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Historic German gold tops Stack's sale

When the dust settled at Stack’s Bowers’ NYINC world coin sale, ten of the top twelve items came from Germany or Britain. Six of those ten consisted of historic German gold.

 Extremely rare gold Nürnberg 8 ducat of 1721-PGN (KM-287; Fr-1904) that sold for $78,000 at Stack’s Bowers’ NYINC sale in January. The date is displayed in the reverse legend as a chronogram readers are invited to solve. (Images courtesy Stack’s Bowers)

Extremely rare gold Nürnberg 8 ducat of 1721-PGN (KM-287; Fr-1904) that sold for $78,000 at Stack’s Bowers’ NYINC sale in January. The date is displayed in the reverse legend as a chronogram readers are invited to solve. (Images courtesy Stack’s Bowers)

Top-selling lot by a very long chalk was a magnificent, extremely rare, 27.84 g gold Nürnberg (Nuremberg) 8 ducat of 1721-PGN once owned by Nürnberg specialist Herbert J. Erlanger (KM-287; Fr-1904).

The coin was struck with the same dies used for the silver Taler issue (Dav-2476). Charles VI dominates the obverse. On the reverse, a single-headed eagle wearing the crown of Charlemagne and carrying orb and scepter soars over a city, presumably Nürnberg. For readers wanting a challenge, the date is a chronogram woven into the reverse legend.

Graded NGC AU55, it had no problems making $78,000 on a $50,000-$70,000 estimate.

It would seem the market has yet to satisfy its demand for Great British proof sets. Prices in 2019 have continued where they left off in December. A certified 1887 set complete with Maundy coinage struck to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee (S-PS5 & -3916; KM-PS9) made an easy $52,800. A similar set but lacking Maundy coins took $34,800.

Victoria’s grandson, George V, picked up $20,400 for a four-piece 1911 gold proof set struck for his coronation, while Victoria’s great-grandson, George VI, managed $11,400 for his four-piece coronation set of 1937 (S-PS15; KM-PS22).

Meanwhile, back in Germany, a Mint State 3 ducat of Regensburg dated 1664-HF was commanding bidders’ attention (KM-173; Fr-2479). A beautifully preserved coin in PCGS MS63 Gold Shield condition, it took a most comfortable $36,000.

 Only known Helfenstein-Gundelfingen goldgulden of 1611 (KM-1; Fr-1189a). In NGC EF, it found a new home for $33,600. (Images courtesy Stack’s Bowers)

Only known Helfenstein-Gundelfingen goldgulden of 1611 (KM-1; Fr-1189a). In NGC EF, it found a new home for $33,600. (Images courtesy Stack’s Bowers)

A slightly lower price of $33,600 went to the only example known in private hands of a Helfenstein-Gundelfingen goldgulden of 1611 struck for Count Froben von Mosskirsch (KM-1; Fr-1189a). The piece is one of only two gold coins struck by Helfenstein. For any such a rarity grade becomes somewhat irrelevant, but it managed a respectable NGC EF albeit with evidence of rim filing.

 Desirable 1656 20 shillings broad of Oliver Cromwell (KM-Pn25; S-3225), which realized $28,800 graded PCGS AU-55 Gold Shield. (Image courtesy Stack’s Bowers)

Desirable 1656 20 shillings broad of Oliver Cromwell (KM-Pn25; S-3225), which realized $28,800 graded PCGS AU-55 Gold Shield. (Image courtesy Stack’s Bowers)

Britain made a comeback courtesy of the Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell. An example of his 20 shillings broad of 1656 (KM-Pn25; S-3225) graded PCGS AU55 Gold Shield sold over upper estimate for $28,800.

Brazil put up its hand on behalf of the rest of the world with an “amazing near gem” 20,000 reis dated 1727-M and struck at Minas Gerais for Joao V. It had no problems in obtaining a NGC MS64 grade and waltzed past upper estimate to realize $26,400.

 Top-priced silver: Prussian taler of Friedrich the Great struck in 1751 (ND) on behalf of the Royal Prussian Asiatic Society. In NGC MS-64, it made $13,200. (Image courtesy Stack’s Bowers)

Top-priced silver: Prussian taler of Friedrich the Great struck in 1751 (ND) on behalf of the Royal Prussian Asiatic Society. In NGC MS-64, it made $13,200. (Image courtesy Stack’s Bowers)

For those not into gold, the highest-priced silver lot was a stunner: a rare and coveted Prussian taler struck for Friedrich II the Great in 1751 (ND) by the Cleve Mint (Dav-2591). It was produced on behalf of the Royal Prussian Asiatic Society. In NGC MS64, it made $13,200 on its estimate of $6,000-9,000.

The total realized over all sessions was $4,058,171, including buyer’s premium. Full catalog details and prices realized are available online at: www.stacksbowers.com.

This article was originally printed in World Coin News. >> Subscribe today.


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