22nd February 2024
Our first Coins, Medals, Militaria and Banknotes Auction of the year had some very interesting lots and strong live bidding through www.easyliveauction.com plus commission and telephone bids.
The Medals and Militaria section attracted a lot of interest, Lot 34, an outstanding 54 year old's Battle of the Somme WW1 Distinguished Conduct Medal to S-4627 Sjt Piper T. Aitken. Also, in his 30-plus years of military service he earned the service Egypt Medal (1882) 5 clasps Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb_Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85, Kirbekan, 1899 QSA 2 clasps Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 to 2034, 1914-15 Star trio. Highrs, QV Army LSGC and 1882 Khedive's Star. This lot had an estimate of £5,000 and sold for £5,750. More information on this hero’s accomplishments and story can be found on our website or Easy Live auctions under lot 34.
Lot 241 Royal Marine Artillery pre-1881 C/Sgt's "Pillbox" hat, maker's details in gold print John Flower, Military Cap Maker, Eastney, Portsmouth, royal cypher above, complete with chinstrap, had an estimate of £100 and sold for an impressive £850.
Lot 156 Rare maker's Third Reich SA dagger and scabbard by Carl Grah, blade with maker's mark Carl Grah Solingen Ohligs in oval around aeroplane. Alles fur Deutschland to other side of blade, crossguard marked Wf, no chips to blade, a few light scratches to scabbard, with leather hanger and clip, small dent to the ball at the bottom of the scabbard, otherwise about extremely fine, had an estimate £600 and sold for £825.
Moving on to banknotes, which always attract competitive bidding we had one of the stars of the sale. Lot 347 J.B. Page. £1 AN24 833158 uncirculated in the new colours used for D.H.F. Somerset, supported on either side by Somerset banknotes AN24 833157/9. Duggleby states "A Page £1 sheet was probably set aside without anyone realising the signature had changed to Somerset in the meantime", (Duggleby B340p) was estimated at £1,200 and sold for a staggering £5,000!
Also, there was a bidding frenzy on lot 452, a collection in 10 volumes including ranges from Albania, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bosnia, India, Nepal, Saudi Arabia etc. This lots had an estimate of £500 and sold for an amazing price of £2,800!
Next, we have the coin section of the sale, highlights include my favourite lot 567, Oliver Cromwell 1658 half-crown HIB type legend, Draped laureate bust left, legend around, R. Crowned shield of arms below date, legend around, lettered edge, extremely fine (S.3227A). This interesting lot had an estimate of £2,500 and sold for an impressive £3,500! Lot 564 Charles I. Half crown tall horse mane in front chest, EBOR below R. crowned oval shield, garnished, good fine (S.2868) was estimated at £350 and sold for £825!
Lot 582, a 1847 Gothic crown, undecimo edge, in Westminster box with a certificate near extremely fine was estimated at £1,200 and sold for £2,700.
Overall, the sale was a great success with much interest and lively bidding throughout.
Our next coin auction will be held on Wednesday 17th April 2024. Look out for the full catalogue for this sale, which will appear on our website in the next few weeks. Also keep an eye on our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages which will include updates of our latest auction news.
Are you thinking of selling your entire coin collection or part of it? Would you like us to value your coins and give you advice on how best to market them? Visit our coins and banknotes department page for more information or call us on 01926 499 031 and speak to a valuer.
Daniel Smith