The inaugural preview for our upcoming Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio August
Hong Kong Showcase Auction is an exceptional Cambodian 4 Franc restrike. Cambodia
became a French protectorate in August of 1863 as a result of King Norodom
petitioning the French Consul for assistance. The country had been a dependency
of Annam dating back to the previous century, and after a number of border
disagreements with both Siam and Annam, Cambodia became aligned with the French
and was eventually attached to French Indochina in 1887. Though dated 1860,
three years prior to the protectorate period, the coins from this series were
first struck in 1875 within a Brussels workshop, with the press eventually
being shipped to King Norodom who then had it installed in Phnom-Penh. This
type was not struck for circulation, instead it was reserved for use only at
important state functions with the Sovereign himself personally handing the
coins out. To mark the passing of the Queen-Mother in 1897, King Norodom had
the dies retrieved in 1899 for the striking of additional specimens. This
denomination was restruck in very limited quantities. After many years of
storage, the dies had become corroded and the resulting damage can be seen
particularly in the fields, much as is the case with the piece offered here. Overall
this historically significant piece is certain to inspire considerable
interest. Be sure to check back with us
often as each week we will preview a new highlight from our August Hong Kong
Showcase Auction.
We are now accepting consignments of world and ancient coins for our
August 2016 ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction as well as Chinese and other
Asian coins and currency for our August 2016 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. Time
is running short, so if you are interested in consigning your coins and paper
currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) be sure to contact one
of our consignment directors.
