| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 139 | Auction date: 29 July 2025 |
| Lot number: 1422 Price realized: 1,600 AUD (Approx. 1,041 USD / 904 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Wallabies fob medal, 1908-9, in gold and enamel (27x33mm; 18ct; 14.40g), by C.W.Oakes, scroll and ring top suspension, obverse features the name Wallabies and the coat-of-arms of Australia and below enamelled flags of Great Britain and Australia and below them `Anglo.Welsh', the reverse is inscribed, `N.S.W. Rugby Union/To/Jas. McMahon./Manager./Souvenir/Australian Teams/British-American Tour/1908-9.' Hairlines on reverse and a few small edge chips to enamel on obverse, otherwise toned extremely fine. See also lots E3417, 3418 and 3419. With research including a copied photo of the Australian Rugby Football Team with all members, including the manager, identified by number. James Patrick McMahon was born in Australia in 1868, the son of a migrant from County Clare in Ireland who developed a very successful carrying company as well as investing in Sydney real estate. James was a Colonel in the NSW Lancers and went to Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. He was also a prominent rugby union player and also managed the Australian Rugby Union team that toured England and America in 1908-9. The Australian team did not have a team name and when they arrived in England some newspaper reports referred to them as the `Rabbits'. In a letter that James McMahon, the team tour manager, wrote back to Sydney he stated, `That horrible expression, `rabbits', has arrived, and in some of the papers that is what we are termed. However, I have written to the Press pointing out that it is most objectionable, and we are now being termed the Wallabies. The `Daily Mail' puts it that we are `on the wallaby'. When his father died in 1914 James succeeded his father as owner of the transport business which he converted from horse drawn vehicles to motor vehicles. He was well known for his activities with the Royal Agricultural Society, NRMA, Master Carriers' Association, Chamber of Agriculture, Employers' Federation and as a member of the City Council from 1930 to 1950. At the Royal Easter Show in Sydney in 1937 and 1938 Lt-Col. J.McMahon was the Ringmaster and Chairman of the Wine Section Printing & Advertising Committees. James McMahon died at his home in Redfern at the age of 83. It is interesting to note that he was the uncle of William `Billy' McMahon, born at Redfern in 1908. His father was William McMahon who was James' brother. William `Billy' McMahon held various ministerial positions from 1951 to 1971 and as leader of the Liberal Party was the Prime Minister of Australia from 10 March 1971 to 5 December 1972. Estimate: 2000 AUD |  |
Match 1:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 139 | Auction date: 29 July 2025 |
| Lot number: 1425 Price realized: 90 AUD (Approx. 59 USD / 51 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: First Visit of Commonwealth Fleet to Sydney, in gilt (29mm) (C.1913/5); National Association 1917 badge in gilt and enamel (49x14mm), pin-back, reverse numbered 573; Royal Visit 1920, in voided gilt and enamel (18x21mm), ring top suspension; Royal Visit to Australia, Welcome, 1927, badge in gilt and enamel (28x26mm), pin-back; Australia 1788-1988, City of Sydney Crest, in bronze (45mm), by Amor (C.1988/14); also United British Dominions, Epp's Cocoa medallion 1900, in aluminium (36mm), pierced at top with suspension ring, obverse features flags inscribed with names of all Australian states except Tasmania; Masonic Order of the Eastern Star badge in gilt and enamel (25x26mm), pin-back with safety chain; another unidentified bar badge in gilt and enamel (35.5x9.5mm), pin-back. Nearly very fine - uncirculated. (8) Estimate: 70 AUD |
Match 2:
| Spink > Auction 25055 | Auction date: 1 October 2025 |
| Lot number: 790 Price realized: 29,000 GBP (Approx. 39,041 USD / 33,228 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: "A feat which made the Great Continental Powers stare with wonder" | France, Universal Exposition of Paris (1 April - 3 November 1867), Exhibitors' "Grand Prix" AV Medal of 1,000 Francs, 1867, Class H (Navigation and Lifeboats), Awarded to John Penn and Sons for Nautical Steam Engines on 1 July at a Royal Reception with Napoleon III, designed by François Joseph Hubert Ponscarme for the Paris Mint, NAPOLEON III - EMPEREUR, laureate head left, with characteristic goatee beard, rev. EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE DE MDCCCLXVII À PARIS, Two winged Putti representing Fame holding inscribed cartouche: PENN, laurel wreath above, Imperial eagle below, edge plain, but stamped with a Bee and OR on edge, [Spink XRF: 95.96% Gold], 68mm., 281.73g, 12h, a miraculous and pristine survivor, choice as struck, and exceptionally rare, one of only 64 "Grand Prix" awards for this Exposition, with only SEVEN bestowed on British companies, and others still issued in Gilt Bronze, not Solid Gold!, with original Imperial Gilt Presentation Case of Issue with the Exhibition Prize Pink Ticket slip, stating: "Classe H, No. 67. Mr. Penn et Fils". The 1867 Paris Exposition (Exposition Universelle), occupied more than 100 acres on the Champ de Mars in the heart of Paris. Opened on April 1, it lasted more than seven months and attracted more than 15 million visitors. The central ceremonial event, on July 1, was a Royal Procession led by Napoleon III and twelve other European heads of state, followed by a speech by the French minister of state, a Rossini hymn performed by an orchestra of 1,200 musicians, and the presentation of awards and medals to the top exhibitors. , , The 1867 Paris Exposition recognized excellence in various fields by awarding different classes of medals. The Exposition featured 50,226 exhibitors, including 15,055 from France and its colonies, 6,176 from Great Britain and Ireland, and 703 from the United States. , , The primary classes of award medals awarded included: 1. "Grand Prix": The highest honour, awarded for exceptional contributions and exhibits. 2. First Class: Gold Medal in recognition of high levels of excellence and achievement 3. Silver Medals: Second Class: Awarded for notable contributions and quality. Bronze Medals: Third Class: Acknowledged commendable efforts and participation. , , The official awards report complained of lack of medals in the higher class like gold. The whole number of award medals issued was 5,000 with fewer than two percent of the exhibitors receiving the prestigious gold medals. , , Universal exhibitions were created to showcase the industrial achievements of different nations. They represented the technological and industrial showcase of the participants, testifying to progress during the Industrial Revolution. The first World's Fair was held in London in 1851. Originally, each country had its own space in a central pavilion. National pavilions were introduced in 1867. In principle, they were allocated only if there was something to present that the central pavilion could not accommodate. They soon became widespread, with exhibiting nations building pavilions typical of their country's architecture. Competition was ubiquitous at world's fairs, and medals and prestige were awarded to the most deserving. Numerous architectural achievements built for world's fairs went on to become symbols of the cities that hosted them: the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Atomium in Brussels, the Space Needle in Seattle, the Biosphere in Montreal. , , "The day appointed for the distribution of the gold medals was a holiday in Paris, and an occasion of much interest to contributors. It seemed to be a season of more general excitement and display than the day of the opening. The whole city of Paris was gayly decorated, banners waved, fountains played, and music filled the air. Thousands on thousands thronged the avenues and gardens and places of pleasurable resort, and joy and gladness ruled the hour. The hall occupying the entire second story of the palace used for the Paris Exposition in 1865 was the place for bestowing the awards, and it was filled to its utmost capacity, some twenty thousand persons being present. There were twenty-five entrances to the hall, so that the vast crowd could enter with little delay or confusion, each ticket indicating the seat to be occupied and the entrance by which it must be reached. As none but gold medals were to be announced, no tickets were issued to the recipients of silver or bronze medals or honorable mention. This I regard as a most unfair distinction, when all contributors expected, and should have been invited, to be present. I will not here describe the decorations of the hall, the illustrious persons there assembled, nor all the ceremonies of the occasion. Immediately on the occupation of the platform the orchestra commenced with the grand hymn composed by Rossini for the occasion. It was partly instrumental, partly vocal, and contained a grand march ending in a spirited chorus with the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon. It was heartily applauded, and at its close tremendous shouts of vive l'Empereur burst forth. As soon as the intense excitement had subsided, M. Rouher, Minister of State and Vice-President of the Imperial Commission, arose and read the report relating to the success of the Exposition. Around him were members of the various commissions, the international jury, and distinguished persons of every nation. , , "Thanks to an activity that surmounted all fatigues, the decisions required of the jury for the first of July, have all been rendered, and the result can now be proclaimed before your majesty. The jury has awarded to exhibitors 64 grand prizes, 883 gold medals, 3,653 silver medals, 6,565 bronze medals, and 5,801 honourable mentions. Notwithstanding this great number of awards, the jury was obliged to limit its choice, and to pass over without any designation many interesting exhibitions of distinguished merit and industrial efforts worthy of more serious encouragement." , , "When M. Ronher had concluded his report, the Emperor arose, and with firm voice made the following admirable reply: - Gentlemen: - After an interval of twelve years I come for the second time to distribute recompense to those who have most distinguished themselves in the labors which enrich nations, embellish private life, and soften manners. The poets of antiquity celebrated magnificently the solemn games in which the various people of Greece came to dispute the prize of running. What would they say to-day if they witnessed these Olympian contests of the entire world, where all the nations, competing by intelligence, seem to dash forward, all at the same time, in the career of infinite progress towards an ideal which is ever approached, but never attained. From all points of the earth the representatives of science, art, and manufactures have hastened to assemble together, and it may be said that peoples and kings have come to honor the efforts of labor, and by their presence crown them with an idea of conciliation and peace. In fact, in these great meetings, which appear to have only for their object material interests, there is always a moral thought which is evolved from the competition of intelligence,- that of concord and civilization. Nations in drawing nearer together, learn to know and esteem each other; hate becomes extin- guished, and this truth becomes more and more accredited, - that the prosperity of each country contributes to that of all. The Exhibition of 1867 may justly be called Universal, for it unites the elements of all the riches of the globe ; by the side of the latest improvements of modern art appear the products of the most remote ages, so that they represent, at the same time, the genius of every century and every nation. It is certainly uni- versal: for, by the side of the wonders which luxury produces for some, it has paid the deepest attention to what the necessi- ties of the greatest number require. Never have the interests of the laborious classes awakened a more lively solicitude. Their moral and material wants, their education, the conditions of cheap existence, and the most productive combinations of associ- ation, have been the object of patient research and serious study. Thus, all improvements progress side by side. If science, in subjugating matter, emancipates labor, the culture of the mind, by suppressing vices, prejudices, and vulgar passions, sets humanity free. Let us congratulate ourselves, gentlemen, on having received amongst us the greater number of the sovereigns and princes of Europe, and so many eager visitors. Let us be proud, too, in having shown to them France as she is, great, prosperous, and free. One must be destitute of all patriotic faith to doubt her greatness, close one's eyes to evidence to deny her prosperity, and ignore her institutions, which are sometimes tolerant even to the extent of license, not to perceive the liberty existing there. Foreigners have been able to appreciate this France, formerly so unquiet, and spreading her disturbing influences beyond her frontiers, now laborious and calm, always fruitful in generous ideas, applying her genius to the most varied marvels, and never allowing herself to be enervated by material enjoyments. Observing minds will easily have divined that, notwithstand- ing the development of wealth, notwithstanding the attraction towards general comfort, the national fibre is always ready to vibrate when a question of honor or of country arises; but this noble susceptibility cannot be a subject of apprehension for the repose of the world. Let those who have lived some short time amongst us carry back with them a just opinion of our country. Let them be convinced of the sentiments of esteem and sympathy which we entertain for foreign nations, and of our sincere desire to live in peace with them. I thank the Imperial Commission, the members of the Jury, and the different committees, for the intelligent zeal which they have displayed in the accomplishment of their mission. I thank them, also, in the name of the Prince Imperial, whom I was happy to associate, notwithstanding his tender age, in this great undertaking, of which he will preserve the recollection. The Exhibition of 1867 will mark, I hope, a new era of har- mony and of progress. Assured that Pi evidence blesses the efforts of those who, like ourselves, aim at doing good, I believe in the final triumph of those great principles of morality and justice, which, in satisfying all legitimate aspirations, can alone consolidate thrones, exalt nations, and ennoble humanity." , , Hubert (François Joseph) Ponscarme (1827-1903) was a French Sculptor, Coin and Gem Engraver, Medallist, born at Belmont-les-Monthureux (Vosges). He was a pupil of Oudiné, Vauthié, Dumont and Merley. Deuxième Grand Prix de Rome de gravure en médailles in 1855, the Premier Prix was won by Alphée Dubois that year. Médaille de troisième classe in 1859, 1861, 1863 and première classe in 1867 et 1878 at the Exposition Universelles. He was a portraitist of Napoleon III. In 1895 he created new style of medal making which would develop into the Belle Époque. He had two famous pupils: Ovide Yencesse and Alexandre Charpentier. He died at Malakoff (Hauts-de-Seine) Estimate: £12000 - £15000 |  |
Match 3:
| Spink > Auction 25005 | Auction date: 30 September 2025 |
| Lot number: 473 Price realized: 155,000 GBP (Approx. 207,998 USD / 177,318 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: (g) NGC PF64 UCAM - PF65BN | George IV (1820-1830), Proof Set, 1826 (11), Specimen Five-Pounds to Half-Sovereign, Crown to Sixpence, Penny to Farthing (S.PS1), a pleasingly honest and original set with glorious cabinet tone interspersed with mint brilliance on key pieces, a connoisseur's great opportunity!, with NGC Certification (Cert. #8534313) (11). Provenance, The "Pallas" Collection of English Coins , Spink, by private treaty, 25 April 1983 - £20,600 , , i) PF64 UCAM | Proof Five-Pounds, 1826 SEPTIMO, edge lettered downwards, 39.874g, 6h (L&S 27; W&R 213; Marsh F6; GH 98; EGC II, 940 [R3]), some haziness in arresting pools of gloriously full and honest orange cabinet-tone, with sharp cameo definition, much as struck, a glorious specimen, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 64 ULTRA CAMEO (Cert. #8534313-001) , , ii) PF63 CAM | Proof Two-Pounds, 1826 SEPTIMO, edge lettered downwards, 15.951g, 6h (Douglas-Morris 168; W&R 228; EGC II, 957), highly superficial pecks to truncation and wisps of cabinet friction in otherwise brilliant fields, the portrait in pleasant contrast, a wholesome example, a bold extremely fine, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 63 CAMEO (Cert. #8534313-002) , , iii) PF61 CAM | Proof Sovereign, 1826, rev. eight hearts, edge milled, 7.971g, 6h (Stratos 216; W&R 237 [R2]; EGC II, 969), linear cabinet friction and deft handling marks in otherwise attractively brilliant fields, with sumptuous golden-orange cabinet toning, a most pleasingly honest and original example, a bolder extremely fine, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 61 CAMEO (Cert. #8534313-003) , , iv) PF65 UCAM | Proof Half-Sovereign, 1826, without 'extra tuft', edge milled, 3.985g, 6h (Douglas-Morris 153; Hill 407A; W&R 249; EGC II, 997), the deftest cabinet friction in otherwise brilliant fields, a beautifully honest and wholesome example of this treasured rarity, virtually as struck, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 65 ULTRA CAMEO (Cert. #8534313-004) , , v) PF65 | Pattern Proof Crown, 1826 SEPTIMO, edge lettered downwards, 28.168g, 6h (L&S 27; Bull 2336; ESC 257; Davies 151), an outstanding example, richly and deeply cabinet toned overlying brilliant original fields, practically FDC, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 65 (Cert. #8534313-005) , , vi) PF64 | Proof Halfcrown, 1826, edge milled, 14.078g, 6h (Bull 2376; ESC 647; Davies 192; MCE [1950], p. 106, 'Reverse 3' this coin), the reverse and milling concreted with red wax where previous plated, otherwise outstandingly cabinet toned with petrol-blue hues, much as struck, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 64 (Cert. #8534313-006) , , vii) PF62 | Proof Shilling, 1826, edge milled, 5.674g, 7h (Bull 2411; ESC 1258), some surface marks in brilliant but very darkly toned fields, a bold extremely fine, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 62 (Cert. #8534313-007) , , viii) PF63 | Proof Sixpence, 1826, "extra tuft", edge milled, 2.833g, 7h (Bull 2435; ESC 1663), spots of red wax in previously wiped but brilliant and darkly retoned fields, a pleasingly bold extremely fine, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 63 (Cert. #8534313-008) , , ix) PF64 BN | Bronzed Proof Penny, 1826, rev. Rev. C, thick raised line on saltire, edge plain, 19.224g, 12h (BMC [Peck] 1426), some carbon spotting and organic residue to peripheries, otherwise brilliant, a pleasingly good extremely fine, with harmonious chocolate brown patination, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 64 BROWN (Cert. #8534313-009) , , x) PF64 BN | Bronzed Proof Halfpenny, 1826, rev. Rev. A, two incuse lines on saltire, edge plain, 9.525g, 12h (BMC [Peck] 1434), small rim bruise at 8 o'clock, other brilliant, a really bold extremely fine and much as issued, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 64 BROWN (Cert. #8534313-010) , , xi) PF65 BN | Bronzed Proof Farthing, 1826, edge plain, 4.699g, 12h (BMC [Peck] 1440), small rim bruise at 8 o'clock on reverse, otherwise brilliant, good extremely fine, in NGC 'Black' Pallas holder, graded PROOF 65 BROWN (Cert. #8534313-011) , , The Morning Post (27 October 1826), reports: 'A new coinage of gold, silver and copper has just been completed at the Mint. Four or Five of the principal bankers had each one set as a specimen, and no more. A set consists of one 5l. piece, one 2l. piece, a 1l. piece, and a 10s. piece (gold); a 5s. piece, a half-crown piece, a 1s and a 6d. (silver); a penny, a half-penny, and a farthing in copper. The 5l. piece bears on one side the arms of Great Britain engraved on drapery, with the motto DECUS ET TUTAMEN, and the date of the year: on the other side, the head of His Majesty, similar to the one on the new Sovereign. This piece is supposed to be taken from the forty Liri piece of Parma. The 2l. piece is the same as the above; the 1l. piece is also the same, but not engraved on drapery. The 5s. piece, the half-crown piece, the 1s. and 6d. bear the arms of Great Britain, the same as these already issued. The penny, half-penny and farthing, dated 1826. , This enlightening report provides further background to a contemporary fiscal policy to withdraw the Bank of England's circulation of one and two pound bank notes by April 1829. However, opponents at the time feared a rush to gold requiring an extra 5 million gold pounds to cover the promissory short fall explaining the subsequent upsurge in mint productions of Sovereigns for 1825 and 1826. , The Globe continues (Friday, 27 October 1826): 'We yesterday announced the completion of a new coinage. As these new coinages are frequently made at some expence to the public, we are at a loss to know why the larger gold coins (the 5l. and 2l. coins) are not put into circulation? In some cases these coins would be convenient as currency, and like crowns and half-crowns in silver, would save trouble in counting. At any rate, if the expence of making the dies be incurred, as many of them should be put into circulation as the public demand, instead of making them, as at present, artificially scarce, for the purpose of apparently giving them a value in the absurd estimation of collectors. Even these worthies might be satisfied, if there were proof impressions exclusively for them. , On Thursday 11 January 1827, the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette ran the story of a break in at Chilton Lodge, the dwelling house of one John Pearse MP. 'During the night of Saturday the 30th of Dec. 1826, thieves forced the locks and ransacked the drawers of the principal rooms of the ground floor and stole the following articles....a silver inkstand, a French Gold repeating watch and proof Impressions of the Coin of the Present reign, George the 4th. IN GOLD - A Five Sovereign; a Two Sovereign; a Sovereign and a Half-Sovereign. IN SILVER - A Five Shilling Piece; a Half-Crown; a Shilling; a Sixpence. IN COPPER - a Penny; a Halfpenny; a Farthing.' Besides serving his Hungerford parliamentary constituency for over a decade, he would also occupy the seat of Director of the Bank of England (1812-1828), and was therefore evidently one of our original four of five recipients of the October 1826 strikings. , For collectors however the wait would be rather longer to legitimately obtain examples. The dispersals of Mr Ralph Willett (Sotheby's, 15 March 1827) and Royal Mint Engraver John Milton (Sotheby's, 23 April 1827) did not offer the new proofs, despite both gentlemen clearly having the means and the access to them. In fact it is not until the sale of the appropriately named Mr Rich (Sotheby's, 7 July 1828, lot 189), that a similarly designed 1825 Proof Halfcrown appears at public auction, with examples of the specimen copper specie following with the sale of the late Joseph Miller of Barnard's Inn, Holborn (Sotheby's, 25 February 1829, lot 180). , The death of William Simonds Higgs afforded the market the earliest auction record this cataloguer can trace for the offering of a full set (Sotheby, 29 April 1830, lot 313), wherein the description simply states: 'His present Majesty's Proof Coins, from the Five Sovereign Piece to the Farthing', by. W. Wyon, in a morocco case' - £4.13.6 [Higgs]. This would suggest the lot was bought in by the estate, having extraordinarily failed to reach even its face value. The following year the result would not be replicated with the sale of esteemed collection of Mr Barclay's cabinet in Sotheby's rooms (21-23 March 1831). His 1826 Proof set would be split up into a group lot of the silver pieces (lot 321 - £1.14.0) and individual and paired lots for the gold (£5 - lot 364 - £8.10.6; £2 - lot 365 - £4.0.0; £1 and Half-Sovereign - lot 366 - £2.2.0). Most interestingly of all is the description for the subsequent lot 367 which alludes directly to the Globe's earlier commentary: 'George IV. UNIQUE PATTERNS with plain edges. IN FINE GOLD, of the beautiful FIVE-SOVEREIGN and TWO SOVEREIGN PIECES, 1826, by William Wyon; weight 1oz. 8 dwt. 12grs and 13 dwt. 18gr. - Struck by order of the Right Honourable T. Wallace for this collection. - £21.18.0 (W&R 214). An example of just such a contemporary plain edge specimen is offered elsewhere in this sale. Estimate: £100,000 - £140,000 |  |
Match 4:
| Sovereign Rarities Ltd > Auction 19 | Auction date: 23 September 2025 |
| Lot number: 259 Price realized: 9,200 GBP (Approx. 12,443 USD / 10,549 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: George I (1714-27), gold Guinea, 1726, with elephant and castle below fifth laureate head right, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS. D G. M. BR. FR. ET. HIB. REX. F.D, some stops weak or absent, rev. crowned cruciform broad shields, incorporating the Arms of Hanover, ornamental sceptres in angles, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, .BRVN ET L. DVX S.R.I.A:TH ET. EL., edge, obliquely grained (Schneider 550; Bull EGC 528 R4; MCE 262; Farey 705 ER; S.3634). Attractively toned with red colour, some light marks and wear to high points, has been graded and slabbed by NGC as AU50. NGC Certification 8537556-003 The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse George by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on the reverse as Duke of Brunswick and Luneberg, High Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire.For the calendar year 1726, £872,963 worth of gold was produced into coin at the mint. Many of them would have been gold Guineas but seemingly only £18,000 worth would have had the elephant and castle provenance mark.The elephant and castle provenance mark is indicative of being issued by the Royal African Company of England as it had been so reconstructed by the Duke of York from 1672. The R.A.C. was quite a success trading with Africa and the New World through the 1670s and 1680s, but from 1692 onwards things became more problematic. The Nine Years War with France did not help, as well as competition from other traders over the African monopoly the company seemed to hold along with the East India Company for the Far East. In 1697 a compromise agreement was reached allowing others to trade in Africa as long as they paid a 10% tariff to the R.A.C. This meant that less gold was actually being brought back to the UK to coin and the issues were subsequently small. The last elephant and castle Five Guinea coin was produced in 1699 and not long after the War of the Spanish succession reduced activity further with no Africa gold issues for the first few years of Queen Anne's reign. Only guineas were produced for 1707-1709 as the company edged toward bankruptcy. No coins would be produced for another 12 years into the second half of the reign of George I with an issue in 1721 and 1722 upon resumption of trading voyages after the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718-21) ended. The final issue of an elephant and castle marked coin is of the guinea as we have offered here, the £18,000 gold for which was all imported to England in August 1726 upon the R.A.C. ship Clarendon. provenance:Ex Baldwin Auction 77, 27th September 2012, lot 2734. Starting price: 8000 GBP |  |
Match 5:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 35 | Auction date: 9 July 2025 |
| Lot number: 5607 Price realized: 460 CHF (Approx. 576 USD / 493 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: GERMANY. Bayern. Kurfürstentum. Maximilian II Emanuel, 1679-1726. Medal 1704 (Tin, 42 mm, 21.87 g, 12 h), on his defeat and flight after the Battle of Blenheim. PUDORE TERRORE / HINC ET INDE / FUGATUS Maximilian II Emanuel fleeing to the right on pedestal with coat of arms of Ulm and Augsburg, holding shield in his left hand; behind, falling flags and standards; to his left, threatening Bavaria; to his right, river god Danubius threatening with his trident in both hands. Rev. MAX•EMA•D•B•REGENTIS DUCISSAE BAVARIÆ MARIT 9 ET IN / BELG•HISP•GALLICO GU - BER - NATOR E DUX GENERALISS. // ET HASSECVNDVS 7 ABSTVLIT / MDCCIV• Justitia standing facing, holding sword in her right hand and scales in her left; around, wreath of coats of arms of the lost cities. Bavarica 1000, 23h. Beierlein 1557. München Inv. 6-05103. Extremely rare. Minor edge nicks and with graffiti on the reverse, otherwise, very fine. This highly sought after medal combines the biting irony of political propaganda with numismatics in a particularly striking way. The inspiration for its obverse and reverse motifs comes from a medal by P. H. Müller (1654-1719), commemorating the victories of Maximilian II Emanuel in the War of the Spanish Succession up until 1703 (cf. Leu 18, 1 June 2025, 1071). The following year, however, he suffered a crushing defeat at Blenheim, forcing him to flee Bavaria. Instead of a loyal Ulma paying homage, this medal depicts an enraged Bavaria driving Maximilian II Emanuel away. Likewise, the once-submissive Danubius has been transformed into a menacing river god. The reverse no longer features the coats of arms of conquered cities but rather the names of lost ones: Amberg, Cham, Donauwörth, Filzhofen, Freystadt, Friedberg, Memmingen, Neuburg, Neumarkt, Passau, Rain, Regensburg, Rothenberg, Stadtamhof and Straubing. And last but not least, Victoria has been replaced by Justitia, delivering judgment. The commissioner and engraver of this medal remain unknown, but it seems highly likely that the cities of Ulm and Augsburg - previously conquered by Maximilian II Emanuel - were behind this satirical piece. Starting price: 50 CHF |  |
