Sale 139 Realises Almost $10 Million - Australian Coin Review
Sunday, 03 August 2025
AUSTRALIAN COIN REVIEW ARTICLE
NOBLE NUMISMATICS SALE 139 SETS
NEW AUSTRALIAN AUCTION RECORD
Noble Numismatics’ Sale 139 has rewritten the
record books, achieving just under $10 million
(including buyer’s premium) – the highest total
ever for a numismatic auction in Australia.
The sale, held 28 July – 1 August in the
Michael Crouch Room atthe State Library
of New South Wales, also broke the record for
the largest number of lots offered, with more
than 4,800 lots sold across five action-packed days.
The landmark sale featured several important
collections and produced a stream of record prices.
Notable results included:
• Lot 4414 – WWI Victoria Cross: $590,288
• Lot 1597 – 1813 NSW Holey Dollar: $195,200
• Lot 1645 – 1855 Sydney Mint Half Sovereign: $97,600
• Lot 1510 – Canada, Treaty Three Medal: $61,000
With gold prices at historic highs, the auction rivalled the
famous Reserve Bank sale. More than 1,500 sovereigns
were sold over several sessions, with investors eagerly securing
“bank rolls” of Queen Victoria sovereigns at strong premiums
above spot.
One of the great highlights was the Rudolph Pekarek Collection of
ancient and world gold and silver coins. Compiled during the 1930s
and offered complete with original sales tickets, the collection’s
exceptional provenance drew enthusiastic bidding. The 78-lot
offering realised nearly $500,000, with several Roman gold pieces
achieving record prices. Among them was Lot 4049, a Julius
Caesar gold aureus (S.1395), which sold for $36,660.
Sale 139 will be remembered as a once-in-a-generation event, with
its combination of rare material, original collections, and buoyant
market conditions creating an auction unlikely to be replicated.