One Lepton 1848, Coin from Ionian Islands - detailed information

One Lepton 1848, Coin from Ionian Islands (demonetised 1864)
CoinOne Lepton 1848

The United States of the Ionian Islands was formed on 14 November 1815 and was made up of seven principal islands: Corfu, Cephalonia, Zante, Santa Maura, Ithaca, Cerigo and Paxo. These islands are represented by the seven arrows held by the winged lion of St. Mark (a Venetian symbol reflecting the Venetian control of the islands from 1401 until 1797).

Initially the Obol was subdivided into four Lepta (singular Lepton), so the first Lepton coin of 1821 is listed in some sources as a "Quarter Obol". The denomination was indicated on the coin by the number 4, indicating "one fourth". This one-year type was struck locally and was relatively crude.

Later issues were minted at the Royal Mint in London and, like the rest of the coinage with the exception of the 30 Lepta coins, do not indicate the denomination in any way. Subdivision of the currency was changed and one Obol was equal to 5 Lepta, so these are listed alternatively as "Fifth Obol".

On some coins there is a dot after the date and on some there isn't. However, this doesn't seem to be a mint mark. According to Remick's Guide and Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins, some of the Ionian coinage was struck at the Ralph Heaton and Sons mint in Birmingham, but there is no indication which. The Greek Wikipedia entry on Ionian coinage only shows Birmingham one Obol (five Lepta) coins.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage unknown
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Obverse

Winged lion of St. Mark facing to left holding Bible and seven arrows; below, the date 1848. (with or without a dot after); around above, ΙΟΝΙΚΟΝ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ (Ionian State, in Greek).

Obverse Inscription ΙΟΝΙΚΟΝ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ 1848
Reverse

Figure of Britannia seated facing right with shield and trident; above, BRITANNIA.

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIA
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Listed as one Obolus in Atkins 1889.

One Lepton 1848: Known varieties
Variety 1848.
Mintage Issued: unknown
Details

The regular (no dot) coins not listed in Remick, it only lists 1848. with dot.

One Lepton 1848: References to Information Used
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One Lepton 1848: Details
CountryIonian Islands
CurrencyIonian Obol
Coin TypeFifth Obol
Issued1848
ReverseBritannia, Seated
Face Value1 (x Lepton)
Total Mintageunknown
CurrentNo; demonetised 1864
MaterialCopper
DesignerWilliam Wyon
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size16.0000 mm
Mass1.8900 g
OCC IDYMXK-DEKQ-CZGM-EWQJ
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One Lepton 1848: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsIonian Islands / British Administration KM# 34