Sale 116 Preface

Welcome to Sale 116 with a large offering of 5,570 lots in twenty sessions estimated at over $3 million.  Such a wide range of material is due to several large consignments led by coins from the late Dr. V.J.A. Flynn Collection. Two catalogues were necessary with catalogue 116B being devoted to Orders, Decorations and Medals and Militaria. Leading the militaria is the collection of German picklehauben. Catalogue 116A, the one you are now holding, covers the first eighteen sessions offering Australian coins, tokens, medals and stamps on the first day, British, miscellaneous and paper money on the second, world coins on the third and ancients on the first three sessions of the fourth day.

The highest estimated lot belongs to the excessively rare five shillings banknote (lot 2686), a note that would not normally have survived except that it is one of four handed down by C.J. Cerutty, Director of the Note Issue Department. Another rarity is the specimen ten pounds of Kell/Collins (1925) (lot 2687; estimate $40,000). In world banknotes, the Fiji ten and twenty pounds notes (lots 2306, 2307 and 2313) of George VI and Elizabeth II are offered for the first time in an auction here.

In British coins, the Elizabeth I fine gold sovereign (lot 1966) is estimated at $35,000 and the front cover coin, the George IV silver crown 1826 (lot 1740) estimate $7,500.

Historical items include a convict token for Frederick Morgan 1825 whose descendents developed the wealthy Mount Morgan Mine in Queensland (lot 654; estimate $8,000), a General Penitentiary identity pass for use in a prison alternative to transportation to the colony of Van Diemen’s Land (lot 656; estimate $3,000) and a gold presentation medal dated 1876 to Sub Inspector Thomas Kerrigan who arrested bushranger Captain Thunderbolt’s wife in 1866 (lot 666; estimate $750).

In Historical medals, the River Murray Navigation 1853 by L.C.Wyon is the highlight, carrying a reasonable estimate of $10,000 considering its rarity. It is believed to have been owned by Ray Jewel at one time and is one of only two known in private Australian collections.

On behalf of the company, I wish to thank the staff and the vendors who have helped create an exciting auction and to wish you every success in bidding. Viewing of the lots at our Sydney office is highly recommended and we are only too willing to offer assistance.