DALLAS, TX.- A unique 1897 Republic gold proof pattern 6 Pence of South Africa is expected to bring in excess of $200,000+ in Heritage Auctions' World Coins & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction held in conjunction with the New York International Coin Show (NYINC) at the Waldorf Astoria, Jan. 4-5 in New York. The two-day event marks the first time the South African gold proof has ever crossed the block at a public auction, which is highlighted by several important, private collections.

"Last year's NYINC event set a new record and we have high expectations for this year's offering," said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics. "Several collectors have trusted us with decades of their hard work and investment and we're excited to introduce them to a new generation of collectors."

Inside the auctions' extensive selection of extraordinary coins is an 1839 Victoria ‘Una & the Lion’ 5 Pounds, in an almost unheard-of grade of Proof 64 ($150,000+). The coin, a widely acknowledged masterpiece due to its inspiring design, has seen great growth in value over the past decade as a result of its transcendent beauty. Also on offer is a Korean Kuang Mu gold 20 Won, a very rare one-year type and possibly the finest known (est. $130,000) and a one of 100 Australian proof sets from 1934 (est. $100,000+); and A Joao V gold 6400 1732-B Reis (Peça), one of only two known for this date and the finest available example of the entire type, is expected to sell for $150,000+ as part of The Santa Catarina Collection. It also holds an italic shield 1731-R Joao V gold 12800 Reis, an extreme rarity in the Brazilian Colonial series (est. $70,000+) and a 1727 3200 Joao V gold Reis, ex Norweb Collection and one of only three examples known, and the only piece that has been on the open market in 35 years (est. $70,000+).

A rare Vittorio Emanuele 1872-R 100 Lire, with a mintage of just 661 pieces (est. $25,000+) highlights a collection of high-quality large-size world gold type coins from The Empire Collection. The collection also holds a 1693 William & Mary gold Guineas, William & Mary's largest gold coin popularly referred to as "Elephant & Castle" (est. $30,000+), and an 1748 5 Guineas of George II, graded an exceptional MS62 NGC, which rarely appears at auction in mint state (est. $20,000+).

A George IV Proof Pattern Crown from 1825, one of likely fewer than 50 examples known to exist (est. $25,000+), is offered from The Law Collection, which also features an 1839 Victoria Proof Crown, PR62 PCGS, (est. $20,000+) and an 1853 Victoria Proof Gothic Crown, PR63 NGC, a striking specimen of this rare date (est. $8,000+).

The Alexander Collection offers a small but select group of very high-power Italian coins spanning several centuries, such as the finest known 1936 gold 100 Lire, graded the finest by a full three-point spread (est. $25,000+). Also on offer is an extremely rare 1872 100 lire (est. $30,000+), a low-mintage coin presenting surfaces now bathed in a vivid mixture of alluring fiery-copper, orange, maroon and green hues. Another rarity in the collection was struck in 1481: a superb and sharply struck gold Doppio Ducato (est. $25,000+).

Leading the auction's selection of ancient coins is a unique collection of 38 ancient silver coins, all struck in consecutive years spanning the lifetime of Jesus. Assembled by noted numismatic scholar and author Frank L. Kovacs of Corte Madera, California, over about a 25-year period, the shekels of Tyre will be offered as a single lot of 38 coins. The entire collection is expected to bring $150,000+.

An early, archaic Athenian tetradrachm, struck ca. 510-500 BC, and displaying the rarely-seen full crest of the helmet of Athena highlights The California Collection, a group of 130 important ancient Greek type coins. It also features a very rare facing head tetradrachm of Catana, struck from dies of the finest style and signed by the engraver Choirion ($70,000+) as well as a Syracuse decadrachm signed by the artist Euainetos. Well-centered and struck from relatively fresh dies, this piece has superb eye appeal and was thus given a "star” designation by NGC ($50,000+). An archaic Acanthus tetradrachm, depicting the popular motif of a lion attacking a bull, is a great example from the height of Archaic Greek art (est. $35,000+).