04-01-2014 – 05-01-2014
World & Ancient Coin Signature® Auction
Heritage prepares for NYINC auction
Six valuable and diverse World Coin collections will all be vying for primacy in Heritage Auctions’ January 5-6 World & Ancient Coin Signature® Auction, taking place at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan, in conjunction with the New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC).
‘This is as striking and varied an auction as I can remember,’ said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President at Heritage Auctions. ‘It’s a perfect storm of collections that, taken together, represent some of the very best international and ancient coins in existence.’
The RLM Collection, Part III – of Brazilian Gold – is the third and final part of Dr. Roberto Monteiro’s impressive Brazilian coin cabinet, presented in its own section under Brazilian coins. Part III of the collection spans the Empire to Republic period of Brazil, covering 100 years of Brazilian history.
23072: Pedro I gold 6400 Reis 1822-R, KM361. Estimate: $200,000-$300,000.
A classic rarity, the 1822 Coronation 6400 Reis of Pedro I, kicks off the collection and a 1922 10000 Reis, of which only six were minted, closes it.
The Hans Cook Collection of British Gold, beginning with Edward III (1327-1377) and ending at George VI (1937), represents every monarch of the 600-year span (as well as the Cromwell and Commonwealth issues). The collection illustrates the history of British coinage in gold.
‘This is an incredible accomplishment,’ said Warren Tucker, Vice President of Heritage. ‘Many of the coins represent the finest known of their type, with several other rare varieties that will entice collectors of British numismatics worldwide.’
24086: James I (1603-25) gold Spur-Ryal ND, of 15 Shillings, S-2634. Estimate: $80,000-$100,000.
The hammered coins are led by a spectacular mint state James I (1603-1625) Spur-Ryal, while the milled coins are highlighted with an example of the classic 1839 Victoria ‘Una and the Lion’ Proof £5.
The Isaac Rudman Collection of Guatemala is one the finest grouping of Guatemalan rarities to ever be sold at auction. Rudman’s set surpasses legendary collections such as Norweb and Eliasberg.
24449: Central American Republic gold 8 Escudos 1824 NG-M, KM8. Estimate: $100,000-$150,000.
While many pieces in the collection are only known to exist in quantities numbering less than 10, perhaps most notable is the 1824 8 Escudos issued under the Central American Republic.
‘The Hammel/Rudman 8 Escudos of 1824 is a masterpiece of numismatic art and widely regarded as the most beautiful coin of Latin America,’ said Bierrenbach. ‘The combination of the design and condition makes this a legendary piece.’
Canadian coin collectors are abuzz over the offering of The MacLeod Collection of Canadian Dollars, the finest collection of Specimen, Proof and Prooflike Dollars ever assembled. Many examples qualify as the finest known for their respective dates, such as the key 1947 George VI Specimen Dollar, Blunt 7 graded Specimen 68 by PCGS.
Rarities from more than 20 countries populate the impressive Collection of Donald E. Bently, being sold for the benefit of The Bently Foundation. This offering is a small piece of the Bently Collection, which is one of the largest collection ever consigned to Heritage.
24809: Danzig. Johann Casimir gold 4 Ducat ND (1648-68), KM44. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000.
Collected by type, highlights include multiple ducats of Poland and Transylvania as well as a simply remarkable British 1701 ‘Fine Work’ 5 Guineas, graded MS64, a certain candidate for the finest known of its kind.
The Formosa Collection is a painstakingly assembled grouping, which took more than three decades to put together and is hotly anticipated by type collectors. Business strikes, proofs and pattern coinage of all metals make this diverse trip through numismatics. With many highlights to its credit, a particular noteworthy item is a unique 1862 Indian silver type set in gold. The set, once in the collection of King Farouk of Egypt, must be considered one of the true treasures of Indian numismatics and is certainly one of the most compelling coins in the entire sale.
The ancients section features a number of high-quality and rare items that are certain to draw considerable collector attention.
23987: Priscus Attalus, Western Roman Emperor, first reign (AD 409-410). AV solidus, Rome, First Coinage, September-December AD 409. RIC 1401 (R5). Estimate: $200,000-$240,000.
One of the highlights of the entire auction is a gold solidus of the short-lived Western Roman Emperor Priscus Attalus.
‘Coins of Attalus are very rare,’ said David Michael, Director of Ancient Coins at Heritage, ‘but this particular type is one of only two known, and the only one in private hands. The other specimen is in the French national collection.’
The auction will also present an entirely intact hoard of Roman Egypt tetradrachms from the first and early second centuries AD, with parts of the original carrying vessel still attached.
Other highlights include an impressive and imposing Honorius medallion of 6 siliquae, an elegant Olympia stater and several high-grade first century sestertii.
You can find the auction on the Heritage website.
All lots can be viewed online here.