The Stack’s Bowers Galleries World and Ancient Coins Department is delighted to announce that their sales for 2021 have exceeded $100 million USD, far surpassing the total for any previous year. This milestone signals an uptick in market growth and demonstrates the universal trust that both sellers and buyers place in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries name.
In addition, many industry-wide records were set.
World Coins
In the April 2021 Hong Kong Auction, an 1825 pattern Russian Ruble established the record for the most expensive non-U.S. coin sold by an American auction house at $2,640,000.
A countermarked 8 Escudos from the Philippines reached $180,000, the most expensive coin ever sold from the Philippines.
An Oban from the Tensho Era became the most valuable Japanese coin ever sold at auction when it crossed the block for $1,920,000 and the same Pinnacle Collection sale contained an 1870 Japanese pattern set that reached $1,560,000.
The strength of the Asian market was confirmed by strong demand for Chinese coins as four individual items crossed the million-dollar threshold. The crowning item of these standouts was a Year 17 Pattern Dollar that sold for $2,280,000 – a record for a Chinese coin at the time. Other areas of growth included Tibetan issues, with a Year 61 Sho selling for $55,200 – 11 times the low estimate.
Demand for Iraqi and Egyptian issues soared, with Proof examples commanding hitherto unimaginable prices. An AH 1352 20 Piastres from Egypt sold for $12,000, double the low estimate.
2021 proved a rallying year for previously depressed markets and allowed for rapid growth in numismatic markets that had not been reached, with very few types of coinage unaffected by the upward trajectory.
Ancient Coins
Ancient coins appreciated tremendously in the past calendar year, with Roman aurei in particular experiencing an escalation in collector demand. A Macrinus Aureus of fine style graded Choice MS★ 5/5 strike and surfaces was bid to $312,000 – a department record for an ancient coin. Examples of aurei from Otho and Vitellius reached $204,000 and $120,000, respectively.
Sicilian issues continued to grow in popularity with a Double Dekadrachm from the reign of Dionysios I reaching $55,200, far beyond the high estimate of $20,000.
World Paper Money
World paper money also had a very successful year with total sales exceeding $6,000,000, a new record.
In the December Hong Kong Auction, a banknote from the Yuan Dynasty fetched $60,000, well beyond its high estimate. A Reserve Bank of India Haj Pilgrim note reached $55,000 at the August ANA sale, becoming the most valuable Indian banknote ever sold at public auction.
Showcase and Online Sales
The monumental 2021 sales total of $100 million was achieved through growth in the firm’s showcase and online events. The April 2021 Hong Kong Auction set a record for the largest numismatic auction held outside of the United States, with sales in excess of $34,000,000. The September Hong Kong Auction trailed only slightly with a final total of over $31 million. The December Hong Kong Collectors Choice Online (CCO) Auction set the record for the largest online-only numismatic auction with sales exceeding $10 million. The flagship August ANA auction topped $13 million, and the January New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) auction yielded $7.7 million, with the remaining internet auctions pushing the final tally over the $100 million mark.
With this exceptionally successful year nearly closed, Stack’s Bowers Galleries turns its attention to its annual official auction of the NYINC, which will take place January 14-20, 2022. The firm is now accepting consignments for their April 2022 Hong Kong Auction as well as their CCO Auctions. Anyone interested in consigning world coins and paper money to Stack’s Bowers Galleries is encouraged to call 800-458-4646, email [email protected], or visit www.stacksbowers.com.
Additional Important Prices Realized in 2021
World Coins
- CHINA. Silver Tael Pattern Restrike, CD (1906). Tientsin Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-65. Realized $1,350,000
- CHINA. 7 Mace 2 Candereens (Dollar), ND (1908). Tientsin Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-64+. Realized: $1,260,000
- (t) CHINA. Silver Long-Whisker Dragon Dollar Pattern, Year 3 (1911). Tientsin Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-64 Gold Shield. Realized: $1,020,000
- CHINA. Chihli (Pei Yang). 7 Mace 2 Candereens (Dollar), Year 34 (1908). Tientsin (Central) Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-64. Realized: $960,000
- (t) CHINA. Silver Tael Pattern, Year 29 (1903). Tientsin Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-55 Gold Shield. Realized: $840,000
- CHINA. “Big Beard” Commemorative Silver Dollar Pattern, ND (1912). Suchow Mint. NGC AU-55. Realized: $780,000
- (t) CHINA. Gold Presentation Dollar, Year 10 (1921). Tientsin Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-64. Realized: $720,000
- CHINA. Kweichow. “Bamboo” Dollar, Year 38 (1949). PCGS EF-45. Realized: $660,000
- JAPAN. Gold 10 Yen Pattern, Year 3 (1870). Osaka Mint. Mutsuhito (Meiji). PCGS SPECIMEN-61 Gold Shield. Realized: $660,000
- (t) CHINA. Gold Presentation Dollar, Year 10 (1921). Tientsin Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-64. Realized: $600,000
- (t) CHINA. Silver Dollar Pattern, ND (1916). PCGS SPECIMEN-65+ Gold Shield. Realized: $552,000
- RUSSIA. 37-1/2 Rubles (100 Francs), 1902. St. Petersburg Mint; mm: star on edge. Nicholas II. NGC AU-58. Realized: $138,000
- GREAT BRITAIN. 5 Guineas, 1701 Year DECIMO TERTIO. London Mint. William III. PCGS MS-61 Gold Shield. Realized: $120,000
- SPANISH COLONIAL. Gold Oblong Bar Recovered from Nuestra Senora de la Luz (sank July 2, 1752). Realized: $90,000
Ancient Coins
- PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos, Died 270/68 B.C. AV Mnaieion (Octodrachm/Oktadrachm) (27.77 g), Alexandreia Mint, struck under Ptolemy VI and/or VIII ca. 204-116 B.C. NGC Ch MS, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Realized: $108,000
- JULIUS CAESAR. AV Aureus (8.07 g), Rome Mint; A. Hirtius, praetor, 46 B.C. NGC Ch AU, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Realized: $39,600
- LYDIA. Kroisos, ca. 564/53-550/39 B.C. AV Stater (8.03 g), Sardes Mint. NGC AU, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5. Realized: $30,000
- CELTIC BRITAIN. Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Tasciovanus. ca. 20 B.C.- A.D. 10. AV Stater (5.30 g), Verulamium Mint. NGC Ch EF★, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Light Marks. Realized: $10,800
World Paper Money
- PANAMA. Republica de Panama. 10 Balboas, 1941. P-24a. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ. Realized: $48,000
- PHILIPPINES. Banco Espanol Filipino. 5 Pesos, 1904. P-A31. PMG Very Fine 25. Realized: $40,800
- CANADA. Royal Canadian Bank. 2 Dollars, 1865. CH #635-10-04-06. PMG Very Fine 25. Realized: $30,000
- CANADA. Bank of Canada. 50 Dollars, 1954. BC-34b. Solid Serial Number. PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 EPQ. Realized: $28,800
