Ponterio & Associates conducted a 2,400-lot auction of world coins April 25-26 in conjunction with the Chicago International Coin Fair. Total realized by the sale was $1,397,253.40.

Top price reported by the firm was $40,000 bid for a gold Brazil 1832-R 4,000 reis, Standard Catalog of World Coins No. KM-386.1. Sale catalogers said this issue had a mintage of 610 pieces. They graded this one extremely fine.

A highlight of the roughly 550-lot Mexican coin section was a Revolution Guerrero Suriana two pesos of 1915 with reeded edge, KM-665, graded very fine, that brought $17,000. A 1741-MF eight escudos, KM-148, described as uncirculated, hit $15,500.

World gold, about 325 lots offered, also included a Brazil 1828-B 6,400 reis, KM-370.2, which catalogers said had a mintage of 423 pieces. They graded it extremely fine and it sold for $13,000.

Among more than 800 lots of world crowns and minors, a Belgium 1946 five francs, KM-130, with Dutch obverse legend DER BELGEN, EF, went for $5,000. A German 1925-E 50 pfennigs, KM-41, called almost uncirculated, sold for $2,500. Read Full Numismatic News Article

Stack’s sale of the Michael S. Tallent and the Alicia and Sid Belzberg Collections took place last Thursday, April 24 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. With standing room only, this jam-packed auction room witnessed the extraordinary sale of $6,592,516 worth of world coins and medals.

Lawrence R. Stack noted, “In speaking to the three highlighted consignors from this sale, Michael Tallent, Alicia and Sid Belzberg, and the owner of the Chinese kilo coins, everyone was very happy with the overall results, which goes to show that specialized collections bring out the crowds as well as financial rewards.”

The auction began with the Tallent Collection, starting with English Hammered coinage, and took off at an exciting pace, with the two Henry VIII Sovereigns fetching $37,375 and $29,900 respectively. A majestic Mary Tudor Fine Sovereign weighed in at $25,300 and a stunning Elizabeth I Pound brought $23,000, bolstering the House of Tudor’s legacy as one of the most famous (or infamous!) English royal families.

The highly specialized collection Charles I silver coins saw serious bidding (both live and via telephone) and fierce competition. The sheer quantity of types and high end quality of the coins made this dramatic collection a rare opportunity for collectors. A gorgeous Type 5 Tower Mint Crown was highly sought after and fetched $20,700, while soon after, a fabulously pedigreed 1643 Triple Unite sold for $29,900. Only minutes after that, a tremendous 1643 Oxford Mint Crown surpassed all expectations when it sold for $20,700. The seven lots of siege coinage were also the focus of intense bidding, with the Octagonal Shilling of Pontefract climbing to $14,950.

The dozen or so examples of Ormonde coinage were also well received, exceeding estimates on all fronts.

The Alicia and Sid Belzberg Collection opened with a stunning group of select Polish rarities, and their performance indicated that the robust Polish coin market is in no present danger. The epic Battle of Chocim 1621 Gold 50 Ducat commemorating the Polish victory finally weighed in at a whopping $431,250, the highest realization in the sale, after intense bidding. Excitement abounded when, minutes later, the exceedingly rare 1614 Gold 5 Ducat soared to $115,000 and the 1624 Gold 5 Ducat made its way to $63,250. All paddles were in the air when the magnificent and extremely rare 1617 Silver Double Talary crossed the block, topping out at $184,000. Polish patterns also performed brilliantly, with the breathtaking 1766 Pattern Talar encountering aggressive bidding and culminating in a winning bid of $138,000. The unique 1925 Gold Pattern 5 Z?otych opened at $36,000 and climbed to an astounding $218,500. (more…)

Coin collectors can celebrate the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel with limited numbers of new commemorative coins: in one-, two- and 10-shekel denominations.

The modern coins were designed by by Ruben Nutels, and symbolize the achievements of the state in its first 60 years, and express optimism about a future of peace and prosperity.

The coins bear a pomegranate to symbolize fertility and plenty, alongside a dove and an olive branch, the signs of peace.

The Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation (IGCMC) has also issued two silver replicas of ancient Jewish coins in honor of the upcoming 60th Independence Day.

They have struck exact silver replicas of two coins that were minted 1900 years ago: one represents destruction and exile, and the other rebirth and independence. They give expression to the importance and meaning of the establishment of the State, independence and sovereignty, according to the IGCMC.

The coins which were chosen to represent these two opposing messages are two bronze coins from the late 1st or beginning of the 2nd century CE.

One is the famous Judea Capta coin minted by the Romans to honor the fall of the Jewish state established in the Great Revolt, originally minted in Rome in 71 CE. The second, minted in Judea in 132-133 CE, is from the Bar Kochba revolt.

The coins may be bought over the Internet as well as at IGCMC stores.

The year 2008 marks the 200-year anniversary of Henrik Wergeland’s birth. On Thursday 8 May, Norges Bank will issue a silver commemorative coin to mark the occasion.

”We hope that this coin will be a reminder of one of Norway’s most significant cultural figures,” says Trond Eklund, Director of Norges Bank’s Cashier Department. He also mentions Wergeland’s importance to the manner in which Norway celebrates its constitution day, 17 May, with a children’s parade.

The obverse of the coin features the portrait of King Harald V, which has been used on special edition circulation coins in recent years. This motif has been designed by Ingrid Austlid Rise, a designer at Det Norske Myntverket AS (Mint of Norway). The motif on the back of the coin was designed by Enzo Finger and depicts Henrik Wergeland’s glasses and signature.

In connection with the issue of the coins, Norges Bank is cooperating with Wergeland 2008, which is a collaborative project between the National Library, the National Archives and the Eidsvoll 1814 foundation. The project was commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs to plan and carry out the official anniversary celebrations.

On 8 May 2008, the National Library will mark the 200-year anniversary of Henrik Wergeland’s birth with a special exhibition and the publication of a book. The silver commemorative coin will be launched in connection with the opening of this exhibition. (more…)