Stack’s Bowers Galleries (StacksBowers.com) will offer world coins, world paper money and ancient coins in a sales event held in conjunction with the 46th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
The Ancient and World coin sale will take place over two days, with Session C commencing on Friday evening, Jan. 12, at 6:30 p.m. ET. Session E will be held Saturday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Session B, featuring World paper money, is scheduled to begin Friday. Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
In addition, the auction house will present The Eldorado Collection of Colombian Coins and Paper Money across three days with:
- Session A: The Eldorado Collection of Colombian Paper Money held on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
- Session D: The Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins Part 1 held on Friday, Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
- Session F: The Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins Part 2 held on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
World coins ranging from Afghanistan to Guatemala comprise Session C.
Lot 20065 offers an impressive highlight of the session, the "King of Canadian Coins," a 1921 50 Cents. This coin is exceedingly rare in any grade, with this example graded an incredible PCGS Specimen-62.
Also to be presented in this session is a portion of the Alex Siegel Collection, featuring high grade date runs of coins from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica and Guatemala (more highlights from this collection — including coins of Mexico — can be found in Session E). Standout pieces from in this session include a Mint State Chile 1867 Peso and a high grade Costa Rica 1831 8 Reales.
The offering of 125 French coins in this session is simply stunning and includes nearly a dozen major highlights. Lot 20135, a Royal d’Or of Philip IV, begins this tremendous run of medieval French gold coinage.
Just three lots later, a magnificent Pavillon d’Or of Philip VI de Valois in NGC MS-65 is featured, and is sure to elicit excitement. From the same king is a lovely type depicting St. Michael the Archangel — Lot 20144 — a rare Ange d’Or.
The next French highlight is a lovely Mint State Hardi d’Or of Charles issued for Aquitaine. Lot 20178, a Double Henri d’Or of Henry II, continues this run of rare and desirable French gold. A very rare Double Louis d’Or Aux Insignes is featured as Lot 20207, and is a marvelous piece with traces of the coin it was struck over visible and adding to its appeal. A Demi (1/2) Louis d’Or au Buste Habille is found in Lot 20227 and is an extremely rare type that has not surfaced in a U.S. auction in the last decade.
Among coins of Germany, a massive Quedlinburg 8 Ducat is offered as Lot 20277, a hefty, extremely rare and ornately designed piece.
The 124 lots of British coinage range from the 9th century through to Queen Elizabeth II, and there is certain to be something for all collectors. The first major highlight is a lovely sovereign issue of Queen Elizabeth I, a highly desired type found as Lot 20299. A visually stunning nine-piece set from Soho Mintmaster James Watt Jr. (sold as three lots, arranged by metal type) is preceded by a richly detailed introduction.
Immediately following the three Proof sets is a 1818 pattern crown by Pistrucci, which also offers ample historical information. This marvelous coin, Lot 20350, is destined for a collection of significant caliber. A gorgeous "Old Head" Queen Victoria 10-piece Proof set with gorgeous toning is featured as Lot 20384. Guatemala rounds out the session, with a strong run of the aforementioned Alex Siegel Collection pieces.
The bidding resumes on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. ET with Session E, which begins with Ancient coins and also covers the remainder of the world coin lots starting with Haiti.
The Ancients section opens with a nice run of Syracusan gold minors. Additional highlights include a Cyzicus EL Stater with a lion’s head (Lot 21036) and a Judaean First Jewish War Year 3 Half Shekel. Among Roman coinage, a nice run of Aurei from multiple emperors is culminated by a choice Julian II AV Solidus (Lot 21072).
Immediately following the final Ancient coin lot are World coins, beginning with Haiti. The session’s highlights are led by the monumental Venetian 40 Zecchini of Doge Paolo Ranieri (Lot 21136).
This massive and important piece represented significant wealth and prestige to the original owner, and is worthy of inclusion in the finest collection.
A fantastic Japanese 1874 50 Sen (Lot 21140) represents an extremely rare key date that was missing from the esteemed Dr. Norman Jacobs and Cornelius Vermuele collections.
Mexico offers 126 lots, with some high powered and significant pieces. The first is Lot 21153, an iconic "MX" 8 Reales with single letter assayer’s mark. Immediately following that piece is a Mint State 1733 8 Reales as Lot 21154. Lot 21161 offers an imaginary bust of Ferdinand VI, a very rare and visually distinct piece. This is followed by over two dozen gold 8 Escudos, republic coinage, and a run of two dozen gold medals, most of which are from the Mexico Numismatic Society.
Peru offers Lot 21280, a lovely Mint State 1712 8 Escudos and Lot 21286, a gorgeous Sun Face 8 Escudos.
Highlights among Russian coins include a Tynf and a Ruble of Peter I (the Great) as lots 21319 and 21321 respectively. The tragedy of the young emperor Ivan VI makes for compelling reading, with this story told in lots 21327 and 21328. The first is an exceptionally rare Ruble issue of the already scarce Ivan, featuring an obverse legend that extends further underneath the bust. The second is one of the first Rubles struck by Elizabeth, who usurped the throne from young Ivan and hurriedly began striking her own coinage.
Other exciting pieces of Russian numismatics follow, and include Lot 21351, a rare beautifully toned Proof-only 1898 50 Kopek.
Following Russia is a nice run of Swedish plate money (with more examples in the online session). The "Holy Grail of Odd and Curious" a Yap Island Stone money (approximately 62 pounds and 20 x 17 inches) is sure to draw considerable attention.
There will also be several Internet Only Auction Sessions, each packed full of desirable numismatic items. Session E will offer 282 lots of Ancient coins, as well as 1,000 World coin lots (from Afghanistan to Great Britain) and will begin promptly at 9:00 AM PT on Monday, Jan. 15, concurrent with the World paper money Internet Only Session G.
The second half of the World coins — Session J — featuring over 1,1000 lots of coins from Greece to Yugoslavia, will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and begin at 9:00 AM PT. A substantial special collection, the James Heegeman Collection of New Zealand Tradesmen Tokens anchors Session J and certainly warrants in-depth study.
A few of the most desirable World bank notes can be found within this catalog, with some being the finest, and in a few cases the only notes known for their types. Some of the scarce pieces hail from British Honduras.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries is offering an Issued 1894 1 Dollar Type 1 note (Lot 30070) that comes directly from the family of Albert E. Morlan, American Consul in Belize City in the 1890s. Also offered is a 5 Dollar Specimen (Lot 30071) from the same series, which should equally excite collectors.
Among Bank of Canada notes is a pair of gem notes (Lots 30093 and 30096), with Serial Number 9, along with many rare charter and private bank notes that include a Union Bank of Canada 50 Dollar note (Lot 30115).
There is also a very strong assortment of Australian of notes led by a 6 Pence note and a 2 Shillings note from the Camp Hay Internment Camp Seven (Lot 30022 and 30023).
Other highlights include a very scarce Puerto Rico 5 Pesos from 1896 in VF 25 condition (Lot 30390), the finest certified example of the type according to the PMG census.
Lot viewing will be available at the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Santa Ana office before the sale, as well as in New York City. StacksBowers.com for specific dates and times.
Currently, Stack’s Bowers Galleries is accepting consignments for the May 2018 Collector’s Choice Online auction, the April 2018 Hong Kong Auction and the August 2018 ANA Auction. Contact a consignment specialist at 949-253-0916 or via email at info@StacksBowers.com or stop by and visit the Stack’s Bowers Galleries table located on the bourse floor at the New York International Numismatic Convention in the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan, Thursday, Jan. 11 to Sunday, Jan. 14.
