Written by Thomas | 20th March 2019
In our Expert’s Choice feature, one of our experts shares their favourite items currently up for auction. This week our coins expert, Eric Toonen, selects several exceptional items from our coins and banknotes auctions.
1. Netherlands - Utrecht - "Scheepjesschelling" or "ship shilling" van 6 stuiver 1786 - Gold
In this week’s Coin Auction (Benelux - Exclusive Selection) is a beautiful Dutch Ship Shilling from 1786. The obverse of the coin shows a Dutch ship with full sails, moving to the right. Around the ship, it reads 'CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT’, which translates to: 'Through concord little things grow (Union is strength)'. The reverse of this coin shows a crowned shield with the Arms of Utrecht, including the year of issue and the coin’s value.
2. Roman Republic - AV Aureus, Julius Caesar. Early 46 BC. Rome mint; A. Hirtius, praetor - Gold
One highlight of this week’s Exclusive Ancient Coin Auction is a gold Imperatorial Aureus of Julius Caesar with A. Hirtius Praetor, who was one of the consuls of the Roman Republic. This coin was struck in Rome, in early 46 BCE. The obverse of the coin shows a veiled female head (possibly Vesta or Pietas) facing right. The words ‘C • CAESAR COS • TER’ are written around the head, which translates to ‘Gaius Caesar Consul Tertium’ meaning ‘Gaius (Julius) Caesar, consul for the third time’. The reverse of this coin bears the emblems of the augurate and pontificate: a lituus, a guttus, and a securis. This interesting Caesarian issue was previously with Classical Numismatic Group, for further reference please see Crawford 466/1; CRI 56; Calicó 37b-c; Sydenham 1018.
3. USA - 10 dollars 1934A - North Africa issue - Fr.2309 - STAR-note
The so-called STAR-banknotes were issued by the USA for military use in Italy and North Africa. These types of banknotes are very rare! In this week’s Banknote Auction you will find a STAR-banknote in extremely fine condition, certified by PMG.
4. Colombia - 16 Pesos - Republica de Colombia, 1838. Popayán. RU - Gold
This astonishing well-preserved 16 Pesos gold coin comes from the Republic of Nueva Granada, the region that we call Colombia today. In the early 19th century, the newly created republic chose to switch to Pesos, instead of using the existing Spanish Escudos. The Republic minted the same pattern on the coins and used similar technology and weight. It’s rare to find this kind of coin so well-preserved. In this week’sIn this week’s Latin American Coin Auction is such a coin in very fine condition, with remains of the original shine.
5. Portuguese Indies - Monarquia - D. João V (1706-1750) - Rupee (600 Reis) 1744 - Goa - NGC - AU53 - Silver
This Rupee (600 Reis) was coined in 1744 during the reign of King João V, at the time when D. Pedro Miguel de Almeida Portugal, Marquis de Castelo Novo was the Governor and Viceroy of Portuguese India. Most coins of this time usually seem worn and mistreated, but this specific coin must have been stored somewhere since it’s still in a very well-preserved state. This Rupee is certified by NGC- AU58 and can be found in this week’s Portuguese Coin Auction.
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