DALLAS, TX.- A rare coin’s beauty sometimes can overshadow its significance in numismatic history. But a magnificent 17th-century British coin that will be available January 8 in Heritage’s NYINC Platinum Session World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction - New York stands among the elite in both criteria.

The second-highest graded “Petition” Crown by Thomas Simon can be traced back to one of Britain’s most tumultuous eras, was struck just after the English Civil War and is among the most coveted types in silver. The Charles II silver Pattern “Petition” Crown 1663 MS62 NGC was engraved by Thomas Simon, one of the most celebrated medalists and engravers of 17th-century England. The “Petition” moniker represented Simon’s ultimately unsuccessful petition to become the Chief Engraver under King Charles II, who had just restored the monarchy. Fewer than 20 examples of this extraordinary coin exist, and of those, seven are housed in public institutions and museums. The example offered in this auction carries the second-highest grade of just three certified by NGC.

“Rarely does a coin of this quality and absolute rarity ever reach the open market,” says Cris Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage Auctions. “It is a coveted prize, the kind that is understandably generating significant attention on its way to the auction block.”

The Henry III (1216-1272) gold Penny of 20 Pence ND (c. 1257) UNC Details (Bent) NGC is a truly magical recent discovery of this monument in the British Medieval series, the offered coin now being one of only four in private hands, and just the second of this coveted type ever handled at Heritage Auctions, the world’s leading numismatics auctioneer. Proposed by the famed British numismatist Sir John Evans to be the “true” first portrait of an English king on the coinage prior to the Tudor issues inaugurated by Henry VII. A circulating British gold issue would not replace this emission until the Florins of Edwards III in 1344.

Another absolute rarity is a Victoria gold Proof Pattern Crown (5 Shillings) 1887 PR65+ Ultra Cameo NGC that comes from a mintage of just six. Created by Ludwig C. Lauer and J. Rochelle Thomas for Spink and Son, it is among the most distinct series of British Patterns, distinguished by the unique three-quarters facing bust of a mature Victoria that make these instantly recognizable.

An absolute masterpiece by William Wyon is up for grabs in the form of a George III silver Proof Pattern “Three Graces” Crown 1817 PR63 Cameo NGC, that depicts England, Ireland and Scotland anthropomorphized as the Three Graces of Greek mythology wrapped in a circular embrace. This coin is simply beloved within the collecting community and has been credited with helping to spawn a new generation of collectors through Wyon’s revitalization by the British Royal Mint. The offered example is one of the very finest when considering the superior visual character, elevated by a high-gloss finish of its fields which stand in striking contrast against the raised features.

An outstanding George III gold Proof Pattern 2 Guineas 1773 PR64 Cameo NGC is a highly elusive Pattern issue and one of the most coveted Patterns in all of British numismatics, behind George III 5 Guineas and Edward VIII 5 Pounds. The offered example is good company with those pieces and comes to market about as (in)frequently.

An Edward VII gold Specimen Pattern Crown 1902 SP62 PCGS, by Spink &Son, is a virtually unattainable Pattern striking. Examples in silver come to market rather infrequently and fair well, but gold examples emerge maybe once per decade. The design clearly mimics the iconic Crowns of Charles I, featuring a proud and highly detailed monarch on horseback, with a reverse oval shield and arms, here finely rendered and a stark juxtaposition against its prototype.

Another country that is represented well in the auction is Russia, which produced 10 lots, including a Nicholas I gold Pattern 10 Roubles 1836-C?? MS62 NGC and a Nicholas I “Imperial Family” 1-1/2 Roubles-10 Zlotych 1836 MS63 NGC, as well as a desirable Nicholas II gold Specimen Imperial of 10 Roubles 1896-A? SP62 PCGS and a Nicholas II gold Specimen 1/2 Imperial of 5 Roubles 1895-A? SP62 PCGS.

Ancient coins

Amid the fountain of elite coins available is the Wetmore Collection of Gold and Electrum — a carefully curated trove of 74 coins, each embodying a unique blend of history and artistry. Top lots in the collection include, but are not limited to:

• A ZEUGITANA. Fine Style Carthage. Ca. 270-260 BC. AV trihemistater — a large gold piece from the Phoenician colony of Carthage, on the coast of North Africa, that is much larger and heavier than contemporary Greek issues of Syracuse, struck early in the First Punic War with Rome. These impressive coins enticed mercenary soldiers from many nations into Carthaginian service.

• A LYDIAN KINGDOM. Croesus (561-546 BC). AV stater (17mm, 8.05 gm). NGC is from the nation most famous within the numismatic community for introducing the world's first bimetallic standard, issuing coins of both gold and silver. Coins previously were produced in electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver.

• A PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinöe II Philadelphus (277-270/268 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm that is equally impressive in beauty and sheer size. It has been speculated that the later K-type mnaieions issued during the reigns of Ptolemy VI through VIII feature a disguised portrait of Cleopatra II, who was the sister and later wife of both brothers. If such is the case, the K behind the head could refer to “Kleopatra” (on the original issues of Ptolemy II-III, from which the later issues were copied, the K was one of several letters used to designate obverse dies). Certainly the portrait on these later issues bears little resemblance to the face of Arsinoë II found on the gold pieces minted closer to her lifetime. Whether or not these pieces do bear portraits of concurrent figures, it is a historical fact that the strongest of the later Ptolemaic rulers invariably were women, including the last of the line, Cleopatra VII.

Another intriguing assemblage in the auction is the nine-lot Coenen Collection from the Netherlands, which includes finely preserved large, gold provincial types, including off-metal strikes in gold. Highlights from the collection include, but are not limited to:

• A Rare Mint State Friesland Pattern 28 Stuivers 1688

• The inaugural auction appearance of a Groningen & Ommeland. Provincial gold Specimen Pattern 28 Stuivers (Florjin) 1677 SP62 PCGS

• A Dutch Colony. Willem gold Specimen Gulden 1839 SP62 PCGS

In addition to the Wetmore Collection, the Ancient Coins portion of the auction also includes a wide range of gold coins, a list that includes various types of staters, octodrachms, darics, aurei, solidi and many other denominations.

The auction will be held along with the NYINC World Coins Signature® Auction that will take place January 16-18.