Costa Mesa, CA – Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce the offering of Polish rarities from The Anthony J. Taraszka Collection in their January 2023 New York City auction. Prized among European issues are the coins of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and of Poland more broadly. Many of the most notable collections in history have featured Polish rarities: Farouk, Czapski, and Brand, among a litany of others. To this renowned group can be added Anthony J. Taraszka.
Carefully curated for rarity and quality, The Taraszka Collection of Polish Coins offers types that have been off the market for decades and items that may not reappear for a generation. This collection heavily features gold from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, presenting both circulating pieces and medallic ducat-weight pieces. Several extremely rare branch mint Ducats are offered, including a 1585 Ducat and a 1593 10 Ducat from the Malbork Mint. The Vilnius Mint is represented by a 1586 Stephan Bathori Ducat and a 1622 Sigismund III 10 Ducats. Perhaps the most difficult mint to acquire, Riga, is represented in this collection by a 1619 Sigismund III Ducat. It has been estimated that no more than 20 Riga Ducats from the reign of Sigismund III have survived. Additionally, The Taraszka Collection contains a 1655 Swedish medal struck at the Riga Mint in the weight of 10 Ducats during the period of Swedish Occupation known as the Deluge.
Danzig gold issues remain as popular as ever, and this sale will include a phenomenal dually dated 1613/1614 10 Ducats from that city. Those seeking a complete monarchal set of Ducats will be thrilled by a 1671 Ducat of Michal Korybut, who is perhaps the most challenging Polish ruler to acquire such a coin for. A Taler of John III Sobieski graded AU-58 by PCGS is of phenomenal quality and preservation and should hold great appeal for any collector of Polish coinage.
This brief overview of highlights from the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection showcases the uncommon nature and numismatic importance of the cabinet. It will cross the block at the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the New York International Numismatic Convention, January 12-14, 2023. For further information, telephone 800-458-4646, email info@StacksBowers.com or visit the firm’s website at 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 nearly 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, and The Thos. H. Law Collection.
The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, with galleries in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. Offices are also located in New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, Hong Kong and Paris. 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.