DALLAS, TX.- A Victoria gold Proof Pattern Crown 1887 PR62 NGC more than tripled its pre-auction estimate when it sold for $156,000 to lead Heritage Auctions’ World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction to $5,283,314 in total sales October 28-29.

The event drew 2,685 bidders from around the world, and produced sell-through rates of 99.3% by lots sold and 98.6% by value. The average per lot was an impressive $6,244.

“We are very proud of the results in this sale,” said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage Auctions. “The results show that the World and Ancient Coins market remains robust, and we are very pleased to have been able to offer such an extensive array of elite coins that drew the attention of the most serious collectors.”

The result for the Victoria Proof Pattern Crown 1887 is believed to be a world record. From a mintage of just six and one of just two believed to be certified, the top coin is one of the most distinct Patterns within the Victorian series, produced with a level of detail seldom seen on the Queen's official coinage. Much of this is the result of the iconic three-quarters bust of Victoria, a device essentially unfamiliar in British numismatics which had elected for centuries to portray the monarch exclusively in profile.

An Elizabeth II gold Proof "Three Graces" 1000 Pounds (1 Kilo) 2020 PR70 Ultra Cameo NGC drew nearly a dozen bids before closing at $96,000. Part of the Great Engravers Series, it comes from a mintage of just 20 of a coin that earned a measure of notoriety over the last couple of years from the use of William Wyon's iconic 1817 “Three Graces” Pattern Crown design across numerous denominations. Struck to commemorate one of the most beautiful compositions bestowed upon a coin, this impressive 100mm planchet spotlights the classically rendered allegorical figures of England, Ireland and Scotland embracing, their respective national symbols at their feet, all framed within a beaded border.

A William IV gold Proof 2 Pounds 1831 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC more than tripled its low pre-auction estimate when it reached $78,000. Produced to a limited figure of c. 225 pieces as the largest denomination for inclusion in William IV's coronation Proof set, it is particularly notable that the sole specimen to surpass this coin in the certified population is a single PR65+★ Ultra Cameo, with the type entirely missing from both the Terner and Schneider collections.

One of three known examples of a João V gold 6400 Reis 1729-B UNC Details (Scratches) NGC also soared past pre-auction estimates when it climbed to $72,000. The coin, the first ever offered at public auction, is an extraordinary find of a date that has only recently been recognized and which has since been featured on the 16th edition cover of Livro das Moedas do Brasil. As recently as the 15th edition of this standard Brazilian reference, the 1729-B "Second Shield" 6400 Reis remained unlisted, while the latest edition acknowledges that only three examples are known, making it exceptionally important in the history of Brazilian gold coinage – so much so that it may therefore be said that this previously undocumented discovery piece represents a tremendous opportunity that has hitherto been, quite literally, unachievable.

Reaching the same $72,000 result was a Charles III 8 Reales 1770 NR-VJ MS64 NGC. One of the most challenging Columnarios of the entire Spanish Colonial series, the so-called “Pillar” Dollars minted at Nuevo Reino in Santa Fe de Bogota are fiercely contested and known from a mere four dates: 1759, 1760, 1762 and 1770, each of which is exceedingly rare. The 1770 was entirely unknown until the discovery of a small hoard of 12-14 examples in the foundation stone of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar church in Bogota in 2006, meaning that specimens were entirely unavailable to such famous collections as Medina, Salbach and Sigfried von Schuckman. Contemporary documentation has since come to light suggesting that just 17 of the 1770 8 Reales were originally produced, specially for use during the three-hour-long ceremony that accompanied the laying of the foundation stone.

A Philip V 8 Reales 1742 Mo-MF MS66 PCGS soared to a record $66,000, racing past its pre-auction estimate of $8,000-12,000. The result was by far the best result ever for a 1742 Mexico City 8 Reales. The result is a price record for the entire (highly popular) post-1732 Mexico Pillar 8 Reales series.

Traditionally popular ancient coins remained particularly strong, even in differing levels of condition. Ancient highlights in the auction included, but were not limited to:




• SICILY. Syracuse. Time of Dionysius I (405-370 BC). AR decadrachm (34mm, 43.56 gm, 3h). NGC AU 4/5 - 4/5, Fine Style, flan flaw: $52,800

• Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AV aureus (21mm, 7.83 gm, 1h). NGC AU 5/5 - 3/5, edge marks: $33,600

• C. Cassius Longinus, Imperator and Assassin of Caesar (44-42 BC), with M. Aquinus, as Legate. AV aureus (19mm, 7.95 gm, 12h). NGC MS 5/5 - 2/5, scuffs: $28,800

• IONIA. Uncertain mint. Ca. 650-600 BC. EL sixth-stater or hecte (9mm, 2.40 gm). NGC (photo-certificate) Choice AU★ 5/5 - 4/5: $26,400

• JUDAEA. The Jewish War (AD 66-70). AR shekel (23mm, 14.17 gm, 11h). NGC Choice AU 4/5 - 5/5: $24,000

• SICILY. Syracuse. Agathocles (317-289 BC). AR tetradrachm (24mm 16.99 gm, 10h). NGC AU★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style: $24,000

• Vitellius (16 April-22 December AD 69). AV aureus (19mm, 7.34 gm, 6h). NGC VF 5/5 - 3/5: $24,000

British soveriegns have fared exceptionally well recently, a trend that continued in this auction. Among the highlights:

• A George III gold Sovereign 1820 MS65 PCGS: $55,200
• A William IV gold Sovereign 1832 MS65 PCGS: $40,800
• A Mary (1553-1554) gold "Fine" Sovereign of 30 Shillings 1553 UNC Details (Obverse Scratched, Rim Damage) NGC: $27,600
• A Victoria gold Sovereign 1838 MS65 PCGS: $26,400
• A George IV gold Sovereign 1821 MS65 PCGS: $26,400

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

• A Republic gold Ducat 1937 MS66 NGC: $66,000
• A Ferdinand I gold 100 Leva 1894-KB MS60 Prooflike NGC: $66,000
• A Republic gold Proof "50th Anniversary of the Founding of Czechoslovakia" Medal 1968 PR68 Ultra Cameo NGC: $57,600
• A George III gold Proof Pattern Restrike 1/2 Penny 1795-Dated PR64 Ultra Cameo NGC: $57,600