GOLDBERG AUCTIONS SOFAER PALESTINIAN RESULTS

Prices Soar in Goldberg Auction of Abe Sofaer's Palestinian Rarities

The star performer among the more than 40 lots of Abe Sofaer's Palestine Mandate coins in Goldberg's September 15-16 auction was the unique finest known 1931 100 Mils PCGS-MS-64. It was described as “Satiny white, near-gem surfaces, with attractive golden patina around devices and inscriptions. In our opinion, this is a full gem specimen and should be graded a point higher.” The hammer-price was $25,000 - 5 times the $5,000 estimate. Two other coins that were both tied for finest known, were the 1931 50 Mils PCGS MS-64, described as “An awesome coin [with] satiny surfaces covered by dazzling gold and peacock- green iridescence,” bringing $5,250; and the 1940 20 Mils PCGS MS-65, “Lovely example, with satiny mint bloom,” bringing $3,200. All of these, no doubt, are destined for Registry Sets.

Not to be outdone by the popularity of Sofaer's Palestine Mandate coins, were rare groups of Palestine-era tokens used in the Holy Land- where lot after lot greatly outperformed the estimates. A partial set of Jerusalem Hotel Tokens c. 1880s, containing brass 1 and 1/4 Piaster, EF, brought $8,750 (est. $1,000 up); a complete set of Templar Tokens c. 1880-1917, Avg. Fine, sold for a strong $5,000 vs. the estimate of $250-$300; and a complete set of Mikveh Israel Tokens c. 1885, VF – AU, was hammered down for an impressive $13,000, dwarfing the $2,000 estimate.

All of Sofaer's Palestinian coin and token lots are pictured and described, along with the prices realized, at www.goldbergcoins.com.

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