Stack’s Bowers Galleries as an official auctioneer of the Aug. 1 to 5 ANA World’s Fair of Money (www.money.org/worldsfairofmoney) will offer unique selections of World coins, Ancient coins, and World currency.
The World & Ancient Coin sale is split between two days. Session A begins Wednesday morning, Aug. 2, at 9:30 AM. Session B starts two days later on Friday morning, Aug. 4, at 9:30 AM. The World Paper Money sale, in Session C, begins at 6:30 PM that same evening. (U.S. Coin auctions and U.S. Currency auctions are also scheduled during the convention.)
The Ancient coin section starts off with two Euainetos Decadrachms, the first of which is a signed die type. Moving on to Roman Issues, a Julius Caesar Aureus is featured as lot 20072, and will draw considerable attention and bids. Multiple attractive Aurei can be found in the remainder of the Roman section, including:
- A Tiberius issue in lot 20082.
- A terrific Faustina Junior piece in lot 20103.
- A superb Solidus, lot 20105, issued by Magnus Maximus who emptied Britannia of the significant Roman garrison, allowing local cultures to flourish.
Immediately following is the first portion of World coins from Albania to Guadeloupe. An Australian 1918 Calcutta Mint Specimen Penny is followed two lots later by another fantastic Australian rarity (lot 20136): a Kookaburra Pattern Penny of 1921. Some other World coin highlights include:
- A brilliant proof 1937 Crown, lot 20139.
- A Francis II Gold Coronation as Holy Roman Emperor Medal, lot 20153.
- A beautiful Mint State 1823-R 6,400 Reis, lot 20200.
- A low mintage two-year type 4,000 Reis of Pedro II, lot 20203.
- A Mint State Sun over Mountains 4 Escudos minted in Costa Rica, lot 20254.
Cuban coinage comprises a robust grouping of 26 pieces. The Blue Moon Collection provides a 1915 Proof gold set (sold individually) of 20 Pesos through to 1 Peso. The 20 Pesos and 10 Pesos are seldom offered and are sure to attract strong attention.
Over 50 lots from France provide an excellent array of collectible treasures with some spectacular early gold. Some highlights include:
- Lot 20312, a Mint State Leopard d’Or of Edward III.
- Lot 20315, a Choice Pavillion d’Or of Edward ‘the Black Prince’.
- Lot 20348, a Henry V Pretender Five Franc Silver Essai.
Germany provides a major run, highlighted by lot 20383, an extremely rare Pfaffenfeind Double Ducat (with a jaw-dropping design). Additionally, an impressive Medallic 5 Goldgulden (lot 20389) is sure to appeal to gold enthusiasts.
Session A is capped with well over 100 lots attributed to Great Britain and it is a formidable challenge to highlight just one or two sensational coins. Notable issues of Henry IV, Edward VI, Elizabeth I, James II, William and Mary and George III will attract enthusiastic bidding, as will a fantastic array of medals, ranging in themes and monarchs.
Bidding will resume on Friday August 4th at 9:30 AM MT with Session B, which encompasses the remainder of the world coin lots starting with over 30 pieces from Guatemala. From that country comes a rare transitional type 8 Escudos (dated 1789) that features the bust of Charles III and legend: "Carol IV". Additionally, a Mint State 2 Escudos pedigreed to the Eliasberg Collection is featured.
Moving on to India, an exceptional Gem Proof 1879 5 Rupees offered in lot 21072, is sure to be a monumental addition to any collection of world gold.
Italy provides two spectacular gold pieces: lot 21109 (1883 100 Lire in fantastic condition) and a very rare 20 Lire minted from gold mined in Eritrea (lot 21111).
The next major section is the coinage of Mexico, boasting 147 pieces. From Carlos & Johanna through the modern age, every major epoch of Mexican numismatics is represented. Notable issues include:
- Lot 21149, a legendary "three bars" 3 Reales of Carlos and Johanna.
- Lot 21159, an iconic "MX" 8 Reales with single letter Assayer ‘F’.
- Lot 21189, a Mint State Iturbide 8 Escudos, and lot 21205, the finest certified 1860 Zacatecas 4 Escudos.
Along with the vintage coinage types there is a substantial section of modern Mexican coinage, topped off by a 1922 Two Centavos as lot 21274 that is tied for finest certified.
Peru provides the next substantial section, with nearly 40 lots and a wonderful array of gold coinage. Two 1712 8 Escudos start the section off followed by page after page of wonderful numismatic treasures.
The catalog then turns to 16th century Europe and a highly important discovery from Polish numismatics in lot 21361. This 1580 Taler of Stefan Bathory features a previously unknown die muling. A Mint State 3 Ducat of Stanislaus Augustus in lot 21364 is sure to draw considerable attention.
As Friday afternoon draws to a close, some of the most spectacular coins come to the forefront.
The Russian section is large and includes multiple great rarities, like:
- A 2 Ruble of Peter the Great, lot 21392.
- A rare 1738 Ducat of Anna, lot 21399.
- A highly sought after "Dassier" Ruble, lot 21406.
- An extremely rare and finest certified 1827 5 Ruble, lot 21421.
- A fantastic Pattern 2 Kopek, lot 21422.
The sale then moves on to a hefty run of South African gold headlined by lot 21489, a Veld Pond struck at Pilgrim’s Rest, a historically significant piece from the Boer conflict. The final highlight for Session B hails from Venezuela, a rare 1889 Half Bolivar found in lot 21536.
Stack’s Bowers will also offer Internet Only Ancient and World Coin Sessions, each packed with desirable items. The World Coin Session D will be held on Monday, August 7 beginning at 9:00 AM PT, and contains over 1,300 lots featuring a panorama of world coinage. Session E will offer 182 lots of Ancient coins, and will begin promptly at 12:00 PM PT on Tuesday, August 8.
The World Paper Money section starts Friday, August 4 at 6:30 PM MT. Highlights among the over 400 lots in the live session include many gorgeous Bank of Canada and Dominion of Canada pieces, along with some other special notes from various Chartered Banks.
Once again the Imperial Bank of Persia material offered is strong with two exquisite issued notes of Pick 17 100 Tomans, one with an overprint stamped Isfahan and one stamped Teheran. There are also high grade specimens of both early issue 100 Tomans, Pick 8s, and 17s.
The Philippines section is significant and features a dazzling Pick 190, a 100,000 Piso Centennial Note and two 500 Pesos pieces, Pick 33c, and Pick 67.
One of the most exciting items offered in this sale is a complete set of Color Trial Specimens in Gem condition from Qatar and Dubai. This is the first time Stack’s Bowers Galleries has handled this set, and may be its last public auction offering for quite some time.
Similar to the 2016 Stack’s Bowers Galleries ANA sale, there is a strong offering of Brazilian and other Latin American notes, such as a grouping of very rare Paraguayan Proofs.
The World Paper Money Internet Only Session F will be held on Tuesday, August 8 and will start at 2:00 PM PT.
The Stack’s Bowers Galleries World’s Fair of Money auction is currently available for viewing and bidding online at StacksBowers.com.
