Spink concluded its sale of Ancient, English & Foreign Coins, Commemorative Medals & Numismatic Books on Thursday (September 30). The sale included many lots of relatively minor value amongst its 810 listings, and it was just a few genuinely high-end lots which pulled it up to a sales total of £576,225.
As expected it was three fine gold British proof sets which dominated the auction:
The George IV proof set of 1826, consisting of gold Five-Pounds, Two-Pounds, Sovereign and Half-Sovereign, silver Crown, Half-Crown, Shilling and Sixpence, copper Penny, Halfpenny and Farthing coins sold on target at £33,000 against its £30,000-35,000 listing.
The William IV proof set of 1831 is in brilliant mint state, and consists of gold Two-Pounds, Sovereign and Half-Sovereign, silver Crown, Halfcrown, Shilling and Sixpence, silver Maundy set, copper Penny, Halfpenny and Farthing coins. It too sold on target at £24,000 hammer price.
As expected however, top lot status went to the Victorian proof set of 1839. This was headed by a gold £5 coin with five scrolls on front fillet, and nine leaves on rear fillet, as well as a gold Sovereign and Half-Sovereign.
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Accompanied by a silver Crown, Halfcrown, Shilling, Sixpence, Groat, and Maundy set, not to mention a copper Penny, Halfpenny and Farthing, it was described as being in "practically mint state" by Spink and carried in its original black shagreen case. It topped its £45,000-55,000 listing to be taken home for £60,000.
One other lot which shouldn't go unmentioned: an extremely fine and rare large gold medal by S. Vazhenin and A.G. Griliches intended to celebrate the coronation of Russia's Alexander III hit its top estimateof £40,000.
A reminder that Russian collectibles including coins are also in a strong position.
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