$1.5 million Album sale

Almost $1.5 million was realized by Stephen Album Rare Coins Auction 28 held May 18-20 at the firm’s offices in Santa Rosa, Calif.

The total of prices realized was $1.495 million (including buyer’s fees) on an estimate of $1.12 million. The sell-through rate was at 85.6 percent, with particularly strong results with coins from China and India.

Bringing $22,000 on an estimate of $12,000-$14,000 was lot 854, Hsien Feng, 1851-1861, silver liang (tael), Shanghai, year 6 (1856), Kann-903, L&M-590, issued by the firm of Ching Cheng Chee and engraved by Feng Nien, legend translates as: “cake (of) standard silver (from the) business firm (of) Ching Cheng Chee (in the) Shanghai district (in the) 6th year (of Emperor) Hsien Feng (1856)” // “made (by) Feng Nien, silversmith (and) supervised (by) Chow Yuen Yu”. Exact weight one Tsaoping Tael, some surface scratches, NGC graded AU Details, ex Hans Mondorf Collection.

Lot 2555 also brought $22,000 on a estimate of $14,000-$18,000. The piece is from Mysore: Tipu Sultan, 1782-1799, gold 4 pagodas (13.71g), Patan, AM1217 year 7, KM-B129, superb quality for this rare and popular type, NGC graded MS-64, RR, ex Ajit Singh Collection.

Truly surpassing its estimate was Lot 2206, Mughal: Akbar I, 1556-1605, gold mohur (10.90g), Lahore, IE48, KM-114.6, month of Farwardin, lovely bold strike, NGC graded MS-61, ex Ajit Singh Collection. It sold for $14,000 on an estimate of $3,000-$4,000.

The company’s COO Mike Barry commented that he was pleased with the results. “We were pleasantly surprised with the results on the Chinese charms and on the Indian coins. It appears that the market in these areas may be on the rise once again.”

Auction 29 will be held on Sept. 14-16.

Please visit www.stevealbum.com for more details.