by Greg Reynolds for CoinLink
This is Part 1 of my review and analysis of the auction of the Millennia collection of world coins.

On May 26, Memorial Day, the firm of Ira & Larry Goldberg sold the “Millennia Collection” of world coins from ancient times to the 20th Century including coins from a large number of nations and all continents. This one collection realized over $20 million, astonishing !

Even people who do not know anything about coins could easily appreciate a Spanish gold coin, minted in Segovia around 1500, that depicts Ferdinand & Isabella. Indeed, a newcomer to coins will see that it has almost zero scratches and contact marks, that it is highly detailed, and that it has attractive subdued luster. It is not necessary to know its grade in order to be stunned by its incredible condition. A grading expert would know that it is a special uncirculated coin and would probably conclude that it merits its certified grade of MS-63, which is an amazingly high grade for a coin minted circa 1500.

Jim Elmen, a long-time, world recognized expert in European coins, estimates that “less than fifty” such King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella gold coins of this issue are known. He adds, “it is an excellent coin” overall. It sold for $48,300 at the auction, a high price for a gold coin from Spain, but perhaps a reasonable price for an important piece of history. Ferdinand & Isabella significantly changed the course of world events. They unified Spain, defeated foreign forces, terribly expelled groups of innocent people from their societies, and are best known for sponsoring the voyages of Christopher Columbus. In many ways, the Millennia collection relates to important events and trends in world history.

While the Millennia collection will be forever remembered for its breadth, and for showcasing historically important coins, its primary characteristic is quality. A substantial number of Millennia collection coins are in the condition rankings for their respective dates and, more importantly, for entire types!

On May 26, ancient coins, mostly Roman, and Anglo-Saxon pennies were auctioned from around 10:00 AM until the early afternoon. Next, European coins were auctioned for the remainder of the afternoon and in the early evening. At night, coins from the rest of the World were sold. In the category of Latin American Crowns, the Millennia collection may be the all-time best to be publicly auctioned. This collection also includes a substantial range of large gold coins, especially of Great Britain and Latin America (more…)

The June 22, 2008 Champion Galleries sale in Hong Kong will contain many rare and interesting Chinese coins and bank notes, according to Champion Galleries President, Michael Chou. The sale will be held at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Kowloon, the site of major numismatic auctions and the Hong Kong Coin Show for more than 25 years. Bilingual catalogs, in both Chinese and English, may be reserved by contacting the company at the addresses at the end of this review.

Leading the list of rarities in this sale is the 1867 Shanghai Tael pattern stuck at the Hong Kong Mint (Kann 911a), from the Wayte Raymond Collection, certified Proof-64 by PCGS and NGC, and estimated to bring US $100,000 or more (all prices in this review are in U.S. dollars). Though inscribed with both Shanghai and Hong Kong, this coin was not intended for circulation in either place, but was to be a national coinage for use throughout China. Hong Kong in this case was simply a mintmark, and Shanghai indicated that it was struck to the standard of the Shanghai tael.

Another major rarity, certified by NGC as Specimen-64, is the 1903 Hupoo Tael (Kann 927). The dies for this coin, which features a unique type of dragon, were engraved in Japan, most likely at the Osaka Mint, but the coin itself was struck in Tientsin. This beautiful coin is expected to sell for $70.000. Estimated at the same level, is a 1907 Peiyang Tael (Kann 938a), which previously appeared in the 1991 sale of the Goodman Collection. Struck at the Tientsin Mint using the same Japanese style dragon as on the Hupoo coin, this piece is rated MS-62 by NGC.

From Kiangnan (the Nanking Mint) there is an undated Dragon Dollar struck in 1897, similar to Kann 66, but with a plain edge and struck in copper. Kann does not list this coin with a plain edge, though such exists in silver, and he does not list any copper strikings of the 1897 dollars. The plain edge 1897 dollars are listed in both silver and copper in H. Chang’s 1981 catalog, “Silver Dollars and Taels of China.” This copper pattern dollar is expected to bring $50,000. (more…)

Gold and silver coins featuring the late Sir Edmund Hillary against a backdrop of Mount Everest were released in New Zealand on Thursday, the 55th anniversary of his historic ascent of the world’s highest peak with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.

New Zealand Post, which issued the commemorative coins, said part of the proceeds of their sale would go to the Himalayan Trust that Hillary established for the Sherpa people of Nepal.

One of New Zealand’s best loved national heroes, Sir Edmund Hillary’s life was filled with many great achievements that earned him worldwide fame.

The first man to conquer Mount Everest in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary went on to devote much of his life to improving those of others, especially the people of his beloved Nepal.

Following his passing in January 2008, and with the exclusive support of Sir Edmund Hillary’s family, this very special New Zealand coin release pays tribute to this extraordinary but humble man who will be remembered for ever. (more…)

By Kevin Bogardus for The Hill

American coin collectors and art dealers say a rule under consideration at the State Department could dramatically decrease the importation of goods from China, crippling a booming antiquities market in the United States.

The State Department has not yet imposed any restrictions, but officials are considering requiring shippers to provide documentation of ownership when moving goods from China to the United States. Chinese officials, who asked the State Department for the change in 2004, argue the rule is a way to protect China’s cultural heritage and prevent the trafficking of stolen goods.

Coin collectors and art dealers fear more than a receipt will be required. Instead, they expect to have to track an item’s lineage under the new rule.

That could dramatically scale back what is a growing, multimillion-dollar antiquities trade with Asia and foist an unmanageable amount of paperwork on small-business coin collectors, critics claim.

Without the necessary paperwork, customs inspectors could seize the artifacts.

Read Full Story here