Sale 117 Realises Over $3.8 Million

Monday, 30 April 2018

 

Sale 117 Realises Over $3.8 Million


This sale was successful, with a clearance of 86 percent of lots, at 121 percent of estimate overall. Some sections were overwhelmingly successful against estimate, such as the Seiko watches in the twelfth session, selling at nearly double estimate overall, and the military hats and belt plates, which realised two and a half times estimate in the nineteenth and twentieth sessions. The highest price in the sale for a single lot went to the Albert Medal group (lot 5167; estimated at $22,000) which realised double its estimate at $44,000 – $52,470 with buyer’s premium and GST added, as have all the prices realised detailed in the following summary.


The 1920 Sydney sovereign (lot 1267; estimated at $600,000) was referred to a bidder at $453,150 and is subject to negotiation at the time of going to press. The highest priced coin went to the New South Wales holey dollar, 1813, (lot 1165; estimated at $40,000), which realised $50,085. Some of the more notable results are recorded here in sale order. A five cents, 2014, struck on a two dollar blank (lot 58; estimated at $2,000) realised $3,101, as did the next lot, a ten cents, 2014, struck on an aluminium bronze blank. A double struck one dollar, 2014 Anzac commemorative (lot 62; estimated at $1,500) realised $2,504, and a double struck two dollars, 2015, (lot 64; estimated at $1,000) realised $2,027, each to different buyers. The New Zealand Waitangi crown, 1935, (lot 511; estimated at $5,000) realised $6,857. An Internment Camps five shillings (lot 548; estimated at $2,000) realised $2,743. A convict love token (lot 583; estimated at $5,000) realised $7,751 to a bidder on the phone, and the following lot (lot 584; estimated at $2,000) realised $4,174 to an absentee bidder from Tasmania. A choice Centennial International Exhibition Melbourne medal in silver, in its original case, awarded to a Hobart firm (lot 606; estimated at $250) realised a record $978. An Eight Hour Day medal, 1895, (lot 614; estimated at $100) realised $596.


The coin cabinets generally more than doubled estimate, with the best results going to lot 725; estimated at $600 and realising $1,670 for a pair by Turton. Another pair by Turton, ex Lockett Collection (lot 729; estimated at $400) realised $1,789.


In the first evening session, the better of the two Adelaide pounds (lot 1167; estimated at $22,000) realised $32,198, an attractive 1860 Sydney Mint sovereign (lot 1174; estimated at $4,500) realised $7,632. The pattern square penny, 1921, (lot 1303; estimated at $20,000) realised $25,043. In Australian Commonwealth a 1933 shilling (lot 1371; estimated at $6,000) realised $8,109, the finest 1930 penny (lot 1442; estimated at $25,000) realised $29,813, and the finest 1923 halfpenny (lot 1464; estimated at $4,000) sailed past its estimate to finally realise $20,273 to a room bidder, competing against a live online bidder.


In British Coins, a Cromwell halfcrown, 1658, (lot 1506; estimated at $2,000), realised $3,101, a William and Mary crown, 1691 (lot 1552; estimated at $1,500) realised $2,266, a William III crown, 1695, (lot 1563; estimated at $2,000) realised $2,981, and a double obverse William III shilling, ex Archbishop Sharp (1645-1714) Collection (lot 1579; estimated at $3,000) realised $5,366. Top price for a George II crown went to lot 1630, estimated at $2,500 and realising $3,935; and for a halfcrown to lot 1633, estimated at $1,500 and realising $2,385. The better of two Northumberland shillings, 1763 (lot 1652; estimated at $1,500) realised $2,743. Maundy sets were generally selling well over estimate, the “wire money” set, 1792, (lot 1658; estimated at $600) realised $1,431. Top price in George III crowns went to lot 1709, estimated at $800, and realising $1,312.


A George IV crown, 1821, (lot 1737; estimated at $650) realised $1,789. The best of the Gothic crowns, 1847, originally purchased from Spink Australia in 1981 for $2,400 (lot 1799; estimated at $6,000) realised $17,888. An 1840 halfcrown (lot 1802; estimated at $1,500) realised $2,624. A bronzed proof 1839 penny (lot 1935, estimated at $1,500) realised $2,981. An Edward VII 1905 florin (lot 1978; estimated at $900) realised $1,908, and a George V wreath crown, 1934, (lot 2014; estimated at $6,000) realised $5,963.


A Kent, Gravesend, Skidmore’s naval penny token (lot 2054; estimated at $1,500) realised $3,101, and a proof Anglesey penny, 1788, ex Matthew Young Collection, (lot 2065; estimated at $2,500) realised $3,578. In British Historical Medals, a Dutch copy in gold of the 1658 death of Cromwell medal (lot 2089; estimated at $3,000) realised $5,366. Top price went to the gold coronation medal of 1937 (lot 2156; estimated at $4,500) at $6,797.


In British gold coins an Edward VI half sovereign (lot 2161; estimated at $3,000) bought in London in 1997 for £975, realised $5,963, and the Elizabeth I fine sovereign (lot 2162; estimated at $30,000) sold post-auction for $35,775. A proof five pounds, 1893, (lot 2180; estimated at $9,000) realised $26,235 and the two pounds that followed (estimated at $5,000) realised $11,925. The four coins in the set (lots 2180-3, with a total estimate of $16,750) realised $44,480. A choice 1911 full proof set (lot 2186; estimated at $17,500) realised $29,813, while a nearly FDC set from 1937 (lot 2188; estimated at $12,500) realised $16,695.


In world gold, a proof Indonesian 100,000 rupiah, 1974, (lot 2241; estimated at $1,500) realised $5,843. A South Africa proof set, 1923, with original case (lot 2274; estimated at $5,000) realised $8,348.


In numismatic literature a 17th century book published in Strasbourg, 1620 (lot 2320; estimated at $120) realised $525, and Evelyn’s Numismata, London 1697 (lot 2322; estimated at $80) realised $596. Top price went to the 1879 Exhibition Record (lot 2325; estimated at $750), which realised $2,385.


In world silver and bronze coins, a Santiago, Chile, peso 1817 (lot 2417; estimated at $900) realised $1,610. The most amazing result went to a China, Chihli Province ten, twenty, and fifty cents, 1898, (lot 2429; estimated at $500), which realised $42,930 between two room bidders. A China fantasy dollar (Kann B58, Bruce M540) (lot 2448; estimated at $300) realised $3,101. A Russia, Peter III silver rouble, 1762 (lot 2825; estimated at $4,000), realised $4,532. In the Straits Settlements Collection the best result went to the 1876H five cents (lot 2876; estimated at $1,250), at $2,266. The top price in the collection went to the 1889 fifty cents, (lot 2887; estimated at $2,500) at $3,816. In USA issues, the top price went to the 1799 dollar (lot 3022; estimated at $7,500) at $6,559.


In world banknotes, a sensational result went to the Fiji essay selection (lot 3840; originally sold in a Spink London sale of October, 2003; estimated at $2,500) which realised $23,850 after a bidding duel between a live online bidder and a floor bidder with the latter prevailing. A Fiji twenty pounds George VI note (lot 3844; estimated at $4,000) realised $8,944. A Fiji five pounds, 1959, (lot 3873; estimated at $800) realised $3,101. Lithuanian notes from the Ray Kaleda Collection again sold strongly to internet bidders for each lot, at triple estimate or more: lot 3943 (estimated at $500), and lot 3944 (estimated at $250), realised $3,458 and $2,862 respectively. A Sarawak ten cents in high grade (lot 3974; estimated at $500) realised $1,312, while a Straits Settlements one dollar, 1906, (lot 3991; estimated at $500) realised $2,266.


The USA five hundred dollars gold certificate, 1928, (lot 4012; estimated at $15,000) was bought by an American collector for $19,080. The night session commenced with New Zealand notes, with a Bank of New South Wales ten shillings, 1924 (lot 4043; estimated at $2,500) realising $3,816. A rare prefix five dollar star note (lot 4054; estimated at $8,000), realised $8,348. In Australian notes, a one pound superscribed issue, 1910, on a National Bank form (lot 4119; estimated at $2,000) realised $4,770. A ten pounds of 1927 (lot 4195; estimated at $1,500) realised $3,935 and one of 1940 (lot 4199; estimated at $750) realised $2,624. A run of ten consecutive ten pounds, 1960, (lot 4212; estimated at $6,000) realised $6,201. In special numbers the one million solid number consecutive pair (lot 4225; estimated at $4,000) realised $11,925. A Coombs/Randall one dollar star note (lot 4242; estimated at $3,500) realised $5,963, and a consecutive pair of twenty dollar star notes (lot 4250; estimated at $20,000) realised $19,080.


Earlier in the day on Thursday the Seiko watches sold out at nearly double estimate, however the highest priced watch went to an Omega Flightmaster chronograph wristwatch (lot 3396; estimated at $1,500), which realised $3,578. In documents a Tasmania Police Manual 1858 (lot 3440; estimated at $100) realised $1,610, and a Qantas Empire Airways postcard signed by the Beatles (lot 3469; estimated at $1,500) opened online and closed with a bid of $4,000 to realise $4,770.


The following stamp session realised prices mostly in line with their estimates, with the highest price going to the MUH two pound kangaroo (lot 3548; estimated at $4,000), at $5,963. A Great Britain five pounds, 1882, (lot 3665; estimated at $1,500) realised $3,339.


The final day opened with ancient gold coins. A Lysimachos stater (lot 4384; estimated at $2,000) realised $5,486, and a Hadrian aureus (lot 4398; estimated at $6,000), realised $5,843. In Greek silver, a tetradrachm of Akragas (lot 4445; estimated at $4,000), realised $7,394, and a drachm of Himera, in Sicily, (lot 4448; estimated at $5,000) realised $5,963. Top price went to the Kamarina tetradrachm (lot 4450; estimated at $12,000) at $14,310. A choice new style tetradrachm of Athens (lot 4524; estimated at $900) realised $2,266. An attractive sestertius of Nero (lot 4670; estimated at $1,500) realised $4,770. A Pescennius Niger denarius (lot 4774; estimated at $700) realised $1,908, and one of Julia Domna with portraits of Caracalla and Geta on the reverse (lot 4789; estimated at $800) realised $1,550.


The last three sessions of the sale were devoted to military medals and militaria. A Trafalgar clasp NGS medal (lot 4998; estimated at $1,500) realised $5,366, and an Arctic medal, 1857, (lot 5023; estimated at $1,000) realised $2,385. A Eureka Stockade New Zealand Medal (lot 5095; estimated at $9,500) realised $15,503. A Sudan pair (lot 5159; estimated at $3,000) realised $6,917, and the Albert medal group sold for double estimate, followed by the family group to the AFC in World War I and POW in World War II in Singapore (lot 5168; estimated at $30,000), at $38,160. The World War II DFC, DFM group of a pathfinder (lot 5200; estimated at $15,000) realised well over estimate at $26,235, and a pair for Bomb and Mine Clearance, 1945-56, (lot 5234; estimated at $3,000) realised $9,540. A NSW Police helmet plate, 1911, (lot 5294; estimated at $150), sold for $2,385, and the Police Valour award pair (lot 5301; estimated at $3,000) realised $6,261. A Queensland first issue helmet plate (lot 5302; estimated at $750), realised $3,220. Dr Hinchcliffe’s Victorian medical grouping (lot 5444; estimated at $1,600) realised $7,155. A Queensland Engineers 1880s helmet plate and pouch badge (lot 5455; estimated at $400) finally realised a record $8,348, and a Western Australia Perth Volunteer Artillery, c 1880s, helmet plate (lot 5484; estimated at $750), realised $4,770.


In the final session a New South Wales Volunteer Infantry shako, c1870, (lot 5570; estimated at $500), realised $4,770, while a Victorian Volunteer Rifles pith helmet, c1870s, (lot 5574; estimated at $500) realised $3,578. An 1870s South Australian militia helmet (lot 5582, estimated at $1,000), realised $4,055. A New South Wales Irish Rifles belt buckle, 1899-1903, (lot 5639; estimated at $120) realised $1,550 as did a Queensland belt buckle (lot 5653; estimated at $200). A 73rd Foot shoulder belt plate (lot 5706; estimated at $750) realised $8,348, and a Royal Marines shoulder belt plate, 1802-15 (lot 5711; estimated at $100) realised $5,009. A Victorian Military Forces uniform, 1893-1901, (lot 5718; estimated at $1,000), realised $5,724.


The sale concluded on a strong note with enthusiastic bidding and demand for the items, resulting in sessions realising 200 to 250 percent of estimates. The next sale takes place from the 31st of July to the 3rd of August, with consignments closing on the 1st of June. Already included is the Caldwell Collection of Australian Banknotes (catalogue 118B) part V of a world collection featuring Africa and the Middle East; the third part of the Dr V.J.N. Flynn collection, (mostly Roman coins) and a selection of NZ Trading Bank banknotes.


Jim Noble

April 2018

 

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