DALLAS, TX.- Heritage Auctions will present the official auction of the 2015 Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF), taking place April 9-14, 2015, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5440 N. River Road in Rosemont, IL.
"The market for high-quality World and Ancient coins continues to show strength," said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President of Heritage Auction. "Many old collections are coming out of the woodwork as strong prices abound. For collectors, this is creating access to rarities that haven't been seen in years, or in many cases, decades."
Collectors of Ancient coins will take note of the broad and deep assortment of more than 300 quality Greek, Roman and Byzantine coins on offer. Of particular note are two magnificent silver decadrachms of Syracuse, each signed by one of the great master engravers, Kimon and Euainetos, and pedigreed to the famous Allatini Collection first sold in 1928.
The grouping of Greek coins is highlighted by the small but significant offering from The Providence Collection, a carefully curated holding of quality and historical importance, including a denomination set of Lydian inscribed early electrum pieces and two superb large gold pieces of the Ptolemaic Kingdom.
World Coin highlights in the auction include both rare and high-grade pieces produced from Medieval to Modern times. A particularly nice selection of French coins stands out, including a number of low-mintage 100 Franc rarities of the Napoleon III and Republic type from The Baron Collection, with the standout being an 1894-A example graded MS64, a classic rarity in the series and one of only 143 minted.
Other European highlights include a Polish 1823-IB 25 Zloytch struck under Alexander I of Russia, the key date in this series with a mintage of just 479 pieces. Among the numerous high-grade British coins being offered are a conditionally rare 1841 halfcrown in high-end Mint State, a particularly attractive 1871 sovereign of Victoria in PR65 Ultra Cameo and a Victoria gold Proof Sovereign 1839 PR64 Deep Cameo PCGS, a spectacular proof from Victoria's first set.
The Asian selection in the auction is notable due to the wide array of Chinese highlights, including a group of ancient gold-inlaid Knife Money as well as a lovely Hupeh 20 Cash from 1906, graded MS63 Brown, from the Empire period. Collectors of modern Chinese will be interested in an imposing 1993 Year of the Rooster gold 500 Yuan, graded PR69 Deep Cameo, while other Asian countries are well-represented with coins such as a Korean gold 10 Won from Year 10 (1906) and the Virginia Cabinet of US Philippines, one of the freshest and most beautifully toned groups of 20th century Philippine coinage to come to market in recent times.
Latin America is impressively spoken for in the auction with Brazil leading the way via a very rare 1814-dated gold bar from the mines at Sabara, pedigreed to the collection of King Farouk. Also, a pair of 10000 and 20000 reis from 1724 – the key date from their respective types – are offered. Other highlights include one of the finest known 1817 8 Escudos from Guatemala, graded an impressive MS63 and an iconic West Indies British Colony countermarked 5 Pounds from 1758 that also comes out of the famed King Farouk Collection.
For the first time at CICF, Heritage Auctions will be offering a World Currency Signature® Auction, April 7-11, also at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Highlights of the selection include a rare Near Gem Singapore Commissioners of Currency $10000 ND (1987) Pick 26, a rare 1901 Dawson Overprinted Canadian Bank of Commerce $5, a desirable Kwangtung Currency Bureau $5, a fantastic Macau Banco Nacional Ultramarino 5 Patacas, a 1950 Italian Somaliland Cassa Per La Circolazione Monetaria 100 in Gem, a rare 1913 Standard Bank of South Africa £5 and a highly sought-after 1917 China Yokohama Specie Bank Limited – Hankow Branch $10.
