HERITAGE: NYINC WORLD AND ANCIENT COINS

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V28 2025 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 28, Number 2, , Article 19

Heritage Auctions will be hosting their NYINC Platinum World and Ancient Coins Auction on January 13. Select items are discussed below. -Garrett

South Africa: Republic gold "9" Pond 1898 MS63 Prooflike NGC Pretoria mint, KM-Unl., Hern-ZP6. The indisputable 'unicorn coin' in the entire South African series, the "Single 9 Overstamp" 1898 Pond remains unchallenged in its exclusive solitude. A distinct variant of the 130-piece "99" Pond issue (also presented in this sale), the "Single 9" Pond reportedly changed hands in a private sale in 2010, for a value documented as "multi-million Rand" by Hern. Other industry sources detail a more precise figure of R20,000,000, which was the equivalent of $2,700,000 at the average 2010 exchange rate. Possibly selected as the candidate for the overstamping for its gleaming 'Prooflike' appearance, this rarified treasure has been the prime target of South African experts for over a century.

The offering at hand holds an informed history, having been struck at precisely 10:30am on the 2nd of November, 1898. Notably absent were the reverse dies assigned with the forthcoming date of 1899; they had been misappropriated at Delagoa (Maputo) Bay by the British forces, thus impeding the vital task of producing currency for the impending year. Consequently, the Mint Master of Pretoria was prompted to impose an overstamp on the 1898 Ponde using a manual date punch. The very coin in question bears the honor of being the inaugural overstamp of this series. However, an obstacle immediately arose: the lone '9' punch was simply too large, inconveniently intersecting with the truncation of the President's effigy. In response to this dilemma, the mint's resourceful staff quickly recalibrated their approach and determined a smaller '9' punch to be more appropriate, leading to the remaining coins being struck with 'Double 99', and the sole 'Single 9' 1898 Pond's legend was born.

The coin comes accompanied by a laminated NGC Photo Proof document outlining the research conducted to authenticate this legendary piece, including the detailed explanation of the United States Consul General C.E. Macrum's 'M' monogram. Also included are two pieces of correspondence concerning the minting, one written by the government assayer at the time, J. Perrin, and the other by Macrum himself; in addition to the Farouk sale catalog (1954) and the telegram that informed Dr. Froelich about his acquisition.

India: Mughal Empire. Jahangir gold Zodiac "Aries" Mohur AH 1030 Year 16 (1620/1621) MS62 NGC Agra mint, cf. KM180.1 (for obverse), BM323 (same), Fr-762. 10.93gm. Ram, repose to left looking right over shoulder, with radiant sun behind / Name of Jahangir Shah, son of Akbar Shah in Persian, Agra mint and AH date 1030 above regnal year 16. Emperor Jahangir's fascination with astrology and the guidance of his court astronomers led to one of the most remarkable numismatic innovations in Mughal history: the gold Zodiac mohurs. Jahangir believed that celestial movements had a profound influence on life, and that decisions-even those related to coinage-should align with astrological advice. His dedication to this belief is evident in the unique coinage he introduced, with each coin featuring the zodiac constellation for the respective month.

Ex. NGSA Auction 11 (November 2019, Lot 37); CNG Triton XXII (January 2019, Lot 1260)

Ethiopia: Empress Zauditu silver Essai Pattern Birr EE 1917 (1925) MS62 NGC Paris mint, Gil-Z5 var. (for obverse). Uneffaced denomination variety. By Dammann and Chaplain. A supreme rarity from the Ethiopian series and a type that has not been seen at market in silver since our handling of the Formosa example in 2014, also ranked MS62. The specimen on offer is simply astounding, a belief further confirmed when viewed in-hand under magnification. There, the collector will notice subtle but powerful artistic choices by the engravers who clearly wished to raise the profile of Menelik II's daughter, Empress Zauditu. Featuring a uniform cabinet tone that accentuates the peripheral legends while lending an appreciable matte-like appearance throughout, our specimen is in a visual class unto itself. While ultimately succeeded by Haile Selassie, these elusive Patterns would stay just that, struck in various metals and formats with minor variations and denominations, with so few in any combination extant. Those non-uniface examples in gold and silver are among the most prized products of Ethiopian numismatics and we anticipate a collector response commensurate with that fact.

Greek: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinöe II Philadelphus (277-270/268 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (27mm, 27.78 gm, 11h). NGC AU 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, brushed. Posthumous issue, Alexandria, under Ptolemy II, Group 4, 247/6 BC. Veiled head of deified Arsinöe II right, wearing diademed stephane and horn of Ammon, scepter surmounted by lotus over left shoulder; ? in left field, dotted border / APSINOHS-FI?A?E?FOY, double cornucopia bound with fillet, containing pyramidal cakes, pomegranates and other fruits, grape cluster hanging from the rim of each horn; dotted border. CPE 394. Svoronos 489. A striking Fine Style portrait on a smooth goldenrod flan.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 126 (17 November 2021), lot 274; Numismatica Ars Classica, private sale (2011).

Roman Imperial: Diva Faustina Senior (AD 138-140/1). AV aureus (19mm, 7.20 gm, 6h). NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5 Rome, after AD 141. DIVA AVG-FAVSTINA, draped bust of Diva Faustina Senior right, seen from front, hair elaborately waved in several loops around head under thin band, braided, drawn up and coiled on top with pearls / PIETA-S AVG, Pietas standing facing, veiled head left, box in left hand, sprinkling incense with right over lighted and garlanded altar at left. RIC III (Antoninus Pius) 394a. Calicó 1799. Shimmering surfaces with radiant flow lines and sharp details.

Greek: CIMMERIAN BOSPORUS. Panticapaeum. Ca. 340-320 BC. AV stater (22mm, 9.09 gm, 11h). NGC MS 4/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, die shift Head of bearded Satyr (or Pan) left, wreathed with ivy bough / ?-A-N, griffin standing on grain ear left, head facing, holding spear in its mouth, right forepaw raised. MacDonald 54. Anokhin 1021. HGC 7, 20. SNG BM Black Sea 867. Gulbenkian 590. Absolutely jaw-dropping styling well-centered on a bright flan. This fantastic depiction of a mythical griffin must be enjoyed in hand. Starting out as a Greek trading post on the northern Black Sea coast settled by Milesian pioneers in the 7th century BC, Panticapaeum soon grew into a thriving city and home to the Spartocid kings - dynastic Greek rulers of the Bosporus. The city's fabulous wealth derived from its fertile grain fields and the thriving fishing industry of the northern Black Sea, all leading to a rich trade with the cities of mainland Greece and Asia Minor. This wealth is attested by its gold coins, which are typically larger and weightier than contemporary Greek gold pieces, and depict a wild-eyed satyr thought to represent the city's patron god and namesake, Pan. Here, Pan is shown with an expression evoking his role in sowing discord and fear (hence the term "panic") in enemy armies. While categorized as a mythological creature today, the griffin depicted on the reverse was very real to the Greeks of the Thracian hinterland, where it was thought to live. Griffins were said to be highly covetous of gold, a trait carried over into medieval conceptions of the dragon.

Great Britain: George V gold Proof Pattern Crown 1935 PR64 Cameo PCGS KM-PnM122, ESC-3656 (R3; prev. ESC-379), W&R-424. By Bertram Mackennal and Percy Metcalfe. A considerable rarity of an iconic type, here struck in gold and utilizing the instantly recognizable, redesigned reverse of George slaying the dragon by Metcalfe. Seldom are these off-metal strikings witnessed on the market, with only a handful even certified, here approaching a seemingly deserving Gem assignment and wonderful Cameo superlative. The Art Deco reverse remains especially crisp, with the raised devices amply frosted, lending to an already elevated aesthetic caliber. Produced upon a bright and luminous harvest-gold planchet, the example on offer is assuredly bound for a discerning cabinet for the specialist focusing in Crown-sized gold rarities.

India: The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India gold, silver, enamel & onyx Grand Cross Collar, Badge, Breast Star, Sash, and Sash Badge ND (Instituted 1861) UNC 1) enameled gold Collar, 24-1/2 x 17-1/4 in., 980gm. 2) enameled and carved gold, silver & onyx Collar Badge, 3-3/4 x 2-1/4 in., 95.93gm. 3) enameled and gilt-silver Breast Star, 3-1/4 in., 90.67gm. 4) enameled silver Sash Badge, 3-1/2 x 2-1/2 in., 42.95gm. 5) silk Sash, approx. 55 in. By R. & S. Gerard & Co., Goldsmiths and Jewelers to the Crown. An unimaginable offering that has simply blown this cataloger away, not only due to the impressive pedigree, but the quality of the contents of this original presentation piece. While the occasional breast star and sash badge are witnessed at market and always to great applause, seldom-seen are collars of any type, let alone in finely executed enamel and gold from the empire of Great Britain. In-part designed by Prince Albert himself, with all the fineries one expects from an order of chivalry of this magnitude, each detail is purposeful and symbolic, reflecting the desire to foster allegiances in India. The centerpiece of this Knights Grand Commander set is clearly the collar, featuring palm branches, the Tudor rose, and the lotus, all medallions linked with gold chain. Centrally inset are the faceted and gilt-silver breast star, a compartment for the light blue sash and enameled-silver sash badge, and an exceedingly fine gold and carved cameo badge; all of which read the order's motto: Heaven's Light Our Guide. A clear favorite of Farouk and B. Max Mehl, who had the pleasure of offering this and the other scarce orders and decorations within this very auction, showcasing the set as the first in the category at this particular sale, lending a full page description in his 1951 catalog. A truly exciting opportunity and one unlikely to be reproduced in a generation, with the only other full set located at auction selling in 2005. Scattered chips and flakes to enamel consistent with age. Accompanied by the original leather-clad and velvet-lined fitted case.

Ex. Collection of His Majesty King Farouk I of Egypt (B. Max Mehl, June 1951, Lot 2205)

Italy: Vittorio Emanuele III gold Proof Prova 20 Lire 1906 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC Milan mint, KM-Pr3, Pag-175 (R4). 6.26gm. Plain edge. By Egidio Boninsegna and struck at the workshop of Stefano Johnson. An astounding and diminutive rarity of the modern Italian series, where any Prova striking in gold excites collectors, especially at comparable tiers of preservation. Lavishly and carefully struck as to render the watery expanses fully reflective, projecting Vittorio Emanuele III's realistic bust and alluring bee reverse towards the viewer, warranting the Ultra Cameo superlative. The finest of just two of this plain edge variety certified by NGC and certainly worthy of considerable bidder engagement as such.