STEPHEN ALBUM RARE COINS AUCTION 49 RESULTS

Stephen Album Rare Coins held its Auction 49 on June 13-16, 2024, at its offices in Santa Rosa, California. Solid prices were realized, with the total coming to $2.80 million (including buyer's fees) on an estimate of $2.17 million. The sell-through rate was 90.6%.

A few highlights from the auction follow (prices include buyer's fees):

LOT 1608: CHINA: HONAN: Kuang Hsu, 1875-1908, brass 10 cash, ND (1905), Y-108A.3A, CL-HON.12, CCC-520, Duan-2586, a very rare pattern struck at the Ferracute Mint, New Jersey, USA, with dies engraved by Charles Barber, the then-chief engraver of the U.S. Mint, a wonderfully toned specimen example! PCGS graded Specimen 64, RR. The Ferracute Machine Company was founded in Bridgeton, NJ in 1863. The company manufactured metal forming presses for a variety of purposes, from producing cans and automobile parts to minting coins. Among its customers were the United States Mint and the historic Casa de Moneda of Potosí, Bolivia, as well as the Chinese provincial mints of Szechuan (in Chengdu, Sichuan) and Honan (in Kaifeng, Henan). Estimated at $5,000-$7,000. Sold for $33,600.

LOT 1408: NEPAL: Girvan Yuddha Vikrama, 1799-1816, AV 4 mohars (duitola asarphi) (23.11g), SE1720 (1802), cf. Rhodes-727/730, struck circa 1849 for the visit of Jung Bahadur Rana to London the following year, a historically significant example of the highest rarity! PCGS graded Specimen 63. Estimated at $18,000-$22,000. Sold for $26,400.

LOT 967: GREAT BRITAIN: Victoria, 1837-1901, AR crown, 1847, KM-744, S-3883, ESC-288, Bul-2571, 'Gothic' type, UNDECIMO on edge, beautiful multi-color toning, a choice example of this popular type, PCGS graded Proof 63. The ever-popular joint engraving collaboration by William Wyon and William Dyce, the Gothic design marked a stylistic departure for Wyon. Dyce claimed that the idea for the coin was his and suggested that important elements of the design, such as Queen Victoria's headwear and dress, were copied directly from his drawings, as well as the arrangements of the shields. However, although Dyce and his work served as inspiration for the design, this was Wyon's artistic triumph. The Gothic crown reflects the Gothic Revival artistic trend as these influences found their way into Wyon's work. The coin's lettering resembles medieval calligraphy, whilst Queen Victoria's hairstyle - long plaits that encircled her ears - along with her crown are other notable characteristics inspired by this period that are evident in the portrait that appears on the obverse. Estimated at $15,000-$20,000. Sold for $24,000.

LOT 655: AFGHANISTAN: DURRANI: Shah Shuja', 2nd reign, 1803-1809, AV mohur (11.03g), Rikab, AH1219, A-3120, KM-742, Whitehead-979 (same dies), with his normal couplet on the obverse, used at all mints except Bahawalpur and Kashmir // mint and date; there is no regnal year; the mint is the military Court mint with the formula zarb-i mubarak-i rikab, "the fortunate mint of Rikab"; Rikab means "stirrup" and refers to the horses used in the military advances; wonderful bold strike, choice XF, RRR, ex Spink Auction 12027, lot 607 (December 2012). There is only one other example filed on CoinArchives, sold twice in 2016 and 2017, but an example of lower quality than this magnificent piece. Estimated for $10,000 to $15,000. Sold for $20,400.

LOT 807: INDIA: FRENCH: Louis XV, 1715-1774, AR 2 fanon (3.93g), Pondichery, ND, KM-49, Lec-28, pattern issue, an attractive lustrous mint state example! PCGS graded MS62, RRR, ex Charles W. Lueders III Collection. A magnificent example of this rare type! Estimated at $4,000-$6,000. Sold for $19,200.

LOT 665: INDIA: KUSHAN EMPIRE: Huvishka, ca. 155-187 AD, AV dinar (7.98g), G-332 (same dies), Donum Burns, ANS Kushan, diademed and crowned half-length bust left, holding mace and elephant goad, clouds below, flames over shoulder // Rishti standing right, holding spear in right hand and resting left hand on grounded shield, tamgha to right, PIÞTI to left, obverse struck with typical worn die, lightly lustrous, Choice AU, RRR. This is the first example of its type to appear at a public auction. The identity of the goddess Rishti (or Rishto) is uncertain, though it's extremely similar depiction to Athena/Minerva strongly suggests a Kushan adoption of the Greco-Roman goddess. Estimated at $15,000-$20,000. Sold for $15,600.

LOT 47: ROMAN EMPIRE: Aelia Verina, empress, 457-484, AV solidus (4.49g), Constantinople, 468-473, S-21465, RIC-607 (Leo I), AEL VERINA AVG, diademed and draped bust right, crowned by Manus Dei // VICTORIA AVGGG, Victory standing left, holding long jewelled cross, star in right field, small dent on reverse, some surface roughness, Choice VF, RRR. Estimated at $7,000-$10,000. Sold for $9,600.

Founder Steve Album was pleased with the results. "Prices were strong this time, with the World and Chinese segments doing especially well. And once again, the internet sessions and group lots brought good prices."

The firm is now taking consignments for future auctions. For more information, see www.stevealbum.com .

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