By Kerry Rodgers, World Coin News December 14, 2009

When Lot 5890 hammered at Noble Numismatics’ last sale of 2009, the total realized had soared past $3.8 million. Clearly the market appetite Down Under for coins, bank notes, tokens and medals has been little affected by global economic woes.

Star of the show was a penny, but not just any old penny. Among Australian bronze pennies, that struck in 1925 at Melbourne Mint may not be the rarest of the breed, with 117,000 produced, but it is a very hard coin in top grade and in proof even more so. That on offer in Noble’s November sale is the finest known: a brilliant, full red, FDC, gem proof. At hammer fall it had found a new home for $267,600. The 1925 halfpenny equivalent fetched $42,816.

On any other day a pair of George III Ceylon silver pattern dollars of 1812 by Thomas Wyon Jr. would have held center stage. Both coins number among the greatest of British Colonial rarities.

This specific pair had been offered last year by Noble as part of Bob Climpsons’ remarkable collection that included a full set of equally desirable English portcullis trade coins. The last time another Ceylonese pair appeared on the market was in the 1954 Farouk sale (Lot 2369).

The provenance of the present coins is impeccable: Spink Numismatic Circular 1931, R. J. Ford Collection (Lot 244), Cholmley (Lot 393), Murdoch (Lot 268) and Nobleman (Lot 158).

Both patterns were in brilliant FDC, showing dark blue-grey tones. The 2-rix dollars (Pr.252; KM Pr4) sold for $30,836. The 1-rix dollar (Pr.254; KM.Pr3) fetched $20,196.

Full details of other coin offerings and of the prices realized can be found at www.noble.com.au. Search in their November sale results. A 16.5 percent buyer’s commission has been added to all the prices cited here.



More Resources:

• Standard Catalog of United States Obsolete Bank Notes 4-CD Set, 1782-1866

• Fascinating Facts, Mysteries & Myths About U.S. Coins

• 2010 Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001-Date, 4th Edition

• State Quarters Deluxe Collector's Folder