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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Anthony H, post: 25333418, member: 76095&quot;]<b>MALTA (Order of Malta) | 30 Tari 1798 (Valletta Mint | Grand Master Ferdinand Hompesch | *French Occupation Issue* | Very Rare, Single Year Type, Lovely Toned + Cartwheel Luster | NGC MS 64+ </b></p><p><br /></p><p>Today, I wanted to showcase another non-Asian coin. This piece is a large, crown of 29.6 grams and with a diameter of 40.5mm. It was minted at the Valleta Mint. </p><p><br /></p><p>I am very happy to have this piece added to my growing collection of non-Asian coins and have been honored by this NGC Express sub result. This crown-sized coin was struck in 1798, during a critical juncture in Maltese history where Malta was amidst the French siege and then occupation by Napoleon Bonaparte. The Siege saw little action!</p><p><br /></p><p>Notably, this coin features a dot below bust (and for some coins, with a dot front of nose), a marker believed to signify coins struck by the French to differentiate them from those minted under Hompesch’s authority for the same year (Dav-1611).</p><p><br /></p><p>This elusive Maltese crown of the final Knight showcases an armored bust of Hompesch to the left with the legend ”F • FEDINANDVS HOMPESCH M • M •“. The reverse bears a crown atop a shield on an eagle’s breast, with the divided date above. It exhibits a pale green tone with golden highlights in the legends of the peripheries and a lustrous sheen indicative of its uncirculated condition. This lustrous piece has remained uncleaned and original, free from die flaws or scratches, and retains a slightly dusty hue from being loosely stored alongside other 18th-century Maltese and European coins, according to my dealer. There are also no die marks and minimal adjustment marks (just one on left eagle wing), which all are common to these pieces, and the strike is very nice and strong, with exceptional details on the Knight’s hair and the feather details, like the eagle‘s tail/wings. No other flaws like ex. mounting. ⭐️</p><p><br /></p><p>Provenance: This coin was the standout piece in a distinguished British auction lot that included very scarce Maltese 17th/18th-century minor coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>Condition: MS 64+ with choice eye appeal and no defects. Elusive &quot;+&quot; designation! Original and unmolested state, making this Crown a choice example of its kind. The highest is a NGC graded MS 66, auctioned in 2021 by Heritage within the Cape Coral Collection of Crowns. This is pedigreed in honor of my University, UNC Chapel Hill. Go Tar Heels! Also, there are NONE graded higher than this MS 64+ at PCGS!</p><p><br /></p><p>References: Krause KM 345.3, Davenport 1611B, Schembri-3.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1619850[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1619849[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1619851[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1619852[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1619853[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1619854[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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