Australian Rarities Realize Six Figures Each

Two Australian rarities topped the NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction held by Heritage Auctions on Jan. 9, 2023.

Topping this sale was an Australia Undated Adelaide Assay Gold Ingot graded NGC MS 63 (lot 32123) that realized $540,000, far outpacing its pre-auction estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. During the Australian Gold Rush, South Australia’s capital, Adelaide, boasted a Government Assay Office. This particular ingot is one of Australia’s most fascinating numismatic pieces, and it once resided in the elite collections of King Farouk and Virgil Brand.

Also finishing strong was an Australia 1853 Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo (lot 32138) that realized $312,000. This coin was struck to celebrate the United Kingdom establishing its first mint outside of Great Britain in Sydney. This coin is believed to be the only example in private hands, with three others residing in museums.

From elsewhere in the world, an extremely rare Great Britain 1933 Penny graded NGC MS 63 BN and pedigreed as the St. Mary’s example (lot 32230) realized $240,000 in the auction. A global economic downturn led the Royal Mint to suspend production of new pennies for circulation in 1933. But the mint did strike at least seven coins because it was a tradition to bury coins under the foundation stone of newly constructed public buildings of prominence. Of those seven examples, two are now in museums, one remains in the ground, and one was stolen, leaving a mere three examples available to the collecting community.