New York, N.Y. (January 19, 2018) – Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce the results of their January 2018 International Auction. An excellent array of coins was anchored by the exceptional Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins. In total, the Stack’s Bowers Galleries NYINC auction realized nearly $10 million (all prices reported include the standard buyer’s premium).
The first major highlight of Session C (World Coins Part 1) was lot 20065 – The "King of Canadian Coins," which surpassed estimate to realize $84,000. This 1921 50 Cents is exceedingly rare in any grade, with this example bearing an incredible grade of PCGS Specimen-62. French coinage performed admirably, with the many exceptional pieces achieving strong results. Lot 20138, a lovely Pavillon d’Or of Philip VI De Valois, realized $18,000, while lot 20207, a very rare Double Louis d’Or Aux Insignes, garnered $27,600. Moving on to Great Britain, a multitude of great pieces appeared before the first major highlights were offered in lots 20347-49. This stunning nine-piece set from Soho Mintmaster James Watt Jr. (sold as three lots, arranged by metal type) collectively realized $33,720. Rounding out the Session was the spectacular "Old Head" Queen Victoria Ten Piece Proof Set which brought just under six figures, selling for $99,000.
The sale continued with Session E, comprising Ancient coins and the second half of World coins. The standout Ancient coin was lot 21043 – a Judaean Year 3 Half Shekel — that realized $22,800. Among the World coins, one of the most remarkable pieces in the entire sale was featured in lot 21136. The Venetian 40 Zecchini of Paolo Renier is historically significant and garnered an astounding $180,000. Lot 21140, a fantastic Japanese 1874 50 Sen, realized $48,000. This extremely rare key date was missing from the esteemed Dr. Norman Jacobs and Cornelius Vermeule collections. A substantial run of Mexican coins was met with enthusiasm and lot 21161, an Imaginary Bust of Ferdinand VI 8 Escudos, realized $21,600. Among coins of Peru, a lovely Mint State 1712 8 Escudos from the "1715 Plate Fleet" (lot 21280) garnered $31,200 – more than double the high estimate.
An exceptional example of a rare overdate Ruble of Peter I of Russia was featured as lot 21321, and sold for $28,800. An exquisite 1898 Proof Only 50 Kopek in lot 21351 realized $40,800. The final highlight of Session E was lot 21420, the "Holy Grail of Odd and Curious," a massive 62 pound Yap Stone brought $22,200.
The Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins and Paper Money, one of the most significant events in Latin American numismatics, achieved tremendous results. Over the course of four separate sessions, bidders converged on these important and at times unique offerings. The highlight among coins was lot 11369, the unique 1844 Ecuador 8 Escudos — "The King of the Onzas." The tremendous numismatic and historical importance of this coin led to an astounding final price of $456,000. The second session of the Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins (Session F) featured the magnificent – and also unique – lot 12312. This Colombian 1848 Pattern 16 Pesos traced its pedigree to the Norweb Collection and garnered $96,000. The paper money offerings from the Eldorado Collection presented many opportunities to acquire high caliber rarities. Lot 10045 of Session A, a Colombian Banco de la República Match Low-number 1923 Gold Note Series Set realized $84,000 (compared to a high estimate of $5,000). The final line in the description appears prophetic: "Worth a runaway price." Further offerings from the Eldorado Collection will be offered as part of Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ official auction of the ANA World’s Fair of Money, August 14-18, 2018, in Philadelphia.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries had yet another strong showing for World paper money realizing exceptional prices for many of the pieces. Lot 30070, a British Honduras 1894 1 Dollar Banknote in a PMG Very Fine 20 Net holder, sold for an astonishing $57,600, establishing first issue British Honduras notes as contenders to be among the most desirable World banknotes. An Australian Internment Camp, Camp Hay 6 Pence note (lot 30022), graded by PCGS as About Uncirculated 58 PPQ, garnered $9,600.
As always, Stacks Bowers had a strong showing of Canadian currency, with a BC-4 Serial Number 9 (lot 30093) realizing $20,400 and a BC-6 Serial Number 9 (lot 30096) bringing $24,000. Canadian Charter Notes also had a strong showing, with a Union Bank of Canada 50 Dollar note from 1912 (lot 30115) achieving $21,600, and a 1906 20 Dollar Imperial Banknote (lot 30109) selling for $8,400. The firm also showed its ability to achieve high prices for Asian banknotes domestically and not just in Hong Kong as lot 30132, a 1929 Swatow 10 Dollar Note, realized $11,400 and a Philippines 100 Pesos Victory Series Replacement Specimen (lot 30382) hit $9,600.
For the first time in quite a while, a 5 Balboas note from Panama (lot 30349) was presented at auction, and a final price of $10,800 was achieved for this PMG Very Fine 30 example. A State Credit 1865 25 Rubles from Russia (lot 30401) brought $6,000 although it was in a low grade PCGS GSG holder. Two lots from the United Arab Emirates also brought big numbers with a specimen group of Pick 1s to Pick 5s (lot 30447) realizing $10,200 and a Pick 6s 1000 Dirham (lot 30448) selling for $8,400. Lot 30296, a fully original Italian 1950 500 Lire, found a new home for $9,600.
The Internet only World coin sessions provided some excellent prices as well, with a Chilean 1887-So Peso (lot 22376) realizing $8,400. The Stack’s Bowers Galleries NYINC auction proved to be quite exciting for bidders in the room as well as those watching and bidding online through the firm’s website. A focus on quality certified pieces was apparent and will no doubt be the trend in future sales. Currently Stack’s Bowers Galleries is accepting consignments of world and ancient coins for the August ANA World’s Fair of Money Show and Auction, the May 2018 Collector’s Choice Online Auction and their next Hong Kong Auction in April. Consignment specialists can be reached at 949-253-0916 or via email at info@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 80-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block — The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, The Guia Collection, The Thos. H. Law Collection, and The Robert O. Ebert Collection.
Topping off this amazing numismatic history is the inclusion of the world record for the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar graded Specimen-66 (PCGS) that realized over $10 million, part of their sale of the famed Cardinal Collection. The company is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is an Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and its April and August Hong Kong Auctions.
