Sale 103 Preview
Monday, 15 July 2013
Welcome to Sale 103, our thirty-first annual auction in Melbourne. The auction covers a wide range of material in twelve sessions totalling 4,091 lots. Highlights include the collection of Ancient Greek coins, Holy Roman Empire, German and other world crowns formed by the late Alan Jordan of Melbourne.
A standout lot in the tenth session is the pair of presentation ten shilling notes of 1913 (lot 3064) being offered with George T. Allen’s letter as a single lot for the first time. An opportunity to acquire these historic notes may not arise again for a long time.
Australian coins, tokens and medals constitute the majority of lots on the first day of the sale. The Admella Medal (featured on the cover) awarded to rescuers of victims from the tragic shipwreck in 1859 off the Victorian coast is certain to attract interest during the 4:30pm session.
The evening session commences with colonial coins and includes an historic NSW holey dollar (lot 1305), three NSW dumps, high grade Adelaide pounds and Sydney Mint gold. Commonwealth issues include a 1921 pattern square penny, 1937 proof crown, 1916M proof florin, 1927 proof Canberra florin and 1934 proof penny. There are also choice examples of most currency issues, including a condition census 1930 penny we last auctioned in 1984.
The second day offers three sessions of British and World coins in gold, silver and copper followed by two sessions of banknotes of New Zealand, World and Australia.
The third day comprises two morning sessions commencing with ancient coins in gold, silver and bronze, followed by documents and share scrip. A gold aureus of Emperor Otho highlights the Roman section.
The final session at 11:30am features military medals, orders, decorations, militaria and concludes with stamps. Highlights of the military session include one of the earliest medals awarded in Australia, the 48th Foot Regimental Medal, as well as several gallantry award groups and prisoner-of-war groups. The stamp section is notable for its inclusion of an old collection of original booklets and rare trials, proofs and error sheets of stamps for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
On behalf of the company I would like to thank all our vendors for their support including Leo Filacouridis, Robert Rossini and the family of the late Pat Boland, all of Sydney, the family of the late Mike Ward of Brisbane and the family of Alan Jordan of Melbourne.
We look forward to being of assistance at the viewing and throughout the auction and wish bidders every success.