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RAY CZAHOR PHILIPPINES SALE SELECTIONSKyle Ponterio of Stack's Bowers Ponterio published a blog article this week on the consignment from Ray Czahor of Philippines coinage, patterns and medals. -Editor  Stack's Bowers Galleries is pleased to highlight another installment of the famous collector-numismatist Mr. Ray Czahor, to be featured in our auction held in conjunction with the 47th annual New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC). The auction takes place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, located on 102 East 42nd St. in New York City on January 11 and 12 for the floor sessions and January 14 and 15 for the Internet only sessions. A long time collector, Ray has sought out the best examples, assembling impressive collections of many different types and time periods, primarily relating to the Philippines. The early machine struck Philippines coinage consigned to the 2019 NYINC auction reflects his decades long search to find pieces that met or exceeded his stringent criteria. In the early days, the manufacturing process at the provincial mint of Manila was crude and rudimentary and showed much variation. Many issues are in less than desirable condition due either to prolonged circulation or other impairments. The overall quality of the pieces Ray acquired is a testament to his incredible patience, an attribute that is foundational in the formation of a transcendent collection. The lots discussed in this article give an excellent representation of the many fantastic pieces Ray spent years acquiring. The early copper issues are of particular interest since these were used in daily transactions. Usually found badly corroded and worn, many of the pieces presented in the auction are attractive, problem free and vastly superior to most encountered on today's market. The qualities that Ray valued: strong even strikes, good metal quality, fullness of details and overall nice appearance are evident in the coins featured in the auction. To read the complete article, see: Kyle listed a number of his favorite lots. See the blog article for the full list and links to the lot descriptions. Here's a subset that I have room to share here. Great material. -Editor Lot 41290: 1835 Philippines 4 Quartos   Exceptional 4 Quartos of Isabella II PHILIPPINES. 4 Quartos, 1835-MA F. PCGS VF-35 BN Gold Shield. KM-15; Basso-46; Cal-Type 179 #713. Globes closely spaced. EXTREMELY RARE type in this state of preservation. Unusually well prepared planchet with minimal defects and a unusually bold strike leaving clear details. Bold complete legends and devices. Vastly superior to the other examples we were able to locate with far less in the way of planchet defects or striking deficiencies. Lovely smooth fields with rich patina. An example where the grade on the holder certainly does not reflect the overall quality. If not the finest example extent certainly one of the finest. A chance not to be missed as the opportunity to acquire such a tremendous highly sought after piece may not occur again for many years. Ray's one of those nice, quiet collectors who piece-by-piece assembles an amazing collection of high quality rarities. Specialists have a unique opportunity to study their subject matter, continually upgrade and be ready when great pieces come to market. This sale will provide many opportunities for the next generation of Phillippines collectors. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see: Lot 41292: 1857 Philippines Pattern Peso   Proposed Gold Pattern Struck in Silver PHILIPPINES. Pattern Peso Struck in Silver, 1857. Madrid Mint. PCGS SP-64 Gold Shield. KM-Pn2(listed as a Real), Basso-75(72), Cal-unlisted. Plain edge. A pattern struck in silver for a projected gold peso which eventually became KM-142. Superior to the previous two records we were able to locate. The most recent being of an NGC MS-63 sold in the Auction World Co., Ltd Auction #13 July 14, 2018 Lot #1376 where it hammered for an impressive 1,200,000 Yen (approximately $10,676). The other example was graded NGC VF-30 in the Heritage CICF auction April 10, 2014 Lot #25628 where it hammered for $2,000-. The consignor notes that this was the only example he could recall seeing in 50+ years of collecting. An exceptional example with sharp devices and intricate details. Though this pattern is certainly not unique it is without a doubt EXTREMELY RARE and highly sought after and destined to be a highlight of any collection of Philippines. Deeply toned with hints of iridescence. To read the complete lot description, see: Lot 41295: 1859 Philippines Paris Mint 80 Reales Pattern   PHILIPPINES. Broadstruck Pattern 80 Reaux (Reales) Struck in Copper, 1859. Paris Mint. PCGS SP-66 RB Gold Shield. KM-Pn16; Bruce-Pn5; Basso-81. Small date, large star. Intended patterns for gold coins. EXTREMELY RARE and probably UNIQUE. Struck without collar creating a dramatic error where the planchet is slightly out of round and bowed. Partial raised edges on either side. Boldly struck with clashed dies, sharp devices with reflective surfaces and splashes of attractive lavender, blue, purple and plenty of original mint red. Very unusual. A great piece! -Editor To read the complete lot description, see: Lot 41302: 1894 Philippines Pattern Centavo   Exceptional 1894 Pattern Centavo PHILIPPINES. Pattern Centavo Struck in Copper, 1894. Madrid Mint. PCGS SP-64 BN Gold Shield. KM-Pn18; Basso-93; Cal-pg. 844. Bust of young King Alfonso XIII facing left; Reverse: Coat of Arms with half-wreath. Far less encountered than its larger denomination counterpart the 2 Centavos. Superior to the example sold in the Cayon auction December 11, 2012 lot #1140 where it hammered for 15,500 Euro (approximately $20,000) plus buyers fee. EXTREMELY RARE and highly sought after. Sharply struck displaying lovely mahogany surfaces with hints of cinnamon at the periphery. A choice pattern never intended for circulation, and seemingly spared from. Great piece. I don't believe I've seen any of the coins in this article before. Some great rarities. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see: Lot 43816: 1834 Philippines Quarto   PHILIPPINES. Quarto, 1834-MA F. Ferdinand VII (1808-33). PCGS AU-50 Gold Shield. KM-10; Basso-41b; Cal-Type 438 #1597. Large lion with tail curving over back. VERY RARE in this state of preservation. Our first offering of this one year type struck for Ferdinand VII. An astounding example, well struck with smooth brown fields. Likely undergraded, as we consider the flat areas on the lions and castles to be striking weakness rather than wear. A splendid example and probably one of the finest extent being light years ahead of what is normally encountered. Nice coin and a standout for condition. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see: Lot 43821: 1859 Philippines 2 centavos Pattern   PHILIPPINES. 2 Centavos Pattern, 1859. PCGS SP-65 RB Gold Shield. Basso-74; KM-Pn12. A real beauty. Sharply struck with copious amounts of blazing mint luster. Plain design, but a beautiful piece. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see: Lot 43822: 1861 Philippines 2 Reales Proclamation Medal   PHILIPPINES. Silver Proclamation 2 Reales Medal for the Inauguration of the Manila Mint, 1861. PCGS AU-55 Gold Shield. 5.22 gms. Basso-96; Honeycutt-16. RARE. Struck to commemorate the opening of the Manila mint March 19, 1861. The Royal decree of September 8, 1857 was specific to the authorization of gold coinage. Obverse: Bust of Isabella II left; Reverse: Arms of Manila in wreath, legend around, date below. Well struck with lovely smooth grey tone highlighted with sunset hues in the peripheries. Plenty of underlying luster in the protected areas. A wholesome attractive example that rarely appears on the market destined for an advanced collection. Proclamation medals are an interesting area to collect, and deserve a place alongside a country's coins and patterns. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:  Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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