Will this coin set a new world record for a "world coin"?

MrEureka

The current record is roughly $3 million for a unique Russian 1755 Pattern 20 Rouble.

On Thursday, Aureo & Calico may set a new auction record.



Felipe III (1598-1621). 1609. Segovia. 100 escudos. 339.35 grs. 71 - 71.5 mm. The only known specimen and the Calicó plate coin. (Estimate: 2,000,000 Euro)

Although, I have no plans to bid on this particular piece, I expect to have some fun at this auction. It's one of the coolest groups of coins I've ever seen offered for sale.

JCMhouston

It will be interesting to see, personally I like the pattern 20 Rouble much better.

StubbyMcNumbthumbs

That will be very interesting, indeed!


Oh, and congrats on 16,000!

coinkat

possible but not likely

SYRACUSIAN

<< <i>possible but not likely >>




Why not kat? Kiss the pessimism goodbye. People have stashed cash and love to buy rare collectables, of any kind. Maybe not you and me, but read the reports of the art market in the NY Times and you'll see. We'll know tomorrow, although as a pattern, it can't be a record holder.

MrEureka

This 20 Excellentes hammered at 480K euro today. The estimate was 300K. I'd say that's a good sign!

SYRACUSIAN

That's a lot of money. I'm telling you, people are desperate for good rare stuff. I am too, but I don't have the cash.

7Jaguars

Eureka, that coin looks as though Isabella was cursing out Ferdinand - he must have been on bad behavior!

coinkat

While one can easily be overwhelmed by rarity and the history behind a coin, I believe the design and overall look has something that draws collectors to certain coins- I am alittle underwhelmed by the design. It could surprise everyone- I just look at the 20 Roubles and this one ...

MrEureka

While one can easily be overwhelmed by rarity and the history behind a coin, I believe the design and overall look has something that draws collectors to certain coins- I am alittle underwhelmed by the design.

That's a fair point with respect to the 100 Escudos. But size also matters, and this one has it in spades. It's essentially an 11 ounce gold hockey puck.

coinkat

Okay... fair enough...

WWW

I'm with Kat on this one. But hey, if size does indeed matter...

MrEureka

The 1609 100 Escudos opened without a book bid, a floor bidder bid the minimum of 800,000, and it hammered to him. I think a lot of people were surprised and/or disappointed, including the TV crews that left with some probably worthless footage. BTW, I did not buy the coin, but I bought quite a few others.

cwt

Any ideas as to why the lack of bids on this coin?

MrEureka

Any ideas as to why the lack of bids on this coin?

Nothing meaningful. It would be pure speculation. But perhaps someone else can get to the bottom of this.

CIVITAS

$1.2 million seems like plenty of money to me. I frankly didn't think the coin would sell at all with an estimate of $3.5 million.

Very cool coin though. Much more impressive in person I presume, Andy?

MrEureka

Much more impressive in person I presume, Andy?

It is. And it's one of only six known 100 Escudos of all dates, and this one's unique. But the truth is that, ignoring resale value, I would rather own the 20 Excellentes above than either of the two 100 Escudos in this sale. Then again, I'm hardly an expert on Spanish gold.

MrEureka

BTW, this was my favorite coin in the sale.



It was cataloged as follows:

"Felipe IV (1621-1665). 1645/2. Sevilla. R. 8 escudos. (Cal. 65) (Cal. Onza 75, la indica como única) (C.C. 1681). S/R a izquierda del escudo. Cuadraditos en los ángulos de la cruz, roeles en los ángulos lobulares. Ejemplar extraordinario, con gran flan. Restos de brillo original. Todos los datos perfectos. Precioso color. Posiblemente la mejor moneda conocida de una onza macuquina de Sevilla. A superb specimen. Large flan and complete."


It's a superb gem - 65 at a bare minimum - and the aesthetics of the strike, luster and planchet size/shape are the best I've seen on a non-Royal cob. It's also nice that it's (probably) unique. Hammer price: 26,000 Euro. Not a bargain, but what a coin!

cwt

Congratulations! Beautiful coin. Did you pick up any other coins at this auction?

josemartins

<< <i>Any ideas as to why the lack of bids on this coin?

Nothing meaningful. It would be pure speculation. But perhaps someone else can get to the bottom of this.

>>




Fingerprints?

coinkat

Okay... the mathematically challenged sad pathetic collector not fit to even be considered a numismatist has the following question... If the coin hammered at 800K , but the sales price was 1.2MM was the buyers fee 400K? :confused

Sorry, but the person in the cheap seats is curious ;

cwt

<< <i>Okay... the mathematically challenged sad pathetic collector not fit to even be considered a numismatist has the following question... If the coin hammered at 800K , but the sales price was 1.2MM was the buyers fee 400K? :confused

Sorry, but the person in the cheap seats is curious ; >>




One Euro is currently the equivalent of 1.50 US dollars, hence 800K Euros is equivalent to $1.2 million.

coinkat

Now that explains it... Euros. Thanks...

That was easy...

7Jaguars

How do we know that even that was a real bid? Or consignor being protected?

MrEureka

How do we know that even that was a real bid?

I was there. The bids were real and the buyers were happy.

BTW, the consignor is long gone. And I think the last coins were added to the collection almost 40 years ago, more or less.