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World Gold Coins Lead Heritage’s NYINC Coin Auction – Here are the top 5 (6) Coins

Seldom Offered 1852 Type 1 Gold Adelaide Pound

South Australia. British Colony gold Adelaide Pound Type 1 1852 AU58 PCGS, KM1, Fr-1. The exceedingly rare type 1 Variety with two linear circles around the beading on the reverse and a cracked die by the D of DWT.

Seldom Offered 1852 Type 1 Gold Adelaide Pound

This type is the first true government coin issue, produced by the Adelaide Assay Office, which was very close to the gold fields. There was a tremendous shortage of coin, for trade and exchange, although gold dust and nuggets were in ample supply.

The government of South Australia attempted to ease the situation by turning quantities of the gold into useable coin. Unfortunately, this was done before England had given approval to coin money, and, after a very limited mintage, word came from England to stop the production of gold coins, as they noted that the Assay Office was not a legal entity and should not be striking the coins.

The Type 1 Adelaide Pounds are extremely rare, and seldom offered. The only recent offering we can reference is the sale of a wide grained example by Noble Numismatics in April 2013 for approximatel $104,000. This piece is considerably nicer than that coin. This is the finest of only 2 examples certified by PCGS. Krause catalog price(s) for this item: $47500 in VF, $85000 in EF, $125000 in UNC.

LOT #31083 – Sold for: $99,875.00

Ex: Farouk Collection, Likely Unique as a Set

British India. Victoria Silver Type Set Struck in Gold 1862,
1) 2 Annas, Prid-484, S&W-4.146, PR65 Cameo NGC. Plain edge.
2) 1/4 Rupee, Prid-375, S&W-4.132, PR64 Cameo NGC. Reeded edge.
3) 1/2 Rupee, Prid-257, S&W-4.121, PR64 Ultra Cameo NGC. Reeded edge.
4) Rupee, Prid-68, S&W-4.53, PR63 Cameo NGC. Reeded edge.

British India. Victoria Silver Type Set Struck in Gold 1862

Struck during the first year of production for the crowned head Victoria type and the first instance of gold off-metal strikes in British India. The reason for the existence of this type is not entirely known, but several reasons can be hypothesized.  Possible reasons include:

– Distribution to departments of government prior to official adoption of a design.
– Distribution to government officials for personal keepsake.
– Usage as an exhibition set at fairs and the like.
– Usage by India Office for information or distribution.

Whatever the actual reason, we know today that 1862-dated gold strikings are incredibly rare, and as a set, most likely unique. In fact, after a search of archived auction records, we were only able to find a single instance of a 2 Annas striking in gold with none of the other denominations being represented. As a whole, the set remains in breathtaking condition with all examples being Choice to Gem with attractive cameo contrast. Adding the appeal is the impressive King Farouk pedigree; where it sold as lot 870 in the 1954 Sotheby’s Palace Collections auction as, “a brilliant and pretty set, very rare.” A custom Capital Plastics holder now accompanies the set and details the coins and their provenance. For the collector of British Indian coinage, this set, with its magnificent history and charm, is bound to become an instant collection centerpiece and it must be considered among the finest trophies that one could think to acquire.
From The Formosa Collection

LOT #31311 – Sold for: $88,125.00

Massive 60 Shillings of James II

James VII (II) gold Restrike 60 Shillings 1688 MS62 NGC, S-5635. Plain edge. Obv. IACOBVS • II • DEI • GRATIA •, laureate and draped bust right; 60 (the mark of value) below. Rev. • MAG • BR • FRA ET • HIB • REX • 1688, crowned and garnished complex coat-of-arms of England & France, Scotland, and Ireland; all within Collar of the Order of the Thistle. highly lustrous and very lightly toned, with surfaces nearly as struck. Of the highest rarity, being one of just three examples known.

Massive 60 Shillings of James II

The latter part of the reign of Charles II saw many problems at the mint in Edinburgh, including questionable appointments, charges of corruption, inaccurate weight standards, and political infighting. Numerous officials were removed from their posts, and the mint itself was closed in 1682. By the time James VII (II) had succeeded his brother, a solution to the weight problems was to be achieved through the Trial of the Pyx, a judicial system in which a sampling of the new strikings were kept aside for periodic review and assay. Even with this safeguard, only silver coinage for use in Scotland was issued during his reign: 40 and 10 shilling pieces.

Dies for a larger denomination, however, were apparently produced in the form of a 60 shilling piece, and were possibly by the hand of one of the Roettiers. It is speculated that these coins were never produced due to James’s scandalous conversion to Catholicism, an act which increased ill-feelings toward the monarch and hastened the actions to find a solution to this issue—a solution ultimately in the form of James’s daughter and son-in-law, Prince William of Orange, who would succeed him following the Glorious Revolution in 1688.

The production of these 60 shilling pieces, in the expected silver as well as off-metal strikings in gold, apparently took place over a century later, when Matthew Young rescued the dies and produced these pieces. In any event, the 60 shilling pieces are a glimpse into what may have been, with the extremely rare gold issue providing a keystone for any Scottish collection, as it is of the highest rarity at only three known specimens.

Ex. St. James’s 26, lot 74; Lucien LaRiviere Collection (Spink 6029), lot 256; Spink 108, lot 518; Cochran-Patrick collection (Sotheby’s, 1957), selling there for £1100, 22 times the price of the Cromwell broad in the same auction.

LOT #31417 – Sold for: $76,375.00

The First Pattern 2 Mohur of British India

British India – East India Company. William IV gold Proof Pattern 2 Mohur ND (1835) PR61 NGC, Calcutta mint, KM-Pn10, Pr-177, S&W-1.1. Plain edge. Obv. Bare head right. Rev. British lion advancing left; palm tree in background. Struck at the very beginning of the East India Company’s standardization of coinage under British control.

The First Pattern 2 Mohur of British India

This pattern type, intended as a concept design, left several of the technical specification of Act XVII (1835) out of the design; omissions included the value of the coin in English and Persian, “East India Company” lettering, as well as the year of the die. A letter, submitted to the Mint Committee in March of 1835 read, “we beg leave to submit an impression in pure gold of the King’s head, with the Lion as reverse – proposed as a double gold Mohur of 360 Grains (standard)”. No response to this letter was received until late in October of that year. At that time, several concerns were outlined by the Governor-General in Council, including his dislike of the use of an animal and his favor towards a wreath or other ornamental embellishments. By late November however, in order to avoid further delays in producing a circulating type, Flaxman’s design was approved and the legal specification were added to the design. By year end, minting had commenced and in January, official issuance began.

A pattern of incredible importance that exists as the earliest concept piece for what would become the largest denominated type of British India. Surely no more than a small handful of this type were originally struck, and today, survival in numbers more than a few would be a surprise. Confirmed examples include the W&S plate coin as well as the present coin – ex. Baldwin’s Auction 53, Lot 2103. This coin, lightly handled, has several marks around William’s neck truncation with other minor ticks here and there. The fields remain deeply reflective and tiny patches of orange-gold tone touch both sides. The W&S plate coin appears to be of similar quality. All in all, a great rarity and a lovely coin; for the Indian collector, an item of rarely surpassed significance.

LOT #31309 – Sold for: $76,375.00

A Classic Gold 10 Dukatu Rarity

Republic gold 10 Dukatu 1951 MS66 PCGS, KM14. Mintage of 100 pieces. One of the classic rarities in the 20th century gold type series. As such, it is rightfully hotly contested whenever one arises for auction.

A Classic Gold 10 Dukatu Rarity

The last record of one selling was actually this past October (Macho & Chlapovic 9, 26 October 2015, lot 293), where an example graded “UNC / About UNC” sold for an amazing 84,000 Euro hammer ($92,685 at the time). An imposing piece in hand, the piece on offer here is a true Gem Mint State piece, with essentially flawless surfaces and superb reflectivity.

LOT #31184 – Sold for: $76,375.00

Exceptional Two-Coin Pattern Set of Louis Philippe I

Louis Philippe I gold & silver “Rouen Mint Visit” Specimen Pattern 5 Francs Presentation Set 1831,
1) Gold. KM-M20c, VG-2824var., Maz-1168 (R4).
2) Silver. KM-M20b, VG-2824, Maz-1168a (R2).

A spectacular presentation of the highest rarity, combining the exceedingly rare gold striking of the “Rouen Mint Visit” pattern with the scarce silver issue, both using Domard’s standard obverse design for the 1832-1848 5 Franc issues. Accompanied with an early 20th century Cornelius Saunders & Francis Shepherd of Birmingham, England custom sterling silver hallmarked case, engraved with a seven-line inscription that reads: LOUIS PHILIPPE I. 1830. / TWO PATTERN FIVE-FRANC PIECES / by Domard / STRUCK IN 1831 TO COMMEMORATE / HIS MAJESTY’S VISIT TO THE PARIS MINT / BOTH BRILLIANT, AND THE GOLD SPECIMEN / OF THE HIGHEST RARITY.

Exceptional Two-Coin Pattern Set of Louis Philippe I

As was the case at the time of the box’s engraving, today, both coins remain in lovely “brilliant” condition. The gold example showcases shimmering reflective surfaces with orange-gold accents that concentrate at the edges. The bust of Louis Philippe is frosted and sits in pleasing contrast to the fields. Only minor handling is evident and on the whole, the assigned numeric grade seems conservative. The silver piece has likely toned somewhat since its first placement in the case, but it too remains impeccably presented with meandering copper-gold and mauve patina over glassy mirrored surfaces. Together, they are perfectly matched.

Acquired from a long-time aid of the estate of famous financier J.P. Morgan. Clearly, as Morgan himself would have realized and his connection has undoubtedly added to, a set in which the numismatic importance is difficult to overstate. While one or two others perhaps exists individually in gold, the set is very likely unique, and it is undoubtedly so with such a fine presentation case and pedigree. Worthy of the finest numismatic cabinet.

Ex. J. P. Morgan

LOT #31201 – Sold for: $76,375.00
Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctionshttps://www.ha.com/
Heritage Auction Galleries is one of the world's largest collectibles auctioneers. Besides offering rare and valuable U.S. and world coins and currency, Heritage offers ancient coins, exonumia, antiques, comic books, sports memorabilia, and many other collectibles. The firm is based in Dallas, Texas.

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