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Shipwreck treasure, world rarities abound in Sedwick’s Treasure Auction 32

7 Oct

This catalog for our Treasure Auction 32 to be held live online and in-person on November 3rd & 4th contains some great worldwide numismatic rarities – a perfect appeal to this robust and enthusiastic market.

Lot 44 – Lima, Peru, gold cob 8 escudos, 1708 H, NGC MS 63 (1715 Fleet Label), ex-Pullin.

With Session I, we have a variety of Gold Cobs – both from Spain as well as the New World. Spain sees the finest and only graded 1690 (M) Seville-minted gold cob 8 escudos in NGC MS 64 (lot 22). The New World selection holds some high grade and rarer 1715 Fleet gold including a discovery piece Bogotá 1712/1 gold cob 2 escudos graded NGC MS 66 (lot 60), a Mexico City gold cob 8 escudos 1713 J graded NGC MS 64 (lot 26), a Lima gold cob 8 escudos 1708 H graded NGC MS 63 pedigreed to the John Pullin Collection (lot 44) and two different varieties of Cuzco gold cob 2 escudos 1698 M both in NGC MS 63 holders (lots 41 and 42). Among non-shipwreck gold cobs, there is the “top pop” Lima gold cob 8 escudos 1729 N graded NGC MS 62 (lot 47) plus the substantially difficult Lima gold cob 8 escudos 1748 R graded by NGC as MS 63.

A wide variety of Shipwreck Ingots includes two hefty gold “finger” bars from the Atocha (1622) from the J.P. Silberman Estate (lots 71 and 72), a fascinating 28.75 kilogram silver ingot from the Maravillas (1656) with original uncleaned coral encrustation (lot 79), and a rectangular gold bar weighing 915 grams from the Corrigan’s wreck site of the 1715 Fleet with ties to Florida salvage history (lot 73). In addition, we have three lustrous gold disk ingots recovered from the Luz (1752) (lots 74-76) whose origins are analyzed by Daniel Frank Sedwick in this catalog’s feature article.

Lot 75 – Gold oval ingot, 1126.09 grams, tested at 0.909 fine gold (21.816K), marked with V-over-upside-down-V monogram and XXXXVI, ex-Luz (1752), ex-Sotheby’s.

Our popular Shipwreck Coins section features an assortment of high grade Atocha coins (lots 94-183) – this year marks the 400th anniversary of its sinking off the Key West. Many of these also come with vintage Mel Fisher certificates of interest to the salvage history collector. Notable coins include a very rare French gold louis d’or 1723-Z from the Chameau (1725) (lot 279), a Santiago gold bust 8 escudos 1751 J from the Luz (1752) graded NGC MS 62 (lot 298), and a clump of seven US Seated Liberty silver half dollars from the SS Republic (1865) – the first time we have offered a clump from this wreck (lot 316).

We’ll begin Session II with our second offering of selections from the Clyde Hubbard Collection of Charles-Joanna Coinage (lots 323-393) in Mexico Silver Cobs with notable rarities like the “Early Series” 4 reales with assayer P to right (lot 323) and the very difficult “Late Series” 4 reales of assayer S unlisted in Nesmith (lot 332). The finest known NGC-graded Lima 8 reales 1684 V in an NGC AU 53 holder (lot 422) stands out in our Lima Silver Cobs section. Watch for some well-struck Royals in Potosí Silver Cobs like the very rare Louis I 8 reales Royal of 1727 Y (lot 485) or the impressively defined 8 reales Royal of 1680 V with pomegranate above the pillars (lot 465).

We’re pleased to host the Gansu Collection of Chinese Panda Coinage in Session III representing 250 lots of very high grade and rare examples from 1982 to 2005 of the iconic Chinese flagship coin series. Some of the series’ greatest rarities make appearances – the 1995 large and small date gold 50 yuans graded NGC MS 69 (lot 646 and 641), the “top pop” 1998 large date 50 yuan graded MS 69 (lot 693), and a gorgeous denomination set of the 1992-P proof gold Pandas (lot 603).

Lot 1115 – Venezuela (struck at the Paris Mint by Barre), gold essai (5 venezolanos), 1875 A, reeded edge, extremely rare, NGC PF 62 Cameo.

The second day of our auction begins with World Coins in Session IV. Desirable coins from across the globe will be sold – from the finest NGC-graded Seville, Spain, gold 8 escudos 1701 M graded NGC MS 65 (lot 1080) to the extremely rare and finest Lima, Peru, gold 4 escudos 1838 M graded NGC AU 53 and pedigreed to the Hammel and Goodman Collections (lot 1040). A pair of key Venezuelan rarities are being offered for the first time publicly in this sale: a gold essai 5 venezolanos 1875-A graded NGC PF 62 Cameo (lot 1115) and a silver essai 1/2 real 1863 E graded NGC SP 61 (lot 1114).

In Session V’s Medals and Decorations, we’ll host our third offering of Admiral Vernon medals from the John Adams Collection (lots 1127-1201). Several very rare silver Bolívar medals are also available such as the Colombia 1828-dated “Bolívar saved from assassination” medal graded NGC AU 58 (lot 1120) and the Bolivia 1825 “Potosí Gratitude to Bolívar” medal (lot 1118). One of the top lots in the entire auction resides in US Coins and Medals: the unique proof silver Declaration of Independence medal crafted by Charles Cushing Wright in the 1850s and based on John Trumbull’s famous 1818 painting (lot 1238). This special medal bears a pedigree chain going back to the original owner, Charles Ira Bushnell, and continuing on to notable collectors such as John Work Garrett and the aforementioned John Adams.

US Paper Money holds the tough South Carolina 7 shillings 6 pence note of 1778 (lot 1241) along with Continental Congress half dollar note of 1776 designed by Benjamin Franklin (lot 1242). In World Paper Money, rare Cuban revolutionary notes like the Junta Central Republicana 10 pesos of 1869 graded PMG VF 25 (lot 1269) and the high-denomination República de Cuba 1000 pesos note of 1869 signed by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes graded PMG XF 40 (lot 1268) are on display.

Lot 1238 – USA, proof silver medal, Declaration of Independence (struck in the 1850s), by Charles Cushing Wright, unique in silver, NGC MS 62 [sic], ex-Bushnell, ex-Garrett, ex-Adams.

The Coin Jewelry selection in Session VI hosts some beautiful Spanish colonial coins in jewelry mounts ready for wearing like a Lima gold cob 8 escudos of Philip V in an 18-karat pendant setting (lot 1292) as well as a Bogotá gold cob 2 escudos from the 1715 Fleet in a 14-karat gold anchor pendant (lot 1293). For the ultimate 1715 Fleet collector, we have an impressive conserved iron signal cannon from the Fleet, still possessing much original detail like the full yoke and lifting handle “dolphins” (lot 1340) in Shipwreck Artifacts. Within Non-Wreck Artifacts, there is a “duel-ready” pair of European flintlock pistols from the 1700s (lot 1344).

Our Express session features some 400 lots of more cost-efficient coins, paper money, and artifacts. We aptly end this auction on lot 1622, the year of the Atocha and Santa Margarita’s sinking.

We wish you the best of luck in this auction!

View the entire online catalog, get registered, and place bids on our auction website here >> https://auction.sedwickcoins.com/auctionlist.aspx

Hearts, Bars, and Collections make for $4.02 million in Sedwick’s Treasure Auction 31

20 May

Spanish colonial rarities in the form of coins and shipwreck treasure bars paved the way to $4.02 million in Sedwick’s May 3-5 Treasure, World, and U.S. Coin Auction 31. This is the firm’s third consecutive sale to break the $4 million level.

The top coin lot in the sale was lot 651, a Potosi, Bolivia, cob 4 reales Heart dated 1720 Y and certified by NGC, which sold for $66,000 on a pre-sale estimate of $20,000 and up. The term Heart is apparent when viewing the coin: a sharply defined, medallic aligned design on a specially prepared heart-cut planchet. Prior to the auction, this date was unknown among the census of Heart-shaped cobs. It also holds a pedigree to the collection of the late numismatist Pat Johnson.

Lot 651

A second unique Heart 4 reales, also from the Potosi mint yet dated 1721 and graded NGC XF 45 (lot 652), saw $48,000 on an estimate of $20,000 and up. It held the distinction of being the plate coin for the type in both Sedwick’s Practical Book of Cobs 2nd and 3rd editions (1990 and 1995) and Janson’s La Moneda Circulante En El Territorio Argentino 1584-2019 (2020).

However, the top lot overall in the sale was not a coin but a Spanish colonial gold bar recovered from a treasure galleon that realized $78,000 on an estimate of $40,000 and up. The 12-inch long, 1,222 gram gold bar (lot 65) contains a mixed fineness of between 10 to 13 karat gold due to the Spanish smelting of miscellaneous artifacts from the New World; its balance of copper gives it a distinct red-gold tone throughout. There are nine circular tax stamps reading CAROLVS EMPERADOR that signify that the royal tax owed to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (King Charles I of Spain) had been paid and that bar could be sent from the New World to Spain. Yet the bar would never arrive: it was lost aboard the shipwreck now called the “Tumbaga Wreck,” a treasure galleon lost around 1528 near the Bahamas. The bar was salvaged in 1992 and ended up in a private collection shortly thereafter.

Lot 65

Two key collections also provided substantial returns amid strong bidder interest. The first offering of the Clyde Hubbard Collection of Charles and Joanna Coinage realized a total of $403,440 across 134 lots. The top lot was a Mexico City, Mexico, 3 reales, of Charles and Joanna from the Early Series coinage with assayer Gothic R (lot 366), graded NGC XF 40 and finest known in the NGC census, that sold for $16,200 on an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000.

The John Adams Collection of Admiral Vernon medals sold for a total of $192,384 across a total of 50 lots. The top lot was 1192, a British gilt copper alloy Admiral Vernon medal dated 1739 with the Porto Bello / Fort Chagre design, that sold for $24,000 on an estimate of $1,000 to $2,000. That medal’s history boasts pedigrees to the collections of Dr. Thomas Hall, Virgil Brand, and John J. Ford Jr.

The best performing lot versus its pre-auction estimate was lot 1098, a Philippines 8 reales with crowned Y.II countermark from 1834-1837 on a Santiago, Chile, “volcano” peso dated 1820 assayer FD. It is graded NGC XF details / obverse damage with counterstamp AU Standard. Its pre-sale estimate was $700-$1,000; once the hammer fell, the coin had sold for $42,000.

A similar Philippines rarity with the same crowned Y.II countermark but on a Bolivia 8 soles dated 1834 with assayer LM (lot 1092), saw $36,000 on an estimate of $2,000 and up. It was graded by NGC as AU 58 with an UNC Strong counterstamp and is the finest known in the NGC census.

Other top lots in the sale include:

  • Lot 679, a La Rioja, Argentina, gold 8 escudos dated 1845 RB and graded NGC MS 63, the finest known in the NGC census, sold for $60,000 on an estimate of $20,000 and up.
  • Lot 720, a Santiago, Chile, gold 10 pesos dated 1863/2 graded NGC MS 64 Star Prooflike, finest known in the NGC census, sold for $26,400 on an estimate of $10,000 and up.
  • Lot 872, a Costa Rica, 2 reales, Liberty Head and ceiba tree counterstamp of 1845 on a Potosi, Bolivia, pillar 2 reales of Charles III dated 1768 JR graded NGC VF 20, c/s XF Standard, sold for $21,600 on an estimate of $2,000 and up.
  • Lot 34, a Mexico City, Mexico, gold cob 8 escudos dated 1714 J with the date over GRAT on the obverse, recovered from the 1715 Fleet and graded NGC MS 61 as well as pedigreed to the Frank Sedwick Collection and plated in The Practical Book of Cobs, sold for $22,800 on an estimate of $15,000 and up.
  • Lot 1109, a Segovia, Spain, gold milled 8 escudos of Philip V dated 1721/19 F graded NGC AU 55, sold for $22,800 on an estimate of $12,500 and up.
  • Lot 1067, a Leon, Nicaragua, “imitation cob” 1 real dated 1823-(PMPY), pine tree style graded NGC AU 58 and finest known in the NGC census, sold for $13,200 on an estimate of $500 and up.
  • Lot 1289, a Zeugitana, Carthage, gold stater from around 320-310 BC pedigreed to the British Museum, sold for $12,000 on an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000.
  • Lot 345, a USA (Philadelphia mint), gold $20 Coronet Liberty double eagle dated 1861 recovered from the Steamer Pewabic shipwreck, sunk in 1865 off Thunder Bay Island, Michigan, graded NGC AU 58 / Steamer Pewabic, sold for $11,400 on an estimate of $10,000 and up.

The firm’s next floor Treasure Auction 32 will be held Nov. 3-4 both in-person in Winter Park, Florida, and online at auction.sedwickcoins.com. The consignment deadline for that sale is August 22nd; interested consignors should contact the company by email at office@sedwickcoins.com or by phone at 407-975-3325.

Sedwick’s next auction is a standalone, online auction of US and World Paper Money to be held on July 1st at auction.sedwickcoins.com. Pre-registration for that sale is available now.

Sedwick’s Treasure, World & U.S. Coin Auction 31 is in Full Swing BID NOW!

16 Apr

Live on the Internet, Wednesday-Friday, May 4-6, 2022

Welcome to our 31st Treasure Auction, a sale filled with many historical numismatic rarities from many eras all across the world!

We start off Session I with Gold Cobs, featuring a selection of excellent certified Mint State gold escudos from the 1715 Fleet including a Lima, Peru 8 escudos dated 1713 M (lot 44), two different types of the Mexico 8 escudos 1714 J GRAT variety: one with 1714 on the reverse and the other with 1714/GRATon the obverse (lots 33 and 34), a Lima, Peru 8 escudos 1709 M with HISPANIA legend variety from the Pullin Collection, and the finest known Bogotá, Colombia 2 escudos dated 1712 (lot 60). Among the non-Fleet shipwreck gold cobs, we have the rare Lima, Peru 8 escudos dated 1715 M from the Loosdrecht (1719) along with a Lima, Peru 4 escudos dated 1750 R with the cross side struck from an 8 escudos die recovered from the Luz (1752).

 Our Shipwreck Ingots section contains several notable pieces including an impressive early New World “tumbaga” gold bar weighing 1,222 grams from the “Tumbaga Wreck” (ca. 1528) (lot 65), a beautiful gold disk weighing 216.4 grams from the 1715 Fleet (lot 69), and two cut segments of gold “finger” bars from the Atocha (1622) (lots 67 and 68). These gold bars, along with the massive silver bars and numerous coins in this sale, are sure to attract significant interest given this year being the 400th anniversary of the sinking of the Atocha and Santa Margarita on Sept. 6th, 1622 off the Florida Keys. Most notable among the section Shipwreck Coins (1500s-1650s) is the 1622-dated Seville, Spain cob 2 escudos from the Santa Margarita, which is a cover coin in Duncan Mathewson’s iconic work, Treasure of the Atocha (1986) (lot 169) along with a partially dated and graded Seville, Spain cob 2 escudos from the Atocha, plus a choice, fully dated Bogotá, Colombia cob 4 reales dated 1622 A, pedigreed to both the Atocha Research Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection (lot 164). Other important lot offered under Shipwreck coins (1660s-1740s) include a Potosí, Bolivia cob 8 reales dated 1714 Y from the pirate ship Whydah (1717) (lot 271), a large variety of reales from the ever-popular 1715 Fleet, finally under Shipwreck Coins (1750s-1900s) there is a US $20 double eagle dated 1861 from the SS Pewabic (1865) (lot 345). 

As we start Session II with Mexico Silver Cobs, we’re pleased to host our first offering of

selections from the Clyde Hubbard Collection of Charles-Joanna Coinage as lots 360 to 494, including the finest-ever offering of “Late Series” 1/2R. This collection, assembled by the late expert numismatist over 70-plus years, represents his life’s work in acquiring New World rarities such as the finest graded “Early Series” 3 reales of assayer R (lot 366), the rare “Late Series” 4 reales of assayer S (lot 428), and a high grade “Early Series” 2 reales with assayer R (Latin variety) (lot 368). In Lima Silver Cobs we have a rare and choice Philip II 4 reales of assayer X (lot 548) in addition to other Lima cob rarities. Potosí Silver Cobs contains a large selection of rare Royals, from the finest NGC-graded 8 reales Royal dated 1729 M to the elusive 8 reales Royal dated 1712 Y. Pay particular attention to the two unique Potosi “Hearts” of the sale: a 1720 Y 4 reales Heart from the Pat Johnson Collection and the 1721 Y 4 reales Heart plated in the Practical Book of Cobs.

The second day of our auction starts with World Coins, containing Latin American gold rarities such as the finest La Rioja, Argentina 8 escudos dated 1845 RB (lot 679), the very rare Argentina 1834 P 8 escudos (lot 668), and the exquisite and finest prooflike Santiago, Chile 10 pesos dated 1863/2 (lot 720). Several impressive Spanish rarities in the sale include the very rare Seville-minted gold 4 escudos of Charles II dated 1700 M (lot 1107), the difficult Segovia-minted gold 8 escudos of Philip V dated 1721/19 F (lot 1109), and the Mint State Madrid-minted gold 320 reales de vellon of Ferdinand VII dated 1822 SR (lot 1130).

  In Session IV, the Medals and Decorations offering contains several important pieces such as the Philippines gilt-silver medal of Charles III from 1782 engraved by Gerónimo Antonio Gil (lot 1218), the Peru silver-plated bronze essai medal dated 1824 commemorating the Liberation of Ayacucho (lot 1216), and the Guatemala silver proclamation medal of Ferdinand VII from 1808 (lot 1207). We’re excited to offer the second part of Admiral Vernon medals from the John Adams Collection here as well. Following that, in U.S. Coins, we have a strong assortment of better and high grade Morgan dollars in the Blakewood Collection as well as other rarities like the 1851 San Francisco Standard Mint nickel alloy pattern $5 (lot 1267) and the Dahlonega gold $5 half eagle 1841-D with very rare tall mintmark variety (lot 1227). You’ll notice that there is no US and World Paper Money following US coins; we are hosting our first ever exclusive US and World Paper Money Auction on July 1st of this year. Interested consignors should contact us by May 31st to take advantage of our new auction.

 Several important and beautifully designed rarities are present in Ancient Coins like the Aegina silver stater from 350-338 BC with a high relief land tortoise design (lot 1272), the Carthage gold stater from 320-310 BC formerly in the British Museum Collection (lot 1289), and the Byzantine gold solidus of Justinian II with a well-defined depiction of Christ (lot 1297). Coin Jewelry is decorated with lots of shipwreck coins in mounts ready for wearing, including a Lima, Peru gold cob 8 escudos dated 1711 M from the 1715 Fleet (lot 1304) and a Grade 1 Potosi, Bolivia cob 4 reales of assayer Q from the Atocha (1622) (lot 1326).

 Our Shipwreck Artifacts hosts several amazing and rare pieces recovered from the 1715 Fleet: an intact gold and red-coral rosary (lot 1364), a 56” long gold olive blossom chain (lot 1365), and a historically significant 20-karat gold ring engraved inside with the Prayer of Saint Zacharias (lot 1366). Within Non-Wreck Artifacts, there’s a veritable antique armory of two cannons (lots 1381 and 1382) along with several European flintlock pistols of various designs and calibers (lots 1384 to 1389). On the third day, the Express Session VI contains almost 500 lots of coins, medals, and artifacts drawn from all categories.                              

  We hope you enjoy this auction and walk away with some new treasures for your collection; our sincere thanks to all consignors who made this possible!                                

Bid Sheet | Terms and Conditions

Article: The Clyde Hubbard Collection of Charles-Joanna Coinage

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Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC / Licensed Florida Auctioneer #AU3635, AB2592 (since 2007)
P.O. BOX 1964 | Winter Park, Florida 32790 | Phone: 407.975.3325 | Fax: 407.975.3327 www.SedwickCoins.com

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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