British Rarities Highlight Stack’s August 2023 Global Showcase Auction

Stack’s Bowers Galleries presents an astounding array of Ancient and World coins in their August 2023 Global Showcase Auction. Nearly 6,000 lots will be presented spanning eight sessions, including a special offering of coinage from The British Royal Mint. In total, high estimates for these sessions exceed $13 million.

British Rarities

While highlights exist at every turn, British rarities may stand above all else with an exceptionally rare heavyweight Cromwell Gold Broad Pattern of 50 Shillings (believed to be one of only about a dozen examples known) leading the sale with an estimate of $300,000-$500,000. Accompanying it from the British Isles is a wholesome example of the famed 1663 silver “Petition” Pattern Crown, with an established pedigree dating back to 1893.

The Royal Mint Offerings

Stack’s Bowers Galleries has been selected by The Royal Mint of Great Britain to auction a selection of special Britannia and Sovereign gold and silver bullion coins commemorating the royal transition from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to His Majesty King Charles III. Entitled the Royal Succession coins series, these historic pieces represent the very last coins struck featuring the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the very first coins produced featuring the portrait of King Charles III for each series. Brian Kendrella, president of Stack’s Bowers Galleries commented: “The British Monarchy has always garnered an enthusiastic, worldwide following and it is an honor to assist The Royal Mint in bringing these important coins to a global audience. This remarkable collaboration provides an opportunity for collectors to acquire a tangible and captivating treasure linking pivotal chapters of British and world history.”

The Sovereign coin series has served as a pillar of global commerce since it was first introduced in 1489 by Henry VII. It is struck using 22 carat gold and comes with a guarantee of accuracy to five decimal places. As a symbol of reliability and strength, it is The Royal Mint’s flagship coin and one of the most trusted bullion coins in the world.

Nick Bowkett, Head of Bullion Sales at The Royal Mint, said: “The Royal Mint is excited to be working with Stack’s Bowers Galleries to auction this historic bullion series, representing the very last bullion coins struck under the reign of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the very first coins produced bearing His Majesty King Charles III’s portrait.

“This auction is truly unique and features The Royal Mint’s Sovereign, one of the most trusted and recognizable bullion coins in the world, as well as the Britannia, the most visually secure bullion coin in the world. It holds real significance, capturing a moment in time, and allows astute investors the opportunity to possess a tangible piece of British history. We anticipate the auction will be popular with investors across the world.”

The effigy of Britannia first appeared on British coins in 1672 during the reign of Charles II, though the eponymous modern bullion coin series was first issued in 1987. It boasts four unrivalled visual security features, which enable collectors and investors to effortlessly authenticate and verify their bullion coins. Due to these anti-counterfeiting features, the Britannia is recognized as the most visually secure bullion coin in the world.

This unprecedented offering will represent a union of America’s most prestigious and accomplished numismatic auctioneer with the United Kingdom’s oldest continually operating company and the second oldest mint in the world. The Royal Mint was founded over 1,100 years ago, responsible for the coinage of England and, thereafter, the United Kingdom, and has since grown to become the world’s leading export mint, respected for the exceptional quality of their collectible and bullion coinage. Stack’s Bowers Galleries was founded in New York City in 1933 and has built a reputation as America’s leading auctioneer of rare coins over the past century, handling some of the greatest rarities and most valuable collections ever sold. Together, these historic firms are delighted to present these Royal Succession Sovereign and Britannia coins to collectors at auction this summer.

The special Royal Succession coins will be offered exclusively by Stack’s Bowers Galleries on Monday, August 21, 2023. Featured will be the last 500 struck under Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and first 500 struck featuring His Majesty King Charles III of the 2022 Gold Sovereign, the 2023 Silver 1oz Britannia, and the 2023 Gold Britannia coins, including the 1oz, 1/2oz, 1/4oz, and 1/10oz Gold Britannia sizes.

Select coins of particular significance will be presented individually in the auction, including the very first and last coins struck of each type. Others will be sold in multi-coin lots that offer a sampling from several of these special types. Each coin will be graded and encapsulated by leading grading service Numismatic Guaranty Company (“NGC”), and all will bear custom labels to recognize their historic significance. The coins of the highest significance will also feature labels with signatures from Queen Elizabeth II’s final Assay Master Graeme Smith, the King’s Assay Master Paul Morgan, and The Royal Mint CEO Anne Jessopp. The Assay Master role is appointed to serve the reigning monarch and has existed for hundreds of years to ensure the integrity of British coinage.

This historic joint-effort between Stack’s Bowers Galleries and The Royal Mint comes on the heels of a similarly unprecedented partnership between Stack’s Bowers Galleries and the United States Mint in 2022. On behalf of the United States Mint, Stack’s Bowers Galleries sold special transitional coins from the American Eagle bullion coin series that went on to realize over $4.6 million in total prices realized.

Ancient and World Rarities

A rare and historical “EID MAR” Denarius of Brutus leads the Ancients section, followed by a Roman Republic Military Mint Aureus of Sulla, one of only a handful known of the denomination. Other Ancient coin highlights include a dual-portraited Tetradrachm of Cleopatra and Marc Antony and a Romulus Augustus Tremissis in NGC Choice AU, a rare issue from the final emperor of the Western Roman Empire in enviable condition for the type. Also offered are an elegant and always popular Fine Style Pantikapaion Stater and a Siliqua of Priscus Attalus, a Roman usurper whose coinage is almost never encountered.

Continuing in Western Europe, Stack’s Bowers Galleries is thrilled to offer an imposing 1635-R 50 Reales (Cincuentin), the largest silver issue produced under Spain and an impressive feat of roller press engineering. Complementing its heft are a charmingly toned 1643 Oxford Mint Triple Unite in PCGS AU-55 and a handsome 1643 Oxford Mint Pound in PCGS EF-45, respectively the largest hammered gold and silver types of England. Among Portuguese coins will be found a stunning pair of rare medieval gold coins of Fernando I “the Handsome”: a reportedly unique 1/2 Dobra Pé-Terra in PCGS MS-64 and a magnificent Dobra Pé-Terra in PCGS MS-65. From Germany comes an immense and wholly problem-free Brunswick-Luneburg 1647-LW “Mining” 4 Talers, along with a rare 1617 “Protestant Reformation Centennial” Taler of Pomerania.

To the east, a monumental Russia Novodel 1836 “Family Ruble” is accompanied by an impressive Danzig 1645-GR Wladislaus IV 4 Ducats. From even farther east are found a Straits Settlements 1900-H 50 Cents in NGC Specimen-66 and a China “Plumed Hat” Dollar in NGC MS-63.

Coins of Peru feature an incredible Gem 1838-CUZCO “Sunface” 8 Escudos in NGC MS-65, while the Venezuela section presents a tantalizing Crown-sized Paris Mint Specimen 1876-A Venezolano. From Mexico hails a 1764-Mo MF “Rat Nose” 8 Escudos, alongside a pair of enticing War of Independence issues: a 1812 Sombrerete de Vargas 8 Reales in NGC MS-62 and a flashy Gem 1820-Zs RG Zacatecas 8 Reales in NGC MS-65. From the north, an exemplary grouping of Canadian rarities is offered, including an example of the elusive key date 1921 50 Cents, as well as high-grade Specimen strikes of the 1902-H 10 Cents, 1902-H 25 Cents, 1911-C Sovereign, 1912 10 Dollars, 1929 10 Cents, 1929 25 Cents, and 1929 50 Cents, all graded PCGS Specimen-68.

Other Notable Lots from the Stack’s Bowers Galleries August 2023 Global Showcase Auction include:

• Sovereign, 1908-C. Ottawa Mint. Edward VII. PCGS SPECIMEN-67
• Newfoundland. Silver Specimen Set (4 Pieces), 1882-H. Birmingham (Heaton) Mint. Victoria. All PCGS Certified.
• Mecklenburg-Strelitz. 20 Mark, 1874-A. Berlin Mint. Friedrich Wilhelm. PCGS EF-45.
• Wurttemberg. 1/2 Taler, 1737-IFB. Karl Rudolf. PCGS AU-55.
• Great Britain. Pound, ND (1594-96). London Mint; mm: Woolpack. Elizabeth I. PCGS MS-61.
• Great Britain. Unite, ND (1631-32). London Mint; mm: Flower. Charles I. PCGS MS-62.
• Great Britain. Triple Unite, 1642. Oxford Mint; mm: Banded Plumes. Charles I. PCGS AU-50.
• Great Britain. Guinea, 1714. London Mint. George I. PCGS AU-58.
• Gold 100 Lire Prova (Pattern), 1925-R. Rome Mint. Vittorio Emanuele III. NGC MATTE PROOF-62.
• 50 Reales (Cincuentin), 1631-A+. Segovia Mint. Philip IV. PCGS Genuine-Test Cut, EF Details.