Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 102

NY International Coin Auction January 9-11, 2018

Australia

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1002		Adelaide, gold Pound token, 1852. Struck in 22 carat gold alloyed with copper, type II, crown over date, crenellated beaded circle surrounding both sides, legend surrounding, toothed border around rim both sides, GOVERNMENT ASSAY OFFICE around upper half, ADELAIDE below, rev. VALUE ONE POUND in three lines at center, the upper and lower words curving around the central word, upper legend WEIGHT. 5 DWT: 15 GRS: lower legend 22 CARATS, weight 8.44g (Bentley 628 this coin; QM 23 R3; Fr 3; KM 2). Some light striations around rim with light surface marks, a little weak on high points, in NGC holder graded MS 62, Pop 4; 5 pieces graded higher at NGC with the finest example graded MS-65. Estimated Value $27,000 Ex Bentley Collection, part II, Baldwin Auction 76, 27th September 2012, lot 628. NGC certification 2718443-001. With the discovery of gold at Ballarat near Bathurst in New South Wales during 1851 a veritable gold rush occurred, and Southern Australian towns were suddenly depleted in population as the migration occurred to the prospective gold fields. Successful finds of gold caused a sudden influx of gold into Adelaide, the nearest major town to the gold fields and the Lieutenant-Governer of South Australia Sir Henry Young, knew that a Mint could not be set up without Royal approval which would take at least six months with the distance and set up time involved. Sir Henry took advice from George Tinline the acting Manager of the South Australian Banking Company and Robert Torrens the Colonial Treasurer about the understanding of a clause in the Bill affecting currency which revealed a possible loop-hole to the need for Royal approval stating "unless urgent necessity exists". It was upon these words that Sir Henry Young decided to pass through the South Australian Legislative Council, Bullion Act Number 1 to produce gold ingots and later the gold token coins like we have offered here. Within hours the Government Assay Office had been set up so refining of ingots could commence. Following criticism of the ingots produced an amendment was made to the Act in November of 1852 to authorize production of coins still without any Royal approval. The first die produced for the Pound coin failed after some 30 coins had been produced rendering the type I pieces of the greatest rarity. The type II piece like we offer here, were more successful to the great relief of the economy in Adelaide and minting finished in February 1853 when some 25,000 had been struck. However, only a minuscule percentage survives today as so many were melted down due to the value of the gold at that time exceeding the face value upon the coins, meaning the vast proportion were melted down. Royal disapproval of the "token" coinage arrived in November of 1853 when a large influx of newly minted British gold Sovereigns of 1853 also arrived to alleviate the economy and so the coinage was displaced to the scant survivors we have today. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $27,140
Lot 1003		Victoria (1837-1901), gold Half-Sovereign, Sydney Branch Mint, 1857. Second young head left with wreath of banksia in hair, date below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F: D: rev. AUSTRALIA across center, crown above within tied laurel wreath, SYDNEY MINT above, HALF SOVEREIGN below (Marsh 382; Fr 10a; KM 3). Some light hairline marks, toned, very rare this well preserved, in NGC holder graded MS 63, Pop 1; the only Mint State example graded at NGC. Tied with another MS-63 coin at PCGS as the finest graded examples. Estimated Value $17,500 Ex St James Auction 21, 19th April 2012, lot 550. NGC certification 2718443-003. We note that this MS63 coin is by far the highest currently graded by NGC, however we note PCGS have one at MS64 listed. Calendar year mintage=537,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1004		Victoria (1837-1901), gold Half-Sovereign, Sydney Branch Mint, 1858. Second young head left with wreath of banksia in hair, date below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F: D: rev. AUSTRALIA across center, crown above within tied laurel wreath, SYDNEY MINT above, HALF SOVEREIGN below (Marsh 383; Fr 10a; KM 3). Some light hairline marks, nick on cheek, toned, some die clash evident on reverse, and very rare this well preserved, in NGC holder graded MS 62+, Pop 1; the only Mint State example graded at NGC. Estimated Value $15,000 Ex St James Auction 21, 19th April 2012, lot 551. NGC certification 2718443-004. Calendar year mintage=483,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $14,750
Lot 1005		Victoria (1837-1901), gold Sovereign, Sydney Branch Mint, 1858. Second young head left with wreath of banksia in hair, date below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F: D: rev. AUSTRALIA across center, crown above within tied laurel wreath, SYDNEY MINT above, ONE SOVEREIGN below, weight 7.97g (Bentley 633 this coin; Marsh 363 R; Fr 10; KM 4). Some light bagmarks and one light abrasion on rim, toned, pleasing and extremely rare, in NGC holder graded MS 61, Pop 2; only 1 graded higher in MS-62 at NGC. The finest graded pieces at PCGS are also MS-61 examples. Estimated Value $10,000 Ex Noble Numismatics, 25th Anniversary sale 66, 28th March 2001, lot 1219. Ex Bentley Collection, part II, Baldwin Auction 76, 27th September 2012, lot 633. NGC certification 2718451-003. We note from the census reports of PCGS and NGC that only one 1858 Sovereign is graded higher and this piece is joint with two others at this level of grade. Calendar year mintage=1,101,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1006		Victoria (1837-1901), gold Sovereign, Sydney Branch Mint, 1870. Struck in gold alloyed with 8.33% copper, second young head left with wreath of banksia in hair, date below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F: D: rev. AUSTRALIA across center, crown above within tied laurel wreath, SYDNEY MINT above, ONE SOVEREIGN below, weight 8.00g (Bentley 653 this coin; Marsh 375; Fr 10; KM 4;). One tiny nick on obverse, with attractive red hue of tone, in NGC holder graded AU 58 which seems a little harsh for the eye appealing nature of this coin. Estimated Value $1,750 Ex Noble Numismatics, 25th Anniversary sale 66, 28th March 2001, lot 1344. Ex Bentley Collection, part II, Baldwin Auction 76, 27th September 2012, lot 653. NGC certification 2718451-004. Calendar year mintage=1,220,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,652
Lot 1007		Victoria (1837-1901), gold Sovereign, Melbourne Branch Mint, 1887 M. Fourth filleted young head left, W.W. in relief on truncation, date below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA, rev. crowned quartered shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below with mint mark M, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF: weight 7.98g (Bentley 757 this coin; Marsh 68 R3; Fr 12; KM 6; S 3854). Toned with some very light surface marks, with underlying brilliance, in NGC holder graded MS 62, Pop 2; tied for the finest examples graded at both services. Estimated Value $6,750 Ex Bentley Collection, part II, Baldwin Auction 76, 27th September 2012, lot 757. NGC certification 2718451-005. We note this coin grades joint highest with two others on the NGC population report and one other on the PCGS site. Calendar year mintage=1,916,424 which also includes the much more common St George reverse pieces. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $10,030
Lot 1008		George V (1910-36), silver Proof Florin (2-Shillings), 1936. Melbourne mint, crowned bust left, rev. arms, date below (KM 27). Attractively toned with underlying luster, in NGC holder graded PF 63, Pop 1; only 1 graded higher in PF-64 at NGC.very rare. Estimated Value $20,000 Ex Ted Reams Collection, Heritage, Long Beach Auction, 6th September 2012, lot 23076. NGC certification 3419783-002. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold