverse, where vestiges of adjustment can still be seen. Problems are few and minor: some nearly invisible fissures in the right obverse field, a tiny nick inside the denticles at 3 oclock on the reverse, trivial hairlines here and there. This is an exceptional, exemplary specimen, ideal for a well chosen type set. In addition to the light die cracks mentioned in Martins description of Obverse 8, thin cracks connect the tops of most of the letters on the right side of the obverse. As described, the reverse is perfect.<p><p>This is one of the most eye-catching examples of this type Syd acquired. PCGS# 905850. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Anthony Terranova, July 2012.
