Lot 7178

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands - France 5 Francs 1867-A & 1870-A (KM799.1) countermarked 'RA' - Host coins good VF, c/m XF (2), there has always been controversy surrounding the Galapagos Islands "RA" or "AR" countermarks on silver coins. One theory is that they were made by merchants, either Rogerio Alvarado Villamar or Arthur Reed. Another theory is that they were used to pay prisoners, but most likely fantasies countermarks