04-01-2016 – 06-01-2016
New York Sale XXXVII + XXXVIII
The New York Sale XXXVII + XXXVIII – January, 2016
The iconic Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan was the venue for the annual New York Sale, held over the course of three evenings on 5-6-7 January 2016.
The New York Sale is an integral part of the NYINC (New York International Numismatic Convention), which attracts collectors and dealers from all over the world who flock to New York City to view, buy and admire the range of fabulous coins from all quarters of the globe and all periods of history.
The three New York Sale auction evenings began at 7pm, with enthusiastic bidders staying long into the night to bid on lots that included the magnificent Sunrise Collection of Parthian Coins; the Alexander White III Collection of Byzantine and Medieval Coins; a fabulous selection of ancient and world coins, as well as a hugely popular Russian coins, medals and orders auction.
In total, the three auctions realised just over $4M, and the large variation of available lots made for some truly exceptional realisations.
The extremely rare Gold Medal commemorating the Opening of the Naval Dockyard in Kronstadt from 1752 that sold for $327,600 … prompting the auctioneer to give the next lot to the buyer for free and generating the (possibly first ever) ‘gratis’ to appear on a Prices Realised.
The auctions were also remarkable for the happenstance of a truly unique event when a stunned auction room bore witness to a New York Sale first (and probably the entire auction world) when the auctioneer gave away a lot for free, prompting the first ever Prices Realised released that contains the word ‘gratis’!
Exceptional Realisations:
Lot 1001: Austria. Franz Joseph I (1848-1916). Three Coin Gold Pattern Set. Of the highest rarity, only two sets known to exist. SOLD: $140,400
Lot 2369: Russia. Nicholas II (1894-1917) Pattern Imperial – 10 Roubles 1895. Extremely rare and rarest of the three Imperial dates. SOLD: $187,200
Lot 3057: Russia. (Medal) Order of Kutuzov 1rd Class. Type 2. Award # 138. Awarded to Hero of the Soviet Union Artillery Lieutenant-General Fomin N.S. on 08/27/1943. An extremely rare order to a prominent commander. SOLD: $134,550
Lot 2134: Russia. Unique “Pugachev Rouble”, 1771. The infamous 19th Century collector Grigori Lisenko noted in his diary in 1810 that certain Russian mint employees clandestinely struck various mules and fantasies on a medallic press. These pieces came to be known as “Pugachev Roubles” as the coin bears no ruler’s name and the year coincides with the year of the Pugachev Rebellion. SOLD: $105,300
As always, Baldwin’s also set the standard for live auction interaction, with the live broadcast through their website as well as a fully interactive Twitter feed, that was viewed by over 20,000 people and saw dozens get directly involved with the action. To view the live auction feed, please click here.
And all prices realized you may see here.