Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 2058. Estimate $7500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $7000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDIA, Princely States. Travancore. Rama Varma V. 1880-1885. AV Nazarana Sovereign (7.70 gm, 12h). Coronation Issue. Dated ME 1057, 1881 AD. SRI RAMA VARMA MAHARAJA OF TRAVANCORE 1881, bust three-quarters right wearing bejeweled turban and robe / Coat-of-arms with elephant supporters. KM 21. Choice EF. Rare. ($7500)

In the New York Sale IX (13 January 2005), lot 345, an example of this rare Nazarana sovereign attained $11,000. Many of the surviving specimens show signs of jewelry use, and untouched examples are truly rare.