Treasures Abound at Sedwick & Associates
Notes from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Disney dazzle at Sedwick’s latest sale.
Gold and more were found at Sedwick Associates' Treasure, World, U.S. Coins, & Paper Money Auction 37. Taking place from May 7-9, the auction offered a treasure chest's worth of rare coins, ingots, artifacts, and paper money. Many of the coins and exonumia were sourced from shipwrecks, including hoards found in the Caribbean and the coast of Florida.
Although not found in the ruins of a ship, the paper currency sold at the event was quite the treasure. Like the other items for sale, this tender originated from equally fascinating origins, such as the Busto Collection, which was created by well-known Puerto Rican-based paper currency collector José O. Busto. The auction offered Busto notes from Caribbean locales such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic and even the happiest place on Earth, Disney.
Bidders found the pedigree of the Busto Collection as good as gold. A high earner was a 1956 Dominican Republic 20 pesos oro (Pick 79a, PCGS Currency Fine 12) from Banco Central that sold for $5,100. This rare commemorative propaganda note shows a portrait of dictator Rafael Trujillo near text translated in English as "Year of the Benefactor of the Homeland." This note was made to celebrate Trujillo's 25th anniversary of rule over the Dominican Republic.
Although from a very different place and time than the Trujillo note, Busto's Disney commemoratives seem to have brought joy to bidders. Notes depicting some of the franchise's most well-known characters performed well despite the piece with the highest estimate ($1,000- $1,5000 ) not selling, a 1997 Disney $10 note featuring the "Lion King" character Simba.
A 2005 Disney $50 note starring the company's mascot, Mickey Mouse (PMG Choice UNC 64 EPQ), won the auction’s highest bid of Disney paper currency at $600. According to Sedwick, this is the highest denomination issued for Disney dollars and was created as one of two designs to commemorate Disneyland's 50th anniversary. A brightly colored 1990 Disney $10 note featuring Mickey's partner, Minnie Mouse (PCGS Currency Gem New 65 PPQ) earned a lesser amount at $180.
Go to sedwickcoins.com to learn more about the Sedwick Associates' Treasure, World, U.S. Coins, & Paper Money Auction 37 results.
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