Heritage’s Nov. 3-4 World Coins Auction Tops $3.93 Million, Sees More Than 2,100 Bidders

A Republic gold 100 Francs 1894-A MS64 Prooflike NGC and a João V gold 400 Reis 1730-R MS62 NGC each sold for $84,000 to lead Heritage’s World Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction to $3,903,124 November 3-4.

The 100 Francs, from the KJR Collection, is from an original mintage of just 143 pieces, only five of which – including this example – have earned the Prooflike designation from the grading services.

"We knew this was a trophy-level coin that would draw major interest," says Cris Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage Auctions, "and the flurry of competitive bidding validated that belief. It is an exceptional coin that will immediately bolster its new collection."

Other highlights from the KJR Collection included a Republic gold 100 Francs 1894-A MS63 NGC, Paris mint, KM832, Fr-590, Gad-1137 that brought a winning bid of $50,400 and a Republic gold 100 Francs 1887-A MS63 PCGS, Paris mint, KM832, Gad-1137, F-552 that sold for $39,600.

The João V gold 400 Reis is a once-in-a-lifetime numismatic marvel, designated by NGC and PCGS as the highest-graded and only certified Mint State piece known. The type is so elusive that it has not been offered by Heritage Auctions since January of 2015, when it sold for over $14,100.

Among the top Peruvian lots in the auction was one of just eight examples of a Republic gold 100 Soles 1958 MS65 NGC, Lima mint, KM231, Fr-78. Mintage: 101 certified by NGC, which drew 19 bids before it sold for $63,000. The 1958 is a must-have prize for collectors, at least when compared to other dates that have more than 100 registered examples. This example, which comes from the VMF Collection, shares the top spot in the census. This date has been offered at Heritage just once in the last eight years.

An Anne gold Guinea 1714 MS65 NGC, KM534, S-3574, Farey-570 tripled its high pre-auction estimate when it closed at $60,000. This beauty from the Jessica & Amanda Collection is from the final year of Anne’s historic reign, from which examples in any Mint State preservation are as coveted as they are rare. This is the finest-graded example of the issue.

An incredibly rare Silver 2 Para of Moldavia & Wallachia, which is among the most difficult of Catherine II’s coinages to locate, with just seven auction appearances in the last couple of decades, almost doubled its high pre-auction estimate when it reached $55,200. This is one of just two certified examples. Only a handful of off-metal Patterns were made in silver, likely for souvenir or presentation purposes at Peter Gartenberg’s estate "mint" in Sadagura.

Another stellar Russian coin nearly doubled its high pre-auction estimate when a Nicholas I gold 5 Roubles 1827 CПБ-ПД AU58 NGC, St. Petersburg mint, KM-C174, Fr-154, Bit-2 (R3) ended at $38,400. Among the most elusive 5 Roubles from Nicholas I’s reign, this example carries the second-highest grade among just three examples ever submitted to either grading service.

Tops among the ancient coins in the auction was a Lydian Croesus (561-546 BC). AV stater (16mm, 8.07 gm). NGC Choice AU 5/5 – 5/5 that drew $32,400. In numismatic circles, Croesus is most famous for introducing the world’s first bimetallic standard, issuing coins of both gold and silver; coins previously were produced in electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver.

Other top lots in the auction included, but were not limited to:

• A Republic gold 100 Soles 1952 MS66 Prooflike NGC, Lima mint, KM231, Fr-78: $37,200
• A Republic gold 100 Francs 1896-A MS64 NGC, Paris mint, KM832, Fr-590, Gad-1137: $33,600
• A Ferdinand VI 8 Reales 1747 Mo-MF MS64+ NGC, Mexico City mint, KM104.1, Cal-469: $32,400
• A Philip V gold 8 Escudos 1721/19 (Aqueduct)-F AU55 NGC, Segovia mint, KM326, Cal-2262: $31,200

Complete results can be found at HA.com/3110.

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