Numismatic rarities from around the world have helped Heritage Auctions to a total of more than $6 million in Chicago.
Last week saw the company host its World Coins & Ancient Coins Signature Auction, as part of the annual Chicago International Coin Fair, which attracted collectors and enthusiasts from across the Midwest.
Two Commonwealth coins minted thousands of miles apart took the auction’s joint top spot. First up was the finest-known Australian George V Penny 1930-(m), graded AU50 PCGS and described as a "legendary key date rarity", which sold for an auction record of $70,500.
The same price was then achieved by a Canadian 1870 No LCW 50 cents graded MS64+, one of just three certified Mint State examples, which was described as "a monumental example of one of the most coveted issues in all of Canadian numismatics".
Rare 17th century coins from across Europe were also in high demand, with many far exceeding their estimates.
Leading lots included a Christina gold 4 Ducat, issued in Riga whilst under Swedish rule in 1646, which sold for $64,625; a Polish Livonian Order Gotthard Kettler gold Double Gulden (2-3/8 Ducat) which sold for $64,625; and a Swiss Confederation gold 100 Francs 1925-B from the Bern mint, which realized $27,025.
Notable results from the Ancient coins section included a Syracuse decadrachm of Dionysius I (405-367 BC), signed by Euainetos, which sold for $47,000, and a Tiberius (AD 14-37). AV aureus, Lugdunum, ca. AD 18-35, which sold for $25,850.
"Demand continues to be solid for the best examples across the market," said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. "We’re continuing to see great examples of a wide variety of international coins coming out of top shelf collections. Our clients are responding to that enthusiastically."
It total the auction achieved more than $6.3 million in sales.
