Ira and Larry Goldberg will auction the Millennia collection, a gathering of more than 1,000 high-quality world and ancient coins, May 26.
The Millennia collection sale is divided into three sections: the New World, which will also feature Asian, African and Australian coins; Ancient Greek and Roman coinage, as well as Anglo-Saxon pieces; and selections from European nations, with coins dating from late medieval times to the early 19th century.
This selection of European coins would be virtually impossible to duplicate for either its broadness of scope or its great attention to quality, sale catalogers said.
The collection has been graded and encapsulated by Numismatic Guaranty Corp.
The European coin portion of the sale begins with Austria, which at the time was the Holy Roman Empire. Coins of the emperors are represented as well as pieces from the Austrian princely states. The section runs from the 1486 thaler through the Railway commemorative of Franz Joseph.
Coins of Denmark, although not especially numerous, include rarities. The coins of France run from the Carolingian period up to the mid 19th century. Note in particular the Anglo-Gallic Leopard d?Or of Edward III, and the 1642 60 sols of Louis XIII, the catalogs say.
Germany has coins of more than 40 different Germanic issuing duchies, counties and free cities. A 1749 Fredrich d? Or of Prussia and an 1807 Cassa thaler of Berg are two of the highlights, with other larger multiple ducats in gold. Collectors of Brunswick and Regensburg will find a number of examples to consider.
Italian city states are prominently represented. The 1793 Oncia of Sicily and the 1481 doppia ducato of Milan are two pieces highlighted by catalogers. Coins of Tuscany include a 1772 Francescone 10 paoli.
The Low Countries lead off with pieces from late medieval times and offerings from Flanders and Bruges, continuing through the period of Spanish rule, and including many coins from the later United Netherlands. Two seldom-seen coins are an ecu of Namur of 1714 and a rijksdaalder of 1809. Numerous multiple ducats and multiple ducatones are included as well.
The Millennia collection boasts Russian rarities such as the 1705 novodel gold ruble of Peter the Great, the 1741 ruble of Ivan III and the 1757 Dassier ruble of Elizabeth.
Spain contains a Ferdinand and Isabel 1469-1504 four excelentes, a choice 1635 cinquentin of Philip IV and a very rare 1810 320 reales of Joseph Napoleon.
The Swiss section has a 1494 guldiner of Bern, one of the finest examples known, catalogers said. Two choice Zurich guldiners of 1512 are contained within this grouping, one catalogers called possibly the finest known.
The large English section of the Millennia collection features hammered and milled gold, major silver crowns and a selection of proofs. Many rulers are represented, from the kings of Northumbria in the eighth century to Queen Elizabeth II today.
Collectors of British hammered gold will find Plantagenet rulers well represented, as well as those from the House of Lancaster, especially in the gold issues. The Tudors include a Mary Tudor gold sovereign of 1553 graded NGC MS-62 that?s described as being among the finest-known of these coins. A rare, reddish-gold toned 1644 Charles I triple unite, NGC MS-61, should also be of interest.
Beginning with Charles II, guineas and multiple guineas increase in number.
A highlight of the English selection is a Queen Anne 1703 ?VIGO? 5 guineas. Catalogers said this NGC MS-61 prooflike example has a sharp, full strike and deep, prooflike luster. They said it is possibly the finest of 15-20 examples known.
Hanoverian coins follow, pattern guineas of George III notable among them. A George IV 1826 ?5, NGC Proof-66 Cameo, is among later offerings. The ever-popular Una and Lion ?5 is well-represented among Queen Victoria pieces, with a pedigree example in NGC Proof-64 Ultra Cameo.
The New World portion of the Millennia collection includes a Chile Coquimbo Volcano peso of 1828. Two Greenland Pillar dollars are presented, a specimen strike dated 1771 and an example of the 1777 date.
This section also features the 1535-1536 Mexico 8 reales ?Discovery Dollar,? which catalogers called the first dollar struck in the New World (one of three known, they said), as well as a 1568-1571 8 reales of Peru, which catalogers called the first silver dollar of South America. Gold 8 escudos from nearly every Latin American country are offered.
The ancient coin section holds many remarkably well-preserved pieces.
Goldbergs? auction will take place during the same period as the firm?s Pre-Long Beach Sale 46, which is slated for May 24-28.
Many of the Millennia collection coins were featured as illustrations in the 2007 book Money of the World: Coins That Made History.
The auction will take place in Beverly Hills, Calif., and online via eBay Live.
The three sale catalogs for this colletion are available for purchase. Lots may be viewed free online at www.goldbergcoins.com.
For more information, contact Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc., 350 S. Beverly Drive, Suite 350, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; telephone (800) 978.2646; e-mail info@goldbergcoins.com.
