Rare 1792 penny sold for $1.15 million

A rare 1792 Silver Center Penny sold for $1,150,000 by Heritage Auction on 19 April 2012. The auction won by Kevin Lipton of Beverly Hills, California, who bought the penny on behalf of a group of unnamed investors for $1 million and must also pay the auction house's 15 percent commission. Only 14 of copper and silver 1792 experimental penny exist and this is the third best example (Morris Specimen) of the coin. One of the coin sold at auction in 1974  and reached a price of $105,000. The Silver Center cent was the first coin produced within the physical Philadelphia Mint building shortly after its completion near the end of 1792. The coin was auctioned off at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Chicago.

On the obverse show Liberty faces right with hair flowing behind. The obverse periphery reads LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY, with 1792 just below the bust. The reverse has a wreath tied with a ribbon at the bottom; ONE CENT is within. Around the rim is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the fraction 1/100 below. Struck in copper with a silver plug in the center.

The coin is made from copper and incases a small plug of silver. The silver was added to make the penny heavier. For a comparison, Canada King of Pennies or a 1936 dot cent coin sold in an auction for USD$402,500 at a New York auction in January 2010.


Source: Heritage Auction.

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MNS Auction No.151 tomorrow

I want to wish Good Luck and Happy Auction day to all Malaysia Numismatic Society (MNS) members for Auction No. 151 that will be held tomorrow (25 March 2012) at Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Muzium Negara, Jalan Petalawati, 50480 Kuala Lumpur around 9am. For non members, you can also go and watch the auction yourself. If you don't know where is the place, you need to go to the building near the old train on display at the Museum. With the publicity about the auction in KOSMO newspaper recently (you can read it here; Dickson Niew in KOSMO), I think large crowd will be coming to the 1st MNS Auction this year. You can also buy banknotes, coins and stamp at the bourse table that will be open on that day.

What is the main attraction for this Malaysia Numismatic Society auction No.151? For me, the most interesting item on Auction is the East India Company B.Balemark Prince of Wales 1 pice, 1/2 pice coins and 1929 Straits Settlements 10 dollar banknote but I know many collectors are waiting for the result of Ali Abul Hassan 50 ringgit ZA replacement with a reserve price of RM3800. If a buyer buy the note, many collector will be smiling because I know many of you have that notes too. You can read more about the Auction list and pictures at Sifu Dickson Niew blog at MNS Auction 151 Countdown.

Picture by Dickson Niew: 1929 Straits Settlements 10 dollar

Picture by Dickson Niew: Prince of Wales 1 Pice East India Company

FYI, I will not be coming to this auction. How about you? Will you come to this auction?

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Islam rare coins auction

Rare Islamic coins will be auctioned by A. H. Baldwin and Sons Ltd in London at The Westbury Hotel, Mayfair on 25 April 2012. The auction will include around 150 rare Islamic coins that record important events in the history of Islam and some of its great rulers. Almost all the famous gold dinar will be in this auction including Umayyads and Abbasids gold dinar. The world most expensive gold dinar today is the Umayyad Dinar dated 105h (723AD), struck from gold mined at a location owned by the Caliph himself, auctioned by Morton and Eden for £3,720,000. A record that is not easy to break since most gold dinar sold for £300,000-400,000 before.

Here are some of the coins that will be auction:

Byzantine Gold Solidus which shows the Emperor Heraclius and his two sons on the obverse and bears the kalima (the Islamic statement of faith), on the reverse. The earliest Islamic gold coin to contain the Kalim, the statement of faith, bismillah la ilah illa Allah wahda Muhammad Rasul Allah (no god but God unique, Muhammad is the messenger of God).

Umayyad Gold Dinars struck in the year 77 of the Hijra by the Caliph ‘Abd al-Malik bin Marwan, the most sought after Islamic coins. This was the very first fully Islamic gold coin, bearing words from the Holy Qur’an without any of the imagery that had been seen on its Byzantine type predecessors.

Abbasids Silver Dirhams, the first silver coins issued in al-Yamama, the district around today’s Saudi Arabian capital city, al-Riyadh.

Abbasids Gold Dinar, Caliph al-Mu’tazz  dated 252H. It is recorded that it was struck from gold which had been used to cover the Makam Ibrahim, outside the Ka‘ba. The makam is one of the great relics associated with the Prophet Muhammad, and this outstanding example of the coin, which so eloquently recalls this sacred spot, is extremely rare.

Fatamid Dinar, al-‘Aziz Billah, Makka 366H. After al-Mu’izz conquered Egypt he went on to seize the Holy City of Makka in the Hijaz. This excessively rare dinar was struck in the name of his successor al-‘Aziz during the latter’s struggle with the Qarmatids. Another rare Gold Dinar was struck in Makka.

Bronze Medal of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II bearing the initials PM in his turban, which is attributed to Pietro di Martino da Milano, one of the great Renaissance master medallists. Thought to be unique, this finely cast medal provides an astonishing insight into the character of the great Sultan so soon after his conquest of Constantinople in 1453 CE.

Other coins that will be auction including Gold Guinea of King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Al Sa’ud bearing the mint name Makka al-Mukarrama struck in the year 1370H (1950-1951 CE), Silver Medal with an elegant floral pattern that was issued by the Abbasid Caliph al-Radi billah in Madinat al-Salam (“City of Peace”), Gold Five Ashrafi piece struck by Ahmad III during Turkey’s “Tulip Period”, Ottoman Five Guinea piece in the name of ‘Abd al-‘Aziz bin Mahmud struck in Misr (Egypt), Al-Musta’sim Abbasid Gold Dinar struck in Madinat al-Salam and many more great Islamic coins.

For further information and to register your interest, you can visit Baldwin and sons at www.baldwin.co.uk.

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50 Excelentes for auction in New York

One of the Europe's most famous coin, 50 Excelentes, commissioned by the 15th century monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella as gifts will be in an auction by Sotheby's next month. The Archer M. Huntington collection of 37,895 Spanish coins, valued between $25 million and $35 million will be sold in a single batch in a sealed bid auction that ends March 8. The collection was put together a century ago by American railroad magnate and philanthropist Archer Milton Huntington, who also founded the Hispanic Society of America.

David Redden, Sotheby's vice chairman and head of special projects said, the collection, which is owned by the New York chapter of the Hispanic Society of America, was offered to the government of Spain before the auction but its bid was too low, Redden said. Persons who have expressed an interest in the auction include Americans, Spaniards and other Europeans

The collection is dominated by the nearly five-ounce (140 gram) solid gold 50 Excelente coin, which Redden called "arguably the most important and valuable European coin in existence." It shows a profile of the monarchs on one side and a shield on the other side. Other 50 Excelente coins were minted but disappeared for reasons that can only be guessed.

The collection also includes a copy of the "Ides of March" denarius, the most famous ancient coin, which was coined by the ancient Roman politician Brutus in the year 4 BC to commemorate the assassination of Julius Caesar, in which Brutus conspired. Other coins in the collection were among the first minted in the New World as the Spanish colonized the Americas, and coins from the Muslim period in Spain. The coin collection is on display at Sotheby's New York galleries.

Source: AFP

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Australian Open coins auction result

Royal Australian Mint had auctioned a special collectible coins that has been used in the coin tosses at the Australian Open men's and women's finals this year. The coins used to begin the matches were auctioned by Tennis Australia on eBay, with the proceeds going to the Australian Tennis Foundation. The men Australian Open final coin sold for AU$3,051 in eBay auction that ended on 31 January 2012. The women Australian Open final coin, sold for AU$837. The uncirculated coins feature the iconic trophies of the Australian Open presented on a background of curved stripes that mirror the rubber strip on a tennis ball.

Official Australian Open Men's Trophy Coin
Technical Specifications:
Denomination: $1
Metal: Al/Bronze
Mass: 9.00g
Diameter: 25.00mm
Finish: Uncirculated
Mintage: Unlimited
Designer: W. Pietranik

Official Australian Open Women's Trophy Coin
Technical Specifications:
Denomination: $1
Metal: Al/Bronze
Mass: 9.00g
Diameter: 25.00mm
Finish: Uncirculated
Mintage: Unlimited
Designer: W. Pietranik

The official Australian Open collectible coin program includes two $1 uncirculated aluminium bronze coins, one featuring the women's trophy and the other the men's trophy (retails at $15), a $5 uncirculated aluminium bronze coin (retails at $25) and a $2 selectively gold plated proof coin (retails at $95) both featuring a replica of the 100th Men's Championship medal. Tennis fans wishing to buy a piece of Australian Open memorabilia can do so through the Australian Open Shop in Garden Square, contacting the Royal Australian Mint Call Centre on 1300 652 020 or visiting www.ramint.gov.au

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Facebook Numismatic Auction

A member message me in email few weeks ago, asking about Facebook Numismatic Auction. "I heard, you can find item cheaper then market value in Facebook but I don't know where to find a place like that. I heard you can bid for banknote and coin cheaper by 30% from market value. Please, if you know such place, reply my email". In my email, I told him I will reply in my blog. Facebook Auction is a bit new in Malaysia but its already a phenomenon. Its help some dealers to increase their sales and certainly are helping small time traders to sell their item.

Before this, most of the sellers just display their item picture with the condition, price or phone number in a group or pages related to numismatic, hoping someone will asked about their item. The scenario change last year when someone try to sell item using auction style. One active group who using this method is Kedai Hantu Duit 2. I had been following this group since last year and they're the most active group in Malaysian Facebook scene. Their group have 1,036 members right now and over 100 active members almost daily. The group have 2 admins who actively organizing quiz with free gift to their members. The admins also very strict on their membership. Any members who are giving problem will be remove instantly from the group. Originally, the group main purpose is to share numismatic knowledge among its members but it has became an auction place for Malaysian collectors. If you want to be a member of this group, you need to ask any of your friends who are already in this group to add you.

At this moment, the group admin only allowed members to post 3 items for auction a day. The admin highly suggest for you to gain reputation first before you post an auction in the group. For newbies, you're only allowed to post an auction with your picture, identity card or driving license attach in the auction picture. Its also highly suggested by the group admin, every members must put watermark on the auction pictures (your name or phone number). The admins are watching their rules almost every hour and any members who don't follow any of these will get a warning. If they're any scam cases or any members who don't honour their bid, you need to alert everyone as soon as possible.

What do you need to post in your auction:

• A clear picture of your banknote or coin.
• Condition of your item.
• Your item details (printer, years etc)
• Your auction start price.
• Your auction reserve price (if you want to put it in reserve price).
• Date and time of your auction will start.
• Date and time of your auction will closed.
• Your phone number.
• Who will pay for postage.
• How much the postage will cost.
• Any other terms and condition.

When the auction time almost over, it is highly suggested you start a countdown of the auction time. Winners and auctioneers will message each other in Facebook to conclude the deal.

Congratulations to the admin of this group for actively promoting numismatic hobbies among Malaysian.

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100 dollars watermelon note for auction

100 dollars watermelon note for auction in Long Beach by Heritage Auction. The February Long Beach Heritage Signature Auction will include a special fifty lot Signature Currency Auction. One of the banknote being offered in the auction is the $100 Watermelon Note. The name "Watermelon note" came from  the number 100 on the back of the $100 1890 Treasury notes and the number 1000 on the back of the $1000 (World most expensive banknote) were designed resembles the outside rind of a watermelon. This rare and wonderful Watermelon note will cross the auction block on 3 February 2012 and carries an estimate of $150,000 and up.

The portrait on the face of the $100 is that of Andrew Farragut (1801-70), who famously was reported to have stated "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" during the Civil War when the Union ships under his command sealed off Mobile Bay and thus cut off the Confederate blockade running that was taking place. Prior to that, he led the forces that captured New Orleans. He was only nine years old when he entered the navy and served in the War of 1812. Farragut was the first person to hold the rank of admiral in the United States Navy.

A mere 120,000 of the $100 1890 Treasury Notes were printed. With only about three dozen surviving examples of this denomination, and a quarter of that number held in institutional collections, very few are available to meet collector demand, as evidenced by the fact that this is the only example that has been offered at auction since 2008. The note retains original surfaces, and the few pinholes that are observed have not been restored, a refreshing departure for these types of notes that have often been invasively rebuilt over the years.

Source: Heritage Auction (currency.ha.com)

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1793 chain cent sold 1.3M

A 1793 penny known as a "1793 chain cent" sold for a record $1,380,000 by Heritage Auction on 4 January 2012.  The chain cent get its name from the interlocking chain with 15 links on its reverse. It were struck during late February and early March 1793 with only approximately 36,103 pieces minted. The coin was made at the Mint in Philadelphia in 1793, the first year that the U.S. made its own coins. Heritage officials said in a news release that the name of the buyer was not revealed but that he was "a major collector." One of the coin's earliest owners was a well-known Baltimore banker, Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.

During its time, people had been misinterpret the chain with slavery (similar iconography had been utilized on the reverse of the earlier Fugio Cent and Revolutionary War era Continental currency). The chain had been changed with a wreath cent, quickly prepared and approved. Originally, the reverse chain had been intended to symbolize the togetherness of the newly formed Union.

Obverse design

The obverse design consisted of a stylized Liberty head with flowing hair. The inscription "LIBERTY" appeared above the portrait, and the date below. The design was rather sparse and empty compared to those that would come later.

Reverse design

The reverse's central design figure, for which the coin is named, is an interlocking chain with 15 links, representing the 15 American states in existence at that time. Both the words "ONE CENT" and the fraction "1/100" appear within the chain. Along the outer edge is inscribed "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". On the first working die, the engraver failed to allow adequate room for the entire inscription, and it had to be abbreviated to "UNITED STATES OF AMERI.". These early dies were cut by hand, rather than being made from master hubs as is the practice today.

Source: Wikipedia

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1787 gold coin sold $7.4M

A rare 1787 gold coin sold $7.4M in an auction, highest prices ever paid for a gold coin. For a record, World's most expensive coin: 1794 silver dollar sold for  $7.85 million. The rare 1787 gold Brasher doubloon purchased by a Wall Street investment firm. A New Orleans-based coin and precious metals company, Blanchard and Co., brokered the deal but identities of the buyer and seller were not disclosed.  Minted by Ephraim Brasher, a goldsmith and neighbor of George Washington, the coin contains 26.66 grams of gold, slightly less than an ounce. The Brasher doubloon is considered the first American-made gold coin denominated in dollars; the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia didn't begin striking coins until the 1790s.

AP Photo/Chris Baudot, Blanchard and Company, Inc.

The 1787 Brasher Doubloon is an impressive example of early American design. The debate continues as to which side of the coin is the obverse, but most numismatists now agree that the landscape side of the coin is the obverse. The coin features the radiant sun just behind the peak of a mountain with the sea in front. Brasher’s name is boldly engraved below the sea. The landscape is framed by a circle of beads. Along the periphery of the coin, separated by rosettes, are the legends “NOVA EBORAC,” which is the Latin name for New York, “COLUMBIA” and the state motto “EXCELSIOR.” Translated literally, the legend means New York, America, Ever Upward. “Excelsior” remains the New York State motto to this day.

picture by: emediawire.com

The reverse depicts a proud, heraldic eagle with its wings displayed. The eagle is facing right and its head is surrounded by thirteen five-pointed stars, symbolizing the thirteen original states. Across the eagle’s breast is a shield. In the right talon, representing peace, are olive branches, and in the left talon are the arrows of war.  The entire eagle is encircled by a wreath. At the bottom edge of the coin is the date with rosettes placed on either side. At the top edge is the inscription “UNUM E PLURIBUS” (One From Many) which is separated by two six-pointed stars.

The coin is called a Doubloon because it is approximately equal in weight to the Spanish Doubloon which circulated actively in colonial America. A value of $16 was initially attributed to the coin, but later research shows that this value was erroneously placed and the “Doubloon” was actually worth $15 at the time of issue. This value was first suggested in a comprehensive article about Brasher Doubloons written by numismatist William Swoger and published in the June 1, 1992 issue of Coin World magazine. Additional information about weights and measures of the era was published in the 1993 book, "Money of the American Colonies and Confederation," by Phil Mossman.

Source: Associated Press.

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Rare Greek Coin to be Auctioned

A rare Greek Coin to be Auctioned by Classical Numismatic Group (CNG) in New York on January 4 next year, The Dekadrachm of Akragas. The coin was minted in Sicily and dates to 409-406 B.C. The Greek coin, one of only 12 examples known to exist and only the third to come to market in a generation. The 2400-year-old coin is ecpected to fetch $2.5 million in the online auction by CNG. Six versions of the coin are in museum collections. The obverse of the silver coin is stamped with the image of a Quadriga, or four horse chariot. The reverse of the coin show two eagles clutching a dead hare. The coin measures about 35.5 mm (1.4 inches) and weighs 43.4 grams (1.5 oz). The Classical Numismatic Group, is an international firm that deals in ancient, medieval and British coins. In its online catalogue CNG described the coin as "a masterpiece of late 5th century Greek art" and "one of the most beautiful of all Greek coins."

Source: Reuters, Dailymail.uk

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18 December MNS Auction 150

For everyone who has been asking when the next Malaysia Numismatic Society Auction (MNS) at Muzium Negara will be held, it will be held on 18 December 2011. It will be MNS Auction Number 150 and the last auction for this year.  The Auction normally will be held at Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Muzium Negara, Jalan Petalawati, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. There is a small hall in there where this auction normally held by MNS. The auction normally start at 10.00am and viewing of the lots will start at 9.30am on the same day. As always, I advise you to come early around 8.30am since they're bourse table open for public to buy coins and banknotes.

There will be Bourse Tables available at RM 50.00 per table.Members interested,please book your tables with payments to Mr Tan Tai Seng (03-79835011) at least one week before the auction.

This auction only for members of MNS only. You can read about their membership in here: Malaysia Numismatic Society membership. Entrance fee for ordinary member is RM20.00 and RM40.00 for annual subscription fee. Their coin auction is for member only. Any numismatist over 12 years but below the age of 18 and resident in Malaysia may apply to be a Junior Member. The Entrance Fee for Junior Members is RM5.00 and Annual Subscription is RM15.00. Kindly download the Application Form and send it to the Society either via post, fax or e-mail for approval.

I am not a MNS member and don't asked me why I don't became a member. For info, news and pictures of the MNS auction, you can go to Dickson Niew blog; Niewmismatic error coin. He is a MNS committee member and he normally post about the item that will be on auction. The last time I go at their auction, MNS Auction 149, not so many members join their auction. You might get something valuable for less price.

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Malaysia Numismatic Society auction 149

Yesterday, Malaysia Numismatic Society (MNS) held an auction at Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Malaysia National Museum, Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysia Numismatic Society auction 149 is not a crowded one, less people coming maybe because of the recent Hari Raya Celebration. I came early at 8.40 am because last time when I came at 9.00 am, most of the item on sale at the bourse tables are already gone. This time, I can only see 6 sellers joining the bourse tables with most of them are selling Malaysia banknote. They bring a very nice collection but with a high price though. This is the first time I am not buying anything on the auction day.

The viewing item start at around 9.30 am. All members got to view the auction but not allowed to touch the coins or notes. Some of the MNS committee act as a security preventing members from damaging the items. Most crowd are more interested on item no. 59, Malaysia 1 sen 1976 copper Brilliant Uncirculated. The recent Mavin International Auction, Singapore on 16 July 2011, 1 sen 1976 copper has been closed at a high price, SGD1,400 (excluding tax and commision). Many members want to know if the same item can get a higher price in MNS Auction compare to the Mavin auction. Steven Tan catalog reported only 100 pieces of this coin exist.

The auction start at 10.25am with MNS president Mr. Thenakaran Nadarajah himself as a auctioneer. Mr. Lawrence De Souza act as a bidder for mail bidders. There are only around 30 members of the society who participated in the bidding process. Most of the items on auction come home without any bidder, although Mr. Thena asked members few times if they want to bid for the items. Most of the item reserve price are below the market price. When the time come for item no.59, many members join the bidding. process(Saran Singh, Dickson Niew etc). Its like a battle for the 1976 1 sen copper. In the end, a bidder won the coin at RM3600. A little bit lower then everyone expected (RM4000).

Its a fun auction day for all MNS members. Some of my Facebook friends won their auction at reserve price, congratulations to them. If you remember about that two little kids that I had been talking in the last MNS auction no. 143, they're still coming and joining this auction. Hopefully more younger generation will keep on joining coin collecting as a hobbies. The MNS Auction participant has been decreasing each time, some changes has to be done if MNS want their auction to be popular again. You can read my old posts about these matter.

More pictures and videos can be viewed at Malaysia coin Facebook page.

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Malaysia Numismatic Celebrity

Do you meet any Malaysia Numismatic Celebrity lately? It has been a bit hot discussion with some online friends when one of them show the picture of Saran Singh that she encounter during her visit to Amcorp Mall. Exactly, have you meet any of our own Malaysia Pakar Numismatic (Malaysia Numismatic expert)? I had meet many of them but only last year I took pictures with them (for personal collection). Most of the sifu (expert) don't want to share their pictures online because they want to keep it low profile.

Do you know that you have a best chance to meet with all the best in Malaysia Numismatic this coming Saturday? Malaysia Numismatic Society will be conducting their MNS Auction no. 149 this Sunday on 25 September 2011 at 9am in Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Muzium Negara, Jalan Petalawati, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. You may contact Mr. Lawrence at 012-3710951 for more details. Most of the sifu will be coming for that auction. You can also go to Dickson Niew blog and read more about the auction at Niewmismatic Mint Errors. One of the sifu in his field too (Malaysia Mint errors).

Who exactly that we can consider as Malaysia Numismatic Celebrity? For me, I like to meet all the sifu who had wrote a book of their own. So far, I had meet Steven Tan, KN Boon, Tony Lye Fong Nge and many more. I had seen Saran Singh many times before but I never had a chance to chat or take picture with him. Some of my friends also want to meet david@profxxx, a famous Malaysia eBay Powerseller. You can also go to his blog Malaysia Straits Banknote. He also got many knowledge in Malaysia numismatic but he rarely wrote a thing about Malaysia numismatic.

How about you? Who do you consider as Malaysia Numismatic Celebrity? Get a chance to meet some of them at MNS auction. Share your experience with everyone in here.

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Tensho Oban for auction

Tensho Oban for auction by Heritage Auctions on 9 September 2011. The Tensho Naga Gold Oban - Omodaka variety ND (1573-1591), one of the rarest of all Oban varieties. The Tensho Oban weight was fixed at about 165 grams and was hammered into three different sizes. This example is the 'NAGA' (or long type) and the largest physical size of all the Obans minted. The estimate price for this auction are $300,000 - $350,000.

This is an extremely rare variety of the Tensho Naga Oban due to the different upper stamp of the two stamps on the reverse: the Omodaka stamp. The Mori family was given permission by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (the great uniter of Japan) to make this official Oban and stamp the symbol of the their family on the reverse, which was the Omodaka plant leaf and flower. The large gold coin plate minted in 73% gold and 27% silver. The ink is original and a vibrant black color. There is scuffing on the high points of the obverse with a small amount of ink missing. Repair apparent on both sides at 8 o'clock on the obverse, and at the matching area on the reverse at 4 o'clock, as evidenced by the disturbance of the original texture of the surfaces near the edge. The repair seems to have been done over a hundred years ago and carefully hammered after perhaps being dropped.

Oban were made of hammered gold with a face value of 10 ryo or 10 Koban coins. The word Oban means 'large stamped' in Japanese. The earliest ōban were made in the 1580s, when the feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536/7-98) co-operated with wealthy merchants in the Kansai district of central Japan and monopolized Japan's metal mines. He then began to mint gold coins of fixed quality.

The auction will take place at Long Beach, California or you can bid it online at: The Tensho Naga Gold Oban.

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2 Richard II groats for auction

2 Richard II groats for auction at the Chippenham Auction Rooms with a reserve price of £400. The 14th Century coins will be auction on 20 August 2011. The groats were dug up at a house in Sherston near Malmesbury in the 1960s. The seller has owned the groats for years but don't know how much they are worth. The coins has been identified as a Richard II groat by auctioneer Gordon Brockman. The auctioneer expect the price will go up at £1000.

Picture by BBC: Richard groats for auction

"When the client first brought the coins in, I thought they were Richard III groats," he said.

"But I compared the coins to some images online and worked out that they were Richard II.

"They look very similar but there's a difference in the three dots in the centre of the coins and in the way the hair falls on the king ."

Richard II reigned for 22 years from 1377 to 1399 which, according to Mr Brockman, could mean that as few as 800 coins are still in existence.

"Richard II wasn't around for that long and these coins are in remarkably good condition so we've put them in at between £400 and £600," he said.

Source: BBC News.

Richard II Groats Technical Specification:

Photo by ukdfd.co.uk

Description: Richard II groat of London

Mint: London

Issue Date: 1377 - 1399

Weight (grams): 4.4

Diameter (mm): 25

Metal: Silver

Obverse Description: Crowned bust facing within a tressure of arches.

Reverse Description: Long cross pattée dividing legends; three pellets in each angle.

Wikipedia: Groat or Fuppence is the traditional name of an English silver coin worth four English pence, and also a Scottish coin originally worth fourpence, with later issues being valued at eightpence and one shilling.

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The Most Famous Ancient Coin

The Most Famous Ancient Coin in History, The "Ides of March", Silver Denarius minted by Julius Caesar assassin Marcus Brutus will be auctioned by Heritage auction on 9 September 2011. The coin pre-auction estimate is $500,000+ and if it reach that, it will establish a record price for a Roman silver coin. The coin has been in collection of many famous people including Hollywood producer Sy Weintraub and the actor Peter Weller. It was also in the world-famous Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection. Since the early part of the 2000s, the coin has been part of a private Arizona holding.

The dime-sized silver coin depicts the head of Marcus Junius Brutus, one of the ringleaders of the assassination plot, on its obverse. The reverse depicts a dome-shaped liberty cap (traditionally given to freed slaves), flanked by two drawn daggers and the Latin inscription EID MAR “Ides of March”. The dome-shaped liberty cap and two drawn daggers indicates Brutus' intention of freeing Rome from Caesar's imperial ambitions and the murder weapons employed to do so. The coin celebrated an assassination of Julius Caesar on the 15 March 44 BC.

Marcus Junius Brutus were born about 85 BC. Brutus was from a long line of Romans famous for resisting tyranny and defending Republican liberty. He was a close friend and protégé of Julius Caesar, but when Caesar seized power as Dictator in 49 BC, Brutus joined the Republican forces opposed to him. After the defeat of the Republicans the following year, Caesar pardoned Brutus and gave him every preferment. As Caesar became more megalomaniacal, however, Brutus joined the conspiracy against him and is said to have delivered the fatal dagger thrust, prompting Caesar’s final words (spoken in Greek), “You too, my child?”

Brutus had carried out the attack with some fellow Roman Senators in 44 BC when Caesar had come unarmed to address the Senate on 15 March. This day was known to the Romans as the ides, or the middle day of the month and was recognised on a new calendar system that Caesar himself had established just two years before.

After the murder, the conspirators or “freedom party” fled Rome to Macedonia to raise an army. Brutus assembled a pro-Republican power base in Macedonia (Greece) where he could wage war against Caesar’s successors, Mark Antony and Octavian. Looting gold and silver from the local population, he began to strike coins to pay his growing army. Amongst the coins the conspirators briefly struck to this end was this, the 'Ides of March' denarius.

In a final twist of fate, Brutus used the same dagger he had plunged into Caesar to take his own life following his final defeat at the second battle of Philippi on 23 October 42 BC. The Eid Mar denarii became rare because the type was deliberately recalled and melted down by the victors, Mark Antony and Octavian.

Source: Heritage Auction, British Museum.

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The most perfect counterfeit banknote

A rare set of fake banknotes by Hitler will be auctioned by Mullock's auctioneers at Ludlow Racecourse, Shropshire on August 18. The fake pound notes printed in "Operation Bernhard" intend to ruin British economy during world war 2. A set of four bank notes (£5, £10, £20 and £50 notes) recovered from Lake Toplitz in Austria will be auctioned next month and are expected to fetch £2,000 at the auction. The forgery by Hitler is the most perfect counterfeit banknote in history.

In 1942, Hitler produced £134million of counterfeit notes in "Operation Bernhard". Nazi spies had been ordered to smuggle the cash into Britain and flood the economy with the fake money. But Hitler's plan was foiled when British spies got wind of the idea and intercepted the shipment of the notes. The Bank of England first learned of a plot from a spy as early as 1939. It first came across the actual notes in 1943, and declared them "the most dangerous ever seen."

The initial plan was to destabilize the British economy by dropping the notes from aircraft, but Hermann Goering's Luftwaffe declared it did not have enough planes to deliver the forgeries, and the assets were put in the hands of SS foreign intelligence. Many were transferred from SS headquarters to a former hotel near Meran in South Tyrol, Northern Italy, from where they were laundered and used to pay for strategic imports and German secret agents operating in the Allied countries.

The Nazis forced Jewish prisoners, experts in engraving and printing, held at the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp to produce the notes. By the time Sachsenhausen was evacuated in April 1945 the printing press had produced 8,965,080 banknotes with a total value of £134,610,810. At the war's end the mint notes still in Germany were dumped in Lake Toplitz together with the printing plates made to produce them after 'Operation Bernhard' was abandoned with just a handful of notes having made it into British circulation. The notes are considered among the most perfect counterfeits ever produced, being almost impossible to distinguish from the real currency.

In 1959, German magazine, Stern, finance a diving team to retrieved the forged sterling currency Operation Bernhard hidden in boxes, and a printing press. They were taken out of the lake by divers but have amazingly stayed in great condition.

Source: Daily Mail UK

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China dragon coin auction record

A gold China dragon coin auction record for £46,000 in a recent Spink auction. The China Kuping Tael, depicts a symbolic Chinese dragon surrounded by clouds on its face, with the value, date and inscription 'Ta Ching Gold Coin' on its reverse. Many people target the coin price can go as far as £97,000 but its only come a little bit over its lower estimate. The gold pattern K’uping Tael coin broke Spink previous record for dragon coin at £36,800.

Detail of the coin from Spink:

China, Empire, Kuang-hsu (1875-1908), gold pattern K’uping Tael, 1906, Tientsin mint, plain edge, dragon surrounded by large clouds within plain circle, no inscription, rev. four characters, ‘Ta Ching Gold Coin’ within beaded circle, date over, value below (F.1; Kann 1540; L&M.1023), in NGC holder graded MS62, extremely rare.

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China largest coin auctioned

China largest coin auctioned by China Guardian Auctions Co Ltd for $1.18 million (7.70 million yuan) at an auction in Beijing. The Y2K Commemorative Gold Coin with a face value of 3000-yuan, weight at 10 Kilo of .9999 pure gold and minted in 2000; come with original package and certificate no.17. This gold coin is the biggest of its kind first appeared in the world’s modern coinage. Only 20 of this coins are minted. In 2000, this People's Bank of China 2000 Millennium commemorative gold coins, listed in World Guinness record book as the largest and heaviest gold coin.

The large coin was auctioned off by China Guardian Auctions Co Ltd after twenty-two rounds of bidding on Saturday. Minted in 2000, the coin is the heaviest gold coin minted ever since the Chinese government started minting gold and silver coins in 1949, said Guo Xueguang, manager with the philatelic items and coin department in Guardian Auctions. The coin is 99.99 percent gold, with a par value of 30,000 yuan. It combines both traditional and modern markings, making it highly valuable for collectors, he said.

Gold and silver coins have become more popular in recent years for their surging prices and ability to resist inflation. A 5-kilogram commemorative coin issued by China was auctioned for 10.30 million yuan in Japan last April, said Guo.

Source: China Daily

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Worlds most expensive gold dinar

A specialist auctioneers, Morton & Eden in London, make it in a record book for Worlds most expensive gold dinar and Dirham. The Umayyad dinar, one of the rarest and most highly-prized of all Islamic gold coins, struck possibly to coincide with an occasion when the Caliph himself led the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, sold for a record £3,720,000 in a sale at specialist auctioneers Morton & Eden in London. First Islamic coins struck in the Sultanate of Oman, an extremely rare Umayyad silver dirham, one of only a handful known today dating from the Hijri year 90 (709 AD) sold for £1,080,000.

The Umayyad dinar, dated 105h (723AD) was struck from gold mined at a location owned by the Caliph himself; known on the coins as the “Mine of the Commander of the Faithful”. An additional legend which reads: “bi’l-Hijaz” (“in the Hejaz”), makes it the earliest Islamic coin to mention a location in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It had been expected to realise £300,000-400,000, but four bidders in the saleroom sent the price spiraling ever higher. It was purchased by the British trade on behalf of a European private collector.

A second, slightly earlier dinar (92h - 711AD) struck from gold from the same mines sold for £648,000. It had been estimated at £250,000-300,000.

Morton & Eden Islamic coins specialist Stephen Lloyd said: “We are absolutely thrilled and delighted with the results from this sale. We had worked very hard to promote these particular coins internationally, but the prices they have achieved have surpassed all expectations. Their success also demonstrates that sales by public auction are the only way to achieve the very highest prices for the very finest pieces.

“The excellent results for the two gold dinars early on in the sale, which was dedicated to important coins of the Islamic world, set the stage for the remainder and extremely strong prices were paid throughout.”

Scholars have identified the site of the mine itself as Ma`din Bani Sulaim, located north-west of the Holy City of Mecca. Gold has been mined there for thousands of years, and the site is still worked today. Remarkably, mediaeval Arab writers record that the Caliph bought a piece of land in this area, containing at least one gold mine, almost exactly when these coins were made. But while there is general agreement on the source of the gold, the question of exactly where these coins were struck is harder to answer.

“The capital, Damascus, is a strong possibility, but mint workers and their tools could easily have travelled with the Caliph and struck coins wherever he stayed,” Stephen Lloyd said. “Scholars have noted that the dates of these very rare dinars seem to coincide with the occasions when the Caliph himself led the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, while an old inscription also shows that a road built specially for the pilgrimage went right past this mine. So one plausible theory argues that the Caliph visited his gold mines while en route for Mecca, and it is possible these coins might have been struck while he was travelling.”

“This coin reflects the importance of Oman and the Gulf region as a key commercial centre, then as now,” said Stephen Lloyd.

The sale raised a total of £6,673,560, against estimates of £886,000-£1.16 million.

Source: Morton & Eden Ltd.

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