The three auctions were expected to raise well over $30m in total sales. And, given the story behind Dr Jacobs' collection, it's easy to see why.
Over more than half a century, Dr. Jacobs (1924-2004) assembled his most extraordinary collection of coins and banknotes from Japan and Korea - in many cases saving them from oblivion.
 The 20 Won rare Korean gold issue realised $632,500 |
The result was one of the most complete sets ever assembled, the likes of which had never been auctioned before.
In the end, the auction's expected highlights - as we previously reported - emerged as the sale's top lots.
These included three extremely rare Korean gold issues of Yung Hi, all from 1909, the third year of his reign.
Only two pieces are known of each of these coins, with the others in a museum, making these the sole examples available to collectors.
"Each of these coins is certified at MS64 by NGC, although we believe them to be deserving of a Proof or Specimen designation," stated Heritage's post-auction report.
In the end, the 20 Won realised $632,500, the 5 Won $460,000 and the 10 Won $299,000.
 A Meiji silver Pattern Trade Dollar Year 7 (1874) |
Other highlights in the auction were as follows:
* Meiji silver Pattern Trade Dollar Year 7 (1874), Dragon KM-Pn24, Proof 65 NGC. Sold for: $299,000
* Meiji gold Pattern 10 Yen Year 3 (1870), KM-Pn19, MS64 NGC. Sold for: $276,000
* Meiji silver 5 Sen Year 25 (1892), struck for exhibit at the Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1892, type of KM-Y22, MS62 NGC. Sold for: $276,000
* Meiji Proof gold 10 Yen Year 13 (1880), KM-Y12a, Proof 63 NGC. Sold for: $253,000
* Meiji Proof gold 20 Yen Year 13 (1880), KM-Y13, Proof 63 NGC. Sold for: $230,000
Watch this space for news on further highlights from the sale.
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