High-Quality Romanian Coins at Solidus

The current Premium Auction 63 of Solidus presents 125 selected Romanian coins focusing on the Principality and the Monarchy. The series is completed by some rarities of the People’s Republic and the Socialist Republic. More than half of the coins have been graded by the companies NGC and PCGS. Among the coins are many pieces, that deserve to be regarded as the finest specimens of its type known until now, furthermore a comprising series of rare patterns, that are auctioneered for the first time in the internet. The auction is the first one world-wide, that is exclusively dedicated to Romanian numismatics.

The auction will be held live on the platform AUEX on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, starting at 17:00 CET. Pre-bids can already be submitted.

There are 45 coins issued by Carol I. as prince (1866 – 1881). Among theses coins two have been acquired from the legendary collection of R.L. Lissner. Both are by far the most beautiful and perfectly preserved specimens that are known until now: 2 Lei 1881 V (Lot 36) and 1 Leu 1881 V (Lot 39), both minted in Vienna. The company NGC has graded the coins: the first with „SP 65“, the second with „MS 67“, grades that are very rarely issued.

Besides these two top coins many other items made of silver and copper are offered, that excel similarly in exceptional states of preservation, that are only rarely put up for sale. Special mention deserve 2 Bani 1881, the rarest copper coin of Romania (lot 45).

The kingdom is represented by 72 coins from Carol I. (1881 – 1914) until Michael I. (1940 – 1947). Again most of the coins distinguish by exceptional states of preservation or rarity. Two items should be mentioned in first line: An extremely rare Ban (copper) from the year 1888, the so-called Mărţişor coin. Only 200 pieces have been minted and were meant to serve as a present for the guests of a charity event in the royal palace in March 1888. The auction features two flawless, splendid specimens in mint state (lots 58 and 59). Lot 58 has been graded “MS 64”. Lot 59 has not been slabbed, but its definitely a better preserved piece by far.

A 100 Lei coin for he year 1932, minted in Paris, may similarly be regarded as a splendid specimen (lot 94). It has been graded “PF 67” (the highest grade ever granted for a Romanian coin) and is without doubt an incomparable top piece matched by no other sample of this type, that are all distinctively inferior.

13 gold-plated patterns for gold coins and a 20 Lei gold coin of the reign of Carol II. (1930 – 1940) should be accentuated. All these pieces are extremely rare and one can probably be considered as an unicum (Lot 106).

Collectors with modest resources will appreciate some silver coins and coins made from base metals in brilliant states of preservation, but with moderate estimates.

The People’s Republic (1947 – 1965) is represented by several coins in mint state, partly very rare. Attention should be paid to lots 122 and 123: 2 Lei and 1 Leu 1952. They are regarded as the rarest coins of the Communist Era in Romania, since they have been replaced by bank notes before serving as currency. The auction ends with a pattern made of aluminium of the Socialist Republic from the year 1988 (Lot 125). This coin type was meant to be issued in 1990. The revolution, however, with its turmoils and bloodshed in December 1989 stopped this plan.

You can place your maximum bids before the auction – or during the live auction, during which you can bid on the lots in real time and actively influence the auction process, similar to a floor auction. The live auction starts on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, at 17.00 CET.

The complete auction catalogue is available on AUEX and Sixbid.

For further information on the auction house, visit the website of Solidus Numismatik.