Heritage Auctions

Lot 31031 > Gaius 'Caligula' (AD 37-41). AE sestertius (35mm, 29.15 gm, 6h). NGC AU 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, repatinated. Rome, AD 37-38. C CAESAR•AVG•GERMANICVS•PON•M•TR•POT•, laureate head of Caligula left / S•P•Q•R / P•P / OB•CIVES / SERVATOS, legend in four lines within oak wreath (Corona Civica). RIC I 37. Ex Heritage Auction 3030 (NYINC, 5 January 2014), lot 23929; Numismatic Lanz München 147 (2 November 2009), lot 252 (cover coin)

Lot 1031

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31032 > Claudius I (AD 41-54). AV aureus (20mm, 7.79 gm, 12h). NGC AU 5/5 - 2/5, scuffs, scratches, brushed. Rome, AD 46-47. TI•CLAVD•CAESAR•AVG•P•M•TR•P•VI•IMP•XI, laureate head of Claudius I right; dotted border / PACI-AVGVSTAE, Pax-Nemesis advancing right, raising fold of drapery below chin with right hand, winged caduceus downward in left pointing at snake advancing right; dotted border. RIC I 38. This gold aureus bears a wonderful portrait of Claudius, fourth emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Son of the great general Drusus and Antonia, niece of the emperor Augustus, Tiberius Claudius Drusus seemed well-positioned when he was born in 10 BC. But, a serious childhood illness left him with a limp, a stammer, and other uncouth qualities that made him the black sheep of the family. While these problems barred him from a political career, such exclusion also granted him immunity from the family's murderous intrigues. Upon Caligula's assassination in January, AD 41, Claudius was the sole surviving Julio-Claudian male, and, when members of the Praetorian Guard found him cowering behind a curtain in the palace, they immediately acclaimed him as Emperor. Claudius astutely awarded the Praetorians a substantial bonus, and with 10,000 heavily armed soldiers backing him, he easily forced the Senate to accept him as the next princeps. Once installed, Claudius surprised everyone by ruling with intelligence and moderation. In AD 43, he ordered the invasion and annexation of Britain, the first major addition of territory to the Empire since the days of Augustus. He chose provincial governors carefully and managed foreign relations with considerable skill. He erred only in his obsession with detail, his reliance on freedmen and cronies, and his atrocious taste in women. Messalina, his promiscuous third wife, ran wild as Empress and nearly brought down his regime with a sex-crazed conspiracy in AD 48. His next wife, Agrippina the Younger, used her wiles to enhance her own power and advance Nero, her son by a previous marriage, in the succession arrangements. This done, she fed Claudius a dish of poisoned mushrooms in October, AD 54 and brought his 13-year reign to an end. Despite many missteps and his unsavory demise, Claudius had been a fairly successful ruler and his regime set a pattern for the Flavians and the reigns that followed.

Lot 1032

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31033 > Vespasian (AD 69-79). AV aureus (18mm, 6.71 gm, 5h). NGC Choice Fine 4/5 - 4/5. Judaea Capta issue. Rome, ca. 21 December AD 69-early AD 70. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right / IVDAEA, military trophy with cuirass, helmet, greaves and two shields, before which sits female Jewish captive right in attitude of mourning. RIC II.1 1. Hendin 1464. Calicó 643.

Lot 1033

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31034 > Vespasian (AD 69-79). AV aureus (19mm, 7.07 gm, 8h). NGC Fine 4/5 - 3/5, edge marks. Lugdunum, AD 72. IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P IIII P P COS IIII; laureate head of Vespasian right / DE-IVDAEIS, trophy built from crested helmet with cheek-pieces, cuirass and spear; rectangular shield and spear on right arm, round shield, rectangular shield and spear on left arm, two spears, greaves, round and rectangular shields on ground. RIC II.1 1179. Hendin 1476. Calicó 627a.

Lot 1034

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31035 > Caracalla (AD 198-217). AV aureus (20mm, 7.26 gm, 12h). NGC XF 5/5 - 4/5. Rome, AD 198. IMP CAES M AVR-ANT AVG P TR P, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right, seen from front / SPES•P-V-BLICA, Spes advancing left, flower upward in right hand, gathering up drapery with left. RIC IV.I 26b. Calicó 2820. Ex Heritage Auction 3064 (CCE, 20 April 2018), lot 30316

Lot 1035

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31036 > Constantine I the Great (AD 307-337). AV medallion of 9 solidi (47mm, 41.88 gm, 5h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style, mount. Constantinople, ca. AD 330. CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG, laurel and rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine I right, seen from front / FELICITA-S PERPETVA AVG E-T CAESS NN, Constantine I, nimbate, enthroned facing, scepter in right hand, mappa in left, flanked by Constantine II and Constantius II, both standing facing in military dress and turned to center, spear in outer hand, inner hand resting on grounded shield; CONS in exergue. RIC VII -. Cohen -. Depeyrot -. cf. Toynbee, p. 198 n. 45; pl. XXXIX, 1 [Constantine II, Constantinople]. cf. Gnecchi p. 16, 11, Nicomedia = Babelon, Revue Numismatique, 1906, "La trouvaille de Helleville (1780)", p. 167, pl. VII, 2 = Babelon, La Trouvaille Monétaire de Helleville (Manche) En 1780, 1910, pp. 16-17, pl. 1, 2 = Toynbee, Roman Medallions, Numismatic Studies 5, p. 62, n. 36, pl. V, 5 = RIC VII Nicomedia 173. An impressive medallion with contemporary intact mount, likely unique. Ex Property of a Private West Coast Collector (Bonhams, 14 September 2015), lot 44 Gold medallions were gifts produced for the emperor to bestow upon high ranking civilian and military individuals, as well as "foreign ambassadors and chieftains whom it was intended to impress." They were "the imperial counterpart of private gifts presented to friends on important occasions." Described by Toynbee as money medallions because they were "true multiples of gold and silver coins" and could therefore legally used as money, they ranged in size from "the 1 ½-solidi pieces first issued by Constantine I to the 72-solidi piece of Valens." The present lot appears to be related by subject to small group of gold medallions and coins that was discovered in the village of Helleville, near Cherbourg in Normandy, France in 1780. "These coins were acquired for the French Collection [Cabinet des Médailles, Bibliothèque Nationale], but at the time of the great robbery in 1831 were melted down by the plunderers, and shared the shocking fate of 2,000 other gold specimens of ancient currency ..." (The Classical Revue, vol. 20, no. 8, Nov. 1906, p.426). Fortunately casts of the related medallions and coins had been taken prior to the theft and Babelon published much of the hoard in 1906. It also appears that a few pieces from the original find may have found their way into trade and were ultimately acquired by the Royal Cabinet in the Hague (Kerkuyt, RN 1906, pp. 490-492). This large medallion may have been issued by Constantine I in connection with the move of the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome and the consecration of Constantinople in AD 330, but as Bruun notes, "The dating of the beautiful 9-solidi pieces FELICITAS PERPETVA AVG ET CAESS NN presents great difficulties." (RIC VII, p. 594). Referring to the examples struck at Nicomedia, Babelon (RN 1906) dates the issue to AD 326, placing it at the later part of the year, after the murder of Crispus (which would make the medallion one of the earliest productions of the Constantinople mint and well out of place from all of the other gold issues from the mint). Toynbee "regards the type as belonging to a series of dynastic types comprising also the SALVS ET SPES REPVBLICAE [reverse] of Constantinople and Heraclea, all of the period of the two Caesars only (AD 326-33)." Based on the portrait style, Toynbee dates those with the short hair at the nape of the neck to AD 326, and those with the longer hair at the back (as here) to the "solemn consecration of Constantinople" in AD 330. The medallions struck at Constantinople from these two series utilized multiple reverse dies; those from the Helleville find have the emperor seated on a more elaborately engraved throne than the present lot, which is more linear and compact. M. Alföldi initially dated the medallions to AD 326-327 (RIC VII, p. 43, footnote 11), but subsequently agreed with Toynbee, dating the group to AD 330 (cf. Die constantinische Goldprägung, p. 165, 112). Bruun disagrees with Toynbee's earlier dating (RIC VII, pp. 563-4), "The type CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE with unusual mintmark B/CONS* may be ascribed to AD 328 and in point of portraiture the exquisite heavy multiple SALVS ET SPES REIPVBLICAE is closely related to it. We can scarcely avoid dating this remarkable medallion to the dedication of the new capital in May AD 330." Bruun himself dates the Nicomedia issue with this reverse to AD 335, and the related SALVS ET SPES REIPVBLICAE reverse type struck at Constantinople to the winter of AD 335-336, remarking on Toynbee's dating of AD 326 "the portrait...is, however, smaller and cruder...Thus the portraits with the short hair have to be assigned to AD 330 and the others to even later dates." (RIC VII, p. 564, footnote 1). Pierre Bastien, ("Monnaie et Donativa au Bas-Empire," p.80, Revue belge de Philologie et d'Histoire, 1991) placed the series after the dedication ceremony of Constantinople on 11 May AD 330, and this date seems to be supported by the consensus of opinion.

Lot 1036

Starting price: 50000 USD
Lot 31037 > Justinian II, first reign (AD 685-695). AV solidus (18mm, 4.49 gm, 7h). NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5. Constantinople, 3rd officina, AD 692-695. IhS CRISΤDS RЄX-RЄΣNANΤIЧM (Ч retrograde), facing half-length bust of Christ with long hair and full beard, wearing pallium and colobium, cross behind head, raising right hand in benediction, book of Gospels cradled in left arm / D IЧSTINI-AN-ЧS SERЧ CHRISΤI Γ (Γ retrograde), full-length figure of Justinian II standing facing, wearing crown and loros, cross potent on two steps in right hand, akakia in left; CONOP below. Sear 1248. The portrait of Christ on the obverse of this solidus is the first numismatic representation of Jesus, and immediately followed the ruling of the Trullan Synod of AD 692 that Christ could be depicted in human form. Justinian II was ostentatiously devout and placing the divine image on his coinage was a reflection of this. The image is remarkably naturalistic and lifelike, and was likely based on the mosaic image of Christ in the apse of the Great Palace of Constantinople, which was itself influenced by Hellenistic depictions of Zeus. Some scholars have argued that Justinian's choice to produce this new type came in response to the Umayyad caliph 'Abd al-Malik's minting of Byzantine-style solidi bearing the Islamic statement of faith (the shahada) in AD 692, which he used in payment of tribute to the Emperor prior to the eruption of the Battle of Sebastopolis the same year.

Lot 1037

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31038 > Leontius (AD 695-698). AV solidus (19mm, 4.47 gm, 7h). NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5. Constantinople, 5th officina. D LЄO-N PЄ AV, facing bust of Leontius, bearded, wearing crown with cross on circlet and lozenge pattern loros, akakia in raised right hand, globus cruciger in left / VICTORIA-AVϚЧ Є, cross potent set on three steps; CONOB below. Sear 1330. Perfectly struck from fresh dies on gleaming flan.

Lot 1038

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31039 > Justinian II Rhinotmetus, second reign (AD 705-711). AV solidus (20mm, 4.47 gm, 5h). NGC Choice MS 4/5 - 5/5. Constantinople, AD 709-711. ∂ N IhS ChS RЄX-RЄGNANTIЧM, facing bust of youthful Christ, with slight beard and tight, curly hair, wearing pallium and colobium, right hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels cradled in left arm; cross behind / ∂ N IЧSTINIAN-ЧS ЄT TIbЄRIЧS PP A, crowned facing half-length figures of Justinian II (on left), bearded, and Tiberius (on right), slightly smaller and beardless, both wearing divitision and chlamys, jointly holding cross potent on two steps. Sear 1415. DOC 2b. Upon his return to power from exile, Justinian II immediately resumed his innovative coinage featuring an obverse portrait of Christ. The new sacred image, however, was distinctly different from the "classic" Christ of Justinian's first reign. Jesus is shown in a seemingly more youthful guise, with a head of tight, curly hair and a close-cropped beard, in place of the long tresses and medium-length beard on coins of the first reign. Various theories have been put forth to explain this abrupt change in iconography, but it remains mysterious.

Lot 1039

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31040 > Philippicus (Bardanes) (AD 711-713). AV solidus (20mm, 4.44 gm, 5h). NGC Gem MS S 5/5 - 5/5. Constantinople, 10th officina. d N FILЄPICЧS-MЧL-TЧS AN, bust of Philippicus facing, wearing crown and loros, globus cruciger in right hand, scepter surmounted by eagle and star in left / VICTORIA-AVςЧ I, cross potent set upon three steps; CONOB below. Sear 1447. DOC 1. MIB 1. Rare! Minor obverse die break, otherwise an absolutely perfect specimen, crisply struck from fresh dies and fully lustrous. Quite likely the finest-known example! Ex Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern (Heritage Auction, NYINC 3037, 4 January 2015), lot 30988 Part of a debilitating string of short-lived rulers, Bardanes was a general of Armenian origins who was proclaimed Emperor upon the final overthrow of Justinian II. Almost immediately, he alienated the clergy and populace by reviving the Monothelete heresy (proposing that Christ had a single, divine nature and will) which had supposedly been stamped out decades previously. He was also unsuccessful in stopping Arab and Bulgarian advances, prompting the Byzantine army to depose and blind him after 18 months of ineffective rule. He was replaced by the finance minister Artemius, who reigned as Anastasius II. This extraordinary piece shows the unusually fine artistry employed on the coinage for so ephemeral a reign, showing the emperor holding two symbols of office dating back to Roman times: The globus cruciger and scipio aquila, a scepter topped by an eagle. The grade of Gem MS★ is the highest possible grade assigned by NGC to an ancient coin.

Lot 1040

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31041 > Theodosius III Adramytium (AD 715-717). AV solidus (19mm, 4.48 gm, 5h). NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5. Constantinople, 1st officina. d N ThЄOdO-SIЧS MЧL A, crowned facing bust of Theodosius III, wearing loros, patriarchal cross on globe in right hand, akakia in left / VICTORIA AVϚЧ A, cross potent on three steps; CONOB below. Sear 1487. DOC 2.2, 1. Immaculate, prooflike surfaces. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 90 (23 May 2012), lot 1924

Lot 1041

Starting price: 3700 USD
Lot 31042 > Thieu Tri gold "Two Principles" 2 Tien ND (1841-1848) AU53 NGC, KM333, Fr-15, Schr-281. Obv. "THIEU TRI THONG BAO." Rev. "NHI NGHI" (the two principles) at 12 and 6 o'clock. Moon and clouds on right and left side of central square hole. Exhibiting some slight waviness to the flan as is usual for issue, though otherwise a highly presentable example of this extremely rare type with only shallow wear and a pleasing 'antiqued' tone. We note that a similar example in our January 2018 auction brought $10,200.

Lot 1042

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31043 > George VI Proof Crown 1937 PR63 NGC, Melbourne mint, KM34. The first year of Australia's two Crown types, and an important piece of Australian numismatic history, having been struck in a Proof mintage limited to only 100 pieces. Dressed in scattered and pleasingly interwoven tones of silver, russet, and charcoal, lending an appropriately aged appearance to the shimmering fields.

Lot 1043

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31044 > Franz Joseph I gold 1/2 Krone 1859-A MS62 NGC, Vienna mint, KM2251, J-314. The single certified example in NGC's database, an extremely rare fractional Krone with fully Prooflike fields and eye-catching lemon-gold color. One or two copper spots are noted for completeness, but do not detract from this Mint State piece.

Lot 1044

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31045 > Franz Joseph I gold 1/2 Krone 1866-A MS62 NGC, Vienna mint, KM2252, J-318. Immediately appealing for its watery fields and sharp portrait, a smattering of contact marks in the fields but not enough to obscure the brightness of the planchet. A very rare and scarcely seen type.

Lot 1045

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31046 > Franz Joseph I gold Krone 1858-A MS63 NGC, Vienna mint, KM2253, J-315. An extremely rare type in any condition, this being the first example of the date we have offered. Simply superb conditionally as well, displaying fully Prooflike surfaces that indicate its having been struck from very fresh dies. The reverse exhibits a light sea-green tone around the peripheries, only adding to the desirability of this piece.

Lot 1046

Starting price: 3500 USD
Lot 31047 > Franz Joseph I gold Krone 1859-A MS61 NGC, Vienna mint, KM2253, J-315. A splendid example of this incredibly elusive type, lightly reflectively throughout and permeated with a faint tinge of light marigold. Sure to excite the collector of Austrian rarities.

Lot 1047

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31048 > Franz Joseph I gold Krone 1863-A MS61 NGC, Vienna mint, KM2253, J-315. True Mint State yet with decidedly prooflike elements, the fields of this rare offering dazzle the viewer with glossy reflectivity, the planchet a light dandelion-yellow with minimal tone. Almost never encountered at auction and highly desirable thus.

Lot 1048

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31049 > Franz Joseph I gold Krone 1866-A MS61 NGC, Vienna mint, KM2255, J-319. Deeply Prooflike, the strike razor-sharp, the portrait chiseled, and the devices as a whole well-frosted and heavily contrasted to the mirrored fields. A one-year type with a mintage of only 3,000 pieces, representing the first we have seen to date.

Lot 1049

Starting price: 1500 USD
Lot 31050 > Franz Joseph gold "Rounded Shield" 20 Corona 1916 MS60 NGC, Vienna mint, KM2818, Fr-510, J-387. Rounded shield variety. Extremely rare, representing the final date of the series and the last to bear the "rounded shield" design over the reverse eagle, with a switch in production to the "Australian shield" type occurring later in the same year. Though 71,763 were originally produced, it is clear that few of these survive in better states of preservation, with Mint State examples considered to be of particular scarcity; accordingly, the present example, fully uncirculated and graced with shimmering cartwheel luster, represents an item of clear numismatic importance, and it is certainly destined to rank as a clear "star" in whatever collection it will ultimately become part of.

Lot 1050

Starting price: 5000 USD
Lot 31051 > Pernambuco. Dutch Colony - Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) gold Klippe 6 Guilders (Florins) 1646 MS61 NGC, KM6.3, Fr-2, LMB-4. 3.76gm. Lozenge after BRASIL, period after VI. Crudely produced, but exhibiting quite a stronger strike and better centering than many examples, the beaded circular border nearly complete on both sides and the flan evenly squared. A soft matte luster permeates the surfaces. Very rare so fine. During the period of Dutch colonization of Brazil (1630-1654), three gold Klippe denominations--of 3, 6, and 12 Guilders--were minted in the Captaincy of Pernambuco for use within Brazil. However, these issues were not legal tender in the Netherlands, and thus any such pieces that made their way to Europe were exchanged for Dutch Guilders and subsequently melted. Additionally, any such pieces remaining in Brazil after 1654, when the Dutch were finally ousted from South America, would have been melted, as after this period any Portuguese or Brazilian found with a Dutch coin ran the risk of being considered a traitor and hanged. As a consequence, the survival of such pieces at all, let alone in Mint State, is extremely uncommon, marking a special opportunity not to be missed by collectors of the Dutch colonial and Brazilian series alike.

Lot 1051

Starting price: 11500 USD
Lot 31052 > João V gold 4000 Reis 1709-R MS64 NGC, Rio de Janeiro mint, KM102, LMB-176. By far the finer of just two certified examples within NGC's database, none seen by PCGS. The obverse has been marvelously struck with only one small area of weakness where an adjustment mark created a groove; the remainder is absolutely needle-sharp with abundant mint luster. The reverse is somewhat softer with evidence of double striking but nonetheless remains strong for issue. An unbeatable Brazilian near-gem.

Lot 1052

Starting price: 2600 USD
Lot 31053 > João V gold 4000 Reis 1714-R MS64 NGC, Rio de Janeiro mint, KM102, LMB-166. Sitting at the peak of quality for type, this offering currently holds the highest certification by NGC or PCGS. Certainly worthy of its near gem grade, the surfaces exhibit numerous delicate die-polish lines adding a slight matte texture to their otherwise lustrous sheen, the devices far more bold than is usually encountered; the planchet is primarily a buttercup-yellow in color, hints of sunset-orange tone forming at the peripheries.

Lot 1053

Starting price: 2600 USD
Lot 31054 > João V gold 12800 Reis (Dobra) 1727-M AU Details (Cleaned) NGC, Minas Gerais mint, KM139, LMB-285. From a short-lived series of just seven dates (1727-33), and the first year of issue for this hefty gold denomination based on the 8 Escudos. A not unattractive representation of this scarce type, a prior cleaning rendering the surfaces brighter than normal but without too much in the way of distracting contact marks or hairlines. A faint orangish tint pervading the fields and climbing onto the curls of the artistic obverse portrait hints at the beginnings of a retoning.

Lot 1054

Starting price: 2300 USD
Lot 31055 > João V gold 12800 Reis (Dobra) 1730-B AU Details (Cleaned) NGC, Bahia mint, KM141, LMB-101. Second Shield type. An impressive selection despite the details assignment, showing amber hues throughout the golden surfaces and even wear across the central features. Scattered handling marks are essentially expected at this level and evidence of hairlining blends well into the underlying tone. Rare, and very much coveted in all conditions, this Dobra struck at the Bahia mint eludes many important collections and even when presented in a details classification should not be overlooked.

Lot 1055

Starting price: 5000 USD
Lot 31056 > João V gold 20000 Reis 1724-M AU58 NGC, Minas Gerais mint, KM117, LMB-248. An offering of both immense quality and stature, representing the largest gold denomination of João V's reign in a degree of preservation to match. The fields, glowing with golden luster throughout, carry an unmistakable near-mint appeal, with an essential absence of any instances of handling that could be considered truly distracting, the only impression upon close examination being one of great allure, this feeling only heightened by the uniform boldness of the devices, which extends to every facet of the struck design.

Lot 1056

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31057 > João V gold 20000 Reis 1725-M MS63 NGC, Minas Gerais mint, KM117, LMB-249. Highly unusual in choice grade, this charming piece boasts significant luster across the sharply impressed surfaces, the strike central and far crisper than one usually sees for the type. Very light hints of honey tone are forming at the peripheries, breaking into the uniform butter-gold centers and bolstering the eye appeal. An outlier for the type; of the 66 examples of this year graded by NGC, just three are more highly certified than this. Accordingly this piece represents nearly the ceiling of quality for issue.

Lot 1057

Starting price: 4700 USD
Lot 31058 > Republic Sun Yat-sen "Birds Over Junk" Dollar Year 21 (1932) MS64 NGC, KM-Y344, L&M-108. A gorgeous representative of this popular issue, surfaces exhibiting a stormy blend of argent luster and smoke gray iridescence. The relatively shallow depth of the engraving has allowed for a full rendering of the devices, the entirety finished with a satin texture lacking any distracting marks or significant hairlines. Choice even for its near gem grade, the last of this type we handled in this certification brought $16,920 at our January 2020 sale, and the magnificent eye appeal this specimen commands will surely elicit similarly strong collector attention.

Lot 1058

Starting price: 5000 USD
Lot 31059 > Republic Sun Yat-sen "Junk" Dollar Year 23 (1934) MS66 NGC, KM-Y345, L&M-109. A marvelous example of this iconic type, displaying a veritable bloom of satiny argent luster that traverses the surfaces, essentially unobstructed by handling. A finely laid silvery patina graces the fields while adding an element of originality and visual appeal rarely seen for this type, usually capped below gem grades by regular handling and contact. This selection remains one of the finest seen by both NGC and PCGS. Out of a total population for the date that currently exceeds 62,000 only nine certify finer, rendering this offering a top-quality example in all respects.

Lot 1059

Starting price: 1500 USD
Lot 31060 > Anglo-Gallic. Henry VI (1422-1461) gold Salut d'or ND (1423-1453) MS67+ NGC, Saint Lo mint, Lis mm, Fr-301, Dup-443A, Elias-271, W&F-387A 2/b. 3.50gm. (lis) hЄИRICVS: DЄI: GRA: FRACORV: Z: AGLIЄ: RЄX, Virgin Mary (on left) and Archangel Gabriel (on right) standing behind shields of France and England, respectively, scroll with AVЄ (written downwards) in between, rays above / (lis) XPC' ★ VIИCIT ★ XPC' ★ RЄGИAT ★ XPC' ★ ImPЄRAT, Latin cross within tressure, lis to left, lion to right, h below. The single highest graded specimen of this type by NGC or PCGS - which will come as no great surprise. The fact that a piece of this age has survived in such fantastic premium gem condition is simply extraordinary. Seemingly pristine, close inspection with a loupe only revealing one tiny surface scratch to the reverse, the remainder flawless and coated with gentle canary-yellow luster; for the grade-conscious collector of Medieval gold, look no further for quality.

Lot 1060

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31061 > Louis XVIII gold Engraved Off-Metal Strike 5 Francs 1820-A AU Details (Obverse Graffiti) NGC, Paris mint, KM-Unl., VG-Unl., Maz-Unl. (cf. Maz-742 for gold striking dated 1819), Gad-Unl. (cf. Gad-614 for gold striking dated 1815). 37mm. 35.74gm. By Auguste-François Michaut. Edge: DOMINE SALVUM FAC REGEM (incuse). Engraved: EMILIE DU RAIS - GEORGES LEBEL - 27 MARS 1876. By all measures an absolutely singular piece, entirely undocumented by Mazard, Gadoury, or VG. While a variety of gold 5 Francs essais are known from Louis's reign as part of a mint design competition between engravers Michaut, Jacques, and Gatteaux, we know of no documented specimens from this date and none with a lettered rather than plain edge. Favored for his choice of an advantageous portrait of the somewhat portly monarch compared to his competitors--and certainly pandering even more so with the pro-monarchist edge inscription (which translates to "God save the King")--Michaut's patterns would most likely have served as presentation pieces executed for the King or a member of the royal court. Engraved on the obverse, this specimen adds yet a further degree of provenance and historical intrigue, presented to Marie-Georges Lebel and Emilie-Eugenie du Rais on their wedding in 1876 after over 50 years in one of their family's possession. Lebel, a lawyer at the Paris Court of Appeal, Conference Secretary (Secrétaire de la Conférence) from 1872-1873, and a member of the Council of Order from 1899, and was set to receive the Knight's Cross of the Legion of Honor, France's highest order, shortly before his death in 1918. The coin has remained in Lebel's family until now, marking its first ever auction appearance. Despite being designated as graffiti, the engraving is handsomely executed with the utmost care taken not to interrupt the coin's natural design. While admitting some light handling in-line with its history as a treasured wedding gift and family heirloom, the overall execution is superb, without evidence of mounting or serious damage. Though any suggestion of a value is necessarily speculation, we note that Chaponniere & Firmenich offered an 1817 gold striking of the same design in their July 2017 Auction 8, which brought the equivalent of $43,747 (lot 135).

Lot 1061

Starting price: 4000 USD
Lot 31062 > Republic gold Proof 5 Francs 1889-A PR63 NGC, Paris mint, KM829, Fr-595. Mintage: 40. A very scarce French gold Proof type, its surfaces enchantingly glossy with only the most trivial of contact marks defining its certified grade. The obverse portrait of Ceres is lightly frosted and barely exhibits any evidence of handling whatsoever, giving an immediately captivating aesthetic effect. According to Mazard, the small C under the value on the reverse stands for "centenaire"--in other words, this piece was struck in honor of the centenary of the French revolution.

Lot 1062

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31063 > Republic gold Proof Piefort 50 Francs 1974 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC, KM-P510. A magnificent example of this hefty Piefort type that draws from the classic Hercules design of 19th-century French coinage, boasting near-flawless surfaces that appear to exhibit even fewer flaws than one might expect for this already lofty certified grade. Deeply mirrored and very desirable, one of only 241 pieces struck.

Lot 1063

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31064 > Republic 9-Piece Uncertified gold Partial Proof Piefort Set 1979, 1) Centime, KM-P624 2) 5 Centimes, KM-P627 3) 10 Centimes, KM-P630 4) 20 Centimes, KM-P633 5) 1/2 Franc, KM-P636 6) Franc, KM-P639 7) 2 Francs, KM-P642 8) 5 Francs, KM-P646 9) 10 Francs, KM-P649 Paris mint. An impressive set of Piefort rarities, each sealed in the original mint plastic, and missing only the 50 Francs. The set is sold with the original case of issue and includes COAs for each included denomination.

Lot 1064

Starting price: 3500 USD
Lot 31065 > Republic 10-Piece Certified gold Proof Piefort Set 1979 NGC, 1) Centime - PR68 Ultra Cameo, KM-P624 2) 5 Centimes - PR68 Ultra Cameo, KM-P627 3) 10 Centimes - PR69 Ultra Cameo, KM-P630 4) 20 Centimes - PR69 Ultra Cameo, KM-P633 5) 1/2 Franc - PR69, KM-P636 6) Franc - PR69, KM-P639 7) 2 Francs - PR70, KM-P642 8) 5 Francs - PR69, KM-P646 9) 10 Francs - PR69, KM-P649 10) 50 Francs - PR68 Ultra Cameo, KM-P651 Paris mint. One of France's most popular modern Proof sets, an immense Piefort assemblage in essentially flawless condition. Only 300 sets were issued.

Lot 1065

Starting price: 6000 USD
Lot 31066 > Republic 10-Piece Uncertified gold Proof Piefort Set 1979, 1) Centime, KM-P624 2) 5 Centimes, KM-P627 3) 10 Centimes, KM-P630 4) 20 Centimes, KM-P633 5) 1/2 Franc, KM-P636 6) Franc, KM-P639 7) 2 Francs, KM-P642 8) 5 Francs, KM-P646 9) 10 Francs, KM-P649 10) 50 Francs, KM-P651 Paris mint. A remarkable and complete set of Piefort issues, all sealed in the original mint plastic and kept with the accompanying certificates of authenticity. Most of the these sets have been split apart over the years, rendering a full and untouched group a particularly rare occurrence and an opportunity that should not be ignored. The set is sold with the original "Monnaie de Paris" case of issue.

Lot 1066

Starting price: 5000 USD
Lot 31067 > German Colony. Wilhelm II gold 15 Rupien 1916-T MS64 NGC, Tabora mint, KM16.2. Arabesque below the T in "OSTAFRIKA" variety. A notably better representative of this German colonial type featuring well-kept surfaces showcasing bright mint luster and a subtle yet uniform presence of planchet adjustment, visible at an angle though in no way obscuring the unique and well-presented design motifs. Tied for the second-finest grade seen by NGC to-date, and a clear target for collectors of the African and European colonial series.

Lot 1067

Starting price: 2600 USD
Lot 31068 > Bamberg. Johann Philipp Anton gold Ducat 1746 AU58 NGC, Nürnberg mint, KM114, Fr-169, Krug-404. Mintage unlisted in the Standard Catalog of World Coins. Mild friction in the fields indicates brief circulation, yet the completeness of the detail remaining is unquestionable, showing only light rub to the higher points, with the central features surrounded by shimmering golden brilliance in the fields. A scarce type, rarely found on auction, and the first example of this single-year issue that we have had the privilege to offer.

Lot 1068

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31069 > Bavaria. Maximilian I gold 5 Ducat 1640 MS63 NGC, Munich mint, KM268, Fr-196. Variety with date above. Commemorating the completion of new fortifications around Munich. Obv. Maximilian standing slightly right, fully clad in armor, holding scepter and resting hand upon orb set upon altar to right; all within ornate hallway. Rev. Veduta of Munich within the fortifications; above, the Madonna seated facing among the clouds, holding Holy Infant and scepter; cherub to left and right. Attractively rendered, conveying a satisfying sharpness down to even the smaller details in the Elector's armor and surroundings, as well as clearly outlined and uniformly struck legends. A slight haze appears around the detailing, which upon closer inspection reveals itself a consequence of fine die polish, a feature that results in a rather refined aesthetic appeal, with a distinctive golden glimmer drawing the eye with equal attention and excitement to the fields.

Lot 1069

Starting price: 10000 USD
Lot 31070 > Bavaria. Maximilian II Emanuel gold 5 Ducat ND (1685) UNC Details (Edge Filing) NGC, Munich mint, KM342, Fr-215, Hauser-51. 17.36gm. A lustrous and fully Mint State selection of this broad multiple ducat featuring the distinctively styled dual portraits of the Elector Maximilian II and Maria Antonia, Archduchess of Austria. Though rim filing is noted for the sake of accuracy, the fact has little bearing on the charm that this luxurious selection offers, with its scintillating golden fields and vivid designs, these showing tremendous clarity of detail down to even the smallest facets of its ornate reverse detailing. Though light signs of contact are noted, as one would expect for any coin of the age, the presentation remains one of admirable quality, as the expansive raised design elements leave little room for any greater instances of handling in the fields to deter the eye. A very rare opportunity to acquire such a presentable representative of a doubtlessly elusive type, and, with certainty, a coin worthy of inclusion in even greatest cabinet of German or world rarities. Sold with old collector's tag.

Lot 1070

Starting price: 10000 USD
Lot 31071 > Bavaria. Maximilian III Joseph gold 5 Ducat 1747 MS61 NGC, Munich mint, KM493, Fr-245. 17.47gm. A superb representative of this gold multiple ducat featuring the conjoined regal busts of Maximilian III, Duke of Bavaria and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, and his wife, Maria Amalia of Austria, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I. A light and uniform scattering of handling establishes the assigned grade, while the surfaces are illuminated by golden light, possessed of a watery character that enables a gentle flow of luster to enliven every portion of the fields upon a turn of the wrist. Without a doubt, a coin to be experienced in hand, and a lovely representative of this beautiful and unique type. Sold with old collector's tag.

Lot 1071

Starting price: 3500 USD
Lot 31072 > Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Karl II gold 10 Taler 1829-CvC MS62 NGC, Brunswick mint, KM1115, Fr-742, J-319, D&S-60. Bust left. A scarce type only infrequently offered on the numismatic market, and the first we have seen since 2015 - one which, at the time, was the first that we had offered on auction. Though the exact mintage is not evident, the issue is decidedly difficult to locate, particularly so in uncirculated condition, rendering the present specimen a desirable selection of German numismatics. Lightly toned, with underlying luster, and featuring a sharp portrayal of a uniformed Karl II.

Lot 1072

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31073 > Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Adolph Friedrich V gold 20 Mark 1905-A MS61 PCGS, Berlin mint, KM117, J-240. A one-year type with an exceedingly low mintage of only 1,000 pieces. Exhibiting lightly reflective surfaces with just the slightest haze and scattering contact marks--bounding the assigned grade, though providing no serious visual detriment, while the piece preserves a uniformly pale yellow. Rarely offered in any condition, this being the first example of the type we have seen and the finest example certified by PCGS.

Lot 1073

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31074 > Edward III (1327-1377) gold Noble ND (1346-1351) MS62 PCGS, London mint, Cross pattée mm, Pre-Treaty period, S-1481, N-1110, Schneider-Unl. 7.73gm. One of the first Noble types to be struck after the Florin coinage of 1344 - extremely rare in any condition, let alone Mint State. Only a handful of third period Nobles have sold in recent years, and of these few the present offering would appear to be among the finest, substantiated by its being the sole piece certified by either NGC or PCGS. Crisply struck, the obverse slightly doubled, the reverse absolutely pristine and with an intriguing feature: diagonal wire-thin lines running through the devices, presumably some form of die-sinker's guide yet an element the cataloguer has never before seen. Dimly lustrous and clearly scarcely handled, perhaps the only chance collectors will have to obtain a specimen of this rare issue in such exalted grade.

Lot 1074

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31075 > Elizabeth I (1558-1603) gold "Ship" Ryal of 15 Shillings ND (1584-1586) MS64 PCGS, Tower mint, Escallop mm, Sixth issue, S-2530, N-2004, cf. Schneider-785. 7.77gm. Absolutely spectacular, a piece whose very survival seems miraculous; one of the rarest and most popular coins of Elizabeth I's reign, absent from most British collections in any condition, yet preserved here to an unprecedented standard. Every collector of hammered British gold will be familiar with this intensely sought-after issue, designed with charming medieval style imagery and Lombardic lettering. The Ryal was always a slightly controversial type, representing an attempt during Edward IV's first reign to simplify the confusion of circulating gold denominations by producing the equivalent of a 'Half Sovereign' worth 10 Shillings. However, as the Noble of 6 Shillings 8 Pence was by then the accepted standard, the Ryal was ultimately unsuccessful and replaced shortly afterwards by the famous Angel. Despite its initial unpopularity, the 10 Shilling Ryal reared its head once again in Henry VII's reign, and again in Mary's reign (then worth 15 Shillings to match the 30 Shilling Sovereign). By the time of Elizabeth's reign it was a far from necessary denomination and was produced solely for trade in the Netherlands, in a failed attempt to extract profit from the arbitrarily higher price Ryals traded for in the Low Countries. This selection is simply extraordinary to behold, its buttercup-yellow surfaces pristine and glowing with residual mint luster. Perfectly and centrally struck, Elizabeth's portrait slightly weak and correspondingly soft on the reverse, yet a clearly uncirculated and untouched example with an incredibly sharp and ‘mint fresh' appearance. Only a handful of Elizabeth Ship Ryals are ever seen at auction; we have sold just one previous example, an XF45 graded piece in our January sale this year which realized $72,000. Of the few others known, the present specimen is by far the finest. When offered in May 2015, it brought an all-time record price of over $180,000 hammer. Now fully certified as the single highest graded example by NGC or PCGS by three points, we can only speculate on the excitement this immaculate, near-gem ultimate rarity will generate. Ex. Baldwin's Auction 93 (May 2015, Lot 129)

Lot 1075

Starting price: 30000 USD
Lot 31076 > Charles I gold Triple Unite 1644 MS62+ NGC, Oxford mint, Plume mm, S-2729, N-2385, Brooker-841 (same dies). 27.00gm. Of utmost desirability and rarity, one of the finest extant examples of England's largest hammered gold coin produced in the early stages of the English Civil War of 1642-49. Highly sought after in any grade, the present piece represents the single second-from-highest graded example by NGC or PCGS, and combines this exalted preservation with undeniable medallic skill and fascinating numismatic history. Prior to the war, Charles's coinage was almost uniformly poorly-struck, irregular-flanned and as crude as the contemporary Spanish 'pieces of eight'. Certainly, some experiments into milled coinage were being undertaken by Nicholas Briot, but in general Charles's coinage represents a very weak era for the output of the Royal Mint. However - this all changed once Charles left London and hostilities gradually began to take shape. Whilst numerous cities and towns began to declare their loyalty for either Royalists or Parliament, both sides proceeded to mint their own coins so as not to lose grasp of circulating currency and thus risk a breakdown of order. Indeed, coinage underpinned civilization to such an extent that even besieged castles and strongholds resorted to creating their own coins from salvaged plate silver. Parliament's coins were largely similar to the pre-existing regal issue, crudely struck and irregular. Charles, meanwhile, decided that coins were a perfect means of spreading his message and demonstrating his value - and thus he went on to produce exceptionally fine, large-sized pieces of gold and silver bearing his 'Wellington Declaration', stating to his people and Parliament that despite all appearances he upheld "the Protestant religion, the laws of England and the Liberty of Parliament". Of all Charles's 'Declaration' coins, none are so impressive nor celebrated as the Triple Unite represented here in incredible Mint State. Many die varieties exist for this denomination, some rarer than others, but the present piece exhibits what is perhaps the most appealing and high-quality depiction of Charles; bearing a sword in his right hand and an olive branch in his left, the King holds both war and peace in his hands. Close inspection of the surfaces show a concerted effort for high-quality production, numerous die-polish lines yet no rust, evidence for a triple strike in the legends to fully render the intricately engraved devices. Deeply toned to a buttery aged-gold hue, faint sparkles of luster dancing under a mist of patina, every element of the strike crisp and presentable. The J. G. Brooker plate example of this same die pairing was offered in our August 2015 sale; graded AU58, that specimen realized $250,000. We are proud to host this far finer specimen, and do not doubt that is beauty, rarity and supreme quality will earn it a place in a world class collection of British gold.

Lot 1076

Starting price: 52500 USD
Lot 31077 > Charles II silver Proof Pattern "Reddite" Crown 1663 PR35 PCGS, S-3354B, ESC-431 (R5), L&S-7. By Thomas Simon. Struck en medaille, edge reads REDDITE . QVÆ . CÆSARIS . CÆSARI & CT. POST, followed by a sun appearing out of a cloud. One of the most famous rarities of the English milled series – the ‘Reddite' Crown, produced in 1663 by Thomas Simon in conjunction with his Petition Crown of the same dies, widely regarded as his masterpiece and perhaps the most finely engraved coin in Britain's history. Multiple efforts to introduce milled coinage to Britain were made in the 16th and 17th centuries, for the most part to counteract the effects of clipping (as the irregular hammered issues were too easy a target for this unscrupulous practice) which had plagued coinage for centuries. It was only after the English civil war of 1642-51 and establishment of the Commonwealth of England that milled coins became a priority, resulting in a handful of 1651 milled patterns and ultimately in the Cromwell portrait coinage of 1656-58. The engraving for these high-quality pieces was undertaken by the young Thomas Simon, appointed joint chief engraver in 1645 at the age of around 22; after impressing parliament through his great seal of the Commonwealth, he was made chief engraver to the Royal Mint. Simon's coins were notable for featuring an edge inscription, the ultimate guard against clipping and edge filing. In 1658 Oliver Cromwell died, and two years later the monarchy was restored with the return of Charles II. Initially Simon produced various medalettes and coronation pieces for the King, yet in 1662 the Dutch John Roettiers was appointed by the Tower Mint as chief engraver. Having spent over a decade demonstrating his skill, this infuriated Simon; however, it was this long service to the anti-Royalist Commonwealth which likely led to Charles ending Simon's Royal patronage. In order to reinstate himself as the foremost medallist in England, Simon produced his Petition Crown with three varying edge inscriptions, including the present "Reddite" type. Needless to say, what he created is still thought to be one of Britain's foremost pieces of medallic art. The Petition Crown bore a two-line edge inscription to the King encouraging him to compare his exemplary work with that of Roettiers – the present piece carries a different inscription which gives it its name, translating to "Render to Caeser, the things which are Caesar's" and features an image of the sun emerging from behind a cloud in reference to the Restoration of the monarchy after the Commonwealth period. It can be interpreted that the Reddite inscription implies considerable arrogance on Simon's part, stating that the role of chief engraver was his by right and that he was conquering Roettiers' attempt through his skill. However, this pride was not misplaced, and despite Simon not regaining his control over the Tower mint engraving, the Roettiers depiction of Charles's portrait almost immediately begin to resemble Simon's from 1664 onwards. Supposedly just ten examples of the Reddite Crown are known, at least three of which are held by museums and are thus not available for commerce. Of the remainder, most have encountered heavy handling or other hardships. The present selection exhibits moderate wear with some scratches and handling marks in the fields; yet even with this loss of highpoint detail, the intricacy and elegance of the designs are breathtaking and the minute stippling within the legends and Charles's drapery (a trademark of Simon's) is still easily apparent. The planchet has toned to a deep gunmetal gray, charcoal elements cloaking the devices and further enhancing the visual appeal. Demand for this celebrated British Crown far, far outstrips supply, and this may represent one of the few opportunities high-tier collectors will have to add an example to their collection. Ex. Rowley Butters Collection (St James Auction 9, 18th June 2008, lot 334); Dr. D. Rees-Jones Collection (Spink Coin Auction 117, 19 November 1996, lot 118); Spink Numismatic Circular, March 1990, no. 1107; Norweb Collection )Spink Coin Auction 48, 13 November 1985, lot 442); Private transaction to Norweb family, July 1962, USA; G.R. Blake, Seaby Coin and Medal Bulletin, June 1957; Seaby Coin and Medal Bulletin, March 1948, item CR79; H.E.G. Paget, Glendining (25 September, 1947, lot 230); T.B. Clarke-Thornhill Collection (Glendining, 27 May 1937, lot 605); Richard Cyril Lockett Collection (Sotheby's, 28 May 1927, lot 55); J. P. Morgan Collection; Sir John Evans Collection

Lot 1077

Starting price: 30000 USD
Lot 31078 > James II gold 5 Guineas 1687 MS60 NGC, KM460.1, Fr-292, S-3397A. TERTIO edge, indicating the third year of reign. An important issue of this heavily-demanded denomination, struck during the exceedingly short reign of James II, who ascended to power in early 1685 only to be overthrown and exiled to France during the Glorious Revolution of 1688 three years later, the aftermath of which brought about a permanent realignment of power within the English constitution. Quite conservatively graded, lightly Prooflike and incredibly struck, exhibiting extraordinarily sharp detail for the type and with no real surface wear to speak of. The fields are a cheery sun-yellow, with faint hints of peach and sea green visible under direct lighting. The finest example of the date we have handled and quite rare in any Mint State grade, with only one example graded higher by NGC, in MS61.

Lot 1078

Starting price: 20000 USD
Lot 31079 > William & Mary gold "Elephant & Castle" 5 Guineas 1691 XF40 PCGS, KM479.2, S-3423. TERTIO edge. Moderately circulated, a highly collected African gold multiple Guinea with vivid dandelion-yellow color. Numerous small abrasions and some light rub have dulled the central surfaces over time, yet the peripheries exhibit vibrant mint luster in the recesses, the majority of the legends and jugate portraits retaining near-full detail.

Lot 1079

Starting price: 3200 USD
Lot 31080 > William III gold Guinea 1701 MS63 PCGS, KM498.1, S-3463. Second bust. William III's coinage generally shows inelegant production and clear evidence of circulation. As such, the survival of this Guinea is absolutely astounding, its surfaces barely marked and its mint bloom fully present. Some flecking is present on the reverse (a common feature of this type), but does not distract from the exceptional quality of this choice Mint State piece. We last sold this same coin in our August 2016 sale for $11,000 hammer.

Lot 1080

Starting price: 4000 USD
Lot 31081 > George I gold 5 Guineas 1716 MS60 NGC, KM547, S-3626. A truly exceptional example of George I's first 5 Guineas, essentially unseen in Mint State and generally residing at mid-AU levels or, usually, much lower. When one considers the 5 Guinea series as a whole, one sees George I pieces appear at auction far less frequently than others; indeed, it may well be the most difficult type to obtain in any grade. This issue was somewhat shallowly engraved and habitually softly struck, and as such to encounter an example of this sharpness and quality is extremely unusual. George's portrait is fully rendered and free from wear, its surrounding fields glossy and gently reflective. Besides a minor edge flaw and light contact in the fields, this piece is immaculate and seemingly worthy of an even higher MS grade. However, besides its technical quality it is its toning which steals the show, blazing red iridescence flooding the peripheries of the obverse and the entirety of the reverse, blending with the original luster and creating an intense rosy brightness. Gold, being so unreactive, rarely develops such an appealing and vibrant patina and always generates considerable admiration when it does. Only one other 1716 example has been more highly certified than this in NGC's census with the next highest graded AU50. Additionally, auction record shows just one Mint State specimen of George I's 5 Guineas of any year having been sold within the last two decades, an MS61 graded 1717-dated piece which realized over $130,000 hammer in January of this year. Accordingly, it is fair to say that even the uppermost-tier of British collections likely lack a Mint State George I 5 Guineas, and as such dedicated collectors should not miss their chance to obtain this beloved denomination in such an impressive grade. A veritable numismatic prize of unbeatable eye appeal and near unbeatable quality, and sure to find its place in an elite assemblage of British gold.

Lot 1081

Starting price: 20000 USD
Lot 31082 > George II Proof Crown 1746 PR63 NGC, KM585.2, S-3690, ESC-1669 (R; prev. ESC-126). VICESIMO edge. A stunning example of this Proof-only issue, its surfaces painted with a uniformly glossy golden sea-green, permeated in the reverse fields by a deep cobalt. Only the tiniest of contact marks and a slight weakness of strike on the upper area of the curls prevent a higher grade.

Lot 1082

Starting price: 3200 USD
Lot 31083 > George II gold 2 Guineas 1738 MS62 PCGS, KM576, S-3667B. An enchanting double Guinea, the somewhat flat engraving of George's laureate wreath often resulting in an unfairly reduced technical grade; consequently the near-choice certification this piece bears is especially strong for type. Vibrantly lustrous, Prooflike reflectivity washing over the planchet and catching the eye, the devices fully rendered with admirable sharpness (particularly the reverse shield) - an exquisite example of an increasingly popular type.

Lot 1083

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31084 > George IV gold 1/2 Sovereign 1826 MS66 NGC, KM700, S-3804. A stunning example of this type, tied with one other specimen for the finest graded by NGC or PCGS. Fully deserving of its premium gem grade, the fields of this delightful offering simply glow with cartwheel luster, not a mark nor a scratch interrupting the sheen, the devices as perfectly crisp as they were when first struck. The planchet carries a pale tiger's eye color without a hint of tone, appearing as if just issued by the mint. An almost unbeatable offering in terms of technical quality.

Lot 1084

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31085 > William IV gold Proof "Coronation" Medal 1831 PR61 Cameo NGC, BHM-1475, Eimer-1251. 33mm. By William Wyon. Only 1203 examples of this medal were produced in gold, and of this low mintage 238 were subsequently melted, leaving just 965 remaining. Deeply Prooflike, the fields a smooth sun-yellow with a hint of reddish color, and dotted with light contact marks as typical for the type. Rarely found with a Cameo designation and highly desirable as such.

Lot 1085

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31086 > William IV Proof Crown 1831 PR63 PCGS, KM715, S-3833, ESC-2462. Plain edge, W.W. on truncation. William IV's Crowns were only produced in Proof format with none being produced for circulation; the majority appearing for sale were struck for inclusion in the 1831 Coronation Proof set (such as this piece), with a few rarer examples produced in 1834. The present offering must surely be close to obtaining a 'cameo' designation for its frosted portrait, the fields behind reflective under a layer of iridescent rainbow luster; the striking detail is superb and devoid of wear, the quality decidedly premium for the grade. Seldom encountered as pleasing as this, a superb representative of the type.

Lot 1086

Starting price: 10000 USD
Lot 31087 > William IV gold Proof 1/2 Sovereign 1831 PR66 S Ultra Cameo NGC, KM716, S-3830, W&R-267 (R3). Small sized planchet. The best example of this type we have had the pleasure to offer, with a single PR66+ specimen its technical superior in NGC's database (yet lacking the 'star' designation implying an inferior visual appeal) and nothing comparable graded by PCGS. Interestingly, despite the high production standard for this Proof offering, its legends show faint traces of being double-struck, adding a slight numismatic intrigue to what is already an enticing selection. Perfectly finished with mirror fields and matte frosted devices, practically unmatchable for quality and certainly for aesthetic effect.

Lot 1087

Starting price: 3100 USD
Lot 31088 > William IV gold Proof Sovereign 1831 PR66 S Ultra Cameo NGC, KM717, S-3829B, W&R-261 (R3). Stunning, a premium gem specimen of William's coronation Proof Sovereign unmatched for technical quality with no other examples even graded PR66 let alone with a 'star' in recognition of its eye appeal. William's portrait is picked out with pristine matte frost, its surrounding fields reflective and slightly dimmed through tone, every element fully rendered in line with its select presentation striking. The best of this issue we have handled previously was a PR65 Deep Cameo example in our January 2019 sale which brought $33,600.

Lot 1088

Starting price: 6000 USD
Lot 31089 > William IV gold Proof 2 Pounds 1831 PR65+ S Ultra Cameo NGC, KM718, S-3828, W&R-258 (R3). An absolutely gorgeous Proof, the finest 1831 2 Pounds as graded by NGC or PCGS; one other PR65+ has been certified by PCGS, but the present offering boasts the coveted 'star' grade for exceptional eye appeal. It is clear to see how it has received such accolade, its devices luxuriously frosted in contrast to the pristine mirror fields behind, one minute production flaw to the left of the portrait the sole mark of note, the planchet colored a vibrant sun-yellow. We have never offered a piece in this grade level; the previous finest we handled was graded PR64+ Deep Cameo and realized $37,200 in our April 2019 auction. Essentially the largest denomination collectors can hope to obtain for this monarch, the largest produced as part of William's 1831 coronation Proof set, and in an unmatchable state of preservation.

Lot 1089

Starting price: 12500 USD
Lot 31090 > Victoria gold "Coronation" Medal 1838 MS61 NGC, Eimer-1315, BHM-1801. 36.5mm. 30.95gm. By Benedetto Pistrucci. Just 1,369 specimens of this medal were struck, and it remains amongst the most popular of the British gold coronation series. Its engraver, Benedetto Pistrucci, combines elements from some of the most celebrated British coins: the reverse depicting young Victoria seated on her throne beside a lion, being presented the crown by Britannia, Hibernia and Scotia, the 'three graces' with arms around one another. On the obverse, we see the sculptured likeness of the 19-year old Victoria rendered proudly from the reflective fields behind. The present example is quite Prooflike and reflective, uniformly hairlined as expected for the grade but nevertheless a premium representative of this heavily demanded type.

Lot 1090

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31091 > Victoria Proof Crown 1839 PR64 Cameo NGC, KM741, S-3882. Plain edge. Heralding from Victoria's 1839 Proof set (a delayed issue commemorating her coronation in 1837), and by far the most popular silver offering included in this group; indeed, this is likely Britain's most popular Proof set of all time for its wide array of currency and Proof types, most notably the Una and the Lion 5 Pounds. This offering boasts superlative preservation and notably a 'cameo' designation for its gorgeous, gleaming portrait of the young Queen picked out in matte frost, the fields behind darkened through a rich pink-violet tone yet flashing into brilliance when tilted in the light. Exhibiting immense eye appeal and a covetable technical quality, this piece is sure to find its way into an elite collection of high-grade British Crowns.

Lot 1091

Starting price: 15000 USD
Lot 31092 > Victoria gold Proof 1/2 Sovereign 1887 PR66+ Deep Cameo PCGS, KM766, S-3869, W&R-362. An outstanding piece, amongst the very finest known; out of 171 examples of this type graded by NGC and PCGS combined, just three have been certified above the present selection. Seemingly flawless, its fields glossy with subdued reflectivity, Victoria's jubilee portrait picked out in matte frost against the bright surfaces behind. Extremely rare so well preserved as this.

Lot 1092

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31093 > Victoria gold Proof 1/2 Sovereign 1893 PR67 Cameo NGC, KM784, S-3878. Simply superb, the surfaces permeated by strokes of vivid marigold that give way to a delicate bluish sea-green near the peripheries. Well deserving of its assigned grade, boasting outstanding eye appeal and virtually flawless fields. An outstanding representative of this popular issue and highly desirable as such. Certainly one of the finest examples known.

Lot 1093

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31094 > Victoria gold Sovereign 1841 XF45 PCGS, KM736.1, S-3852, Marsh-24 (R3). Unbarred As in GRATIA. From a scant mintage of 124,054 of which very few survive, the 1841 Sovereign remains one of the significant rarities of the British gold series due to the remelting of worn examples. This piece has seen moderate circulation in line with its grade, yet retains pleasing luster in the recesses and has lost little of its original striking detail. A seldom offered date and one sure to elicit significant attention from collectors of this popular denomination.

Lot 1094

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31095 > Victoria gold Proof Sovereign 1887 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC, KM767, S-3866B. A dazzling gem example of this jubilee Sovereign, sharply-defined borders exhibiting an orange-peel tinge, centers with their original canary-yellow color. Perfectly finished with frosted devices over mirror fields, certainly worthy of its 'Ultra Cameo' designation and immensely appealing in-hand.

Lot 1095

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31096 > Victoria gold Proof Sovereign 1887 PR64 Cameo NGC, KM767, S-3866B. Especially notable for its portrait of Victoria which retains full unbroken frost, the fields of this choice offering exhibit a scattering of minor marks preventing it from reaching a higher certified grade; it nonetheless boasts far above average preservation for type and an attractive aged-gold color.

Lot 1096

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31097 > Victoria gold Proof 2 Pounds 1887 PR66 Cameo NGC, KM768, S-3865. An extraordinary piece, the sole example in this grade at NGC and the finest with a Cameo designation by two full grades. Lovely sun-yellow fields are virtually flawless and beautifully mirrored, the portrait nearly fully frosted. Certain to attract much attention from collectors of this highly popular Jubilee type.

Lot 1097

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31098 > Victoria gold Proof 2 Pounds 1887 PR64+ Cameo NGC, KM768, S-3865. Dandelion yellow in the centers darkening to an amber ring at the margins, Victoria's portrait luxuriously coated in frost; the glossiness of the fields in relation to the matte devices seems worthy of an Ultra Cameo designation. A popular one-year type from a mintage of just 797 in Proof, and seldom seen in this lofty near-gem grade.

Lot 1098

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31099 > Victoria gold Proof 2 Pounds 1887 PR64 Deep Cameo PCGS, KM768, S-3865. The visual appeal of this example of the popular Jubilee type is dominated by superb frosting on the devices, matched only by the depth of the mirrored fields upon which they lie. Nearly gem and scarce as such, especially with such heavy contrast. An admirable specimen.

Lot 1099

Starting price: 2100 USD
Lot 31100 > Victoria gold Proof 2 Pounds 1893 PR64+ NGC, KM786, S-3873. Immensely watery surfaces dominate the eye appeal of this premium offering, glossy reflectivity tinged a flame-orange with the faintest blue highlights. Victoria's portrait is delicately frosted and seems quite worthy of a 'cameo' designation, with only a few light marks residing in the field preventing this coin from reaching a gem level grade.

Lot 1100

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31101 > Victoria gold Proof "Una and the Lion" 5 Pounds 1839 PR62 Cameo PCGS, KM742, S-3851, W&R-278. DIRIGE legend, medal rotation. Small LE, 6 Scrolls. By William Wyon. A coin which needs no introduction, the celebrated Una and the Lion 5 Pounds struck exclusively for inclusion in Victoria's 1839 Proof set. Famous for its exceptional composition and engraving quality, collector interest has been strong from the moment this type was first struck, and the Royal Mint found it necessary to produce examples to-order for almost 50 years until 1886 in order to meet demand. The present specimen is a superb representative of the type, its fields exhibiting friction marks and hairlines commensurate with its grade, the reverse field showing some more notable abrasions yet none significantly detracting from the overall visual appeal; the devices are only lightly brushed at the highpoints and retain their matte coat of frost in line with the 'cameo' designation awarded by PCGS. Arguably the most popular British Proof coin, presented here in near-choice grade. Accompanied by a fitted red leather box produced for a George V coronation medal in 1911, with which this coin has been coupled for many years.

Lot 1101

Starting price: 75000 USD
Lot 31102 > Victoria 10-Piece Certified gold & silver Partial Proof Set 1887 NGC, 1) 3 Pence - PR65, KM758, S-3931 2) 6 Pence - PR63, KM759, S-3928 3) Shilling - PR64, KM761, S-3926 4) Florin - PR64, KM762, S-3925 5) 1/2 Crown - PR65, KM764, S-3924 6) Double Florin - PR64, KM763, S-3923 7) Crown - PR64, KM765, S-3921 8) 1/2 Sovereign - PR65 Ultra Cameo, KM766, S-3869 9) Sovereign - PR65 Ultra Cameo, KM767, S-3866B 10) 2 Pounds - PR63 Ultra Cameo, KM768, S-3865 cf. KMPS10, cf. S-PS5. An appealing near-complete Proof set, missing only the 5 Pound piece. 1887 marked Victoria's 50 years on the throne, heralding the introduction of a new portrait to succeed her younger 'bun head' series known as her Jubilee coinage, an intricate design presented superbly on this popular set. Impressive together as a set, but each individual coin attractive within its own right as well. The Crown is toned especially nicely, watery fields permeated by vivid blues and reds, with the 3 Pence coming in a close second in terms of eye appeal, with deep violet and cobalt color throughout. Sure to attract significant attention as an opportunity to acquire superb examples of this Jubilee type without breaking the bank for the 5 Pound piece.

Lot 1102

Starting price: 3000 USD
Lot 31103 > Victoria 11-Piece Certified gold & silver Golden Jubilee Set 1887 NGC, 1) 3 Pence - MS66, KM758, S-3931 2) 6 Pence - MS66, KM759, S-3928 3) Shilling - MS66+, KM761, S-3926 4) Florin - MS65, KM762, S-3925 5) 1/2 Crown - MS66, KM764, S-3924 6) Double Florin - MS65+, KM763, S-3923 7) Crown - MS65, KM765, S-3921 8) 1/2 Sovereign - MS63+, KM766, S-3869 9) Sovereign - MS64, KM767, S-3866B 10) 2 Pounds - MS63+, KM768, S-3865 11) 5 Pounds - MS65, KM769, S-3864 An immaculate set of Victoria's 1887 Jubilee currency issues; assemblages like these were put together in jeweler's boxes, but rarely do they survive in such exemplary preservation. The 5 Pounds in particular is remarkably impressive, a true gem with silky cartwheel luster and only trivial field marks; the silver exhibits matching smoky tone with white gold highlights. Each highly appealing and rarely offered as a complete set.

Lot 1103

Starting price: 4000 USD
Lot 31104 > Edward VII gold Matte Proof 5 Pounds 1902 PR63 PCGS, KM807, S-3966, W&R-40. The largest piece from Edward VII's coronation Proof set, produced with a matte finish giving a mustard-yellow hue to the planchet and reducing the luster to none but a light gleam to the devices. The production process of these types leaves a scattering of hairlines in the fields, often resulting in lower certified grades. As such, for the type this PR63 offering is far above average and will surely appeal to grade conscious collectors of the 5 Pound series.

Lot 1104

Starting price: 2100 USD
Lot 31105 > George V gold Proof 5 Pounds 1911 PR67 NGC, KM822, S-3995. An extraordinary survivor from George V's coronation Proof set. Out of the 2,812 examples of the 1911 5 Pounds, 317 have been graded by NGC and PCGS combined, and of this number a total of four have been graded at the PR67 or PR67 Cameo level, with none higher. As such, this offering is simply the best of the type one could hope to obtain, its color a far richer honey gold than one usually sees for issue, the fields bearing the usual die polish lines but essentially no evidence of handling whatsoever. With popularity growing year upon year for this Proof-only type, this may be one of the last few opportunities to obtain a top-graded specimen.

Lot 1105

Starting price: 20000 USD
Lot 31106 > George V 12-Piece Certified gold & silver "Long" Proof Set 1911 NGC, 1) Maundy Penny - PR65, S-4020 2) Maundy 2 Pence - PR64, S-4019 3) Maundy 3 Pence - PR64, S-4018 4) Maundy 4 Pence - PR64, S-4017 5) 6 Pence - PR65, S-4014 6) Shilling - PR66, S-4013 7) Florin - PR65, S-4012 8) 1/2 Crown - PR66, S-4011 9) 1/2 Sovereign - PR67 Ultra Cameo, S-4006 10) Sovereign - PR67 Cameo, S-3996 11) 2 Pounds - PR67 Ultra Cameo, S-3995 12) 5 Pounds - PR65+ Ultra Cameo, S-3994 KM-PS17, S-PS11. Spectacular, the entirety of George V's coronation Proofs in exemplary preservation. "Long" and "Short" sets were produced in 1911, the latter omitting the 2 and 5 Pounds; these two denominations are amongst the most popular in the entire British series, and as such the "Long" set is far more popular. The silver components of this set are matched in appearance, a pearl-white with darker charcoal elements cloaking the devices, the fields with some red and cobalt blue tinges. The Halfcrown is particularly attracting and seems conservatively graded even for its premium gem certification. The four gold pieces are stunning, all but the 5 Pounds at incredible PR67 level (with no PR68s of the type certified by either NGC or PCGS) - yet the 5 Pounds has its own exceptional note, being a premium gem and the only Ultra Cameo piece certified by NGC. Not one of these pieces fails to impress, a delightful group accompanied by their original red leather box of issue.

Lot 1106

Starting price: 10000 USD
Lot 31107 > George VI 4-Piece Certified gold Proof Set 1937 Ultra Cameo NGC, 1) 1/2 Sovereign - PR66, KM858, S-4077 2) Sovereign - PR66, KM859, S-4076 3) 2 Pounds - PR66, KM860, S-4075 4) 5 Pounds - PR64, KM861, S-4074 KM-PS22, S-PS15. Matched for their perfect Ultra Cameo frosting, an especially high grade representative of this popular 20th century gold Proof set, the three smaller denominations all premium gems and the 5 Pounds impressive for its technical certification.

Lot 1107

Starting price: 7000 USD
Lot 31108 > British Colony gold Counterstamped 66 Shillings ND (1798) VF, cf. KM2 (Rare; with stamped plug), Prid-19 (this coin), cf. Gordon-107. 30mm. 11.60gm. Struck over a contemporary counterfeit Brazil Jose I gold 6400 Reis 1771-R (cf. KM172.2 for official issue). Countermarks and host extremely fine. An intriguing piece, apparently double-regulated, first by the island of Grenada and later by the island of Martinique. Following the proclamation by the President of Grenada on 31 July, 1798, Brazilian and Portuguese 6400 Reis (both authentic and forged) weighing at least 9.33gm were plugged with gold in order to raise their weight to a legal specification of 11.66gm so that they could legally pass as 66 Shillings. A margin of error among goldsmiths gave rise to slight variances, though this example is remarkably close to the mandated weight. The plug was then countermarked with the goldsmith's script initials: "IW," "WS," or "JR." Three incuse "G" countermarks were also spaced along the perimeters to prevent clipping, which may be observed on the present example. However, this particular piece is the only known specimen that lacks a countermark on the plug itself. The addition of a second countermark below the central plug, that of an eagle below the numeral "20", all within a T-shaped indent, would indicate a later counterstamp under the authority of Martinique, following the regulation of 26 September, 1805 valuing these pieces at 22 Livres (cf. KM35). The relative dating of the the different countermarks is further supported by, upon close inspection, the very slightly finer state of preservation of this countermark in comparison to that of the Grenada countermarks and of the host. Ex. E. Roehrs Collection, Part I (DNW Auction B7, September 2010, Lot 235); R. Strauss Collection (privately purchased from A.P. de Clermont, March 2000); S.A.H. Whetmore Collection, Part I (Glendining Auction, March 1943, Lot 241)

Lot 1108

Starting price: 4300 USD
Lot 31109 > Charles III gold 8 Escudos 1778 NG-P AU53 PCGS, Nueva Guatemala mint, KM40, Fr-10, Onza-669. A lustrous and near-uncirculated representative of this very rare date, this selection showing moderate weakness in localized areas, not atypical for the issue, this balanced by the generally superior surface preservation displayed throughout. Currently the finest of only two examples of the issue seen by PCGS, with NGC similarly having certified none in uncirculated condition. Thus a prime opportunity for the rarity seeking collector of the Latin American series, and an item of great importance in both Guatemalan and, more broadly, Spanish colonial numismatics.

Lot 1109

Starting price: 7000 USD
Lot 31110 > Republic gold 16 Pesos 1863-R AU55 NGC, Guatemala mint, KM183, Fr-31. Large planchet variety. Mintage: 459. One of the famed rarities of the Guatemalan numismatic series. Reportedly only a three-year type struck in 1863-1865, Carlos Jara has reported that he knows of no surviving examples of either of the latter two dates. While several additional examples of the 1863 were discovered in the aftermath of an earthquake in Guatemala in 1977--raising the number of known specimens from reportedly just 2 to a small handful--the fact that this has made the 1863 the sole attainable date for the type should not downplay its extreme scarcity; at the time that we sold the Rudman example in 2014, a paltry 7 total examples were known. The present piece is extremely well preserved and highly lustrous, only minor stacking friction to the designs defining the grade; in all other regards, it appears to be Mint State. The edges of this type quite often exhibit small dents, yet the rim here is razor-sharp and without handling marks, the obverse showing excess metal at 10 o'clock. Pleasing in every regard, and an extreme rarity sure to appeal to every collector of Latin gold.

Lot 1110

Starting price: 4000 USD
Lot 31111 > Northern Haiti. Henri Christophe silver Proof Pattern Crown (2 Gourdes) 1820 H-LM PR61 NGC, Birmingham mint, KM-Pn37, Fonrobert-7502, Guttag-2088E, Arroyo-HA#P127. Plain edge. Issued under Henri I as King of North Haiti. An extremely rare pattern issue, featuring the only monarch of the Kingdom of Haiti. Despite its technical certification, the eye appeal of this offering far transcends what one would expect from a PR61; razor-sharp with pristine clear fields, the planchet toned to an immensely attractive slate-gray, only the lightest touch of contact to the high points. A seldom offered rarity of the Haitian numismatic series. Sold with old Louis H. Collins dealer tag.

Lot 1111

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31112 > Faustin I silver Proof Pattern 5 Gourdes ND (1854) PR60 NGC, Birmingham mint, KM-Pn65, Guttag-2209A, Fonrobert-Unl., Arroyo-HA#P140. Large bust, reeded edge. Lightly handled in line with its grade - an elegantly engraved and highly scarce Haitian pattern, gunmetal gray in color with considerable reflectivity in the fields and hints of seafoam patina around the legends. A type which is almost never offered at auction, and a must-have for specialist world Crown collectors. Sold with old Louis H. Collins dealer tag.

Lot 1112

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31113 > Franz Joseph I gold Restrike "Coronation" 100 Korona 1907-KB MS67 PCGS, Kremnitz mint, KM490. 40th Year Official Restrike, struck in 1947. Displaying near-perfect quality and considerable reflectivity for this popular restrike issue, its certified quality ranking near the peak of the certified population to-date. A prime opportunity for the conditionally discriminating collector. AGW 0.9802 oz.

Lot 1113

Starting price: 4500 USD
Lot 31114 > Franz Joseph I gold "Coronation" 100 Korona 1907-KB MS65 PCGS, Kremnitz mint, KM490, Fr-256, Husz-2213. Struck upon the 40th anniversary of Franz Joseph's coronation in Hungary. A singularly popular type from a mintage of 10,897. Despite its receiving an 'MS' grade, the production and finish of this type essentially renders it a Proof, with thickly frosted centers and brilliant, reflective rings at the peripheries. A few light hairlines criss-cross the matte texture and the highpoints show the lightest hints of contact, but in every respect this piece is worthy of its gem grade and commands an impressive eye appeal.

Lot 1114

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31115 > Franz Joseph I gold 100 Korona 1907-KB MS62 PCGS, Kremnitz mint, KM491. From a tiny mintage of only 1,088 pieces. The lesser-seen 100 Korona that commemorates the anniversary of Franz Joseph's coronation, a hefty piece with glistening golden surfaces that beam with sun-yellow reflectivity, the fields permeated by a light scattering of contact marks in line with the grade. Very rare in any condition and especially so nice, this being the sole finest example graded by PCGS to date.

Lot 1115

Starting price: 4500 USD
Lot 31116 > British India. William IV gold Mohur 1835-(c) MS63 NGC, Calcutta mint, KM451.2, Prid-9, S&W-1.9. "R.S." incuse on truncation. Extremely rare as an original currency strike; the majority of 1835 Mohurs on the market are Proof restrikes, still very popular with collectors. The present piece exhibits a charming reflectivity in the fields, William's portrait sharply defined with few contact marks and absolutely no hint of circulation wear. This specimen is tied for the finest certified by NGC - the other MS63 example sold in January 2015 for a hammer price of $28,000. We do not doubt that the rarity of this piece combined with its exceptional quality will see it elicit similar bidder attention.

Lot 1116

Starting price: 7500 USD
Lot 31117 > British India. William IV gold Proof Restrike 2 Mohurs 1835-(c) PR61 NGC, Calcutta mint, KM452.1, Prid-3, S&W-1.4. An ever popular restrike of this large gold Indian issue, immediately capturing the viewer's attention through its dazzling mirror fields and finely detailed engraving detail. High-point rub and hairlines define the grade, yet prove inconsequential in the visual allure this coin commands, and indeed most Proof restrikes of this type show similar handling marks; the iconic reverse design of the lion and palm remains particularly sharp and unaffected by contact. The last PR61 specimen of this immense denomination we handled realized $26,400 in our January 2018 auction, and collector interest has only grown since. One of the jewels of the British India numismatic series.

Lot 1117

Starting price: 6000 USD
Lot 31118 > British India. Victoria gold Mohur 1841.-(c) MS64 NGC, Calcutta mint, KM462.2 (incorrectly listed on the holder), S&W-3.11. Split legend variety, W.W. on truncation, 4 with serif (crosslet 4). The single highest graded example of this type by NGC or PCGS: a marvelous coin, the issue almost always exhibiting some form of circulation or improper handling. This selection has needle-point detail to the devices with no subsequent wear, the planchet fully aglow with satin luster, the tiniest abrasions in the field defining the grade yet otherwise offering no aspects to upgrade upon. The best of the type we have had the pleasure to handle and a must-have for serious collectors of British India emissions.

Lot 1118

Starting price: 4100 USD
Lot 31119 > Sicily. Charles I d'Anjou (1266-1285) gold Reale d'Oro ND (1266-1278) AU55 NGC, Messina mint, Fr-653, MEC XIV-624var, MIR-143. 5.17gm. +• KΛROL' | • DЄI: GRΛ •, Crowned bust flanked by rosette / +R | ЄX SI | CILI | Є, Ten lis within triangular shield of arms. A design closely drawn from the original Augustale struck during the reign of Frederick II, which itself took heavy inspiration from the designs of ancient Roman gold coins. An important type representing a turning point in the artistic development of medieval European numismatic design, portraying a large-scale portrait of the sovereign that provided a depiction much nearer to realism than had been achieved prior. The present piece is both the first of its kind we have had the pleasure of offering as well as an amazingly preserved example of the type, near-fully struck and retaining much detail, nicely centered and draped with glossy sun-gold surfaces. A significant piece for collectors of both Italian gold and general medieval coinage.

Lot 1119

Starting price: 5000 USD
Lot 31120 > Sicily. Pietro de Aragon & Constanza de Hohenstaufen (1282-1285) gold Pierreale d'oro ND (1282-1283) MS66 NGC, Messina mint, Fr-654, MEC XIV-756, Biaggi-1301, MIR-170. 4.38gm. + o P o DЄI o GR'A o ARAGOn o SICIL : RЄX o || + o SUMMA o POTЄnCIA o ЄS o T o In DЄO o, concentric legends around arms of Aragon / + COSTA • DЄI • GRA • ARAG • SICIL' RЄG || + XPS • VInCIT • XPS • RЄGnAT • XPS • IMPAT, concentric legends around uncrowned Hohenstaufen eagle. An superb example of this issue, well-struck as typical and impeccably preserved with satiny golden surfaces. This variety with an uncrowned eagle is believed to have been struck between June 1282 and April 1283, prior to the arrival of Constanza on Sicily.

Lot 1120

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31121 > Venice. Giovanni Corner II gold 15 Zecchini ND (1709-1722) XF45 NGC, KM486, Fr-1367, Paolucci-118.7 (R5), Bellesia-238 (R5). 49mm. 51.60gm. Collectors of the Italian series, and particularly the Venetian series, will be intimately familiar with the nearly universally recognized imagery of the doge of Venice kneeling with staff in hand before the figure of St. Mark, the patron saint of the Italian city-state. This image is widely seen in the longstanding series of ducats and zecchini issued by the city, one that spans centuries and presents a wide range of styles, qualities of production, and historical contexts. While taken as a whole these issues remain relatively attainable to collectors, the significantly more limited issuances of larger multiple zecchini under various doges present an entirely different challenge, made available only to the few. This offering, a 15 Zecchini issued during the reign of Giovanni Corner, represents one such surviving specimen, and though moderately circulated retains an admirable degree of detail, such that even the facial expressions of St. Mark, Corner, and Christ remain discernible, framed by bold legends and surrounded by golden fields expressing an admirable degree of luster. At a considerable weight of over 51 grams, the selection offers what is essentially a medallic grandeur, appropriately matched only by its rarity, and there is no doubt that it will come to serve as one of the greater Italian highlights of any collection that it enters.

Lot 1121

Starting price: 12500 USD
Lot 31122 > Russian Domination. Kuang Mu copper-nickel 5 Chon Year 6 (1902) XF45 NGC, St. Petersburg mint, KM1122, CKCB-42.1. Light gray patina with sharp definition and a few light marks. Increased Russian influence in Korea, from 1896-1904, resulted in three types of coins (1 Chon, 5 Chon, and 1/2 Won) being struck with a Russian eagle in place of the Japanese style dragon. These pieces were one-year types authorized and issued by financial advisor Alexiev of the Russo-Korean Bank. All are very rare with very few of the actual mintages ever being noted. We are pleased to offer this exceptional 5 Chon, its detail far deeper than the technical grade would suggest with even minute aspects of the devices fully rendered.

Lot 1122

Starting price: 3400 USD
Lot 31123 > Charles II gold Cob 4 Escudos ND (1679-1699) Mo-L MS62 NGC, Mexico City mint, KM54, Cal-Type 23b. 13.30gm. Jeweled cross. An impressive selection featuring glistening golden-yellow surfaces, one which presently ranks as the only Mexican 4 Escudo of Charles II's reign to be certified in Mint State condition. Alluring for its type, and a standout example due to its exceptional condition alone.

Lot 1123

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31124 > West Friesland. Provincial silver "Reopening Maritime Commerce" Medal 1594 AU50 NGC, Van Loon-I-pg. 488var (undated), Betts-16var (there, dated 1596), Fonrobert-Unl., VC-1. 53mm. Unsigned. Commemorating the First Commercial Expedition to Brazil. SIDERE PROFICIANT DEXTRO NEPTVNIA REGNA, Neptune seated left on dolphin, trident in right hand; in the distance, two vessels under sail and a city illuminated by rays of glory proceeding from the name Jehovah (written in Hebrew) / INSGNIA FRISIÆ CISRENANÆ, arms of seven cities of Holland on small shields, with their names on scrolls between the devices on an outer circle; in field, two lions holding a crown above the arms of West Friesland. An extremely rare medal from the period of Dutch colonialism in Brazil, punctuated throughout by luminous cobalt tones from long-time envelope storage. Ex. Dresden Collection

Lot 1124

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31125 > Willem III gold Proof 10 Gulden 1851 PR63 Cameo NGC, Utrecht mint, KM95 (unlisted in Proof), Fr-340, Schulman-546 (R). A rare and highly desirable issue seldom seen even as a circulation strike, this piece exhibits watery and reflective fields with clear Cameo contrast, each detail down to the hairs of the beard defined in sharp relief. Minimal hairlines in the fields solidify the piece within its current grade. An impressive piece that should elicit spirited bidding. From the Caranett Collection

Lot 1125

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31126 > Philip V gold Cob 8 Escudos 1734 L-N MS62 NGC, Lima mint, KM38.2, Fr-7, Cal-49. 27.1gm. Beautifully lustrous across the obverse surfaces, the reverse struck to commendable sharpness, with full and well-centered design motifs across all but the peripheral areas. As alluring as could be expected for any example of the type.

Lot 1126

Starting price: 4000 USD
Lot 31127 > Ferdinand VI gold Cob 8 Escudos 1747 L-V MS62 NGC, Lima mint, KM47, Cal-65. 27.08gm. Bright and lustrous throughout, this impressive Mint State cob displays sound visual appeal with no flaws of note, its uncirculated quality immediately evident upon even a cursory inspection. A desirable date as the first in the series for Ferdinand VI, and of noteworthy difficulty in this superior condition.

Lot 1127

Starting price: 2500 USD
Lot 31128 > USA Administration Mule 5 Centavos 1918-S MS61 NGC, San Francisco mint, KM173, Basso-113a, Allen-4.08b. A rare and highly desirable variety of the regular circulation issue 1918 5 Centavos, the result of pairing the obverse die of the 5 Centavos with the 20 Centavos reverse die. Because of the relatively minor difference between the reverses of the 5 Centavos and 20 Centavos this error was not discovered for some time. However, it is now regarded as a highly important variety within Philippine coinage, ensuring that Mint State examples such as the present offering receive a high degree of attention when encountered on auction.

Lot 1128

Starting price: 2000 USD
Lot 31129 > Elizabeth gold Ducat 1748 AU50 NGC, Moscow mint, KM-C30.1, Fr-113, Bit-6 (R1), Diakov-181. Obv. Crowned bust right. Rev. Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle with orb and scepter. An exceedingly rare type. Struck on a slightly wavy flan, displaying light weakness in some areas but retaining much mint luster. Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great, ascended to the throne by coup and during her 20 year reign accomplished such notable tasks as establishing the University of Moscow, creating a state theater, and outlawing the death penalty. The sole other example of this issue we have had the pleasure of offering, in NGC XF40, realized $39,656.25 including Buyer's Premium in January 2014 (Auction 3029, Lot 30328).

Lot 1129

Starting price: 5000 USD