These two remarkable collections went up for sale by public auction on January 12, 2009, and realized over $5 million in total sales. The Golden Horn Collection featured Ancient, Medieval, and World coins, in addition to an excellent selection of World Medals and Orders and Decorations. Moneta Imperii Romani Byzantini, a highly advanced and specialized collection of coinage from the Late Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire and Byzantium, and their successor states from the Germanic Invasions to the Russian Empire, was offered as part of this sale, though published in a separate catalogue. Exceptional quality and tremendous rarity were the themes of this year's international coin bonanza; it was standing room only for most of the day as bidders packed into the Stack's auction gallery.
Serious rarities were offered at every turn of the page from the outset of the sale, with ancient coins coming to the fore. The extremely rare Syracusan Dekadrachm (Demareteion) in Very Fine condition witnessed spirited bidding before it closed for $207,000, and the choice Otho Aureus, a particularly fine example described as near Extremely Fine, sold to the floor at $43,125. An outstanding Caracalla and Geta Dynastic Aureus was another popular item. Truly gorgeous in F.D.C. condition, this lot brought $54,625.
Sandwiched in between the Ancient and World coin sections of The Golden Horn Collection was the sale of the Moneta Imperii Romani Byzantini Collection. This amazing collection featured scores of unbeatable rarities, many of which are either unique or one of a handful of known pieces. The extremely rare Equestrian 1½ Solidi of Marcian, a Superb example, was awarded to its new owner after reaching $97,750. Only fifteen lots later was the historic Anastasius Consular Solidus, a fabulous and virtually F.D.C. coin that sold for a whopping $115,000.
The rarities just kept on coming, with coins like the extraordinary Solidus of the Usurper Mezezios crossing the block; this super rare, Extremely Fine coin reached $63,250 before closing. Merovingian coinage offered the important and historic Theodebert I, 'King of Metz,' Solidus, a rare issue with only about 35 known examples, most of which are comfortable ensconced in museum collections. Bidders seized the opportunity to acquire this issue, and drove the price up to $57,500.
The Golden Horn Collection resumed with the sale of World Coins and Medals, led off by a large section of Russian rarities. A prominent lot here was the lovely 1859 Silver Proof Set, a six-piece set that included the rare Proof Ruble. This lot realized $46,000, nearly doubling the original estimate! World coins were punctuated by serious rarities throughout, like the famous 1839 Una and Lion 5 Pounds from Great Britain. This very rare proof pattern was a popular item, and heavily bid upon until the closing price reached $37,375.
Asian rarities also played a key role in The Golden Horn Collection. The Chinese 2004 Gold Kilo weight Year of the Monkey 10,000 Yuan, the lucky number 8 piece, was an exciting highlight of this section. This enormous gold coin from the Lunar Series sold for $224,250! A magnificent Japanese Tempo Era Gold Oban appeared only a few lots later. This imposing, high quality piece saw very intense bidding, and finally sold for an impressive $51,750. World Medals and Orders and Decorations finished out this exceptional sale.
For further information on participating in or consigning to an upcoming Stack's auction, contact Stack's at 123 W 57th Street, NY, NY 10019 or Stack's at Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH, 03894. By phone please use 800-566-1580 or 866-811-1804. Full sales results from The Golden Horn Collection and Moneta Imperii Romani Byzantini, as well as full photos and text from previous sales, are available online at www.stacks.com.