Breaking News! King of Siam set sells for $8.5M to

RYK · October 31, 2005 4:14AM

Steve Contursi.

Link to NYT article

JrGMan2004 · October 31, 2005 4:16AM

I always love seeing that photoshopped picture of the coins in the holder

Russ · October 31, 2005 4:17AM

It'll soon be discovered that each of the coins was the very first struck.

Russ, NCNE

Baley · October 31, 2005 4:17AM

Man, this guy must be loaded! Did anyone see the article about him in this month's Wine Spectator?

Apparently, in addition to the finest coins, he likes good wine and is a particular coinesseur of the Burgandys and Bordeauxs

mgoodm3 · October 31, 2005 4:18AM

Beautiful set.

RYK · October 31, 2005 4:20AM

Man, this guy must be loaded!

Nah, he's a Noe wannabe!

flaminio · October 31, 2005 4:27AM

For those bugged by the NYT site login, there's always BugMeNot.com.

Barndog · October 31, 2005 4:28AM

Bargain priced. With the Eliasberg specimen of the 1913 Liberty Nickel selling on eBay for in excess of 99 million dollars, I think he got a deal.

kranky · October 31, 2005 4:35AM

<< It'll soon be discovered that each of the coins was the very first struck.

Russ, NCNE >>

I noticed in a recent ad that "One of the..." has been dropped from the ad copy where they mentioned that 1794 dollar. You could see that coming a mile away.

streeter · October 31, 2005 4:41AM

<<Man, this guy must be loaded! >>

I'm going Bass fishing this weekend. Hopin for a great catch.

ellewood · October 31, 2005 4:42AM

Interesting read.

What exactly are the coins housed in? Exactly what you see in the pic OR have they been broken up and individually encapsulated at some point?

BillJones · October 31, 2005 4:48AM

This set is the true "holly grail" U.S. numismatics IMO.

I too like the photos of the coins in their original holder. They don't belong in slabs.

Lakesammman · October 31, 2005 4:53AM

Oh, THAT set - definitely a bargain, though even more so at the last auction. Pure eye candy.

BillJones · October 31, 2005 4:56AM

If my net worth had been $5 million at the time that set sold for $1 million I would have been a bidder.

That opinion has nothing to do with the fact that it has not sold for $8.5 million. I'd just like to own the set as a collector.

michael · October 31, 2005 4:58AM

all currently in pcgs slabs

and i love this set of coins for me the all time greatest set of coins and original master diplomatic coin set given by the usa to King Mongkut of Siam then shared by rama to his secret special lover an english school teacher and brought back to england where it was acquired by i think? spinks in 1954 from the original family who had held onto it for many generations

but i will have to enjoy it from a photo i keep that was an advertisement from goldberg for the set it is really well done a photo card showing the coins in the set in color and on card stock paper and it is folded over so it looks like the set is in the original box closed and you open up the advertisement and it is wonderful full color

a fantastic set and the dean the ultimate in usa proof sets as it is a presentation diplomatic set of coinage made for the king of siam and kept together ever since

messydesk · October 31, 2005 4:59AM

<< For those bugged by the NYT site login, there's always BugMeNot.com. >>

How about for those bugged by the NYT in general?

Fletcher · October 31, 2005 4:59AM

I can't believe that they are not going to put it on fleabay

michael · October 31, 2005 5:01AM

IT is a PUZZLEMENT

when i think of this set i think of yuel brenner dancing with deborah kerr in the king and i

michael · October 31, 2005 5:03AM

and when i get upset at all this registry thing ga-ga grades and plastic i whistle a happy tune and think that i am not afraid

la la la la la la laaaaaaaaaa la la la la la la i whistle a happy tune and think that i am not afraid

michael · October 31, 2005 5:04AM

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049408/

Nocerino18 · October 31, 2005 6:32AM

<< It'll soon be discovered that each of the coins was the very first struck.

Russ, NCNE >>

HTubbs · October 31, 2005 6:45AM

Wow!

Bear · October 31, 2005 6:47AM

Since the new owner likes fine bourdoux, perhaps

he was really loaded.

JSsson · October 31, 2005 8:33AM

What's the backround on Steve Contursi? I recall that he is a well known coin dealer.

Legend, WTCG, Coinguy1, MrEureka, would probably know the story on Mr. Contursi. Anyone there care to shed a little backround on him?

Longacre · October 31, 2005 9:23AM

He does seem to corner the market on really fine stuff

saintguru · October 31, 2005 9:28AM

He outbid ME!!

cosmicdebris · October 31, 2005 9:40AM

Coins of the Rich and Famous.

Bustman · October 31, 2005 9:41AM

I LOVE that set. I had a picture of the set posted over my desk for over a year. I'm surprised it took as long as it did to sell.

CarlWohlforth · October 31, 2005 9:46AM

It must be nice to be able to even consider bidding for that set.

Man, I'd be happy just viewing it.

cladking · October 31, 2005 10:06AM

It's a nice set but there's no clad in it.

Shamika · October 31, 2005 10:30AM

<< It'll soon be discovered that each of the coins was the very first struck. >>

STEWARTBLAYNUMIS · October 31, 2005 10:34AM

I know he never owned a 1958 Double Die obverse..............

and he don't know squat about Lincoln cents

Stewart

roadrunner · October 31, 2005 10:34AM

The comotion over the 1794 SP66 silver dollar and 13,000 slab inserts had died down, it was time to stir the pot again and get on the front page again.

A far better deal than the 1933 $20 Saint...esp considering 10 more of them are out there now.

roadrunner

nankraut · October 31, 2005 10:43AM

Modern Crap!!!! heh heh

JrGMan2004 · October 31, 2005 10:49AM

<< Interesting read.

What exactly are the coins housed in? Exactly what you see in the pic OR have they been broken up and individually encapsulated at some point? >>

The coins are all slabbed... however, the picture shown of the coins all in the little display case has been photoshopped. A picture was taken of the holder, then pictures of each individual coin was taken, then cropped and resized appropriately and photoshopped into their appropriate spots in the holder. I can guarantee you of this fact, as there is no way each coin could look that good in a group shot

Photoguy · November 8, 2005 4:19AM

As for the image in the box..... It is photoshopped good job JRgman!. How do I know because I shot it and did the brochure. Im also the photographer for the Goldbergs.

As well for Mr. Contursi being the buyer, yes he bought it for one of his clients.

Breaking News! King of Siam set sells for $8.5M to

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