ARGENTINA, Kingdom of Araucanía & Patagonia (New France). Orélie-Antoine de Tounens. 1860-1878. Fantasy Pattern Æ 2 Centavos (30mm, 10.10 g, 12h). Dies by L.C. Lauer(?). Dated 1874 E. NGC UNC Details, cleaned.

Electronic Auction 589
Lot: 792. Estimated: $ 150

World, Bronze

Sold For $ 325. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ARGENTINA, Kingdom of Araucanía & Patagonia (New France). Orélie-Antoine de Tounens. 1860-1878. Fantasy Pattern Æ 2 Centavos (30mm, 10.10 g, 12h). Dies by L.C. Lauer(?). Dated 1874 E. Crowned coat-of-arms within border of stars / Denomination and date over palm fronds; stars above. KM (X) 1. In NGC encapsulation 8372254-004, graded UNC Details, cleaned.

From the Alexander Christopher Collection.

In the late 1850s, the French lawyer Orélie-Antoine de Tounens read Alonso de Ercilla’s epic poem La Araucana on the conquest of Chile. Inspired by the conquistadors of old, he soon set sail for the southern tip of South America, where he made contact with leaders of the indigenous Mapuche tribes, pledging to French support and arms in their struggle against the Argentine government. At the time, Araucanía and Patagonia were only loosely administrated by the Chile and Argentina. In November 1860, de Tounens declared that the territories were independent states and proclaimed himself sovereign, naming his new state Nouvelle France.

Argentine authorities were not amused. On 5 January 1862, de Tounens was arrested by the Chilean army, declared insane, and deported back to France. The former King would attempt to return in the early 1870, raising concerns in Latin America that he was yet another further oversees machination of Napoléon III.

Closing Date and Time: 18 June 2025 at 14:23:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.