DALLAS, TX.- Paramount: the only word that comes close to describing the breadth, quality and rarity of this incredible collection that Heritage Auctions has the honor of presenting March 25-27. Comprised of 701 world and ancient coins, bidding is now open on the Paramount Collection World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction.

“This is by far the most significant collection of world and ancient coins ever offered by Heritage, and it is likely the most significant collection to come on the market in at least a generation,” said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics.

The Paramount Collection contains dozens of lots that are considered unique, with more than 100 multiple ducats that are 5 ducat size or larger, as well as coins that are making their first-ever appearance at auction.

“This sale is stacked with world-coin rarities that, in some cases, haven’t been available at auction in decades, and in other cases, haven’t ever been offered publicly until now,” Bierrenbach said. “In fact, there are coins in this collection that I’ve never even seen before.”

VAST SELECTION OF WORLD COINS

The world coin section primarily focuses on large-format, gold coinage from Central and Western Europe, as well as the Americas. Many of these issues were struck to commemorate marriages and deaths, document the tumult of wars, mark the beginnings of revolutions and reformations, and one in particular, the abdication of a King instead of his coronation.

The Great Britain 1937 Edward VIII 5 Sovereign Pattern is one of only a small number of British Pattern coins produced for the would-be coronation of Edward VIII. “The gold 5 Sovereign is the grandest and most prized of them all, and the Paramount specimen is the sole individual piece in private hands. Uncompromising in terms of its beauty and quality, this offering has achieved an incomparable PR67 Ultra Cameo grade by NGC, and it could very well be a $1 million coin,” Bierrenbach said.

Another highlight from this sale is a Saxony 10 Ducat of 1611 in Gem Mint State, as graded by NGC. “If you look of the bust of Christian II, from the detail of his hair to the intricacies of his armor, it’s an absolute wonder that a coin over 400 years old has survived in such condition,” Bierrenbach said.

The extraordinarily rare France 8 Louis d’Or from 1640-A, graded MS61 by NGC, is a massive gold trophy coin from a series that includes the largest gold coins produced in pre-Republic France. Made specifically for use by the King, the reason for its existence was entirely symbolic: to demonstrate France’s wealth and opulence, a message reinforced by Jean Warin’s powerful portrait of Louis XIII.

IMPORTANT ROMAN MEDALLIONS

Though the ancients portion of the Paramount Collection is small in comparison, it’s holdings are still powerful. Led by a selection of Roman gold medallions, the first of which is a Maxentius (AD 307-312) AV quaternio or medallion of 4-aurei, struck circa AD 308 and graded MS 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style, Smoothing, by NGC. This phenomenal medallion was issued as a commemorative during the restoration of the temple of Urbis Veneris, erected by Hadrian in AD 135.

A second Roman medallion, a Magnentius (AD 350-353) AV medallion of 3-solidi, has been certified by NGC as MS? 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, Light Graffito. It is larger than most ancient coins and presents exceptional artistry.

The Paramount Collection World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction is March 25-27 at Heritage Auctions.