IRVINE, Calif. (January 21, 2014) — This year’s convention saw nearly 2,000 collectors, dealers and enthusiasts from around the world cross the bourse threshold at the historic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The convention floor was a beehive of buying and selling activity during the day, and the auction gallery was standing room only during the evening hours. The Stack’s Bowers Galleries event garnered over $5 million in sales when all was said and done.
The NYINC starts each year with one of the most dynamic events we have the pleasure of attending. We deeply appreciate the fine team that organizes this show and look forward to working with them for many more years,” said Rick Ponterio, executive vice president. “We are extremely pleased with the auction results. Rarities and superb quality examples were eagerly sought in the auction gallery across the series. There was strong demand as well for ‘type’ coins and less valuable pieces.”
Leading the auction was a wide variety of ancient coins, where an extremely rare Follis of Kiurike II of Greater Armenia — possibly the finest known specimen, graded Choice VF by NGC — saw spirited bidding before realizing $18,800. An exceptional Archaemenid Daric graded Extremely Fine took in $17,625, and a Solidus from the Ticinum Mint, Constantine I graded Choice About Uncirculated by NGC soared to $19,975.
Coins pedigreed to the Thos. H. Law Collection captured the attention of all in attendance and exceeded presale estimates. Highlights from this offering included an impressive 1773 George III Pattern 5 Guineas from Great Britain, which sold for $440,625, followed by a 1768 George III Pattern 2 Guinea from Great Britain at $199,750, and an 1820 George III Pattern 5 Pounds that went to a collector for $188,000.
The ultimate Puerto Rican mint error — an 1895 PGV Peso double struck with a blank planchet obstruction — created quite a buzz prior to the sale, and sold for $23,500. A previously unknown, sole surviving specimen Colombia 1755 Nuevo “Milled” 8 Escudos had the audience enthralled as bidding opened with hands in the air all over the room. Action in the gallery was brisk before the hammer fell for a total of $223,250.
Additional highlights include:
Lot 46 Attica. Athens. AR Tetradrachm. 454-431 B.C. Choice Nearly Mint State. $14,687.50
Lot 229 Belgium. Brabant. 2 Moulton d’Or, ND. (ca. 1370/1). Vilvorder Mint NGC MS-63. $15,275
Lot 237 Bolivia. 8 Reales “HEART,” 1710-Y Extremely Fine. $21,150
Lot 307 Brazil. 960 Reis, 1815-R. NGC AU-58. $14,687.50
Lot 511 Curacao, 6,400 Reis, ND. (1802-16). Very Fine. $18,800
Lot 1363. Mexico. ½ Grano. 1769-MoGO. NGC MS-65 RB. $17,625
Lot 1364. Mexico. Grano. 1769-MoGO. NGC MS-65 RB. $17,625.
Lot 3091. Bank of Canada. $1,000, 1937. P-65. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. $32,900
Lot 3093. Bank of Canada $1 to $1,000, 1954. P-66s to 73s. $18,800
Lot 3261. States of Guernsey. 5 Pounds, 1.12.1956. P-44a. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ. $6,462
Lot 3311. Reserve Bank of India. 5 Rupees, ND (1959-70). P-R2. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ. $5,875
Lot 3402. Dutch Administration 1 to 500 Gulden, 2.1.1950 P-4s to 10s. Netherlands New Guinea 1950 Specimen Set. $17,625
Lot 3436. Qatar & Dubai Currency Board. 10 Riyals, ND (1960s). P-3a. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ. $5,875
Lot 3463. Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency 10 Riyals, AH1379 (1984). P-NL. Uncirculated. $17,625.
Highlights listed include a 17.5 percent buyer’s premium.
A special section of the Stack’s Bowers Galleries NYINC catalog was devoted to the marvelous collection of Art Nouveau plaques and medals formed over a long period of time by well-known dealer and connoisseur Tony Terranova. This offering may stand as the reference work on the series for years to come.
“Ancient coins, world coins, world medals and world paper money have been a mainstay at Stack’s Bowers Galleries since the 1930s,” said Brian Kendrella, president of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “We anticipate 2014 to be a very active year in these market areas, and I am pleased to announce that we have now added ancient coins, world coins and paper money to our weekly online iAuctions. The first Sunday of the month will showcase ancient and world coins, while the last Sunday of the month will feature world paper money, along with U.S. paper money. We invite you to visit us online at StacksBowers.com, and check it out.”
In addition to presenting the official auction of the NYINC, Stack’s Bowers Galleries has also been named an official auctioneer for the American Numismatic Association (ANA) World’s Fair of Money for 2014–2017.
Several important holding are already being prepared for this event and details will be released shortly. For more information on how to consign coins and paper money to this event, contact a consignment specialist at 800.458.4646 (West Coast) or 800.566.2580 (East Coast).
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 John J. Ford, Jr., The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collections, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal and The Battle Born Collections — 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 Irvine, California, with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is the Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Professional Numismatists Guild New York Invitational, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and our April and August Hong Kong Auctions.
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