Legendary auction house Stack’s Bowers Galleries announces their January sale to be held in conjunction with the 2024 New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC). This monumental offering of ancient and world coins, medals, and world currency features over 6,200 lots spread across 11 sessions (both live and internet) scheduled for January 12 through 18, with total estimates surpassing $12 million.
Named collections lead the sale and include the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection of Russian rarities. Built over the course of many decades and never displayed publicly, the collection was the combined efforts of Russian-born, internationally renowned cellist Gregor Piatigorsky, and his wife, the Baroness Jacqueline de Rothschild—heiress to the French banking dynasty of the same name. Highlights include a stunning Gold 2 Rubles of Peter I “the Great,” immensely difficult 10 Rubles & 5 Rubles from the very short reign of Peter III, an 1876 25 Rubles of Alexander II (one of just 100 minted), and two exquisite gold denominations from the reign of Nicholas II: an 1897 Imperial (or 10 Rubles Pattern) and a 1902 37-1/2 Rubles.
The New World is represented through an extremely advanced array of some of the smallest coins issued in Latin America—the cuartillas. Built tirelessly with an eye for dates as well as die varieties, the Emilio M. Ortiz Collection will offer something for collectors of all levels. A few of the many highlights include a Peruvian Cob ¼ Real from the reign of Philip II, a similar issue from Bolivia, and a very rare Cartagena copper ¼ Real from Ferdinand VII.
Ancient coins in the sale feature outstanding Greek issues, including fantastic gold denominations like a stunningly struck Pantikapaion Stater and an impressive Distater of Alexander III “the Great.” Meanwhile, from the vast collection of acclaimed collector and researcher Sydney F. Martin (more known for his interest in the coinage of colonial America) come a number of ancient treasures, such as an exceptional Kaulonian Stater and a breathtaking Tarentine Nomos, both of which are of fine style.
Among the monumental world coin rarities in the sale, the coinage of Great Britain, both vintage and modern, plays an important role, as does some of her colonial coinage. A likely unique countermarked Bank of England issue, with a 1798 American Draped Bust Dollar serving as host, will garner interest from a vast array of collectors. Early and iconic specimens from the reign of Victoria, like a stunning “Una and the Lion” Pattern and gem “Gothic” Crown, will attract an intense degree of fanfare. Among more modern British rarities are found a unique and rather immense 7000 Pounds (containing an astonishing seven kilos of gold) celebrating the recently departed Queen Elizabeth II and her platinum jubilee in 2022. Colonial highlights include two stunning silver patterns from Ceylon, a 2 Rixdollars and its equally majestic smaller Rixdollar counterpart, along with the crown jewel of the British India series—the fabled 1939 security edge Rupee.
Other coins from Western Europe include an 1889 100 Francs in proof, as well as a massive and potentially unique 1610 10 Ducats from the Teutonic Order. From Latin America, a former Eliasberg specimen—a nearly-choice Costa Rican “sunface” 8 Escudos—will make its first appearance in nearly two decades. An 8 Escudos with the portrait of “the Liberator,” Simon Bolivar is offered, providing bidders the chance to acquire a legendary rarity from the Ecuadorian series. Moving to the eastern theater, a number of standouts are featured, such as an extremely rare Nazarana Mohur from 1611 and struck with Rupee dies, a beautiful 1870 Japanese 20 Yen, an important Yen Specimen from 1874, and an illustriously provenanced, remarkable proof 20 Mark from German New Guinea.
A rather robust array of currency from around the world should attract excitement, with some western hemisphere rarities leading the way. Highlights include a 1935 Canadian 1000 Dollars, a 1918 Costa Rican 100 Colones, and a 1943 Surinamese 100 Gulden.
The entire Stack’s Bowers Galleries January 2024 NYINC Auction is available for viewing and presale bidding at StacksBowers.com. The firm is currently accepting consignments for their 2024 Showcase and Internet auctions. To including your coins, medals, tokens, and paper money contact Stack’s Bowers Galleries by telephone at 800-458-4646 or by email at Consign@StacksBowers.com.
Other Ancient & World Coin Highlights:
Lot 50083: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos, Died 270/268 B.C. AV Mnaïeion (“Oktadrachm”) (27.72 gms), Alexandreia Mint, struck under Ptolemy II, circa 254/3-253/2 B.C. NGC Ch EF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Fine Style.
Lot 50084: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos, Died 270/68 B.C. AV Mnaïeion (“Oktadrachm”) (27.72 gms), Alexandreia Mint, struck under Ptolemy II, circa 253/2-246 B.C. NGC Ch EF, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5. Fine Style.
Lot 50091: JULIUS CAESAR. AV Aureus (8.00 gms), Rome Mint; A. Hirtius, praetor, 46 B.C. NGC Ch AU, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5.
Lot 50114: SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS, A.D. 193-211. AV Aureus (7.06 gms), Rome Mint, A.D. 202-210. NGC AU, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5. Scuffs.
Lot 52112: GREAT BRITAIN. Noble, ND (1422-30). London Mint; mm: Lis. Henry VI (first reign). PCGS MS-65.
Lot 52144: GREAT BRITAIN. Pontefract (besieged). Shilling Lozenge Klippe, 1648. Charles I. NGC MS-61.
Lot 52152: GREAT BRITAIN. Commonwealth. Gold Broad of 20 Shillings Pattern, 1656. London Mint. Oliver Cromwell (as Lord Protector). PCGS Genuine–Repaired, Proof. Unc Details.
Lot 52203: GREAT BRITAIN. 1/2 Sovereign, 1853. London Mint. Victoria. PCGS PROOF-65 Ultra Cameo.
Lot 52206: GREAT BRITAIN. “Gothic” Crown, 1847 Year UNDECIMO. PCGS PROOF-63 Cameo.
Lot 52207: GREAT BRITAIN. “Gothic” Crown, 1847. Victoria. PCGS PROOF-63.
Lot 52240: GREAT BRITAIN. 5 Pounds, 1937. London Mint. George VI. PCGS PROOF-66 Cameo.
Lot 52253: GREAT BRITAIN. 1000 Pounds (Kilo), 2017. Llantrisant Mint. Elizabeth II. GEM PROOF.
Lot 52254: GREAT BRITAIN. 1000 Pounds (Kilo), 2017. Llantrisant Mint. Elizabeth II. GEM PROOF.
Lot 53005: CANADA. Newfoundland. 2 Dollars, 1865. London Mint. Victoria. PCGS SPECIMEN-64+.
Lot 53272: GREAT BRITAIN. Great Britain – Spain. Dollar (5 Shillings), ND (1804). George III. NGC MS-62.
Lot 54297: RUSSIA. Gold 2 Rubles, 1726/5. Moscow (Red) Mint. Catherine I. NGC MS-61.
Lot 54300: RUSSIA. Gold 2 Rubles, 1727. Moscow (Red) Mint. Peter II. NGC AU-53.
Lot 54306: RUSSIA. Gold 10 Rubles Novodel, 1756-CNB. St. Petersburg Mint. Elizabeth. NGC MS-63.
Lot 54329: RUSSIA. 5 Rubles, 1798-CM OU. Uncertain Mint in St. Petersburg. Paul I. NGC MS-62.
Other World Currency Highlights:
Lot 60171: COSTA RICA. Republica de Costa Rica. 25 Colones, 1897. P-133. PMG Choice Extremely Fine 45 Net.
Lot 60172: COSTA RICA. Republica de Costa Rica. 50 Colones, 1897. P-134. Serial Number 2. PMG Very Fine 20.
Lot 60244: CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Republika Ceskoslovenska. 500 Korun, 1919. P-12a. PMG Choice Very Fine 35.
Lot 60481: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO. Government of Trinidad and Tobago. 1000 Dollars, 1914. P-2Es. Specimen. PMG About Uncirculated 50.
Lot 60505: ZANZIBAR. British Administration. 1 Rupee, 1920. P-1s. Specimen. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64. Uniface.
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.
