Costa Mesa, CA – In their role as an official auctioneer of the New York International Numismatic Convention, Stack’s Bowers Galleries realized strong prices across the numismatic spectrum, realizing an impressive $16,613,761 (before post-auction sales), and proving further strength in the numismatic marketplace. (All prices include the buyer’s fee.)
Highlighting the sale was the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection of Polish coins, with a number of incredible rarities that had been off the market for years. A massive 1593 10 Ducats from the Malbork Mint reached $360,000, the highest valued lot in the Taraszka Collection. An immense 1622 10 Ducats of Sigismund III from the Vilnius Mint brought $264,000, a terrific result. An exceedingly rare 1529 Krakow Ducat of Sigismund I graded PCGS MS-61 realized $240,000, surpassing the presale high estimate of $180,000. A 1549 Ducat of Sigismund I from the Danzig Mint graded NGC AU-58 closed at $192,000, also outpacing its high estimate.
Continuing in Eastern European coinage, Stack’s Bowers Galleries was thrilled to offer the Sigma Collection of Russian coins, which featured preeminent Russian rarities that are always in demand. The highest valued lot of the entire sale was an 1835 1-1/2 Rubles “Family Ruble” of Nicholas I graded NGC MS-63. As one of the most valuable Russian coins, this piece soared to $408,000. The Sigma Collection also offered the fabled 1902 37-1/2 Rubles (100 Francs), graded NGC MS-61, which realized $150,000. Originating at a time when Russia was looking to secure international loans, particularly from France, this piece is in constant demand due to its heft and dual denominations. Additional notable prices among Russian coins included a 1912-EB Ruble graded NGC MS-64 that sold for $31,200, an 1807 Silver Ruble Pattern Novodel graded PCGS Specimen-53 that realized $38,400, and an 1847-CNB NGC Proof-65 Ultra Cameo 5 Rubles that brought $43,200.
Prices for Latin American coinage remained strong with several amazing Venezuelan patterns leading the charge. Chief among these was an exceptional 1875 Gold 5 Venezolanos Pattern graded PCGS Specimen-65 that fetched $168,000. A wonderful 1874 Plain Edge Venezolano Essai graded NGC Proof-63 realized $144,000, far surpassing the presale high estimate of $60,000. Other Latin American countries also performed well, as demonstrated by a handsome Tierra Del Fuego 5 Gramos piece struck on the Islands graded PCGS MS-62, that sold for $52,800, more than doubling the high estimate of $20,000. The phenomenal price of $43,200 was achieved by an 1823-Mo JM “Hookneck” 8 Reales certified PCGS MS-63.
The strength of the overall marketplace was confirmed by strong prices realized in varied and disparate areas of numismatics. An incredibly rare Dinar of Shajar al-Durr, the so-called “Queen of the Muslims,” the first known to be offered at a public auction astonished when it sold for $138,000. Ancient coins were highlighted by a Syracuse. Dionysios I, 406-367 B.C. AR Dekadrachm signed by Kimon and graded NGC EF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5 Fine Style that realized $108,000. Collectors of British material were thrilled with a sharply struck Elizabethan Sovereign graded PCGS AU-55 that brought $75,000. Philippines coinage remains hot, with a Type V Countermark applied to a rare Iturbide Host and certified PCGS VF-20 rising to $72,000, more than seven times the high estimate.
These incredible prices confirm Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ place as the preeminent leader in world and ancient coins. With the New York International Numismatic Convention auctions completed, the firm now turns its attention to their upcoming February Collectors Choice Online Auction, which figures to be an impressive event with over 3,000 lots of world and ancient coins. Additionally, the April 2023 Hong Kong Auction will offer many premier rarities focused on Asian numismatics. To consign your ancient coins, world coins, and world paper money to an upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries event visit StacksBowers.com, call 800-458-4646, or email Consign@StacksBowers.com.
Other Notable Lots from the Stack’s Bowers Galleries New York International Numismatic Convention Auction:
POLAND. Second Polish Republic. Gold 100 Marek Pattern, 1922. Warsaw Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-64. -$120,000.
POLAND. Second Polish Republic. Gold 50 Marek Pattern, 1923. Warsaw Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-63. -$90,000.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. 10 Ducats, 1930. Kremnica Mint. PCGS-63. – $50,400.
GREAT BRITAIN. “Jubilee” Proof Set (11 Pieces), 1887. London Mint. Victoria. All PCGS Certified. – $50,400.
NEW ZEALAND. Proof Set (7 Pieces), 1950. London Mint. George VI. All PCGS Certified. – $50,400.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Gold Medallic 10 Ducats, 1934. Kremnica Mint. NGC MS-64. – $48.000.
GREAT BRITAIN. 5 Pounds, 1887. London Mint. Victoria. PCGS PROOF-62 Cameo. – $48,000.
PORTUGAL. Cruzado (500 Reis), ND (1580). Lisbon Mint. Regents of the Kingdom. NGC MS-62+. – $36,000.
CANADA. Newfoundland. Silver 50 Cents Pattern, 1870. London Mint. Victoria. PCGS SPECIMEN-65. – $28,800.
INDIA. British East India Company. Mohur, 1841. (C). Calcutta Mint. PCGS MS-63. – $28,800.
PHILIPPINES. Inauguration of the Manila Mint Gold Medal, 1861. Manila Mint. Isabel II. PCGS MS-61. – $26,400.
MOROCCO. 10 Dirhams, AH 1299 (1882). Paris Mint. Moulay al-Hasan I. PCGS PROOF-67. – $25,200.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Medallic Ducat Gold Mint Set (4 Pieces), 1978. Kremnica Mint. All NGC Certified. – $24,000.
PHILIPPINES. Philippines – Mexico. 8 Reales, 1828. Manila Mint. Ferdinand VII. PCGS VF-30. – $23,400.
DENMARK. Ducat Klippe, 1564. Copenhagen (Bremerholm) Mint. Frederik II. NGC AU-53. – $21,600.
MEXICO. Peso, 1866-Go. Guanajuato Mint. Maximilian I. PCGS MS-61. – $19,200.
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, Boston and Philadelphia. Offices are also located in New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, 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.
