Six important coin collections and countless smaller ones are hidden in the six auction catalogs illustrating the items to be auctioned off by Osnabruck auction house Künker between March 11 and 16, 2013. The scope ranges from ancient times to present, with a significant focus on the Middle Ages.
These are not mere auction catalogs of Künker’s but reference works on special fields of interest. Many collectors trust in the expertise Künker spends on presenting its coins to a broad audience. Let us first have a look at the auction week’s highlights. Scheduled are for day one the Koch Collection Ancient Coins, as well as the Dr Curti Collection Medieval 
Coins, on day three a special collection Cologne, Rhineland, Westphalia, and on the fourth day a second special collection Nuremberg, Franconia, as well as some splendid gold coins from the Vogel Collection. The sixth and final day is devoted to the Sultan Collection, the most comprehensive collection of coins of the Ottoman Empire ever assembled in this quality.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. After all, the individual prices of the 7.475 lots add up to a total estimate of ca. 8 million euros. Of course, there are pieces available for high five-figure sums, but the major part of the stock ranges in the lower three-figure regions; thus, the average collector has every chance to expand its range by intriguing new acquisitions.
Catalog 226: Day number one of the Künker auction lays its focus exclusively on ancient coins. Amongst others, the Vogel Collection will be liquidated, put together by father (1892-1956) and son (1927-1985) since the 1930s. Many precious items are hidden there, like an extremely fine tetradrachm from Syracuse, signed by the famous die cutters Eumenos and Eukleidas. The finely toned piece is estimated at 25,000 euros. From the Judd Collection comes a tetradrachm from Amphipolis with the frontal depiction of Apollo – these are but two examples taken from the many rare Greek coins.
Anyone interested in Roman aurei will get its money worth. Many are on offer – ranging from about very fine to good extremely fine, or, put another way, from 1,000 to 3,000 euros.
Catalog 227: Dottore Edoardo Curti is a publicly known figure on the coin market. The numismatic world knows him not primarily as managing director of an international food giant but as the face of Milan auction house Finarte. Dottore Curti is a keen collector who has assembled and liquidated more than one significant collection so far. The offer of auction 227, in conjunction with French auction house Crinon, though, is destined to fill every aficionado with enthusiasm.
Coins from the Middle Ages are on offer, from the Migration Period until the 100 Year’s War. Emphasis is put on the coins of the Migration Period, like the ones we know since Felix Dahn’s ‘A Struggle for Rome’, on the Merovingian ones – containing amongst others a tremissis of the patron saint of all numismatists, collectors and mint employees, St. Eligius (estimate: 6,000 euros) and the Carolingian coins – including every rarity one might wish for, such as a denarius of Charlemagne with full title as patricius romanorum, minted in Rome or Ravenna (estimate: 20,000 euros) or a gorgeous portrait denarius of Louis the Pious from Quentovis (estimate: 24,000 euros).
Another main area is the English and Danish coins comprising many great rarities. The ‘ordinary’ collector might well purchase historical items as well here. A penny of William the Conqueror carries a pre-sale price tag of 500 euros, another one of Richard Lionheart is estimated at 100 euros. But of course, the highlights are to be encountered elsewhere. Dr Curti managed to assemble a fantastic ensemble of the early English kings since the 7th century. A penny of Alfred the Great deserves particular reference here, featuring probably the best portrait known to the Anglo-Saxon coinage (estimate: 18,000 euros), a magnificently struck piece from the Danelaw, issued by Anlaf Guthfrithsson as King of York, as well as a very rare penny of Harthacnut (estimate: 7,000 euros). These are but a few rarities.
The sale is concluded by the splendid gold coins from the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. Most likely these are the most beautiful gold coins of late Gothic times in all of Europe. Just think of the wonderful nobles showing the king standing on a ship on the obverse, represented by a perfect example here, issued by Edward III (estimate: 7,500 euros). Very rare is an almost extremely fine guyennois d’or of that very ruler, struck in Figeac in 1362, when Edward III was Lord of Aquitaine (estimate: 7,500 euros). Last, but by no means least, an unflawed angel of Edward VI, minted in London between 1480 and 1483 (estimate: 6,000 euros).
Catalog 228: World silver coins and medals are on offer in catalog 228. The range of European coins starts with A as in Albania. The connoisseur discovers a special collection Denmark as well as another special collection containing the Irish Middle Ages. Poland is present with numerous rare patterns from the Republic. A larger quantity of Chinese coins can be found amongst the overseas items. And anyone fond of the Holy Roman Empire will be delighted about the finest qualities.
In catalog 228 the connoisseur discovers a greater number of coins from the British Isles, consisting of 262 lots in total. The emphasis is clearly laid upon medieval times. Remarkable is a series of Irish pennies. This special collection, which was assembled together with regard to scholarly aspects, spans a period of time from 995 to 1110; the estimates range from 75 euros to 1,500 euros.
Catalog 229: This takes us right to another special collection, or, to be more precise, two that are documented in this catalog. First, Cologne, the Rhineland and Westphalia enter the limelight. The assortment, put together by a Rhenish numismatist, provides an impressive illustration of this region’s history. The spectrum spans the period of time from the Middle Ages right to the 19th century.
The second collection is devoted to Franconia. Not only the centre Nuremberg is exhaustively represented, but all Frankish estates, too.
Catalog 230: Finally, we have arrived at the gold. The first part of catalog 230 is devoted to that material. Several gold multipla from the Vogel Collection are hidden here, like the multiple ducats from the Holy Roman Empire, just like an extremely fine 10 ducat piece from Kremnitz from 1668 (estimate: 75,000 euros) or an about mint-state 10 ducat piece Nagybánya from 1703 (estimate: 40,000 euros).
83 British gold coins are on offer in auction sale 230 including such rarities as an extremely fine pound of Elizabeth I, struck in London between 1594 and 1596 (estimate: 5,000 euros), a likewise extremely fine 5 guineas piece of Queen Anne from 1706 (estimate: 18,000 euros) and a 5 pounds piece of George IV from 1826 with a mintage of just 150 specimens (estimate: 15,000 euros).
Part III of catalog 230 proves once more that Russian coins and medals have become affordable again for the ‘ordinary’ collector, many items being estimated at lower three-figure sums. The gorgeous bronze medals of the Tsars and Tsarinas, with their estimates sometimes as low as 200 euros, are particularly like to attract many interested potential buyers. But of course there will be expensive showpieces present as well, like the novodel of a mint-state 10 rouble piece of Catherine II, minted in St. Petersburg in 1772 (estimate: 40,000 euros) or a 6 rouble piece made of platinum, of which only 11 specimens exist, minted under Nicholas I in 1836 (estimate: 30,000 euros).
Catalog 231: There is more to come. The auction week by now includes the Saturday, too. This is the only way to provide enough time to sell all the material listed and documented in the catalogs. On March 16, 2013, part III of the Sultan Collection we be auctioned off, a collection of world-class Ottoman coins. It took the collector more than 30 years to assemble this assortment of coins from the Ottoman Empire, the most exhaustive of its kind.
The third and final part contains coins dating as back as the beginning of the Ottoman Empire until its golden age. The catalog begins with Orhan (1324-1359) and ends with Mehmed IV (1648-1687). Those interested in history discover such illustrious names as Mehmed II the Conqueror or Suleiman the Magnificent. The collector with a humble budget may be assured that there is a great number of coins available here at modest prices.
The catalog can be ordered at: Künker, Gutenbergstrasse 23, D-49 076 Osnabruck; phone: + 49 (0)541 / 96 20 20; fax: + 49 (0)541 / 96 20 222; or by e-mail: [email protected]. You can view all coins online at https://www.kuenker.de/Unsere_Auktionen_en.kuenker four weeks prior to the auction.
Captions:
242: Greek coins. SYRACUSE (Sicily). Tetradrachm, 415-405, signed by Eumenos and Eukleidas. Tudeer 24. About extremely fine / extremely fine. From auction sale NAC 29 (2005), 115. Estimate: 25,000 euros.
310: Greek coins. AMPHIPOLIS (Macedonia). Tetradrachm, 356-355. Lorber 47c (this specimen). Very fine. From Judd Collection, auction sale Leu 15 (1976), 175. Estimate: 50,000 euros.
420: Greek coins. KIOS (Bithynia). Stater, 334-323. Wadd. pl. XLIX, 4. Good very fine. Estimate: 20,000 euros.
726: Roman coins. AUGUSTUS, 27 B. C. – A. D. 14. Cistophorus, 27/6 B. C., Pergamon. RPC 2209. Extremely fine. Estimate: 5,000 euros.
857: Roman coins. COMMODUS, 180-192. Aureus, 175/6. RIC 604. Extremely fine splendid specimen. Estimate: 30,000 euros.
1044: Roman coins. PETRONIUS MAXIMUS, 455. Solidus. RIC 2202. Very fine. Estimate: 30.000 euros.
2039: Migration Period. SIGISMUND, 516-524. Solidus on behalf of Iustinus I, Lyon. Belfort 5154. From Lacam Collection, auction sale Dürr / Michel (1999), 342 and Nomos 1 (2009), 180. Mint-state splendid specimen. Estimate: 10,000 euros.
The Catholic Church reveres the Burgundian King Sigismund, founder of St. Maurice Abbey in Valais, because he decided on being baptized and believing in the Catholic faith – against his father’s wishes. After his defeat against the Franks he was killed by his brother who had been more successful in battle.
2072: Merovingians. PALATIVM (mint of the palace, Paris?). Triens, before 641, minted under mint master Eligius. Belfort 3342 Probably 2nd specimen known. From auction sale Künker 144 (2008), 4033. Extremely fine. Estimate: 6,000 euros.
The mint master of this Merovingian coin is revered by the Catholic Church as St. Eligius. He is patron saint of all numismatists, collectors of coins and mint employees.
2109: Carolingians. LOUIS I THE PIOUS, 814-840. Denarius, Quentovic (Pas-de-Calais). Gariel XVIII, 104. From auction sale Künker 183 (2011), 1603. Extremely fine splendid specimen. Estimate: 24,000 euros.
2342: England / Anglo-Saxon coins. ALFRED, 871-899. Penny, London. North 644. Extraordinary portrait. From auction sale Gemini VI (2010), 935. About mint-state. Estimate: 18,000 euros.
Although Alfred, surnamed The Great since he was one the most important kings of the Anglo-Saxons, was never canonized officially, a cult of his person nevertheless came into being centered at his tomb. The portrait on this coin is extraordinarily veristic and surely the best portrait of Britain of Anglo-Saxon times.
2355: England / Danelaw. HIBERNO NORSE. Anlaf Guthfrithsson, 939-941. Struck as king of York. Penny. North 537. From Lucien La Riviere Coll., auction sale Spink 160 (2002), 990. Of great scarcity. Probably the best preserved specimen of this type. Mint-state. Estimate: 18,000 euros.
2367: England / Anglo-Saxons. HARTHACNUT, 1040-1042. Penny, Nov. 1035 – springtime of 1036, Lewes. North 808. From auction sale Baldwin 70 (2011), 361. Very rare. Good very fine. Estimate: 7,000 euros.
2376: England / Plantagenets. WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, 1066-1087. Penny, 1077-1080, London. North 845. From auction sale CNG 85 (2010), 1530. Very fine. Estimate: 500 euros.
2418: England. EDWARD III, 1327-1377. Noble, n. d. (1356-1361), London. Fb. 89. Very rare in this condition. Extremely fine. Estimate: 7,500 euros.
2422: England. EDWARD III, 1327-1377. Guyennois d’or, n. d. (1362), Figeac. Fb. 1. From auction sale Künker 140 (2008), 294. About extremely fine. Estimate: 7,500 euros.
2444: France. PHILIP VI, 1328-1350. Couronne d’or n. d. (29. Januar 1340). Duplessy 252. Extremely fine to mint-state. Estimate: 35,000 euros.
2829: Ireland. ANONYMOUS PENNIES. Penny, Dublin, 995-1020. Seaby 6102. Spink, Numismatic Circular XCIX (1991), lot 2804 (ex Roth 394). Of great scarcity. Extremely fine. Estimate: 1,500 euros.
3831: Holy Roman Empire. FRANCIS JOSEPH I, 1848-1916. Konventionsthaler 1852 A, Vienna. Dav. 16. Only 10 specimens were minted. About mint-state. Estimate: 10,000 euros. Because Emperor Francis Joseph did not like the depiction of his portrait to the left, this type was never used on circulation coins. Due to that, only test strikes exist which, after being rejected, were given to public coin cabinets and high-ranking celebrities, including the emperor himself. In auction 228, Künker offers four of the highly rare specimens.
6656: England. ANNA, 1702-1714. 5 guineas 1706, London. Fb. 316. Rare. Extremely fine. Estimate: 18,000 euros.
6696: England. GEORGE IV, 1820-1830. 5 pounds 1826, London. Fb. 373. Only 150 specimens were minted. Extremely fine. Estimate: 15,000 euros.
6835: Netherlands. HOLLAND. Province. 10 ducats struck from the dies of the silver ducat 1687. Delm. 788. Extremely fine. Estimate: 30,000 euros.
7205: Holy Roman Empire. LEOPOLD I, 1657-1705. 10 ducat piece 1668, Kremnitz. Fb. 122. Extremely fine. Estimate: 75,000 euros.
8251: Russia. CATHERINE II, 1762-1796. 10 rouble piece 1772, St. Petersburg, novodel. Fb. 129a. Mint-state. Estimate: 40,000 euros.
8396: Russia. NICHOLAS I, 1825-1855. 6 rouble piece platinum 1836, St. Petersburg. Bitkin 63. Only 11 specimens were minted. Proof. Estimate: 30,000 euros.
9097: Mehmed II the Conqueror, 1444-1446 and 1451-1481. Sultani, Constantinople, 1477. Pere 79. Extremely fine. Estimate: 5,000 euros.
9791: Ahmed I, 1603-1617. 1/4 Sultani, 1604, Tunis. Damali 14-TU-A4-1013 (this specimen). Very fine. Estimate: 10,000 euros.
The Ottoman coinage confined itself to just one denomination in silver and gold, respectively. Presumably due to regional distinctions, the sultan had to concede the production of a smaller gold coin here.
