By Stack’s Bowers Galleries ……
For collectors of World and Ancient coins and medals, the start of 2019 will be exciting as the 47th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) kicks off the new year. The convention is open to the public January 11-13 from 10 am to 7 pm with early bird entry on Thursday, January 10 starting at 12 noon. Treasures from around the globe will be on display from 115 dealers ready to assist with your collecting needs. Stack’s Bowers Galleries will be set up at Table 904, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, located at 109 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10022, between Park and Lexington Avenues. As always the week leading up to the convention is filled with auctions presented by some of the most prestigious numismatic auction firms including Stack’s Bowers Galleries. The NYINC is the leading World and Ancient coin show of the year, and usually includes some of the best material.
If knowledge and camaraderie is what you seek, then the NYINC is just right for you. Every year special programs are held for young numismatists, as well as educational programs and club and society meetings. The schedule of events includes meetings and sponsored lectures from the Ancient Coin Collectors Guild (ACCG), Association of Dedicated Byzantine Collectors, Medal Collectors of America, New York Numismatic Club, American Association of Young Numismatists, New York International Numismatic Convention, British Numismatic Society, Oriental Numismatic Society and Bermanian Guild of Numismatists. For a detailed program list of the events please visit www.nyinc.info/events.php.
The January New York International Numismatic Convention Auction is now live for bidding and can be browsed here. Below are some of the highlights we will have on offer:
Magnificent and Rare 1798 Bern 8 Ducats
This sale offers a robust selection of extremely rare issues from all over Europe, as is reflected in the catalog’s cover. The Canton of Bern in Switzerland was the source of this lovely multiple ducats offered in lot 41399 in the auction.
The founding of the city of Bern is attributed to Berthold V, Duke of Zahringen in the year 1191. Local legend states that Duke Berthold vowed to name the city after the first animal that crossed his path during his next hunt. That animal turned out to be a bear, and so the bear became the heraldic representation on the seal and coat of arms of Bern from at least 1220. Additionally, the city would keep live bears in a Bärengraben “Bear Pit” at the edge of the old city, a tradition dating back to the 15th century.
The aforementioned heraldic bear dominates the obverse design of the 8 Ducats. A bear walks with its front right paw raised along a diagonal band on a crowned shield between laurel sprays. The legend states: “RESPUBLICA BERNENSIS” or Republic of Bern. The reverse features a simpler design: the outer legend states: “BENEDICTUS SIT IEHOVA DEUS” (Blessed be Jehovah God). The inner design is a laurel wreath enclosing a three-line inscription: “VIII / DUCAT / 1798” (the denomination and date). A four-petaled rosette marks the start and finish of the outer legend. This elusive example of a two-year issue is certified by NGC as MS-63 and is the only example of the type currently certified by either NGC or PCGS. Gorgeous and lively sunset orange toning livens up the intricate designs while appealing prooflike reflectivity adds to the exceptional desirability of this rare piece.
Exquisite Nurnberg City-View Gold 8 Ducat Issue of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI
Here we highlight a magnificent large gold issue from Europe that is proudly featured on the catalog’s front cover. It is a marvelous city-view of Nurnberg 8 Ducat issue (lot 40245), easily one of the most desirable coins in the auction.
A large mailed bust of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI dominates the obverse design, with his titles around. The reverse offers a splendid (if somewhat distant) view of the city featuring portions of the old imperial castle, St. Sebaldus and St. Lorenz churches. The image of this “Free City” is watched over by a great eagle, wearing the crown of Charlemagne and holding a scepter and orb (symbols of temporal and religious power). Above, the Latin legend translates to: “Safe and Secure under the August Lord God” and features a chronogram (the larger letters double as Roman numerals, and when added together equal 1721). Additionally, this marvelous piece has the fantastic provenance of once being owned by Herbert J. Erlanger, a well-known specialist in Nurnberg coinage.
While we are no longer taking consignments for our January 2019 New York International Auction, we are taking consignments of world and ancient coins and world paper money for the upcoming February 2019 Collector’s Choice Online Auction and the August 2019 ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction in Rosemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. We are also accepting consignments of Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for our March 2019 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. Time is running short, so if you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) contact one of our consignment directors.
Part Two of The Robert J. Bauman Collection of Argentinian Paper Money in NYINC
At our upcoming World Paper Money Auction at the New York International Numismatic Convention, we will offer Part 2 of a very special, and prestigious collection of scarce, and virtually unseen Argentinian paper money from the collection of Robert J. Bauman, the writer of The Paper Money of Argentina. Many of the notes in this collection are Rarity-7, meaning that there are no more than three known at the time this distinction was awarded. On many of these pieces, this rating has been verified through access to collections in banks, museums, and in private collector’s hands.
Many of these pieces are Pick plate notes as they were either discovery pieces or items that were nearly impossible to find at the time. Mr. Bauman provided the Pick catalog with images of such pieces. Some items are still not listed in the Pick catalog and may be used in future editions.
One extremely rare piece is the Banco Munoz y Rodriguez 1883 7 Pesos Proof in lot 30029, currently, the only note known in the color of the issue. The company ordered this odd denomination note based on the exchange rate at the time of 7 pesos Argentinos equaling one silver peso boliviano. To gain public acceptance, it could also be exchanged for national currency under the applicable law (ley). This coincided with the currency reform of 1883 when the Banco Nacional issued pesos backed by gold (Moneda Nacional de Oro). However, by the time the proof note was sent to the company, the ability to redeem the Banco Nacional pesos for gold was eliminated and the exchange rate had changed. A color trial in blue was also prepared, which is in a bank collection. This is the only 7 Pesos note ever prepared in Argentina. Only the front of the note was prepared.
Other notes that should garner attention include an issued and specimen pairing of the S398 100 Pesos Casa de Moneda 1848 design in lot 30011. The issued example is in a PCGS Currency Fine 12 holder with the note being Stamp Cancelled. In the comments section, PCGS notes Small Splits, Tears, and Minor Damage; Rust Stains; Minor Paper Scuffs. This reflects the typical condition for an issued note at this grade level. The Specimen is labeled as a proof on the holder but has a specimen stamp at bottom left. The specimen note graded About New 50 by PCGS Currency, with just a mention of Missing LR Corner, Small Edge Tears, and Minor Stains.
Many additional significant and scarce pieces will be offered in our auction that takes place at 2:00 PM EST on January 11, 2019, at the Grand Hyatt in New York City. For further information regarding this collection please contact [email protected]. If you would like to register to bid, you may do so on our website, or contact [email protected].
