A Collection of the Coins of Albania

Albania, Republic, bronze 5-Qindar Leku, 1926, head of a lion to left, reverse mark of value (KM 1) (2). Lustrous and about as struck, scarce, particularly in this state (£70-90)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of the Coins of Albania.

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KM (1999) = Unc $140. The lion is an attribute of Cybele, the Great Mother of Roman religion, who is derived from Asian and Greek goddesses of mother earth. Romagnoli or the Albanian authorities, however, probably chose the type simply to symbolise bravery. The type was probably suggested by ancient Greek coins.