Rare Ancients, Led By Caligula Aureus, Lift Heritage’s World & Ancient Coins Platinum Auction Above $7.7 Million

A rare Gaius (Caligula) (AD 37-41), with Agrippina Senior. AV aureus NGC AU 4/5 - 4/5 soared to a record $216,000 to lead Heritage’s Nov. 1-2 Heritage’s World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature^® Auction to $7,764,132.

“This beautiful coin, which came from the Lattimer Collection, was a microcosm of the overall auction, ” says Cris Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage Auctions. “It is an exceptional coin that drew the attention of several of the almost 3,000 bidders who took part in this event, thanks in part to the full beaded borders on both sides that are such a huge plus for serious collectors of ancient coins. The collectors recognized the extraordinary quality of lots throughout this event, for both ancient and world coins, and that was reflected in the outstanding prices realized.”

Another magnificent ancient that reached six figures was an unpublished Stater of Menelaus, King of Cyprus that closed at $114,000. This beauty is exceedingly rare, with no examples in sales archives, and apparently unknown as a full stater. Only a hecte was previously known. This coin is particularly intriguing because of the obverse, which appears to show the letters “MEN.” But upon closer scrutiny, rotating the coin reveals that what looks like three letters actually contains all eight letters of the name “MENELAUS.”

Also from the Lattimer Collection was a Star Mint State Julius Caesar Aureus that ended at $78,000. Mint State ancient coins, especially those with a star designation for superior eye appeal, are experiencing strong results in all of Heritage’s auctions, and this example has the benefit of featuring the first of 12 Caesars, an enormously popular theme among bidders.

Imperial collectors found a number of lots to capture their interest, among them an Otho (15 January-16 April AD 69). AV aureus NGC Choice VF 4/5 - 3/5 that climbed to $72,000. Gold aurei like this example, which was one of 14 lots in the auction from the Lattermer Collection, are rare and coveted by collectors and often are referred to as the “key” coin in any set of the first 12 Caesars.

A Michael III “the Drunkard” (AD 842-867), with Theodora and Thecla. AV solidus (19mm, 4.42 gm, 7h). NGC MS 5/5 - 5/5, one of 12 offerings in the auction from the Kestenband Collection, reached $66,000. This magnificent coin is the highest-certified example of this rare and attractive issue.

World Coins

Among the top offerings from the World Coins were the 21 pieces from the Coenen Collection, which included a Provincial gold Proof Pattern Ducaton (Silver Rider) 1672 PR63 NGC that closed well above pre-auction estimates when it drew a winning bid of $180,000. This coin is the only certified example across NGC and PCGS and the first emission of this 11 Ducat weight that Heritage Auctions experts could locate at auction in recent memory. Originally conceived in the Seven Provinces in 1659, the Ducatoon (Ducaton) — also known as the Silver Rider — came to fruition during a century in which the Netherlands was at the peak of its power and influence around the globe. While the silver issues of the type are highly collectible and command a significant premium when encountered in Choice preservation, the off-metal gold presentation issues are of an entirely different class in terms of both rarity and desirability.

A near-Choice Willem I silver Proof Trial 25 Cents 1817 PR62 NGC — found a new home at $78,000. A stunning silver Trial of this 25 Cent type, it was deemed significantly rare by Schulman, as supported by the absence of certified representatives apart from this very piece and the dearth of auction results for the emission. Several Trials in various metals were produced throughout 1817 and 1818 in anticipation of the issue that would enter circulation in 1819.

A George III gold Proof Sovereign 1817 PR63 Cameo NGC closed at $66,000. It represents a coin far more rare than the 1817 1/2 Sovereign, which is seen with some regularity at Heritage. There are just 10 on NGC’s census, and nine at PCGS, some of which might be crossovers, making this a trophy-level addition to any collection of British gold coinage.

A Charles II gold “Elephant & Castle” Guinea 1676 MS62 NGC reached $55,200. An outlier for the entire Charles II series, and certainly among the most widely collected types from this era, it is distinguished by an unmistakable “Elephant & Castle” below Charles II’s bust. Only four between the major grading services rank higher.

Cryptocurrency

The auction included a selection of nine Casascius brass “Casacius” from the Otoh Collection of Physical Cryptocurrency.

Leading the collection was a Casascius brass “Casacius” Loaded (Unredeemed) 1 Bitcoin (BTC) 2011 MS66 NGC that ended at $84,000. Loaded in 2011, it is an immensely popular type, owing to the fact that this issue represented the first funded physical Bitcoins ever produced. The “error” on the coin refers to the spelling mistake on the hologram incorrectly written as CASACIUS, which was corrected in subsequent series.

Five other bitcoins, including a highly original Casascius Series 1 Bitcoin MS 65 NGC and a 2013 Casascius 1 Bitcoin 2013 MS67 PCGS, each brought $72,000.

Complete results can be found at HA.com/3119.