SANTA ANA, CA. (November 12, 2015) — Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce results of their recent November Baltimore Sale of World Coins, World Paper Money and Ancient Coins, held November 5th through 10th in conjunction with the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Winter Expo.
The nearly 1,800-lot sale of rare world coins and banknotes generated solid results, with a significant number of lots vastly exceeding the firm’s most optimistic expectations, beginning with the very first coin sold which brought more than 60% above high estimate. The same results continued, in large measure, through the entire sale. All results include the standard buyer’s premium.
Highlights included the entire Albanian section, which drew excited participation surrounding a number of coins pedigreed to John J. Pittman and John Davenport, including the Pittman 1926 Albania 5 Franga in target toned MS-66, which sold for $3,525 in spirited bidding, on an estimate of $1,500 to $2,000. Other notable results from early in the sale, included an Edward VII 1909 Canada 25 Cent piece, tied with three others for finest graded at MS-65, which changed hands for $5,581 on a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 to $3,000.
Among French issues, a number of finest graded coins did not disappoint, including a 1711-D Ecu in MS-63, which closed within a hair of high estimate at $2,468. Also, a finest known 1813-W Napoleon 20 Francs achieved $4,112 on an estimate of $2,500 to $3,500. The sale moved on to German States coins, offering a number of extremely rare issues such as a 1657 Saxony 2 Taler of Johann George II, which saw intense competition prior to closing at $7,050 on a $3,000 to $4,000 estimate.
As has been the case all through 2015, the results in the British section were incredible. Of the 48 lots offered, fully 75% passed their high estimates, in several instances by multiples. The biggest winner was lot 39199, a 1688 James II 5 Guinea graded Almost Uncirculated-Details by NGC, which skyrocketed to $38,187.50 on a $7,000 to $9,000 estimate. Other notable overachievers included the finest graded 1775 Guinea, certified by NGC as MS-64 that sold for $4,993.75 or nearly double the high estimate of $2,500. Additionally, a complete 13-piece 1902 Proof set of Edward VII reached $8,812.50, more than 45% above high estimate.
After a journey through Guatemala that saw many 8 Reales coins perform strongly, the 1869 Guatemala 16 Peso in the sale finished towards the high end of its $4,000 to $5,000 estimate at $4,582.50. Among other colonial world coins, an 1881 1/8 Rupia from Portuguese India fetched $1,938.75 on a high estimate of $1,000 and a Italian Somaliland 1914-R Rupia settled at $1,997.50, nearly quadruple high estimate.
The coinage of Mexico, one of the firm’s special areas of focus, did extremely well, posting many above high estimate results, with a solid offering of both early and late series coinage from Carlos and Johanna that saw spirited bidding. Many coins in the section were from the celebrated David O’Harrow Collection, and produced results like lot 39358, a 1762-MM Charles III 8 Escudo in EF-45 which sold for $7,050 or more than 40% above high estimate and lot 39361, described as a 1769-MoGo ½ Grano, which realized over $4,400 or 220% of high estimate. As is always the case, quality sells, with the likely finest extant 1812 Supreme National Congress 8 Reales soaring to more than ten times high estimate to close at $11,162.50, far exceeding forecasts.
An additional area presenting absolutely spectacular results was the entire array of medals and related exonumia in the sale. Korean military awards did remarkably well, and the Filipino section dedicated to the Ray Czahor collection of Japanese occupation medals achieved amazing results, with the material offered bringing over $62,000 on an aggregate high estimate of $26,750. This demonstrates once again the potential for rare material when properly attributed and presented. One other medal that received considerable attention, the 1854 Ottoman Triple Alliance Medal in gilt bronze, coasted to $5,287.50 or two and half times high estimate, further evidence of strength in this niche of the market.
A wide array of ancient coinage and world paper money also changed hands at the November Baltimore Sale, achieving notable results much like the world coin section. All of the results are available online at Stacksbowers.com. If you would like to place your ancient and world coins, medals or paper money in one of Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ future sales, consignments are being taken for the April Hong Kong sale and 2016 ANA Sale. Speak to a consignment director at 949-253-0916 or via email at [email protected]
About Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducts live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company’s 80-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block — The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, The Guia Collection, The Thos. H. Law Collection, and The Robert O. Ebert Collection.
Topping off this amazing numismatic history is the inclusion of the world record for the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar graded Specimen-66 (PCGS) that realized over $10 million, part of their sale of the famed Cardinal Collection. The company is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is an Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Professional Numismatists Guild New York Invitational, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and its April, August and December Hong Kong Auctions.
