LONDON.- Spink announced another instalment of their famous auctions of Ancient, British, Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals on the 22-23rd March 2016 in their London premises in the heart of Bloomsbury. This auction boasts of a fantastic selection of Ancient coins and the third part of one of the finest collections of Polish coins to come on the market in recent years. There is also a strong portion of English coins to excite and delight the avid collector.

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, Spink will be offering a fantastic coin: lot 852, which is a Charles II (1645-85), Irish St Patrick Halfpenny from 1660-61, showing King David playing harp on the obverse and St Patrick on the reverse. A very fine example of a beautiful and very rare coin full of history; many of these coins made it all the way to America to fill the deficit of coins in the colonies. Lot 852, estimated: £1,200 – 1,500

The highlight from amongst the Ancient coins is the collection of early Roman bronze coins from the fourth and third centuries B.C., many of them very rare, and many in above average condition. In particular, lot 1071, a Roman Republic (c.235 BC), Æ cast As, showing the head of Roma wearing a Phrygian helmet right. A good and very fine piece from this collection. There has not been a comparable collection at auction in London for many decades. Lot 1071, estimated: £2,800 – 3,500

Meanwhile, the European section contains a further selection of Polish gold coins from the important collection assembled by a Polish doctor living in England after the war. These coins were purchased from important auctions in Europe and America during the 1950s and 1960s, mostly through Spink and the London coin dealer Donald Crowther and have not been seen or heard of since. Again this collection holds stunning examples of rarities, one of note is lot 956, a 5-Ducat issued by Sigismund III Vasa (1587-1632), a King most defined by his attempts to regain and hold the Swedish throne as well as his own in Poland and Lithuania. A beautiful coin bearing the King crowned and wearing large ruff and collar of the Golden Fleece. A very fine, very rare piece sure to excite the auction room. Lot 956, estimated: £20,000-30,000

The English coin section includes an extremely fine collection of Guineas and Half-Guineas purchased over the last ten years mostly at London auctions by a private collector who has now changed his interests. Prices will be an interesting test of the current strength of the English coin market.