Baldwin’s New York Sale Features 1378 Lots of Ancient and World Coins

Baldwin’s (http://www.baldwin.co.uk) are pleased to announce that this years New York Sale, comprising 1378 lots of Ancient, Islamic & World Coins and Russian Coins, Orders & Medals, will be one of the finest offering from the group so far, including some sensational rarities, fresh to the market.

Held on the 5th and 6th January 2011 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, the 25th and 26th New York sales are held in conjunction with the 39th New York International Numismatic Convention.

The New York sale begins with an array of good quality Ancient coins from the Greek, Roman and Byzantine eras and includes lot 96 (the auction 25 catalogue cover piece,) a stylistically beautiful example of an Electrum Stater depicting the head of a Griffin, tongue protruding. This coin is one of the great rarities and one of only three known to exist. It is rare to find this level of artistic detail in such an early electrum and it is admired for its iconography and creative details.

Also in this section is a selection of high value, good quality Aurei, the most important being lot 238, a Probus, 276-282AD Aureus in extremely fine condition.

The final part of the Ancient coins also comprises the first part of the breathtaking Al-Sayeed collection and contains an interesting run of Roman gold coins of the Bactrian Kingdom made in India, under the rule of Greek Kings. Started by public defender, Mustafa Raza Sayyed, during the 1920s and 1930s in Lucknow, India, the collection contains 145 Indo-Greek and Indian coins in total and was assembled Mustafa, and later his son Haider Raza Sayyed over 70 years.

Since the death of Haider Raza in 1998 the collection has been dispersed through Baldwin’s and this, the most substantial part to be offered at public auction, is sure to delight. The most interesting and by far the most valuable piece in the collection is lot 380, a Shah Alam II, AH 1173-1221; 1759-1806 A.D. 10 Rupees. The lot is late successor to the list of large and gigantic Mughal coins, thought to have been produced as containers to store bullion to present to ambassadors and other important personages as a token of the ruler’s magnificence. Incredibly rare it is one of the only two known specimens, with significant historical resonance it would be a very special addition to any serious collection.

The first day of the auction ends with a group of 162 world coins and medals, highlights of which include, a beautiful group of high grade Danish coins; lots 656-658, three Italian gold Ducats; and lot 690, a Spanish 1571 silver medal depicting the homage of the City of Utrecht, designed to commemorate the Battle of Lepanto.

The Battle of Lepanto took place on 7 October 1571 when the combined fleets of the Holy League (Spain, including their territories of Naples, Sicily and Sardinia, the Republic of Venice, the Papacy, the Republic of Genoa, the Duchy of Savoy, and the Knights Hospitaller), commanded by Don Juan of Austria, decisively defeated the Ottoman fleet in a five-hour battle fought at the northern edge of the Gulf of Patras, off Western Greece. Lepanto was the last major naval battle fought largely between rowing vessels and the victory gave the Holy League temporary control over the Mediterranean, protected Rome from invasion, and prevented the Ottomans from advancing further into Europe.

The 26th auction for The New York Sale group promises to delight even the most ardent collectors of Russian coins and awards. The second day of the auction opens with a stunning collection of extremely important Russian coinage, one of the largest ever specialised groups to be sold at public auction. Fresh to the market, this section contains a dazzling variety of high grade items and is sure to be ‘the’ Russian sale of 2011. The highlight of the section is lot 1048, a 1729 gold Russian ducat of Peter II, 1727-1730. This extraordinarily rare coin is of the very best grade known and comes with an astounding provenance.

The Walter Alexander Mooromsky Collection of Russian Orders and Decorations makes up a large part of what is a sensational Orders and Medals section of the auction. Mooromsky was born in 1927 in China, to Russian parents. His father, Alexander Petrovich Mooromsky, was a fervent monarchist and served in the Tsar’s White Army from 1917 throughout the Civil War until 1921. Realising that they would have to leave the motherland when the fighting came to an end what remained of the White Army walked across the Gobi dessert to China to escape the reds. Alexander Petrovich Mooromsky was one of the very few soldiers to survive this journey and it was in Tientsin that his son Walter Alexander Mooromsky was born.

The family emigrated to California, America in March 1930 and following in his fathers footsteps Walter Alexander proudly served in both the US navy and the US army in WWII and Korea. The military tradition of his family was an obvious inspiration to him and his loyalty to and love of his Russian heritage led him to start his collection of Russian orders and decorations in the 1960s. A long time employee of Levi Strauss & Co, he was at this point, living and working in Brussels, Belgium setting up their European marketing and distribution operation. His base in Brussels gave him access to some of the great auction houses and dealers in Europe at the time and enabled him to assemble this amazing and unique collection of some of the finest examples of Russian orders and medals. For Mooromsky his collection was about keeping alive the memory and honouring the country of his ancestors, a sentiment that his family hope will be retained with the collection as it passes into new hands.

His collection contains some stunning examples, including lot 2038 an exceptionally rare Order of St. Stanislaus Cross. 2nd Class with Imperial Crown. Crafted by Julius Keibel, this award is one the rarest types to be found, the Imperial Crown only being added to a certain number of medals as a special mark of distinction.

The order itself was first instituted in 1765 Stanislas Augustus Poniatowski, the last king of Poland prior to the partition of Poland in the second half of the 18th century. After the partition Polish Orders were used by the Russian government and were generally awarded by the Tsars to the Polish for distinguished service. The Order of St. Stanislaus ranked second only to the White Eagle. This lot is complemented by two further Orders of St. Stanislaus, lot 2036, a very rare and nice example of a silver, hallmarked Breast Star type Civil Division Non-Christian and lot 2037, an 1838 gold Cross 2nd Class. Military Division. This piece is hallmarked with a partially clear, but identifiable mark bearing the date ‘1838’, a true numismatic rarity.

This remarkable collection is followed by an equally fascinating selection of medals awarded during the Russian Civil War and the Soviet Union. This section contains some outstanding rarities with fascinating historic resonance. Lot 2101, a red and white enamel Tadjik Soviet Socialist Republic. Order of the Red Banner of Labor of Tajikistan comes accompanied by the matched Order book, with a photo of the recipient. Issued by decree on December 28th 1931 to Dzurabaev Iskander, a member of the special unit it is a very rare medal, especially with the award book.

Amongst a number of groups in the section is lot 2147, a complete documented group of the Full Cavalier of Order of Glory, awarded to Guards junior sergeant M. D. Dzaparidze.

Georgian by nationality he participated in WWII from 1943 (167th Guards Artillery Regiment, 1st Guards Artillery Division, 60th Army), as a reconnaissance soldier. The first Order of Glory was awarded to him in April 1944 for finding, and directing his artillery onto enemy’s headquarters near the city of Ternopol. In August 1944, during fierce fighting on the outskirts of the city of Sandomir, he personally killed 18 enemy soldiers with his machine gun, and defended his position. He was awarded the Order of Glory 2nd class on January 22, 1945. While breaking through defence lines near the city of Stashuv (Poland) in January 1945, comrade M. D. Dzhaparidze was first to make his way through barb wire and into the enemy’s trenches, personally killing 4, then carrying his wounded commander back and into cover over the mine field! He became a full Cavalier of the Order of Glory on April 10, 1945.

For more information about the auction please contact Seth Freeman at seth@baldwin.co.uk.

Additional Baldwin’s New York Sale Highlights

96 ANCIENT GREEK COINS. IONIA. PHOCAEA. Stater, electrum, about 580 B.C. EL 16.50 g. Head of a griffin r., tongue protruding from open jaws, knob on forehead. Rev. Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt, 104, Em 1. Cf. TRITON, New York sale VI (2003), 360 (this obv. die). Of the greatest rarity, probably the 3rd specimen known. A highly important masterpiece of early Greek coinage. High relief. Good very fine 
Before the appearence of the stater in TRITON, the only known specimen of this issue was the one published first by E. S. G. Robinson, ANS-Centennial Publication (1958), 589, 7 and pl. 39, and owned by such famous collectors as Wéfer (Paris), Ch. Gillet (cf. catalog Kunstfreund / Bank Leu AG, Zurich – Münzen und Medaillen AG, Basel sale Mai 28 [1974], 2), S. Weintraub and N. Bunker Hunt (cf. Sotheby`s, New York – The Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection I, sale June 19 [1990], 55). We owe the attribution to the mint of Phokaia to Robinson, followed by Bodenstedt. For the iconographical and stylistic appreciation of the issue, cf. Kunstfreund p. 9 and Sotheby’s, Hunt I, no. 55. 
Estimate: US$40,000

380 INDIAN COINS. THE AL-SAYYED COLLECTION. MUGHAL. Shah Alam II, AH 1173-1221; 1759-1806 A.D. 10 Rupees, Hijri, AH 1185, year 6. AR 115.6g, 45mm. Struck at Surat, in the name of the Mughal Emperor Shah ‘Alam II. A large coin of Mughal type, a late successor to the list of large and gigantic Mughal coins. Incredibly rare, one of the only two known specimens. Good very fine
Estimate: US$200,000

690 WORLD COINS AND MEDALS. SPAIN. Philip II, 1527-1556-1598. The Homage of the City of Utrecht to Commemorate the Battle of Lepanto, Dutch Medal, 1571. AR, 63.72 g, 48mm Philip on rearing horse, Utrecht below. Rev. Philip II mounted on seahorse, with sword and crucifix, sea-monsters swim around, with a distant town beyond, OTHOMANICA CLASSÆ DELETA (The Turkish fleet destroyed). vL I, 140/1. Madai 2497. MH 657. Extremely rare. Very fine 
The Battle of Lepanto took place on 7 October 1571 when the combined fleets of the Holy League (Spain, including their territories of Naples, Sicily and Sardinia, the Republic of Venice, the Papacy, the Republic of Genoa, the Duchy of Savoy, and the Knights Hospitaller), commanded by Don Juan of Austria, decisively defeated the Ottoman fleet in a five-hour battle fought at thenorthern edge of the Gulf of Patras, off Western Greece. The Holy League`s fleet consisted of some 284 vessels with 1815 guns, manned by 12,920 sailors and almost 28,000 fighting troops. They faced 277 vessels with 750 guns, manned by 13,000 sailors and 34,000 soldiers. The League lost 7,500 dead and 17 ships, whilst the Turkish losses were enormous, with 20,000 dead, wounded or captured, 137 ships captured and 50 sunk. About 10,000 Christian galley slaves were rescued. Lepanto was the last major naval battle fought largely between rowing vessels and the victory gave the Holy League temporary control over the Mediterranean, protected Rome from invasion, and prevented the Ottomans from advancing further into Europe.
Estimate: US$9,000

1048 RUSSIAN COINS AND HISTORICAL MEDALS. Peter II, 1727-1730. Ducat 1729. 3.43 gm. GOLD. Fr 102, Bit 4 (R2) – this coin!, Diakov 4 – this coin!, GM 127 – this coin!, Sev 122 (R), Petrov (40 Rubl.), Uzd 0044 (RR). Authenticated and graded by PCGC MS 62. Very rare and the best known. Gem Uncirculated

Bitkin – plate coin Ex ‘Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Collection Sale’, Hess, Luzern, October 25, 1939, lot 172Ex ‘Gold and Platinum Coins from the Important Collection of the Grand Duke George Michailovitch of Russia’ Christie’s, London, July 3, 1950, lot 55.
Grand Duke – plate coin
Diakov– plate coin
Ex ‘Russland – L. Sodermann Collection Sale’, Bank Leu and Hess Auction 39, Luzern, November 7, 1968, lot 89 
Estimate: US$75,00

2036 Order of St. Stanislaus. Breast Star. Civil Division. Non-Christian. Silver. Multienameled. 90 mm. Hallmarked, gold plated. Imperial eagle mark, 84 on base. Imperial eagle mark, 84 and kokoshnik marks on pin. A Very rare and absolutely genuine Star.

Condition: Minor internal cracks on the green and white enamel. These minor problems don’t distract from the overall very high grade. Nice

Estimate: US$20,000

2037 Order of St. Stanislaus. Cross. 2nd Class. Military Division. Gold. 38.1 mm. 1838. Hallmarked with partially clear, but absolutely identifiable mark bearing the date ‘1838’. Unmarked. Apparently by Emmanuel von Pannasch. Of high quality workmanship with very detailed Imperial eagles, wings down type meticulously executed on both sides. Rare early dated cross

Condition: Superbly preserved

Estimate: US$25,000

2038 Order of St. Stanislaus. Cross. 2nd Class with Imperial Crown. Gold. 74 by 47 mm. Ca. 1863-1882. By Julius Keibel. Hallmarked 56 (14 K) on loop and suspension of the crown. Bears Imperial eagle mark on top arm. Maker’s mark ‘IK’ on bottom arm and also on suspension of the crown. The hinged crown suspension fitted with carrier on reverse. A Classical Imperial Orders Rarity. One of the highlights of the collection.

Estimate: US$75,000

2101 Tadjik Soviet Socialist Republic. Order of the Red Banner of Labor of Tajikistan. Award # 89. Red and white enamel. Screwback. Hallmarked. Herf 1.19, Kuts pp. 325-340. Accompanied by the matched Orders book, with photo of the recipient. Issued by the decree of December 28, 1931 to Dzurabaev Iskander (Джурабаев Искандер), member of the Special Unit. Award booklet of red leatherette with gold lettering (bilingual) and coat of Arms of the Tadjik Republic. Rare especially with such an Award book.

Condition: Nice patina over minor marks on red enamel. Very attractive and one of the best preserved specimens

Estimate: US$40,000

2147 Full Cavalier of Order of Glory Dzhaparidze M.D. complete documented group Group comes with:

• Order of Glory 1st Class #1753.
• Order of Glory 2nd Class #3589 (DUPLICATE).
• Order of Glory 3rd Class #40125 (DUPLICATE).
• Order’s Book, listing the above 3 decorations (no other awards listed).

Guards junior sergeant Dzhaparidze M.D. (Georgian by nationality) participated in WWII from 1943 (167th Guards Artillery Regiment, 1st Guards Artillery Division, 60th Army), as a reconnaissance soldier. The first order of Glory was awarded to him in April 1944 for finding, and directing his artillery onto enemy’s headquarters near the city of Ternopol. In August 1944, during fierce fighting on outskirts of the city of Sandomir, he personally killed 18 enemy soldiers with his machine gun, and defended his position. Awarded with the Order of Glory 2nd class on January 22, 1945. While breaking through defense lines near the city of Stashuv (Poland) in January 1945, comrade Dzhaparidze was first to make his way through barb wire and into the enemy’s trenches, personally killing 4, then carrying his wounded commander back and into cover over the mine field! Became a full Cavalier of the Order of Glory on April 10, 1945.