Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce their official auction at the highly anticipated American Numismatic Association (ANA) World’s Fair of Money, August 13-17, 2019 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. Replete with historically important and condition sensitive rarities, this auction features a handsome selection of Ancient and World treasures—a veritable numismatic cornucopia with something for just about everyone.
Judaean coinage from the Solomon Collection highlights the Ancient coins section and features a robust selection of silver and bronze issues from the First Jewish War and Bar Kochba Revolt. Included are three highly attractive and impressive ½ Shekels from years 1 (lot 20022), 2 (lot 20025), and 3 (lot 20029), the first three years of the First Jewish War.
The ‘Legionary’ coinage of Marc Antony is also well represented, with no fewer than seven exceptional denarii offered. Beginning with a splendid type for Legio II, lot 20063, these pieces feature surfaces and strikes that are a decided cut above that normally encountered.
The portraiture of the Roman Imperial issues is another focus of the sale. Lot 20072 exhibits the realistic features of Tiberius on a gold Aureus of the famous “Tribute Penny” type, while lot 20077 displays the emotive and detailed profile of Claudius. An exquisite Aureus from Caracalla, lot 20093, features his imposing glare. The more caricature-like appearance of Valerian I, rarely encountered in gold, is observed on lot 20098, a Quinarius or possibly Light Aureus.
Seldom-encountered rarities lay the groundwork for the World coins section, with one of these cornerstones being lot 21077, the exceptionally pleasing George III Pattern Crown, designed by William Wyon and featuring the classic depiction of the Three Graces on its reverse. Graded NGC PROOF-64, this will be a prize in a world-class collection of Crowns or British coinage.
Another great rarity in this sale is an exceptional Coronation Medal for Russia’s Czar Nicholas I in Platinum. While known in gold, silver, and bronze, lot 21647 presents a nearly-unprecedented opportunity to acquire a sublimely attractive piece in an incredibly rare metal. Certified as PCGS SPECIMEN-61 Gold Shield, the interest in this piece will likely be extremely intense, as only one other example, a clearly inferior piece, could be located.
Also sure to elicit fierce competition is lot 21377, the first machine-struck issue produced for Morocco. It is one of just a handful of 10 Mithquals known, and likely the finest preserved specimen (NGC MS-61) of this ultimately rejected design.
For lot 20161, a rather challenging Bohemian Ducat of Albrecht Wallenstein, it was not a rejection of design but rather the events following his death which make the piece an exceptional rarity. Found guilty of treason against the Holy Roman Empire, much of his coinage was confiscated and melted after he was murdered by his own troops, leaving very few as nice as this PCGS AU-53.
Rarities that are more on the unusual side are also well represented, such as lot 21161, a massive Silver Ingot salvaged from the SS Gairsoppa, torpedoed by the Germans during World War II. This hefty wartime relic weighs over 67 pounds and contains over 1,000 ounces of silver mined from India; it is one of just 462 ingots recovered and not melted. Going from gigantic ingots to much smaller handheld types, the Thai “bullet money” found in lot 21768 represents an incredible rarity, as it is a special presentation set of six denominations dated CS 1242 (1880)—the first dated Thai issues. When offered intact, this set is of the highest rarity and will generate tremendous interest.
Condition rarities abound in this sale, such as lot 21630, a 1775-MMA CA Russian Ruble of Catherine II (the Great). Already the key to the series, this example is easily one of the finest extant, if not the finest. Graded NCG UNC Details—Obverse Scratched, the designation will not detract from the appeal which it presents.
Similarly, for the discerning collector who seeks the finest, an 1827 80 Fiorini from Tuscany (lot 21274), yields that and so much more. Graded PCGS MS-67 Gold Shield, it is a stunning gem, with vibrant surfaces and a sharply executed strike. This superlative piece could soar to great heights of bidding.
Numerous other desirable series are also presented throughout the sale, led by the massive array of exceptional coinage from the Philippines. While offering high-grade specimens across the run of dates and denominations, a few pieces are particularly notable, such as lot 21495, a very rare and highly attractive Revolutionary Centavo from Panay—a crude yet important piece from a very volatile period in Filipino history. Lot 21545 offers a highly interesting and rare mint error—a 1918-S 5 Centavos muled with a 20 Centavos reverse. Certified PCGS MS-65, this key to the series is the finest graded and destined to achieve an astounding bid.
A selection of modern gold issues from the “Wildlife Conservation” series offers a vast run of animal types indigenous to the country of origin. On the opposite end of the timeline, high-grade examples of early hammered gold from Belgium, France, and Great Britain are also presented. Gold 8 Escudos from Chile, Colombia, and Peru will captivate the collector of Spanish Colonial, while five different Mexican 8 Reales from 1866 will appeal to the specialist.
A wonderful group of collections are featured, from the Linda Collection and its stunning presentation of Talers, to the Filipino coinage of the Pasig River and Ray Czahor collections, as well as more general selections from the Dr. James Eustace Bizzell, II, and Q. David Bowers collections.
Additional ANA Highlights include:
Ancient coins:
- Lot 20009: ATTICA. Athens. AR Tetradrachm, ca. 454-404 B.C. NGC MS*, Strike: 5/5 Surface 5/5.
- Lot 20049: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos. AR Dekadrachm, RY 18 (253 B.C.). NGC Ch VF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5. Edge Chip.
- Lot 20052: ZEUGITANA. Carthage. AV Stater, ca. 350-320 B.C. NGC Ch AU, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5.
- Lot 20094: GORDIAN I AFRICANUS. AR Denarius, A.D. 238. NGC Ch AU, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5. Fine Style.
World coins:
- Lot 20241: CANADA. Warner Brothers – Looney Tunes 2500 Dollars, 2015. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo.
- Lot 20297: CHINA. Kiangnan. 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), CD (1898). ANACS AU Details–Cleaned.
- Lot 20429: FRANCE. Salut d’Or, ND (1423-33). Henry VI. NGC MS-65.
- Lot 21233: ITALY. Ferrara. Ducat, ND (1471-1505). Ericole d’Este. NGC AU-50.
- Lot 21289: ITALY. 100 Lire, 1864-T BN. Vittorio Emanuele II. NGC AU-53.
- Lot 21290: ITALY. 100 Lire, 1864-R. Vittorio Emanuele II. NGC AU-50.
- Lot 21366: MEXICO. Silver Onza Pattern, 1951. PCGS SPECIMEN-61 Gold Shield.
- Lot 21507: PHILIPPINES. Peso, 1906-S. PCGS AU-55 Gold Shield.
- Lot 21509: PHILIPPINES. Peso, 1907-S. PCGS MS-66.
- Lot 21512: PHILIPPINES. Peso, 1909-S. PCGS MS-67.
- Lot 21515: PHILIPPINES. Peso, 1911-S. NGC MS-65.
- Lot 21600: POLAND. Danzig. Ducat, 1660-DL. John Casimir. NGC MS-61.
- Lot 21638: RUSSIA. Crimean Annexation Silver Medal, 1783. PCGS SPECIMEN-62 Gold Shield.
- Lot 21650: RUSSIA. Ruble, 1842-CNB AY. Nicholas I. PCGS PROOF-63+ Gold Shield.
The Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction at the ANA World’s Fair of Money is surely not to be missed, with many desirable items destined to pique the interest of collectors worldwide. Whether or not you are interested in one of the above-noted highlights or in some other area, be sure to check the firm’s website www.stacksbowers.com to view and bid on these and many other significant and sought after numismatic items.
