By Scott Purvis for CoinWeek …..
Below is a summary of recent news about the people, places, things, and events shaping our numismatic landscape. I hope you find it both entertaining and informative.
Press Releases
Stack’s Bowers Galleries Selected to Auction the Historic L.E. Bruun Collection
The Most Valuable Collection of World Coins to Ever Come to Market. In a much-anticipated event, a century in the making, the extraordinary coin, medal, banknote, and book collection of Danish industrialist Lars Emil Bruun (1852-1923) is finally set to be sold in a series of auctions spanning several years. Commencing in the fall of 2024, Stack’s Bowers Galleries will present this prized collection of Scandinavian coinage at a public auction.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries Also Acquires World Banknote Auctions
Stack’s Bowers Galleries announced on April 1st its acquisition of substantially all the assets of World Banknote Auctions. This strategic move integrates World Banknote Auctions founder Dennis Hengeveld, a renowned authority in rare paper money and world coins, into Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ distinguished team of specialists.
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New Coin Releases
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products and Mint of Gdańsk introduce “Rick and Morty” collector coins to the market
On April 9, 2024, a new collector’s coin debuted. Under a licensing agreement, Mennica Gdańska is releasing a numismatic piece featuring the beloved characters from the iconic animated comedy series “Rick and Morty.” The coin is made of 999 silver, weighs 2 ounces (62.2 g), and has a face value of 5 dollars. The issuer is the island of Niue, and the mintage is limited to just 300 coins worldwide. The box does not include packets of McDonald’s famous Szechuan sauce.
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Numismatic Auction Results
Stack’s Bowers Galleries Sets World Records as $1.7 Million in Physical Bitcoin Sold
This sale now ranks as the single largest offering of physical Cryptocurrency by Stack’s Bowers, pushing their total sales of this unique collectible class above $6.3 million to date. The recent sale confirms Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ leadership in this category with a 100% sell-through rate.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry Medal Awarded to Robert Curl for Discovery of Fullerenes Sold
On March 28, 2024, the Los Angeles-based Nate D. Sanders Auctions sold the Nobel Prize medal awarded in 1996 to American chemist Robert F. Curl, Jr. for $442,871 USD. The total, which includes the buyer’s premium, was more than twice the minimum bid of $200,000.
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Organizations and Clubs
MyCollect Launches “Guess the Grade” Game for Coin Collectors
MyCollect.com has announced the official launch of Guess the Grade™, an online interactive game where members can grade coins online and compete with other collectors.
A Special Offer and Activities Marking the 100-Year Anniversary of National Coin Week
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) celebrates National Coin Week this year with a special limited membership discount offer and a free Loupe for joining the Association by April 29th.
Also, Look Closely at Your Money During National Coin Week. Kim Kiick, the Executive Director of the American Numismatic Association, advised that “some dealers and collectors around the country will be deliberately placing into circulation older coins with collector value. Check your change.”
For more information and activities related to National Coin Week (April 21-27th), please go to the website NationalCoinWeek.org
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Upcoming Auctions and Shows
Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio is preparing for the start of their Spring 2024 Hong Kong Auction of nearly 9,600 lots of coins, medals, tokens, and currency. This sale will be presented in 13 live and internet-only sessions spread across eight days, from April 15 through 22 (Hong Kong Time).
Heritage has a large group of auctions taking place soon. Here is a list:
Archives International LLC Auction featuring Chinese banknotes & scripophily; World Banknotes; world coins; U.S. colonial, obsolete, and C.S.A. banknotes – Thursday, April 18, 2024: lots 1 to 538
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