At the end of February 2010, Ira and Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles purchased England’s legendary King Edward VIII 1937 Proof Set for $2.1 Million (1,350,000 Pounds). This purchase was made in England with the assistance of noted English coin dealers Steve Fenton and Mark Rasmussen.

Considered the “Holy Grail” of English Milled Coinage, this is the only Proof Set of its kind in private hands, and all are in Gem Proof condition. This set has never before been seen outside of England.

Apparently, only four sets, plus a few minors, were minted; the Royal Mint has two of the sets, and another was broken up over 40 years ago, with a few of the coins occasionally appearing at auction.

King Edward the VIII abdicated the throne in December of 1936, after reigning for only 10 months, to marry the American divorcee Mrs. Willis Simpson, a commoner.

It is this King Edward VIIII quote that many school children have been taught to memorize: “I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.”

The proof set was minted at the Royal Mint and dated 1937 to be issued on his coronation in January 1937, an event which never took place.

This particular set belonged to Mrs. R. Henry Norweb, whose husband was the American Ambassador to England.

The 10th Hong Kong Champion Auction will be held on February 24 at the renowned Hyatt Regency Hotel located in 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, and features a rich selection of Chinese coins and banknotes certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and Paper Money Guaranty (PMG).

Among the auction listings are Chinese Empire minor Silver and Copper coins from a long-standing American collection. Also presented is a group of Copper Pattern coins from another American collection, including an extremely rare Yunnan Dollar pattern with raised edge, whose heritage may include the Schuler Company.

The auction will be held on February 24, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong. More information can be found on Champion’s multi-lingual Web site, www.cghka.com, and the auction can be seen at www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/20498.

586 rare coins and banknotes will be offered and Among the highlights of coins are:

CHINA-Yuan Dynasty 5 Taels Gold Sycee, Weight 185.5g, VF?lot 48?
CHINA-SHANTUNG 1926 Dragon and Phoenix 10 Dollars Gold Pattern, KM Pn7, K1536, NGC MS65?lot 68?
CHINA-YUNNAN ND 10 Cash Copper Pattern, AU. Extremely rare possibly unique (lot 235)
CHINA-SINKIANG 1878 One Mace Silver, Lanchoufu Arsenal Mint, L&M808, K1000, NGC AU55(lot 214)
CHINA-Qing Dynasty Empress Dowager Presentation Birthday Charm, 63mm in diameter, 10mm thick, 241.8g, XF(lot 41)

Highlights of banknotes are:
CHINA 1911 Shensi Provincial Bank 3 Taels (Guo-829), VF-XF(lot 449)
CHINA 1854 Board of Revenue 10 Tales PA12b(lot 367)
CHINA 1907 Kiangse Government Bank $1 PMG VF20(lot 447)
CHINA 1914 Bank of China Chihli $5 PMG AU58EPQ(lot 389) (more…)

It’s with tremendous pleasure that Heritage presents the Paulistana Collection of Brazilian coins, the most important and complete collection of Brazilian coins to appear in the world numismatic market for many years, to be offered on April 22, 2010 in Chicago, in conjunction with the Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF). In total there are more than 900 pieces from the first counterstruck coinage up to pieces of the Republic, with no duplication!

“When I had the pleasure of inspecting the collection,” said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Heritage Director of International Sales, “I was impressed by the accomplishment of our consignor, who in a short time was able to assemble a complete cabinet with very few missing pieces. Many of the coins not included in the collection are found only in museums!”

One of the highlights of the collection is the group of counterstruck coins, with more than 30 pieces, many of which are very difficult to find. The collection also includes a complete set of 960 Reis, including very rare varieties, as well as three pieces from Minas Gerais, the three patacoes of the second empire (1832, 1833, and 1834), various Minas counterstamps on rare Hispanic 8 Reales, and a complete collection of Cruzados (!), including the extremely rare 1200 Reis of 1839 and 100 Reis of 1844.

Our Brazilian offerings in this auction do not end with the silver rarities from the Paulistana Collection; we will be offering dozens of gold rarities as well, including two 3200 Reis coins, a 1000 Reis dated 1727-M, an extremely rare 2000 Reis dated 1703-R, and more than 30 pieces of 6400 Reis from Rio and Bahia.

To sum it up, if you are interested in the fascinating coinage of Brazil, this auction has something for you. Just a few of the highlights of this auction will include:

• 960 Reis Counterstamp on 1789 Carlos III 8 Reales of Mexico.
• 1844 100 Reis.
• 1843 400 Reis.
• 1848 500 Reis.
• 1818-M 640 Reis.
• 1843 800 Reis.
• 1810-M 960 Reis, Inverted Reverse.
• 1822-B 960 Reis.
• 1834-R 960 Reis.
• 1839 1200 Reis.
• 1763-R 1600 Reis.
• 1703-R 2000 Reis.
• 1749-R 3200 Reis.