Santa Ana, CA (August 19, 2020) – Following a dozen auction sessions spanning nearly two weeks, the results for the Stack’s Bowers Galleries August 2020 auction illustrate the robust nature of the coin market and affirm that numismatics stands firm even during times of uncertainty. Over 92% of the ancient coin and world coin and paper money lots found new homes, realizing in excess of $5.3 million, contributing to overall prices realized of $21,739,851 for the sale across all categories. Numerous well-cultivated cabinets such as the Glacier Rams Solidi, the Duke of Lansing, the Habsburg, and the Jasmine collections led the way, with all performing very well and offering countless highlights. (All prices realized include the 20% buyers’ fee.)
Highlights among ancient coins included a gold octodrachm of Arsinoe II Philadelphos, that garnered $38,400, a lustrous gold stater of Kroisos, that sold for $30,000, and an exceptional silver half shekel from year 3 of the First Jewish War that secured $22,800.
In the world coins sessions, the Duke of Lansing Collection, which focused on British Coronation medals, provided many highlights, chief among them superb issues in gold from the coronations of William & Mary, Charles II, and James II, which sold for $38,400, $37,200, and $36,000, respectively.
Spanish and Colonial highlights began with the impressive "Royal" Presentation 8 Escudos from Mexico of Philip V that brought $312,000; a similar 4 Escudos that sold for $84,000, and a lovely Catalonia Double Principats from Spain issued under Charles V & Joanna that realized $90,000.
Further outstanding performers included a choice Bavarian 5 Ducats from 1640 that reached $52,800, an iconic Italian 5 Lire from the first year of reign for Vittorio Emanuele III that garnered $90,000 and a Filipino cast Barrilla from 1728 that surpassed its estimate range of $1,500-$2,500 by a factor of 10, recording a total price of $21,600!
In the session featuring world paper money, Latin American and British Commonwealth issues led the way, with numerous five-figure results attained. Chief among these were a rare Panamanian "Arias" Five Balboas that realized $33,600, an outstanding Pakistani 100 Rupees that achieved $28,800, a very rare "triple signature" Bahamian 50 Dollars that was bid to six times its estimate range at $26,400, and an exceedingly rare 5 Shillings note from Saint Lucia that sold for $20,400.
With this successful sale now complete, the firm turns its focus to their October Hong Kong auction that will feature over 4,000 lots of predominantly Asian coins and paper money and promises to be another popular and successful event.
Anyone interested in consigning world coins and paper money to the Stack’s Bowers Galleries January 2021 NYINC Auction or to one of the firm’s Collectors Choice Online auctions is encouraged to call 800-458-4646, email consign@stacksbowers.com, or visit https://www.stacksbowers.com/Pages/Home.aspx.
Additional Important August 2020 Prices Realized Include:
Ancient & World Coins
MAXIMIAN, A.D. 286-310. AV Aureus (5.30 gms), Treveri Mint, A.D. 293-294. NGC Ch MS, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Realized: $28,800
SICILY. Syracuse. The Gameroi, ca. 500-490/86 B.C. AR Tetradrachm (17.21 gms). NGC Ch F, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5. Marks. Realized: $13,200
GERMANY. Saxony-Ernestine. 3 Ducats, 1513. Friedrich III. NGC VF Details. Realized: $52,800
GREAT BRITAIN. Proof or Presentation 2 Guineas, 1664. Charles II. NGC AU-55. Realized: $44,400
ITALY. 100 Lire, 1925-R. Rome Mint. Vittorio Emanuele III. NGC MATTE PROOF-66+. Realized: $28,800
JAPAN. 20 Yen, Year 3 (1870). Mutsuhito (Meiji). NGC MS-64. Realized: $60,000
VENEZUELA. 5 Bolivares, 1888. Caracas Mint. PCGS MS-65+ Gold Shield. Realized: $38,400
World Paper Money
BAHRAIN. Currency Board. 5 Dinars, 1964. P-5a. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ. Realized $11,400
PORTUGAL. Banco de Portugal. 50 Mil Reis, 1889. P-62. PMG Very Fine 25. Realized: $14,400
RUSSIA–PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT. Government Credit Note. 50 Rubles, 1919. P-39Ba. PMG Very Fine 25 EPQ. Realized: $9,600
QATAR & DUBAI. Currency Board. 5 Riyals, ND (ca. 1960). P-2a. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ. Realized: $16,200
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 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 Joel R. Anderson 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, Tulsa, 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.
