By Greg Cohen – Stack’s Bowers ……..
Over the past few weeks, Chris Chatigny, Kyle Ponterio, Kent Ponterio, and I have been giving in-depth looks at highlights from our January NYINC Ancient and World Coin Auction in our blog page and in our weekly newsletter. With the sale just a week or so away, we give an overview and mention a few more important items.
The 2015 Stack’s Bowers official NYINC auction showcases “a collection of collections,” including specialized collections of such diverse coins as: Philippines counterstamps, Spanish Colonial Proclamation Medals, Swedish Plate Money, German Crowns and Talers, ancient coins, and many others. Mixed in are highlights from important properties, ranging from single item consignments to large collections. Named collections abound, and include: The Stanley Aberdeen Collection of Swedish Plate Money; The John Adams Collection of Spanish Colonial Proclamation Medals; The Dr. Richard Aghababian Collection of Ancient Coins; The Ray Czahor Collection of Philippines Coins; selections from the Demarete Collection, and The Rockaway Collection of German Crowns and Talers. Other important consignments include a fine selection of Brazilian gold coins as well as Russian and Latin American gold and silver coins. In the three live sessions, we will offer over 1,800 lots, with an additional selection of over 1,650 lots in our Internet session.
Session A will commence on Friday, January 9 at 6:30pm EST, with nearly 300 lots of ancient coins. Among these are popular ancient type coins, rare Greek and Roman issues, and a good selection of Roman Aureii. A rare silver Dodekadrachm of the Derrones (lot 44) will entice bidders. We are pleased to offer two attractive examples of the ever-popular Dekadrachms of Syracuse (lots 31 and 32). A neat pair of Mysian electrum Staters (lots 94 and 95) are interesting types that rarely appear at auction. A strong selection of Judean coins features a fine selection of Shekels and ½ Shekels from the First Jewish War include very nice, high grade pieces. Fantastic gold Aureii of the Roman emperors Octavian and Julius Caesar, Claudius, Antoninus Pius, and Probus (lots 211, 215, 235, 250, and 263 respectively) will offer much for the Roman coin collector. Between these highlighted coins you will find ancient coins from most issuing authorities and locales, in price points that will suit any collecting budget.
Then come world coins of the more “modern” age. Starting with coins of Albania (lot 302) and continuing through German coins, we present over 470 lots of gold coins, crowns, and minors in silver and copper, with coins to suit every type of collector. Popular type coins (like Argentine “Sunface” 8 Reales and high grade Austrian “Hogmouth” Talers) start off the session. An interesting selection of Bolivian colonial silver issues includes a very interesting and unlisted Heart-shaped Real of 1698 (lot 336). A fine selection of Brazilian gold coins will excite collectors of gold coins and Canadian numismatists will be enticed by Specimen 20 Cent of 1858 graded PCGS MS-64+ with a reeded edge and Demarete pedigree.
South American and African coin collectors will face stiff bidding competition when lot 407, a unique Chilean 8 Reales minted at Santiago in 1764, bearing the Mozambique countertstamp for the decree of 1765, crosses the auction block. Among other Latin American coins, lot 458 is the unique discovery 1760/59 Colombian 8 Reales, the only known example of the date to exist, and a recent discovery. A lovely gem Specimen 1914 Pattern Dollar of China signed by L. Giorgi and graded Specimen-65 by PCGS (lot 421) will turn heads.
Starting with lot 586, a large selection of German States crowns and talers, anchored by the Rockaway Collection, will provide opportunities to acquire rare and interesting types that are rarely (if ever) offered, and mostly in high grades. This large old collection features rarities that will excite even the most jaded collector of German Crowns and Talers.
Session B will commence with the specialized collection of Spanish Colonial Proclamation medals formed by John Adams. Spanish proclamation medals were issued to commemorate loyalty to new kings in the Spanish Empire and were produced in various colonial possessions throughout the ages. This collection focuses on the 18th century, as these also have crossover appeal to collectors of United States medals, as they are listed in the Betts reference on medals related to colonial America. Mr. Adams’ efforts in searching out these rare and slightly obscure items, and assembling them into a comprehensive collection have led to a better understanding of the series.
Following the John Adams Collection, world coins from Ghana to Yemen will be offered. An important English silver type, a Charles I Pound from 1642 in NGC EF-40 will attract type collectors when lot 1067 is sold. Also popular among British collectors, the beautiful Gothic Crown of 1847 is represented by lots 1103 and 1104.
The “finest certified by a long shot” Hungarian Ducat of 1702 (PCGS MS-66+) is a gorgeous and lustrous gem that will garner spirited bidding as lot 1136. Numismatists specializing in Japanese coinage will have a chance to purchase not one, but two rare Ansei Trade Dollars or San Bu. A large selection of Philippine coinage, anchored by the Ray Czahor Collection, and augmented by other important properties presents essentially a once in a lifetime offering of these fascinating, rare, and important coins beginning with lot 1357. Aside from the intriguing counterstamped coins, various gems from the Spanish Administration and U.S. Administration will delight specialists, especially when lot 1445, the finest of two known 1903-S 50 Centavos is offered. This rare coin has a great history as the discovery coin for the date.
Russian coins (beginning at lot 1503 with a small group of Yefimok Rubles) from a number of different consignors are highlighted by rare gold coins and silver Rubles, including two rare Proof gold 10 Rubles (lots 1589 and 1603). Rare South African Proof Sets of 1892 and 1931 (lots 1620 and 1621), the latter pedigreed to the Demarete Collection, are important opportunities. Swedish Plate Money from the Stanley Aberdeen Collection is highlighted by an 8 Schilling piece of 1715 struck during the Great Northern War (lot 1664).
Session C, our World Paper Money session, will be held at our auction gallery on the second floor of the Director’s Guild of America Building (110 W. 57th Street) at 11am EST on Monday, January 12. This diverse and exciting offering of 300 lots is strong in Middle Eastern notes, with a nice selection of Saudi Arabian notes, and a rare Palestine Currency Board 5 Pound note of 1927.
Session D, our Internet only session closes on Tuesday, January 13 at 6pm EST, and the nearly 1,700 lots of highly collectible coins and banknotes are offered in a separate catalog. There are some great items from the Rockaway Collection and the Demarete Collection (as well as hundreds of lots from other important consignors) so be sure to review these lots as well.
On behalf of the entire staff at Stack’s Bowers Galleries, we thank you for participating in our official 2015 New York International Numismatic Convention Sale, and we appreciate you ringing in the numismatic New Year with us! We hope to see you at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel at the auction, and we wish you the best of luck in your bidding.
