Victorian issues barely beat Otto’s

Queen Victoria ruled at Dix Noonan Webb’s Dec. 12-13 sale. One of her 1893 proof sets made top price of $41,681 [£33,600]. However, she was closely pursued by Otto I of Greece.

Demand continues for Victorian proofs sets with many dates fetching increasingly high prices. This 1893 example was bid up to $41,681 at DNW’s sale. (Image courtesy Dix Noonan Webb.)

Exceptional, near mint example of a Greek Otto I 5 drachmai of 1844, KM-20, that realized $38,704 at DNW’s December sale. (Image courtesy Dix Noonan Webb)

Readers who have not caught up with this historic figure may not realize he was a Bavarian prince who ruled as first monarch of modern Greece under the Convention of London. His reign lasted from 1832 until he was deposed in 1862.

Several items associated with his reign were offered at the sale. The top-selling lot was a 5 drachmai from 1844, KM-20. It was an exceptional example in virtual mint state and had no trouble being bid up to $38,704 [£31,200] on a £8,000-£10,000 estimate.

A gold medal marking his death c. 1871 took $23,817 [£19,200], while a half drachma of 1842, KM-19, realized $11,164 [£9,000] in aEF.

Coins of Ireland were prominent in the sale. Among them two extremely rare bronze pattern coins by Publio Morbiducci yielded healthy returns. A pattern shilling made $7,442 [£6,000] and a pattern threepence $6,549 [£5,280]. An extraordinarily rare pattern 20p of 1985 failed to sell.

Other serious prices were achieved by a U.S. gold $5 of 1795 graded gVF which went out the door for $19,350 [£15,600], a George V proof set of 1911 took $17,862 [£14,400], an Anglo-Saxon gold thrysma of York, possibly struck by the first Archbishop of York, made $14,141 [£11,400], a George IV proof crown of 1826 fetched $13,396 [£10,800], and a George VI gold proof set of 1937 raced to $12,652 [£10,200].

Rare Greek Otto I half drachma of 1842, KM-19, that went for $11,164. (Image courtesy Dix Noonan Webb)

Full catalog details and prices realized are available at the DNW website: www.dnw.co.uk. The prices cited include commission and have been converted at a rate of 1GBP = 1.24USD.

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

More Collecting Resources

• The 1800s were a time of change for many, including in coin production. See how coin designs grew during the time period in the Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900 .

• Purchase your copy of The Essential Guide to Investing in Precious Metals today to get started on making all the right investing decisions.

World Coin News StaffAuthor