The September Coins & Currency auction was a collector’s delight, offering many pieces from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome and strong selections from American history in both silver and gold. Under the direction of Skinner Coins & Currency department Director David Donahue, the online catalog featured a greater number and variety of high-resolution images, drawing the interest of collectors. 

1812 Capped Bust Eagle, MS-63, sold for $20,000

The top seller was an 1812 Half Eagle that realized $20,000.… Read More

1873-CC Arrows at Date with Motto Seated Liberty Half Dollar, MS64+, WB-4, R.4

There are many factors to consider when valuing an object, and rarely does a piece have all the elements to make it a true rarity. For numismatics, these can include low mintage, collectability of the series, surface, eye appeal, grade, grade relative to the known population, and whether the coin is fresh to market. These concepts have been addressed in previous blogs, but we’ll briefly overview some of these terms and why they’re desirable in a coin.… Read More

Unlike most pieces of decorative arts offered at auction houses across the country, the number of coins produced by series, year, and mint is well documented by the governing bodies that created them. This allows for fairly consistent estimations of rarity. With the introduction of third-party grading in the 1970s and 80s came a standardized system in which a coin’s condition is assigned a numerical value. This led to an accurate estimation of a coin’s worth based on what examples at the assigned grade had previously sold for.… Read More

The February 2020 Skinner Coins and Currency auction offered choice older collections; and experienced spirited bidding with many lots far surpassing their high estimates, with particularly strong results for ancient and world coins, with American rarities, peppered throughout the auction. The auction was 99% sold by lot. Three of the more prominent collections were amassed in the mid-20th century, creating excitement with our buyers for such fresh-to-market material.  

Approximately 128 Mostly Roman and Byzantine Ae Coins, sold for $11,250 1940 Greek George II Proof 100 Drachmai, NGC PF65, sold for $2,125

Some of the more notable groups of ancient Greek and Roman coins included denarii of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Cassius, and Marc Antony (lot 1002), and sestertii of Nero, Trajan, Caligula, and Nerva (lot 1008).… Read More

The top lot in the sale a Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt, AR Sela, undated issue of year 3, obverse depicting the Jerusalem Temple and the holy ark, the verso with a lulav and etrog, approx. XF, 14.57 grams, sold for $8,610 versus a $4,000-6,000 estimate.  Department specialist, Kyle Johnson commented that “Hand-hammered coins from the ancient world can be inconsistent and examples without real circulation or wear adds to the success of their sale – many sold in mid-high end of estimates as a result.”

 

 

 

A Group of Confederate and Southern States Currency and a Framed 1928 $10 Gold Certificate, sold exceptionally well.  Manuscript signatures acknowledging interest payments garnered interest for the historically interesting personalities such as Captain T.A.… Read More

MARLBOROUGH, MA – January 28, 2019 – Coins and currency are seen not only as a utilitarian tool for commerce but also as miniature works of art. These small sculptures and engravings historically feature gods and goddesses, rulers, and allegorical figures, rendered in an artistic manner. The Skinner February auction, online from February 13-22, of coins and currency highlights some of the most desirable and beautiful of these designs.… Read More

While much of numismatics and connoisseurship focuses around type, years, mintages, and condition, there are other nuances worth considering while enjoying coin collecting. Many individuals build their collections around a type that they enjoy, whether that be the Morgan dollar series, Barber coinage, or period, such as the early Federal era. From here, they attempt to collect each year, mintmark, and major/minor variety, sometimes with a focus on pieces in mint state, other times just what they can afford at the time.… Read More

Coins are the most widely collected forms of currency and represent the largest number of lots in this online-only auction. Numerous examples of paper currency, tokens, medals and stamps are also included. Over 1,000 lots are being offered, spanning many centuries and a great diversity of countries and cultures. The auction opens on Thursday, August 17 at 10AM and begins closing on Friday, August 25 at 2PM.

As with all categories of antiques and collectibles, coins and other types of currency appeal to collectors for many reasons: rarity, age, historic significance, artistic merit, personal associations, and investment potential.… Read More