Sale 105 Preview
Sunday, 02 March 2014
Welcome to Sale 105, our first of 2014. The auction will take place over three days with two evening sessions offering a wide range of material in fourteen sessions totalling 4,357 lots.
The single outstanding lot is the Bank of New South Wales ten shillings note (lot 2799) issued on 8th April 1817, the day of opening of Australia’s first bank formed under the governorship of Lachlan Macquarie. As such, it is renowned as Australia’s first banknote and is the only known example of the type. Following its discovery in Scotland nine years ago the note was subsequently sold at Sale 80 (Nov 2005, lot 2800) for a record $283,095. A new record price may be expected for the most historically important banknote of Australia.
Another significant rarity to be offered is one of the finest known examples of the German New Guinea gold twenty mark. Further outstanding highlights include two superb Gothic crowns, choice Australian historical medals, with many from the Dr John M Chapman Collection (Sale 88B, Jul 2008) and a choice range of tradesmen’s tokens.
Australian coins feature a NSW holey dollar and several dumps or fifteen pence, two choice Melbourne Mint proof sovereigns, 1893 and 1900 and a 1916M specimen set. Commonwealth banknotes are highlighted by Sir Roland Wilson’s presentation specimen set of 1966-7.
The first day is devoted to Australian, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea coins, tokens and medals. Tokens include the very rare Australian Steam Navigation Company, Bell and Gardner and New Zealand pattern penny issues as well as a large range of silver threepences. Historical medals include an outstanding Resolution & Adventure medal for Cook’s second voyage and a Sydney Mint medal in gold. Australian gold includes the finest of the very rare 1855 half sovereigns from the Reserve Bank of Australia sale.
The second day commences with British coins and tokens followed by historical medals, stamps, documents and New Zealand, World and Australian banknotes which include an important offering of private bank issues.
The third day includes gold, silver and bronze coins, tokens and medals. The section devoted to military medals feature a selection of rare and interesting British and Australian groups. Ancient coins follow, highlighted by over 100 lots of gold also Indian and Islamic coins.
On behalf of the company I extend our gratitude to all vendors who have contributed to this sale. Prospective bidders are encouraged to study the Auction Notes and Order of Sale pages that follow.
We look forward to being of assistance at the viewing and throughout the auction and wish you every success.