Archive | December, 2021

Cartagena 2021 Conference Report

13 Dec

Our company attended the Third International Convention of Historians and Numismatists on December 1st to the 5th in Cartagena, Colombia. This must-attend event for Latin American numismatists brought together many experts and dealers for several days of presentations, exhibits, and discussion as well as sightseeing and excellent Colombian cuisine and drinks. Our own Agustín García-Barneche served as the convention’s Vice President of International Relations for the Northern Hemisphere.

Background on Cartagena & its numismatic history

Cartagena, also known as Cartagena de Indias, is an important Colombian port city founded by Spanish explorers on June 1, 1533. It rapidly grew in prominence due to the flow of gold and silver from the New World into the Spanish fleet ships that would haul the treasure back to Spain. In 1574, King Philip II declared Cartagena to be a city; the following year, he added the title of “the most noble and loyal” to the city.

Numismatically, it bears several important distinctions: as a Spanish colonial mint that operated from 1621 to 1635 then again in 1655; the second to last port of call for the Atocha and Santa Margarita in 1622 during the ill-fated Tierra Firme Fleet; the site of the the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in 1741 erroneously commemorated by the English Admiral Vernon medals; and the location of several bancos and the state treasury that issued paper money in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

We attended a naval ceremony to Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario (1834-1879); a life size bronze statue to Colombia’s Admiral José Padilla (1778-1828) stands prominently in the courtyard of naval heroes.
The Museo Naval del Caribe (Naval Museum) featured numerous exhibits to Cartagena’s naval history including this one on the San José shipwreck
The Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas cuts an imposing figure in the middle of the bustling city
Construction of the castle began in 1536 to protect the city both by land and by sea; its importance led to much more construction over time
Numerous original cannons can still be found on the ramparts of the Castillo as well as the walled fortifications around Cartagena
General Don Blas de Lezo (1689-1741) led a successful defense of the Castillo de San Felipe despite being outnumbered nearly 10 to 1 versus Admiral Edward Vernon’s force

After visiting the Castillo de San Felipe, we took a tour of Cartagena’s old city. Given the city’s nearly 500 years of history, some buildings are designed in the colonial style while others were of a more modern republic style construct.

The Convento de Santo Domingo was founded by Dominican friars and went through many periods of disuse and reconstruction.
The narrow streets of the Old City are often flanked by street vendors.
Colombia is the top producer of emeralds, accounting for some 70 to 90 percent of the world’s trade.
The Old City becomes quite vibrant at night.
Dancers in traditional Colombian dress at the Plaza de Santo Domingo.

After a busy day of travelling and sightseeing, the conference began on Thursday. Numerous presentations were given on a wide range of numismatic topics, many related to Cartagena and Colombia history.

We were honored to have Dr. R. Duncan Matthewson III, the chief archaeologist for the Atocha salvage work, share our table and sign copies of his famous work The Treasure of the Atocha translated in Spanish
Our friend Jorge Proctor conducted his presentation on Alonso Turrillo de Yebra while dressed in Spanish colonial garb.
Daniel Frank Sedwick’s presentation on Colombian gold cobs delved into the many design and assayer changes seen on gold cobs from the Bogota and Cartagena mints
The importance of the Cartagena Mint is still seen today with the naming of the street where it is located.
The courtyard of the Casa de Moneda in Cartagena, where cob coinage was struck from 1621 to 1635 and again in 1655.
In conjunction with the conference, the Colombian government issued postal stamps commemorating Colombia’s numismatic history.
The official medal for the Cartagena 2021 convention, slabbed by PCGS.

We were all very honored to attend the convention and see many of our friends in this business, many of which we haven’t seen in person over the past two years. The chance to explore Cartagena and see the places that made numismatic history made this a memorable event for all. Our thanks goes out to all those who coordinated the event, especially to the convention’s organizer, Andrés Felipe Cortázar.

We now look forward to the fourth convention that will be held in 2023 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic!

Sedwick Treasure Auction hits $4.20 million

10 Dec

Prices realized for numismatic rarities in Sedwick’s Nov. 4-5 Treasure Auction 30 surpassed $4.20 million, the third consecutive record-breaking auction for the company. The sale was held both online and in-person in Winter Park, Fla.

Lot 1276 – Segovia, Spain, gold 4 excelentes, Ferdinand-Isabel, mintmark at top, denomination o-iiii at bottom between busts, Gothic A behind Queen, earliest type with all Gothic legends, rare, NGC AU 50, ex-Huntington.

The top lot in the sale was a very rare gold 4 excelentes struck in Segovia, Spain during the reign of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella graded NGC AU 50 that realized $78,000 during the second day of the sale. The pre-sale estimate was $30,000 and up. Beyond its numismatic rarity, the well-struck design features the busts of the famous king and queen who were notable for funding Columbus’ expedition to the New World. The coin also boasts a pedigree to the Archer M. Huntington Collection of Coins from the Hispanic World where it was part of a denomination set of rare Spanish coins.

Lot 1315 – Segovia, Spain, 50 reales (cincuentin), Philip III, 1620, assayer cross-topped A (Esteban de Pedrera), struck for the Count of Chinchon (later Viceroy of Peru), NGC XF 40, finest and only example in the NGC census.

Another rarity from Segovia, the elusive 50 reales (also called a cincuentin) dated 1620, was also offered in the auction and sold for $36,000 on a similar $30,000 and up estimate. The coin is one of fourteen known on the market and the only example graded by NGC, having received a grade of XF 40. This massive coin weighs over 170 grams and was struck using roller dies at the mint using the most advanced minting technology available at the time. Thus, the design is more well struck and detailed than any other normal Spanish circulation coinage for its time. It was made in very limited numbers by nobility as a display of wealth and prestige rather than any actual use in commerce.

Lot 1173 – Japan (Osaka mint), proof 20 sen, Emperor Mutsuhito, Meiji year 13 (1880), extremely rare, NGC PF 62.

The second top selling lot in the sale was a Japanese proof 20 sen struck at the Osaka Mint in 1880 (Meiji year 13) and graded NGC Proof 62. Spirited bidding pushed the lot to realize $75,000 on an estimate of $35,000 and up. Only 96 pieces were struck for use in diplomatic presentation sets with very few known on the market today.

“This is ultimately a testament both to our consignors who entrust us to catalog and sell their rarities for top value as well as our bidders who are seeking to build their collections,” said Daniel Frank Sedwick, owner and president of the auction firm.

One of several collections in the sale was the J.O.B. Collection of Spanish Gold 8 Escudos which brought the finest Seville, Spain, gold cob 8 escudos dated 1644 R and graded NGC MS 63 to market. It sold for $72,000 on an estimate of $25,000 and up. The coin was notable for being the plate coin for its type in La Onza (2004) and Numismatica Espanola (2008), both by Calico, as well as Tauler’s Oro Macuquino (2011).

Other top lots sold include:

  • Lot 16, Mexico City, Mexico, gold cob 8 escudos Royal (galano), 1711 J, graded NGC UNC details / damaged, ex-Rudman sold for $66,000.
  • Lot 18, Mexico City, Mexico, gold cob 8 escudos, 1714 J, Royal-die obverse, graded NGC MS 62 sold for $46,500.
  • Lot 430, Mexico City, Mexico, silver cob 8 reales Royal (galano), 1706 J, graded NGC XF details / holed, ex-Rudman sold for $39,000.
  • Lot 741, Potosi, Bolivia, silver cob 8 reales Heart, 1696 VR, graded NGC VF 35 sold for $36,000.
  • Lot 23, Cuzco, Peru, gold cob 2 escudos, 1698 M, error-variety with RX in legend, graded NGC MS 64 from the 1715 Fleet Tricentennial Find sold for $31,200.
  • Lot 1015, Egypt (Ottoman Empire), gold 500 qirsh, Abdul Aziz, AH1277//11 (1870-71), Cairo mint (Misr), graded NGC MS 63 sold for $31,200.
  • Lot 883, China (Nanjing mint), “Memento” silver dollar, (1912), Sun Yat-sen, lower five-pointed stars, graded PCGS MS62 sold for $26,400.

All prices from the auction firm include a 20% buyer’s premium. Full auction results can be viewed on the auction website here.

Consignments are now being accepted through February of 2022 for Sedwick’s next Treasure Auction to be held in May of that year. Interested consignors should contact the firm by email at office@sedwickcoins.com or by phone at (407)-975-3325.

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