On 24 January 2014, Bellmans Auctioneers sold a collection of 200 coins for £30,000 in their monthly sale of a large and varied collection of coins at their office Wisborough Green, West Sussex. The collection made up over fifty lots and contained coins spanning a massive range of dates and locations; from early Roman Empire examples, to Ottoman pieces from the reign of Abdul Hamid I, and beyond. This unique collection was privately consigned by a Sussex family, having been passed down their generations for over a century.
Particular highlights from the Roman Empire coins included a Roman Mint example featuring Marcus Aurelius as Augustus (AD165, illustrated below) which realised £1,100, far surpassing its estimate of £600 to £800, and a gold Solidus Constantinople mint from the era of Arcadius (AD 383), which was bought for £1,150. Successes representing the rest of the world included a Victoria gold Five-Pounds coin from 1887, which achieved £1,400, and a collection of 1888 Victoria silver coins depicting the jubilee head, which realised £1,550; over three times their upper estimate of £450.
Jonathan Pratt, Managing Director of Bellmans Auctioneers, commented “I am delighted by the success of the sale of these impressive historical artefacts. With the advice of our coin consultant it proves that collections of this nature can be sold well outside of London”.
An auction house spokeswoman said the coins were bought by a combination of buyers in the sale room, on the telephone and online, with just two failing to sell.
Bellmans Auctioneers hold monthly Antiques and Interiors sales. For more information please contact their Wisborough Green saleroom on 01403 700858.
