DALLAS, TX.- The crown jewel of the entire South African numismatic field, the legendary “Single 9” overstrike of the 1898 Pond, will be among the top coins to change hands once it is sold January 13 in Heritage’s NYINC Platinum Session World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction.

Dubbed “The King of South African Coins,” this unique coin is undeniably one of the most valuable and rare world coins extant. It boasts a fascinating pedigree, including being once part of King Farouk’s illustrious “Palace Collections of Egypt.” It was last privately traded to the current owner in 2010. It is being offered as part of The Gatsby Collection, an extraordinary curation of pre-1960 South African coinage, unmatched in its breadth and quality.

“This collection includes what is believed to be the rarest, most comprehensaive and valuable collection of South African coins held in private collections,” says Cris Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage Auctions. “The consignor who built this extraordinary collection spent more than 50 years acquiring the rarest coins and mint specimens that represent the rich history of South African numismatics.”

From the earliest prototypes of the Griquatown mission station to the Boer republics of the Orange Free State and Transvaal, and through the Union of South Africa period to modern-day Krugerrands, this collection stands as a testament to the collector’s dedication to acquiring the finest and most coveted pieces. Compiling this collection required not only deep knowledge of South African numismatics but also exceptional networking and negotiating skills to discreetly secure many immensely rare — and sometimes unique — items. It reflects the significant time, effort and financial commitment invested in its creation.

Other NYINC auction highlights from the collection include, but are not limited to:

• A Republic “Coarse Beard” Burgers Pond 1874 MS65 NGC — a scarce variety of this Leonard Wyon design, and the second-finest certified across NGC and PCGS

• An Orange Free State. Republic silver Counterstamped Kroon 1887 AU55 NGC — the finest at NGC, subject of scholarly interests toward this tumultuous period of governmental history for the Orange Free State

• A Republic gold “Veld” Pond 1902 MS65 NGC — a celebrated type, offered in incredible Gem quality, tracing to the Second Boer War

The auction is teeming with superlative coins from extraordinary collections, but some of the treasures that can be found in the event are stand-alone prizes. Among them: a gorgeous George IV gold Proof 5 Pounds 1826 PR65 Deep Cameo PCGSdesigned by Royal Mint Chief Engraver William Wyon. Other examples have been offered before at Heritage, but almost always at the 63 grade level. The PR65 grade puts this example in the top 5% of the certified population between both grading services.

Also in play is a Victoria gold Proof Pattern “Bonomi” Crown 1837-Dated (1893) PR66 PCGS. Designed by Joseph Bonomi, it is an astounding rarity from a mintage of just six pieces in gold that has not been offered in any metal at Heritage since the Cape Coral specimen in silver in 2018.

Collectors of elite British coins will have a chance to bid on a pair of exceptional 5 Guineas treasures: an Anne gold 5 Guineas 1705 MS61 NGCis the second 5 Guineas issued during Anne’s reign. No finer examples of this circulation strike have surfaced at the grading services since heritage last offered this piece in 2020. The other is aJames II gold 5 Guineas 1688 MS64 Prooflike NGC. The last example of the denomination that approached a Gem assignment at Heritage was the William & Mary Paramount specimen in 2021, only confirming how awe-inspiring this seldom-seen conditional designation really is across the most hotly contested series in British numismatics. This example is tied with just one other for the finest, not only for the date, but across all of James II’s 5 Guineas series at both PCGS and NGC.

A Napoleon III gold Specimen Essai 100 Francs 1862-E SP65 Cameo PCGSis a stunning example from the highly collectible Napoleon III 100 Franc series from the 1850s and ’60s that shares a timeless appeal akin to the British Sovereign, a favorite among collectors. Standard circulation pieces from the 100 Franc series are relatively accessible, but Specimens like the one offered here are exceedingly rare. Both grading services rank just two others above the example offered in this auction.

The Gatsby Collection is just one of several premier collections in the auction, an event that also will feature the Eternal Collection that includes magnificent coins from Russia, Greece and wider Latin Europe, the Red River Trove that is rich in high-grade British coins, the Robert C. Pickett Collection of European, Asian and ancient treasures and Part III of the OTOH Collection, an exceptional offering of physical cryptocurrency artifacts.

“This event will be one of the largest New York coins auctions ever held,” says Bierrenbach. “When you consider the collections and the standalone items that will be in play, this auction really is unparalleled, and a clear indication of Heritage’s standing in the market.”

Eternal Collection

Another elite collection in the auction is the Eternal Collection that features some of the most prized and impeccably preserved examples of each distinctive type ever seen. This incredible assemblage will be sold in four installments over the next two years, beginning with a stand-alone session in this auction and continuing in the Hong Kong International Numismatic Fair (HKINF) in June 2025, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) in August 2025 and NYINC 2026. It is a collection rich with “trophy” coins, spotlighting the consignor’s dedication to securing the most covetable types in the finest conditions, a relentless pursuit that has elevated this group’s status, placing it among the likes of Paramount, Lissner and Millennia.

“In all my years working with coin collectors, there have been a handful of collections that stand out for their outstanding quality, and The Eternal Collection is certainly one of those,” says Bierrenbach. “It includes dozens of beautiful numismatic trophies from around the world — it’s a stunning group of coins!”

Highlights from the Eternal Collection that will be offered at NYINC include, but are not limited to:

• Six extremely valuable Spanish Proofs of 1869(69) that were issued under the Provisional Government (1868-1871) that supplanted the monarchial regime of Queen Isabella II

• A Napoleon “Hundred Days” 5 Francs 1815-A MS64 NGC that was struck during the “hundred days” between Napoleon’s return from exile and the second restoration of King Louis XVIII; only two finer at NGC

The collection also will include a strong showing of Italian issues, including:

• A Prova 5 Lire 1914 in Gem condition with an iconic quadriga design by D. Calandra, with “Prova Di Stampa” on the reverse

• One of the finest extant examples of a Gold 20 Lire 1926 MS65 NGC — from a mintage of 40

• A Vittorio Emanuele III gold Proof Prova 20 Lire 1906 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC with an intriguing honeybee design; presently the only example graded at NGC

From Russia comes a Nicholas I platinum 12 Roubles 1830-C?? MS63 Prooflike NGC. Imperial Russian platinum types always draw major interest, but an example of such a scarce date in Prooflike Mint State condition is exceedingly rare.

Other Russian coins from the Eternal Collection at NYINC 2025 will include:

• One of just a handful of extant Platinum Proof 6 Roubles 1845 PR64 — the only example certified at NGC

• One of the finest extant examples of a “Heavy” Rouble 1797 MS66 NGC that is very difficult to procure in Mint State, let alone in this exceptional Gem quality.

Red River Trove

This auction includes 102 lots from the Red River Trove, which features a strong selection of coins from Britain and the Netherlands, but also boasts treasures from other European and South American countries.

Highlights from the collection include, but are not limited to:

• A British James I (1603-1625) gold Unite ND (1606-1607) MS65 NGC
• A French Henri II (1547-1559) Écu d'or à la Croisette ND (1547-1559)-ft MS61 NGC
• A Kampen. City gold Imitative Rose Noble ND (1590-1593) MS64 NGC from the Netherlands

Robert C. Pickett Collection

This global assemblage began almost a century ago when Pickett received his first five-dollar gold coin on his fifth birthday, a gift from his grandmother that started a life-long passion for collecting American and world gold. Pickett embraced the stories behind the coins, believing their designs reflected the leaders, values, achievements and aspirations of the countries that minted them.

Leading the collection is a Victoria gold Proof “Una and the Lion” 5 Pounds 1839 PR62+ Ultra Cameo NGC. Designed by Wyon, this elusive and highly coveted issue was struck just tw years into Queen Victoria's reign and narrates a symbol drawn from Edmund Spenser's 16th-century epic, “The Faerie Queene,” with Una representing Truth and the lion symbolizing the full might of England.

Also from the Pickett Collection:

• A gorgeous “Bird of Paradise” German Colony. Wilhelm II gold Proof 20 Mark 1895-A PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC — the German New Guinea Bird of Paradise is an icon of modern numismatics, presented here in stunning Ultra Cameo contrast, the only of its kind at NGC. Silver iterations of the Bird of Paradise type are among the most sought-after of colonial issues, but this single-year gold piece is in a league of its own in terms of desirability.

• A Bulgarian Ferdinand I gold 100 Leva 1894-KB MS61 NGC that is one of the most in-demand of modern European gold emissions, minted in low numbers and extremely scarce in Mint State. This example is tied for the finest certified between both grading services.

OTOH Collection

This 70-lot installment of the collection showcases an array of rare and unique offerings, including Casascious, Lealana and Crypto Imperator. The collection is named after bitcointalk.org forum member “Otoh,” whose journey into cryptocurrency began in 2011, soon after the advent of Bitcoin.

Among the top selections in the auction are:

• A Lealana silver Proof Loaded (Unredeemed) “King Kam - Gilt Garments/Mirrored Bust” 1 Bitcoin (BTC) 2016 PR68 PCGS

• A Casascius brass Loaded (Unredeemed) 1 Bitcoin (BTC) 2013 MS67 PCGS

• A Crypto Imperator silver Proof Loaded (Unredeemed) "Lion" 0.5 Bitcoin (BTC) 2017 PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC

• One of just 100 minted examples of a BTCC gold-plated brass Loaded (Unredeemed) “Artist’s Proof” 1 Bitcoin (BTC) 2016 PR63 Deep Cameo PCGS

Ancient Coins

The auction will include an extraordinary selection of Arsinoe octodrachms and decadrachms among the offerings that will draw the attention of collectors of ancient coins.

Collectors hoping to build the ultimate 12 Caesars in gold have to consider a Gaius (Caligula) (AD 37-41), with Divus Augustus. AV aureus NGC MS“star” 5/5 - 5/5that is the Highest Certified Caligula Aureus that is known in private hands.

Another ancient treasure in the auction is a CIMMERIAN BOSPORUS. Panticapaeum. Ca. 340-320 BC. AV stater NGC MS 4/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, die shift, a stunning Fine Style Pan and Griffin. The wealth of Panticapaeum is attested by gold coins like the one offered here, which typically are larger and heavier than contemporary Greek gold pieces and depict a wild-eyed satyr thought to represent the city’s patron god and namesake, Pan.

The artistry of an extremely rare CARIAN ISLANDS. Cos. Ca. 480-475 BC. AR triple siglos NGC VF 4/5 - 3/5, marks encapsulates the tradition of the Triopian Games, a prestigious festival held in honor of Apollo by the Dorian pentapolis: Cos, Cnidus and the three Rhodian cities of Camirus, Ialysus and Lindus. The games celebrated athletic excellence, with victorious athletes receiving bronze tripods as prizes, intended for dedication to Apollo at the sanctuary of Triopion on the Cnidian peninsula.

A MYSIA. Pergamum. Time of Alexander III the Great, ca. 334-323 BC. AV stater NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style is a remarkable gold stater type, that has been attributed to the city of Pergamum. Hoard finds of the rare type have been few but helpful: two examples found in the Saïda hoard point to a date before 323 BC. Francoise de Callataÿ suggests the coins were personally commissioned by Alexander shortly after his initial invasion of Asia Minor and seizure of Pergamum in 334 BC, utilizing dies produced by engravers accompanying his army. These staters, then, are the first coins produced at what would go on to become one of antiquity's greatest cities and the capital of its own empire in the Hellenistic era.

A Jewish War Year Five Irregular Shekel is one of the most storied coin in the Judaean series. Silver shekels dated to the fifth year were struck in the months just before Titus and his troops captured Jerusalem and burned the Temple in July AD 70. It is probable that large numbers of these just-struck coins were melted down and the bullion carried back to Rome as part of the booty, which eventually financed the Colosseum, as well as other building projects. refuted by a study conducted by the British Museum Laboratory.