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Heritage NYINC World, Ancient Coin Auctions Now Open for Bidding

Heritage NYINC Auction

Heritage’s January NYINC auctions are now open for bidding! Going by the pre-sale estimate, this could very well be the highest-grossing World and Ancient Coin auction that Heritage has ever presented. In total, between the January 8-9 Signature Floor Auction and January 17-18 Internet Sessions, we have over 6,000 lots on offer. With so many lots, ranging in type from ancient Greek to modern Chinese, and ranging in value from a few hundred dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars, there is sure to be something for everyone here.Roman Imperial, Septimius Severus gold coin. Images courtesy Heritage auctions

From the ancient world, the auction is highlighted by a fantastic dynastic issue of Septimius Severus. Receiving the highest possible grade from NGC (Gem Mint State, with a Fine Style designation as well), this coin features portraits of Caracalla, Geta, and Julia Domna on the reverse. Also on offer is a Mint State example of the ever-popular stater of the Greco-Bactrian king Eucratides I. In addition, there are two staters of King Croesus of Lydia – the pioneer of the bimetallic system and the first person in the world to produce gold coins. Up for sale is both an early heavy gold stater as well as a later light stater, the latter of which is particularly noteworthy for being graded Gem Mint State.

It is hard to find somewhere to begin in the more general world coin offerings, as there are so many individual pieces worthy of mention. Perhaps the most exciting offering is an excessively rare Japanese Meiji 13 (1880) proof set, sold as individual lots in our Platinum Night session. While sold as separate lots, the pieces constitute one of the most important offerings of Japanese coins since our sale of the Norman Jacobs collection in 2011.

From mainland Europe, we have a number of exciting pieces, led off by a stunning 25 ducats from Salzburg from 1709. Graded by NGC as MS61, this represents the largest non-medallic gold issue of Salzburg in the 18th century. Also crossing the block are further highlights from the Bern Collection, with the most prominent piece being a “Stirnlocke-Vreneli” pattern 20 Francs from 1897, graded by PCGS as SP66+.

The selection of coins from Great Britain represents what is perhaps our strongest offering of that country in quite some time. Over half a dozen early 5 guineas, most of which are in exceptional and world-class grades, fall between these pages. Also up for sale is a large number of 19th- and 20th-century complete proof sets, some of which surely rank among the finest known for their types.

From Latin America, the undisputed standout piece is a Brazilian 1733-B 6400 reis. A unique discovery coin, this coin is sure to draw the attention of all Brazilian and Portuguese collectors.

Of particular note in this auction is the D. Moore Collection, which is offered in two separate catalogs and held just prior to our Platinum Night session on January 9. We profiled some of the offerings in the D. Moore Collection of Exemplary Gem Russian Coinage a few weeks back, and The D. Moore Collection of Exemplary Gem World Coinage is every bit as distinguished. Assembled over several decades, the owner carefully curated every selection with a discerning eye, making sure each coin was up to his standard in one particular metric: QUALITY. This laser focus has obviously translated to some lofty third-party grades, with attributes like “Prooflike”, “Ultra Cameo” and NGC’s exclusive star designation for exceptional eye-appeal appearing on coins throughout the collection. Even those coins that have received grades that are more commonplace, like AU58, showcase special attributes in their eye-appeal.

While its value perhaps won’t leap off the page when the hammer falls, the second lot in the auction, an 1838-R 8 reales from the Argentine province of La Rioja, should perhaps win the award for most photogenic. Featuring both a mountain and a sunface in its design, it is covered in stunning arrangement of tone that absolutely captivates, befitting its NGC-assigned grade of MS65.

Within the Cuban offerings, you’ll find an amazing 1915 gold proof set, perhaps the finest intact, and once owned by famed collector Louis E. Eliasberg. With the 20 pesos existing in PR65 Cameo grade, this set will likely realize the top price in this collection. A British 1893 5 pounds, graded PR67 Ultra Cameo, is perhaps the coin our consignor had the hardest time parting with. A peerless example, this massive gold proof is preserved in near-unfathomable condition for the issue, and with its rich cameo appearance, it’s not hard to understand our consignor’s love for it; it’s truly a coin that’s hard to stop looking at.

Finally, we have to mention a run of 19th-century Norwegian speciedalers from Carl XIV Johan. While most dates observed are rare in their own right, this group, all observed in Mint State, may represent the finest combination of originality and quality anywhere in the world.

The 2017 January 8 – 9 NYINC World Coins Signature Auction is open for bidding now at HA.com/Coins.

Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctionshttps://www.ha.com/
Heritage Auction Galleries is one of the world's largest collectibles auctioneers. Besides offering rare and valuable U.S. and world coins and currency, Heritage offers ancient coins, exonumia, antiques, comic books, sports memorabilia, and many other collectibles. The firm is based in Dallas, Texas.

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