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Leeward Islands 10 shilling rare banknote sells for $15,540
A rare 1921 Leeward Islands 10 shilling banknote met the top end of its estimate on July 15
Paul Fraser Collectibles, Monday 16 July 2012
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A 1921 Leeward Islands banknote has sold at the top end of its estimate at a UK auction.
The 10 shilling note originated from Antigua and featured the serial number 00001 - the very first of the issue.
 The first of the batch sold for £10,000 |
Just two denominations of banknote were issued on the Leeward Islands, the five shilling and 10 shilling, neither of which warrant a mention in the esteemed Pick Catalogue, and the note is almost never seen at auction.
It sold for £10,000 at the July 15 Suffolk sale, a result of its rarity and its position at the head of the print run - collectors attach particular importance to specimens that are "the first", whether it is art prints, photographs or banknotes.
It was once held in the possession of WD Auchinleck, who served as auditor general of Antigua and is himself one of the signatories on the note.
A British two guinea piece, struck in 1709, also performed well, selling within estimate for £5,000.
Featuring a draped bust of Queen Anne on the obverse and the four crowns of the recently formed Kingdom of Great Britain on the reverse, the coin came to auction in extremely fine condition.
Devalued only by a small flaw created when struck, the "better than extremely fine" coin is seldom seen in such a high grade.
Collectors of British coins should also view this William IV proof crown from 1831 - a formerly undiscovered variety which is currently unrecorded in the English Silver Coinage catalogue.
There was also an estimate-smashing performance from a commemorative presentation sword from the 1818 coronation of King Charles III of Norway. The superb item sold for £5,000, up 525% on its £800 high estimate.
Recent and related articles
· 1841 Victoria sovereign auction makes $34,270 in London | 5 July 2012
· Saint-Gaudens double eagle realises $2.4m | 2 July 2012
· First Scottish coin beats estimate by 140% at auction | 2 July 2012
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