Heritage’s largest World & Ancient coins offering to date, 6,500 lots strong; on the block April 10, at the Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF); AD 193 gold aureus of Emperor Pertinax expected to realize more than $60,000.
An 1865 Canadian gold Pattern Specimen 2 Dollars, SP63 PCGS, one of the rarest and most important pattern coins in all Canadian numismatics, is expected to bring well more than $80,000 when it crosses the block on April 10, in Chicago, as part of Heritage Auctions’ Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF) World and Ancient Coins Signature® Auction.
This sale also marks the single largest auction Heritage’s World and Ancient Coins division has ever held, with more than 6500 lots in total. With such a diverse offering, collectors from across the spectrum will find something that fits their tastes.
A gold aureus of the Roman Emporer Pertinax (AD 193), NGC Gem MS, from The Lexington Collection, represents one of the most important and interesting offerings from the Ancient Coins section of the auction, estimated at $60,000+.
“This amazing coin of Pertinax very clearly demonstrates the perils of power in the ancient Roman Empire,” said David Michaels, Director of Ancient Coins at Heritage. “Pertinax was an old soldier and a sage by the time he was installed as emperor and he had ruled all of 86 days before being assasinated. Due to the brevity of his reign the coinage of Pertinax is not only quite rare, but also of unusually high artistic quality.”
The rating of Gem MS is the highest possible grade assigned to ancient coins by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, placing this among the finest known aurei of Pertinax.
Dedicated collectors of Russian rarities will find much to admire in an exceedingly exceptional 1797 Paul I Poltina, or half-rouble, AU 58 NGC, expected to bring more than $40,000. Latin American collectors eagerly await the offering of an 1817 Ferdinand VII Real, AU53 NGC, probably the finest Caracas real from 1817 in private hands, which should top $30,000 in what is expected to be spirited competition. Canadian collectors who cannot go after the 2 dollar pattern that sits atop the auction should find some solace, and a spectacular coin, in a 1902 Edward VII Specimen 25 Cent, SP68 PCGS, which should also bring more than $30,000.
“This is the most impressive Canadian quarter our cataloger has ever seen,” said Bierrenbach, “and easily among the most visually stunning coins in the entire auction.”
Further highlights include, but are not limited to:
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- Nicholas II Presentation gold 25 Roubles (2-1/2 Imperials) 1896, MS61 NGC: Estimate $125,000+.
- George V Specimen 50 Cents 1921, SP64 PCGS: Estimate $100,000+.
- German Colony gold 20 Mark 1895, MS66 NGC: Estimate $30,000+.
- Augustus (27 BC-AD 14) AV aureus, NGC AU: Estimate $30,000+.
- C. Cassius Longinus, Imperator and Assassin of Caesar (44-42 BC) AV aureus NGC MS★: Estimate $30,000+.
- 1898 Szechuan Brass 1 Dollar (7 Mace and 2 Candareens) Pattern ND, MS63 NGC: Estimate $30,000+.
- 1646 Pernambuco 3 Florin (60 Stuivers) Brazilian Ducat: Estimate $30,000+.
About Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of more than $800 million, and 850,000+ online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.
