Stack’s Bowers Galleries, an industry leading firm in the world paper money field, is excited to announce that it sold nearly $2.5 million in world banknotes during its much-anticipated Maastricht Auction, held alongside the MIF Paper Money Fair. This auction showcased an exceptionally diverse and extensive selection of world paper money, featuring numerous highlights and rare items from across the globe.
As the main sponsor and official auctioneer of the MIF Paper Money Fair, Stack’s Bowers Galleries continues to present collector driven auctions featuring consignments from some of the most prestigious collections in the world. Having sold the most important banknote and coin cabinets, including the D. Brent Pogue, Joel Anderson, and Wa She Wong collections, the firm is pleased to add the Al Kugel Collection to the pantheon of iconic offerings. The Fall 2024 Maastricht selection from this extensive consignment featured 87 lots which realized over $750,000.
When asked why the firm has been trusted to handle marquee collections like this time and time again, World Paper Money Director Aris Maragoudakis replied, “Our strategy is simple. We have a team that is extremely responsive to all client inquiries, and we treat our consignors how we would want our families to be treated if we weren’t there to guide them. Deciding where to sell coveted banknotes is important, and while there are many options, we have made it our mission to lead in presentation, marketing, and client service. When you combine those with our cutting-edge technology, and expansive descriptions, you arrive at a formula for success.”
That formula contributed to a plethora of world records during their sale, including for one of the treasures of the Al Kugel Collection: a highly important group of proofs for Olonets Government in lot 20738 that realized $300,000. This lot was cataloged extensively by Dennis Hengeveld, who cited it as “a monumental offering and true highlight of this extensive collection.” The winning bidder added: “It was an incredible opportunity for me to acquire this rarity in a single lot. I appreciate that Stack’s Bowers Galleries did not divide this unique set into separate lots, making this offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It truly was a legendary auction.”
Other Kugel Collection standouts included an Estonian 5000 Marka from 1923 in lot 20278 that realized $33,600, and lot 20551, a Lithuania 1000 Ost. Markiu that sold for $24,000. Outside of the Kugel Collection, notes from Portugal continued to realize strong prices as an 1898 50 Mil Reis brought $20,400 in lot 20687. India impressed bidders as well with lot 20437, an R6 100 Rupee realizing $33,600 and a rare KGV 50 Rupees selling for $20,400 in lot 20413. The Mombasa Collection featured some key rarities from East Africa, perhaps none more intriguing than the 500 Rupees in lot 20185 that realized $22,800.
“This was by far the most top-heavy world paper sale we’ve had in Maastricht, and while the amount of five-figure highlights were a stress test on the market, the market seemed to pass with flying colors,” added Aris Maragoudakis.
Additional highlights include:
The Pudsey Bear Commemorative note from Scotland in lot 20762 was featured on the cover of the sale and realized $16,800.
The Latvian 1924 20 Latu in lot 20530 that realized $14,400.
The Martinique 25 Francs Emergency Issue that realized $15,600 in lot 20591.
Lot 20103 , an 1878 1 Dollar from the Dominion of Canada realizing $18,000.
A Chinese 10 Taels from 1907 in lot 20140 that realized $24,000.
A special session of the Virginian Judge’s Collection was also sold in conjunction with the Fall Maastricht Auction. This session was led by lot 21386, a Netherlands Indies 50 Gulden that realized $10,800. “This was another meticulously and passionately built collection that we sold in two parts. It was a pleasure to research and catalog, which further enhanced our Maastricht offering,” noted Dennis Hengeveld.
To view more of the highlights from this monumental offering, please click here or visit StacksBowers.com.
The firm is actively building its sales for the rest of 2024, as well as the 2025 auction season, beginning with the New York International Numismatic Convention Sale in January. To consign please contact Aris@StacksBowers.com.
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 90+ 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 D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Joel R. Anderson Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection, The Sydney F. Martin Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few.
World coin and currency collections include The Pinnacle Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Salton Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, the Augustana Collection of gold rarities from across western Europe, the Richard Margolis Collection of world coins and medals and The Thos. H. Law Collection. Recently the firm was awarded the privilege of bringing the most valuable world coin collection to auction – the L. E. Bruun Collection.
The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, with galleries in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Offices are also located in New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Sacramento, South Carolina, Virginia, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Paris and Vancouver. Stack’s Bowers Galleries hosts an annual Global Showcase in August featuring United States coins and currency, Ancient coins and World coins and currency in its Costa Mesa auction gallery. They are also the Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic events, including the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, the Spring and Fall Hong Kong shows, and the Maastricht Paper Money shows.
