13-04-2016 – 18-04-2016
Heritage World & Ancient Coins auction
Coveted rarities lead results in $6.3 million Heritage World & Ancient Coins auction
Famous rarities from Australia and Canada led the results in Heritage’s April 14-19, 2016 CICF World Coins & Ancient Coins Signature Auction Chicago, hammering prices totaling more than $6.3 million in all.
Lot 29458: Australia, George V, penny, 1930-M. KM23. AU50 PCGS. Realized: $70,500.
Australia contributed the legendary key date rarity 1930(m) penny. This is by far the finest example of this issue seen at Heritage and it’s tied with one other piece for the finest certified by PCGS, with none certified at this level by NGC. Its final price is an American record for this coin and believed to be a record result in any auction.
Lot 29584: Canada, Victoria, 50 cents, 1870. KM6. MS64+ PCGS. Realized: $70,500.
From Canada comes the 1870 No LCW 50 cents, at MS64+ the finest of this coveted issue to ever have been certified by PCGS. Neither the Pittman, Norweb nor Belzberg collections contained an example of this issue certified in Mint State, and PCGS has certified only three Mint State examples.
Lot 29025: Sicily, Syracuse, Dionysius I, decadrachm, ca. 400 BC. Gallatin 37 (DII – RIX). SNG Lloyd 1413 (same dies). HGC 2, 1299. NGC AU 5/5 – 4/5. Realized: $47,000.
The Ancient coin offerings featured plenty of strong results, best exemplified by the Syracuse decadrachm of Dionysius I, signed by Euainetos. Under the brutal but capable Tyrant Dionysius I (406-367 BC), Syracuse had become the wealthiest and most powerful city-state in the Greek world, and chose this moment to introduce the most extravagant coins yet seen – the stunning series of signed silver decadrachms.
Other highlights include, but are not limited to:
Lot 30904: Swedish Possessions, Riga, Christina, 4 ducats, 1646. Hagander-184, Neumann-43, Ahlström-32 (XR). AU53 NGC. Realized: 64,625.
An extremely rare issue of Riga under Swedish authority, this piece is solidly struck and exhibits only light handling with minimal circulation wear. A mere handful of surface marks are clearly visible without the aid of a glass and serve primarily to confirm the pedigree to the Hagander collection.
Lot 30924: Switzerland, Confederation, 100 francs, 1925-B. KM39. MS66 NGC. Realized: $27,025.
A spectacular Gem, essentially pristine in all regards, featuring the exquisitely-styled portrait of Helvetia awash in golden splendor. Not surprisingly, this current specimen is among the finest-known examples of the type, and with its universally small mintage figure of just 5,000 pieces, sure to delight the discriminating collector who demands the best.
View all results here.