Sale 121 Preface

This auction offers a wide variety of coins, medals, banknotes, miscellaneous items and stamps in 5,153 lots over four days in eighteen sessions. Several significant collections have been included: the John Wilson Collection of Australian Commonwealth notes 1913-1961 in eighty lots (estimates at $1.25 million), the S. J. (Steve) Green Collection of British coins 1485-2010, the Ian Laing Collection of world banknotes, the Dr Christopher Haymes Collection of Roman coins, the collection of Australian gold coins 1852-1931 formed by a Tasmanian collector, the first part of the W. (Bill) Woolmore Collection of Anglo Boer War medals awarded to Australians, and Kangaroo stamps formed by a retired businessman.

Highlights are an extremely rare pattern 1937 penny (lot 1317; est. $50,000), a cracked die Adelaide pound, 1852 (lot 1171; est. $40,000), very rare sovereigns of 1922 Melbourne, 1922 and 1923 Sydney and an extremely fine (but holed) 1855 half sovereign. A Colonial NSW medal in silver by J. C. Thornthwaite in 1851 (lot 1643; est. $70,000) for the mounted police for “Faithful and Distinguished Services” usually in leading to the capture of bushrangers is the highlight of the historical medals in session six where some rare life saving awards are included. In the British coins, some previously unseen Anglo Saxon and Norman pennies appear from the Shelley Collection. Samuel Shelley, related to P.B. Shelley the poet, arrived from England in 1864. His son Anthony showed them to the Brisbane Museum in 1930s.

The following morning sees the sale of the zodiacal mohur of the archer Sagittarius (lot 3146, est. $150,000). This provenanced rarity is being offered at auction for the first time and should attract international interest and attention.

Following this in Session 12 is an outstanding selection of military groups and singles including several honours and bravery awards. In particular, is a DSO group to Captain Surgeon A.T. Duka for his heroism at the Siege of Elands River in the Anglo Boer War (lot 3263; est. $25,000). Another outstanding item is a DSC group to Sub-Lt Tom Supple, a navy helicopter pilot with the RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam who was twice shot down (lot 3319; est. $35,000).

On the Thursday evening at 7.30 the Wilson Collection highlight is the unique Collins/Allen (1914) one hundred pounds (lot 4074; est. $350,000), the rarest and most valuable of all our currency notes.

The following morning is devoted to ancient coins, with most Roman coins coming from the collections of the late Dr V.J.A. Flynn and the late Dr C. Haymes. Many historical types are represented. A gold aureus and silver denarius of Nero are combined into one lot because of their superior condition (lot 4324, est. $15,000).

The final session is devoted to stamps with several mint and unhinged two pound roos topping the list. A specialist from the Malay study group, Malcolm Burrells, has included his collection, and there is a range of British Commonwealth stamps from the Dr C. Haymes Collection. 

On behalf of the company I would like to thank all the vendors for entrusting us with their treasures and I wish you all success in whatever you pursue in the sale. 

Please note the buyer’s premium, previously 17.5 percent, has been increased to 20 percent of the hammer price.