Lot #657: Rare Argentina 1895 Two Centavos Coin - Sun of May ("Sol de Mayo") - Head of Liberty - "Phrygian cap" (Liberty Cap) - French "Beaux-Arts" style

Obverse: Features the Coat of Arms of Argentina. The design shows two hands clasping a pole (the "pica") topped by a "Phrygian cap" (Liberty Cap), symbolizing unity and the defense of freedom. Above this sits the "Sun of May" (Sol de Mayo), representing the rising of a new nation. Lettering: REPUBLICA ARGENTINA with the date 1895 at the bottom. The design was engraved by the world-renowned French medalist Eugène-André Oudiné, whose name is a hallmark of quality for collectors. Reverse: features the Head of Liberty ("Libertad") in profile, facing left. The Figure Liberty is wearing a Phrygian cap (a symbol of freedom dating back to Roman times). This specific "Oudiné Liberty" is one of the most famous motifs in Argentinian numismatics. Lettering: "LIBERTAD" above the head and the denomination "DOS CENTAVOS" (Two Centavos) below. The designer's name OUDINÉ is inscribed in small letters just below the bust. This Argentina 1895 Two Centavos coin is a classic example of late 19th-century Latin American coinage, featuring the elegant French "Beaux-Arts" style. Struck in bronze during a period of significant economic expansion in Argentina, this coin is remarkably large and heavy for such a small denomination—a common trait of "Old World" copper and bronze currency. Because this Argentina 1895 Two Centavos coin was designed by a French engraver, it shares a distinct "family resemblance" with French coins of the same era. Collectors highly prize high-grade specimens because the "Libertad" hair and the details of the Phrygian cap are very finely engraved and tend to wear down quickly. This series (1882–1896) was eventually replaced by smaller coins as the value of the bronze metal began to exceed the face value of the currency. Dimensions: Bronze. 30 mm. 10 g. Pickup category timeslot {A}