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Baldwin’s will hold the first auction of British Colonial Coins in Africa from The Arielle Collection on 26 September at the CIPFA Conference Centre, United Kingdom. The collection include coins of British West Africa and East Africa, extending across the continent to Rhodesia and to Mauritius and Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean, one of the most impressive British Colonial coin collections to be sold by public auction.

This collection offers the perfect introduction to British Colonial Coins in Africa, assembled at a time when the area was relatively unexplored by many numismatists. The pinnacle of the British West Africa pieces is lot 3202, a Nickel-Brass 1928 George V 2-shilling (pictured). This uncirculated piece is a rare survivor, as it is believed that as many as 22,000,000 of these 2-shillings and shillings were melted down in 1929, following economic hardship. The rarity too of the 1928 date, and semi-prooflike condition, ensures that this is a very desirable coin and is sure to attract significant interest. The coin carries a pre-sale estimate of £6000-£8000.

The collection is further strengthened by an almost complete run of dates in the British West Africa section, any dates absent from this run are largely made up for by the high volume and quality of proofs presented. Among those offered in this sale are several complete sets including lot 3220, a George V, 1913 Double Royal Mint Proof Set, in its original box, and lot 3483, a 1932 Southern Rhodesia Uniface Reverse Proof Set, of which there are only two known. These two lots are estimated to sell for £2,000-2,500 and £3,000-5,000 respectively.

Collectors of British Colonial Africa are spoilt for choice with the array of proofs and rarities including lot 3270, an 1818 Gold Coast Silver Pattern ½-Ackey (picture above) of which only five examples are known. This stunning piece, in brilliant mint state, is excessively rare with only four or five other examples known. This pattern is quite distinctively different from the currency pieces. The planchet is thinner and wider at 26.6mm vs 25.3mm for the currency piece. The portrait is more in line with the English coins being produced at this time. Other differences include the placement of the denomination “1/2 TRADE ACKEY” under the bust. This lovely coin is estimated to sell for £2,000-3,000.

The East Africa offering boasts lot 3663, a George V pattern Silver Florin, 1921, as well as lot 3534, a rare George V cupro-nickel cent of the same year, a date of cupro-nickel cent which was never released for circulation.

Lot, 3253, a 1791 Sierra Leone Silver proof Dollar is a standout piece from elsewhere on the continent. These three lovely lots are estimated at £3,000-5,000, £3,000-4,000 and £6,000-8,000.

Lot 3694 is a very rare and extremely fine AH 1299 Gold 5-Riyals from Zanzibar with an extremely fine estimate of £8,000-10,000.

"The second part of this outstanding collection will sold in London in May 2014. More details of all Baldwin’s forthcoming auctions can be found online at Baldwin’s website, www.baldwin.co.uk. and the catalogue for this sale can be found at www.baldwin.co.uk/auction-85. Baldwin will held another auction for Ancient and World coins and medals in Baldwin Auction 83 on the 24th of September at Coinex 2013. The Coinex exhibition is organised by the British Numismatic Trade Association and more information can be found on their website at www.bnta.net.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand have issued a New Zealand Royal Baby Silver Proof Coin, limited edition 1 oz silver proof coin with selective gold plating to mark the Royal birth of HRH Prince George, first-born child to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge who was born on the 22nd July in London.

Only 1,500 pieces of the 1 troy oz 0.999 silver coin will be minted for worldwide distribution.

The intricate design features the Princely Coronet in gold plating. The Princely Coronet is a type of crown that's assigned to the children of Heir Apparent (Prince of Wales), which includes Prince George's father, the Duke of Cambridge. The detailed design also features stylised koru – a pattern used in Māori and New Zealand art to symbolise new life.

“Prince George’s birth was a global event and there was huge excitement in New Zealand about his arrival, so it’s only fitting he gets his own stamp,” says New Zealand Post spokesman, Simon Allison.

“The minute news of the Prince’s birth came through, we put into action a plan we’d had in place and worked around the clock to get our commemorative stamp and coin issue finalised,” he said.

That process included getting approval for the images and designs from Prince George’s Great Granny – a.k.a. Her Majesty the Queen - along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“The Queen and the Duke and Duchess have personally okayed the images and we’re glad they agree with our choice of stunning photos which show an immensely proud Royal mum and dad and the baby Prince,” said Simon Allison.

Technical specification:
Denomination: One New Zealand dollar
Finish: Proof
Composition: 0.999 silver with selective gold plating
Weight: 1 troy oz
Diameter: 40mm
Edge treatment: Milled
Shape: Round
Obverse design: Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom
Reverse design: Gold plated Princely Coronet along with a stylised koru design and the date of birth of H.R.H. Prince George of Cambridge
Worldwide mintage limit: 1,500
Mint: BH Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH

The Royal Baby stamp and coin issue will be available from Wednesday 11 September 2013 at PostShops, REAL Aotearoa stores, and online for pre-orders now at www.nzpost.co.nz/royalbaby and www.nzcoins.co.nz. or by phoning 0800 782 677.

A 1880 $4 Stella Flowing Hair gold coin will be auction in Bonhams, The Tacasyl Collection of Magnificent United States Proof Gold Coins Auction on 23 September 2013. The finest example of the rare 1880 Flowing Hair type certified by NGC Proof 67★, the only example to bear the star designation for eye appeal from two other examples as Proof 67 (cameo).

A spectacular, beautifully toned coin of medium red gold. This is an unusually well-struck example with the central strands of Liberty's hair well defined. Lightly mirrored fields with subdued, but frosted devices. The central striations seen on all examples are virtually invisible on this specimen. A small mint-caused 'comma' extending from the tail of the first 7 in the peripheral inscription (the Trompeter example has a similar feature), a thin reverse toning line from the right foot of the R of FOUR to the rim, and a tiny raised dot at the tail of the first S in the obverse inscription serve as an identifiers. A magnificent superb gem.

Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, wearing diadem inscribed LIBERTY, hair flowing in long locks; around, ★6★G★.3★S★.7★C★7★G★R★A★M★S★; below, 1880.

Reverse: Large five-pointed star inscribed in incuse: ONE / STELLA / — / 400 / CENTS, in five lines; around outer rim: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — FOUR DOL.; around, within outer legend: E – PLURIBUS – UNUM — DEO – EST – GLORIA.

The rare 1880 $4 Stella Flowing Hair gold coin is estimated to sell for between US$ 550,000 - 750,000.

Note: When Mint engravers approached the design of the international coinage, they had any number of challenges to overcome. As noted above, the issues of alloy, weight, and how to express the intrinsic value of the coin internationally were all cleverly and quite simply dealt with. But, it should be remembered that the Stella was also meant to circulate in the United States (where an understanding of the metric standard was not then, and is still not, commonplace) and it also had to meet certain legal requirements regarding various portions of its design; so, the obverse bore a head (and inscription) emblematic of Liberty, while the reverse bore the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The use of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was optional at this time, and was replaced by the DEO EST GLORIA (the Glory is God's). The denomination was expressed in three different ways: 400 Cents, Four Dol., and finally One Stella (within the star for which the denomination was named). Despite the number of competing design elements, the Stellas are well-conceived, uncluttered and, like so many unadopted patterns, in many ways artistically superior to the designs ultimately accepted for circulation.

As also noted above, Congressional interest in the proposed international coinage caused that body to order more examples for the membership; according to Breen (Encyclopedia) many of the 1879 dated issues were in fact struck in 1880 (in January, April, and May). However, the concept of the international coinage was scuttled by legislators when no difference in the alloys could be readily distinguished (the standard circulating U.S. coins were .900 pure, and the Stellas .857 pure). Nevertheless, the concept of a Four Dollar gold piece did greatly appeal to numismatists as an oddity and the two issues of 1880 are widely accepted as having been produced for well-placed collectors of pattern coinage.

The Tacasyl Collection of Magnificent United States Gold Proof Coins will be offered on September 23 as part of the Coins and Medals auction at Bonhams Los Angeles. The auction will preview at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Rosemont, IL, August 13-17 and Bonhams Los Angeles, September 20-23. A 1880 $4 Stella Coiled Hair Cameo gold coin also offered in this auction with estimated price between $1,000,000-1,500,000.

Today, Bank Negara Malaysia just issued a Press Release about commemorative coins in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of Malaysia Day coins. Malaysia Day or Hari Penubuhan Malaysia is celebrated on 16 September every year to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation which comprises 11 states in Malaya and two states in Borneo, namely Sabah and Sarawak.

The coin obverse show coloured Jalur Gemilang is situated in the centre of the coin. The words “PERAYAAN HARI MALAYSIA” and “50 Tahun” are on the upper circumference of the coin while the words “16 September 1963 – 2013” are inscribed on the lower circumference.

The coin reverse show centre of the coin features the National Crest and the map of Malaysia. The words “BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA” as the issuing authority of the commemorative coin are featured on the upper circumference of the coin, while the face value of the coin is inscribed on the lower circumference.

50th Anniversary of Malaysia day RM100 Gold Commemorative Coin (proof)

This proof coin is made of gold with 999.9 purity and weighs 7.96 grams. It has a face value of RM100 and will be sold at RM 1,800 a piece. The mintage quantity is 750 pieces.

Technical Specifications:
Type:Gold Proof
Alloy:Gold (Au999.9)
Face Value (RM):100
Mintage Quantity (pcs/sets):750
Diameter(mm):22.0
Weight (g):7.96
Shape:Round with milled edge

50th Anniversary of Malaysia day RM10 coloured Silver Commemorative Coin (proof)

This is the first coloured coin issued by Bank Negara Malaysia. The coloured Jalur Gemilang is placed on the obverse side of this coin. This proof coloured coin is made of Fine Silver with 999 purity and weighs 31.10 grams. It has a face value of RM10 and will be sold at RM200 a piece. The mintage quantity is 10,000 pieces.

Technical Specifications:
Type:Silver Proof
Alloy:Silver (Ag999)
Face Value (RM):10
Mintage Quantity (pcs/sets):10,000
Diameter(mm):40.7
Weight (g):31.1
Shape:Round with milled edge

50th Anniversary of Malaysia day RM1 Nordic Gold Commemorative Coin (B.U)
The Nordic Gold (B.U) coin has a face value of RM1 and will be sold at RM10 each. The mintage quantity is 25,000 pieces.

Technical Specifications:
Type:Nordic Gold (B.U.)
Alloy:Cu89 Zn5 Al5 Sn1
Face Value (RM):1
Mintage Quantity (pcs/sets):25,000
Diameter(mm):30.0
Weight (g):8.5
Shape:Round with milled edge

These commemorative coins are also available in a set of three (3) and a set of two (2). The set of three (3) consists of the gold, coloured silver and Nordic gold proof coins. It will be sold at RM2,100 per set with 500 sets available. The set of two (2) consists the coloured silver and nordic gold proof coins. This set will be sold at RM250 per set with 1,000 sets available.

These commemorative coins are issued by Bank Negara Malaysia and will be available for sale from 17 September 2013 at Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery (MAG) located at Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur, regional offices in Pulau Pinang and Johor Bahru, and branches located in Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Look like BNM has issued a new commemorative coins in a short notice. On 31 August 2013, they release a 50th years Muzium Negara coins at Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur. All the 50th years Muzium Negara coins are sold out at BNM Sasana Kijang.

On 17 September 2013, a thrupenny showing the head of King Edward VIII will be auction by Nottingham-based auctioneers Mellors and Kirk with estimate price of £30,000. Royal Mint made the 12-sided coin dated 1937 after King George V died. The coin only worth threepence, an experimental piece produced by the Royal Mint after the death of King George V.

Edward automatically succeeded his father but abdicated before his coronation so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Prince Edward was succeeded by his brother King George VI.

The piece now for sale was one of no more than 10 brass pattern threepence coins produced by the Mint.

Edward VIII, Proposed Coinage, Nickel Brass Dodecagonal Pattern Threepence, 1937 S4064B, with the more naturalistic thrift reverse, 6.05gm, lustrous EF or better with one small carbon spot on the reverse centre, with letter dated 4/3/1997 from Royal Mint, confirming their belief that the coin was genuine, signed by G.P. Dyer

Estimate: £20,000 - £30,000

The coin show left-facing portrait of the king on the obverse engraved by T.H. Paget (signed "H.P."). This is mated with a reverse design modified by Percy Metcalfe after sketches originally submitted in June 1936 by Miss Frances Madge Kitchener (niece of military hero Lord Kitchener). Her conception for the coin, introduced as a type in this pattern, was for a sideways-appearing trio of thrift (thistle plant) flowers atop curling tendrils. The edge is plain and polygonal (12 sides), with a raised and squared-off set of rims.

The coin has been owned by a private collector of historic British coins for the last 20 years and he has now decided to sell it at auction.

Nigel Kirk, of Nottingham-based auctioneers Mellors and Kirk, said: 'Very few of these coins were made, possibly only about five or 10.

"When Edward decided to abdicate all the makers of commemorative China had manufactured their wares.

"People who have pieces now think they are rare and valuable but they aren't.

"However the Royal Mint only experimented with coinage and hardly any of them crept into circulation in error.

"Edward was effectively King for a year and the Mint was a bit late in producing these coins, probably because they were experimenting with radical, art deco shapes like this one.

"This is coming from a private collector who has spent 25 years forming a large collection of English coins dating back to the 16th century.

We have had quite a lot of interest in it. It would be the jewel in the crown to many coin collections."

Source: Dailymail.UK

On 24 September 2013, Spink London will be selling another one of Nicholas Rhodes eminent collections - coins of North East India. This is the first half of a huge and comprehensive collection of coins from Tripura, Cooch Behar, Kachar, Manipur, Jaintiapur, Assam and Ladakh. The sale will also include some earlier prototype coins of the Sultans of Bengal.

Last month, Spink achieved record prices for the Tibetan coins of Nicholas Rhodes; Rare Tibetan Coins set Record Prices.

Speaking of this exciting sale, specialist Barbara Mears said "it is very rare for an auction to contain such a wide range of coins from these North East Indian states.

"Coins that collectors will have a chance to acquire only once in their lifetime are on offer, many of them unique, discovered and catalogued by Nicholas Rhodes himself. We would expect these items to be hotly contested, but the auction still contains much for the more general collector; a great opportunity to make some interesting additions to their collection".

Here are some of the coins highlights expected to raise thousands:

Lot 143: Tripura, Durga Manikya (1809-13), Mohur
Estimate: £5,000-6,000

Lot 154: Tripura, Vira Chandra Manikya (1862-96), machine struck Mohur
Estimate: £4,000-6,000

Lot 250: Kachar, Yaso Narayana (1583-1601), Broad-flan Tanka
Estimate: £1,200-1,500

Nicholas Rhodes (1946-2011) was a celebrated British numismatist. He started collecting oriental coins in 1962, developing a particular interest in Himalayan coins. He was able to nurture this passion early in life, travelling to Nepal after leaving school and discovering the numismatic paradise of Kathmandu.

Nicholas Rhodes lectured extensively on numismatics, published over 200 articles and co-wrote eight books. He was Honorary Treasurer of the Royal Numismatic Society from 1973 to 2002, when he was elected Honorary Fellow. He was also a founding member and Secretary General of the Oriental Numismatic Society.

After the success of Nicholas Rhodes' collection of Tibetan coins, which was sold by Spink China in Hong Kong in August, it is expected that a number of estimates will be surpassed. The collection includes some tremendously valuable pieces from this fascinating and rich part of the world.

Source: Spink

Apart from Coins of North East India, Spink's Autumn sale will be offering Season's Best Offering of British Coins. Spink's Autumn sale of British coins will take place on 25 September 2013. This is the best selection of English, Scottish, Irish and Anglo-Gallic coins offered in London this season.

Included in the sale is part II of the Ross Blakey collection of Tudor coins with good examples of many denominations and rarities including an Edward VI gold Crown and an Elizabeth I 'portcullis money' 4 Testerns of 1601, struck for use by the East India Company in its first ventures.

Portcullis Money were the first coins issued for the British Empire outside the normal coinage that were issued for England. The introduction of this coin is a failure. Traders in the East Indies did not want to accept these new and unfamiliar coins compare to Eight Reales that was already well-established. Today, only less than two hundred surviving Portcullis coins of which many are in museums.

Lot 464: Elizabeth I, Portcullis money, 4-Testerns
Estimate: £3,500-4,500

Lot 538: Henry VII, Sovereign, type IV
Estimate: £25,000-35,000

Lot 672: Anne, Five Guineas, 1711
Estimate: £11.000-14,000

Speaking of the sale, British coins specialist William MacKay said 'this sale has found depth in the range and quality of coins on offer and is a must for anyone looking to acquire rare British coins.'

Source: Spink

A very rare and unique 1804 Duit Ayam Proof coin will be auction in Monetarium Auction 12; Coin, Banknotes, Jade, Porcelin, Stamps, etc at Peninsular Excelsior Hotel, Singapore on 26 October 2013. The Singapore Modern issue Copper 1 cent 1804 (SS 22, P 17) NGC Proof Unique is an ex collection of exiled Egyptian King Farouk's coin collection. The coin estimate price is between SGD60,000 - SGD80,000.

According to Saran Singh book, The Encyclopaedia of the Coins of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, 1400-1986, The Susu one cent 1804 tokens were issued by a rebel chief, Lebai Dapa, who ruled over the area around the port of Susu (The Jawi word on the coin-SUSU) in Sumatera. These susu tokens are the prototypes for the later fighting cock tokens ( duit ayam) which were issued by the Singapore Merchants.

Highlights of the Monetarium Auction 12; Coin, Banknotes, Jade, Porcelin, Stamps, etc:

Lot 470: STRAITS SETTLEMENTS Edward & Silver Proof 1904B

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS Edward VII Silver Proof Dollar 1904B NGC PR 64 Milled Edge.

Estimate: SGD40,000 - SGD60,000

Lot 819: MALAYSIA 10 cents 1936 Sungei Buloh Settlement: Very rare.

MALAYSIA - MODERN ISSUES Sungei Buloh Settlement: 10-Cents 1936 s/no. 010442 (KNB3) PMG 45 NET, Rust stamp ink. Very rare.

Estimate: SGD18,000 - SGD20,000

Lot 780:MALAYSIA 3rd Series: RM1000 Rare. PMG 65 EPQ

MALAYSIA - MODERN ISSUES 3rd Series: RM1000 A/1 555123 (KNB18a) Rare. PMG 65 EPQ.

Estimate: SGD8,500 - SGD10,000

Lot 783: MALAYSIA 3rd Series RM50 uniface stage proofs

MALAYSIA - MODERN ISSUES 3rd Series: Set of 6 pieces RM50 uniface stage proofs (Similar to llustration found in “The Frank Goon Collection, pages 302-303) Very rare. Mounting traces, otherwise Original UNC (6pcs).

Estimate: SGD18,000 - SGD22,000

Lot 1067: MALAYA George VI: $1000 1942 One of highest graded
MALAYA George VI: $1000 1942 A/1 24221 (KNB16) Rare. PMG 50. One of the highest graded as of now.
Estimate: SGD40,000 - SGD60,000

Live online auction can be viewed at liveauctioneers.com. A Buyer's premium of 15% will be added to hammer price for each lot to all succesful bids. Lots sold though "liveauctioneers.com" are subjected to an additional 3% Buyer's Premium (18% in total). All Shipping, handling and insurance charges will be paid by Buyer.

I think it is over a year since my last visit to Amcorp Mall Flea Market. Today in my visit there I meet few Dealers who open their stall at the famous flea market. One of them is Mr. John Ho from Collector Sanity shop, Lot 08-32, Level 8, Berjaya Time Square, Kuala Lumpur (Just Opposite the Berjaya Time Square Joint Management Body).

Quick information to all my blog readers, I am trying to compile a list of Flea Market dealers in this blog last year but I stop because a little bit busy with work and family. I am planning to do it next year but a few friends has been requested a list of Amcorp Mall Flea Market sellers. It will help them to contact the sellers since most of the time they forgot to asked for sellers contact information.

I arrived at Amcorp Mall at around 2pm and Mr. John Ho is a little bit busy with customer and both his stall. He have a stall at the ground floor, near the escalator and another one one the 1st floor. The ground floor is selling banknotes and coins and the stall on the 1st floor is selling coins and banknotes accessories.

What I like about them is their unique way to give information with a colourful sticker on the coin holder. It will help their buyer remember easily were they buy the coins and help promote their shop as well.

You can contact Mr. John Ho via his handphone 019-2525383 or visit his shop at Collector Sanity, Lot 08-32, Level 8, Berjaya Time Square, Kuala Lumpur (Just Opposite the Berjaya Time Square Joint Management Body).

Yesterday I found CTTan or Tan Choon Teng (CT Tan) at his stall in Amcorp Mall Flea Market on the 2nd floor, near the escalator (near Pos Malaysia). CTTan also has a shop, CTTan Trading, Lot 08-26, 8th Floor, Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.

I think he was already popular in Facebook as a seller since I can see he has been actively doing coins & banknotes trading in some of the Facebook Groups for the past 2 years. I never meet him personally before but he treats all his customers like an old friends, a good way to do business in a crowded places like Amcorp Mall.

I have to wait for a few minutes before I have the opportunity to chat & take his pictures since he has customer asking about his RM50 Commonwealth Games 3 in 1 uncut banknotes. Even though the old ladies don't look like a collector (For me, she is just curious about how the komanwel RM50 look like), he still happily treats her well and give her enough information about the uncut banknotes. He even show her how the uncut banknotes look like by opening the plastic covering the folder and show her the actual banknotes.

He have many Malaysia banknotes for sale especially replacement and Fancy Number Banknotes but less coins for display/sell. You can contact Tan Choon Teng (CT Tan) via his handphone 016-4132313.

CT Tan is just one of the new numismatic traders who enter the market lately. I know they're at least a dozen new coins and banknotes dealers since the last 2 years. I will try to track them and write about them in this blog in the near future.

A $4 dollars 1880 Coiled Hair Stella sells for $2.5million US Dollars in the September 23 Coins and Medals auction by Bonhams. The rare 1880 $4 Coiled Hair gold coin sold for $2,574,000, more than doubling the presale estimate between $1,000,000-1,500,000.

Paul Song, Director of the rare Coins and Medals Department at Bonhams, said of the sale: "I am stunned and delighted. Having been entrusted with the opportunity to sell the Tacasyl Collection is personally one of the highlights of my career, and the more I got to work with the collection I realized just how special each and every coin in the collection was. The fact that probably more than 75% of the sale was bought directly by collectors is testament to the phenomenal nature of the collection. The sale proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that superb quality and great rarity are a magical mix."

The Tacasyl Collection of Magnificent United States Proof Gold Coins collection of 27 lots represented a virtually complete collection of every major gold design type issued in proof in the US between 1836 and 1915 and realized $10,778,040 with every lot sold. The astounding $399,186 lot average represents a world record for a rare coin collection on a per lot basis (nearly doubling the previous record).

The 1879 Coiled Hair Stella nearly doubled the previous high for the design and date while realizing a phenomenal $1,041,300. And the 1880 Flowing Hair Stella also doubled the previous record for the type selling for $959,400. The four coin set sold for an aggregate price of an amazing $4,855,500.

Other highlights included the 1891 Proof Double Eagle (NGC Proof 68* Ultra Cameo), which set a new world record as the most valuable Liberty Head Proof Double Eagle ever sold at auction at $655,200. In addition, the Saint-Gaudens high relief double eagle is one of the most coveted coins in the entire US series. The Tacasyl example (NGC Proof 69) one of the very finest in existence set a new world record for a proof high relief (beating its own record set in 2005) at $573,300.

Finally the sale closed with the Double Eagles. The Type one Liberty Double Eagle, 1863 (NGC Proof 65 Cameo) brought $345,150 and set an auction record for the date. The last two lots of the sale the Saint Gaudens design double eagles both easily exceeded their pre-sale high estimates, the 1909 (NGC Proof 68) brought $184,860, and the 1911 (NGC Proof 68) brought $157,950.

An extremely rare gold coin, 1638 Dodici doppie e mezza (12½-Doppia) of Genoa will be in the Spink World Coin auction in London on the 1ST of October 2013. This coin was known to the compilers of the Corpus of Italian Coins (volume III published in 1912) only through a description in a 19th century sale catalogue, and experts have speculated as to whether the coin really existed or not ever since.

Lot 258: Genoa, da Dodici Doppie e Mezza (12½-Doppia), 1638
Estimate: Estimate £60,000-80,000

No other example is known, and the conclusion has been that either the coin is unique and has 'gone to ground', or the 19th century cataloguers made a mistake. Its appearance at auction, after an absence of over a century, answers that question. Putting an estimate on such a coin however, is difficult. An extremely fine 10-Doppie of Genoa dated 1641 was sold in the Spink London auction in September 2007 for £90,000, and it is possible this price may be matched or even surpassed.

The Genoese coin might not prove to be the most expensive in the sale. Among the handful of Spanish coins is one of the most famous of the whole Spanish series, the 100-Pesetas of Amadeo I. During a very short reign (January 1871 - February 1873) Amadeo sanctioned two gold coins, the 25-Pesetas and the 100-Pesetas, both dated 1871.

Lot 527: Spain, Amadeo, 100-pesetas, 1871
Estimate: £60,000-80,000

Only 75 of the larger denomination were produced, 50 in red gold and 25 in yellow gold. There is an 100-Pesetas in yellow gold in the collection. The last time an example of this coin appeared on the market was in Madrid in 1995, when it was offered for 15 million pesetas (equivalent to 90,000 euros). Not all the coins on offer will be of such high value. Like all the eclectic collections put together in the early years of the last century there are many ordinary coins jostling among the rarities.

For some of my readers, the name of Professor Banknotes is already familiar to them on Facebook or Mudah.my, he also has a stall at Amcorp Mall Flea Market. I meet him Last Sunday during my trip to the famous Flea Market in Malaysia. When I arrived, he was having lunch and stopped to talk with me. I felt a little bit guilty about it but try to interview him as fast as I can so he can continue with his lunch.

I noticed Banknotes Professor or Thiyaku Marutha have been active in Facebook for the past 2 years but I never meet him before and I don't know that he have a stall at Amcorp Mall Flea Market. I found his stall on the 2nd Floor near CTTan stall. You can contact him via his handphone number 019-2381221.

He said he start opening a booth at Amcorp Mall when he has too much extra collection for sale and want to find extra money to buy a new collection. His table are full of coins and banknotes for sale and I think they're more items under the table. Like other seller, he also sell coins and banknotes accessories.

During my visit that day, he also sell Malaysia banknotes according to their series and the label on top of his display will help non collector to understand more about their banknotes. That is a good way to promote this hobby to anyone who are still don't know what series of banknotes they have at home.

A 50 fils Government of Iraq banknote from 1944 sold for £45,600 at Spink's World Banknotes auction on 2nd October 2013. The specimen banknote show a portrait of King Faissall II as a child to the left and perforated "specimen" at the bottom. The specimen made for a particularly suspenseful atmosphere, ultimately selling at almost ten times its estimated value, a record for the sale.

Lot 839: 1944, Government of Iraq, specimen 50 fils

Government of Iraq, specimen 50 fils, law of 1931 (1944), serial number (on reverse) A000001,654321,E000000-E1000000, olive green pink and pale blue, King Faisal II as a child at left, value at right. (Pick A22s), ink date '8.2.44' in top margin, perforated SPECIMEN, good extremely fine and the 'missing' note from most (all?) collections, exceptional.

Sold for £45,600

Spink's World Banknotes auction is the biggest and most diverse world note sale in recent history and featured some truly remarkable items. The sale included fantastic collections of Egypt, India and South Africa, the Alan Cole collection of Romania, and the extensive John Glynn collection of World Notes. Many of the notes sold for many thousands above estimate, including the following eye-catching highlights:

Lot 837; 100 dinars Government of Iraq 1936

Government of Iraq, 100 dinars, law of 1931 (1936), serial number A 008389, blue, pale green and multicoloured, King Ghazi at right, value at each corner, signature 5, Leopold Amery and Ali Jawadat al Ayubi signature low left, reverse blue and white, value at centre. (Pick 12, GOI B12a), small split at centre margin otherwise an original very fine, very rare

Sold for £12,000

Lot 1419: 1900, Sarawak Government issue, unissued $25

Sarawak Government issue, unissued $25, 19- (ca 1900), no serial numbers, black and white, value in maroon protector at centre, Charles Johnson Brooke top left, allegorical maiden with symbols of trade and prosperity top centre, arms top right, value at each corner, printed signature of Charles Brooke,Rajah low left margin, Jawi translation of the denomination low right in margin. (Tan K4 for type, Goon p.149-151 for series, the $25 not listed in the collection), a lovely Perkins, Bacon & Co. engraving. Red CANCELLED overprint low left and right, an original and most attracive good very fine and of the greatest rarity.

Sold for £31,200

Lot 1449: 1885, The New Oriental Bank Corporation Limited, specimen $1

The New Oriental Bank Corporation Limited, specimen $1, Singapore, 18- (ca 1885), serial number A 100001, black and pink, head of Minerva at right, eagle and serpent at left (the arms of Mexico), value at centre and at each corner, reverse red and white central design of man with parasol and horse. (Pick S181, Tan NOB1), pencil date 'Oct 5-85', perforated SPECIMEN B.W.&Co.LONDON, uncirculated and extremely rare.

Sold for £31,200

The sale was highly popular among a wide range of bidders in Spink busy London Auction Room, on the phone and on Spink Live.

On April 2013, a rare 1929 Palestine £100 specimen banknote sold for £65,000 in Spink's World Banknotes auction in UK: Rare 1929 Palestine £100 note sold £65,000.

An extremely rare Empire Gold Pattern Kuping Tael from 1906 sold for $114,562 in Heritage Auctions' $10.6+ million World and Ancient Coins Signature® Auction Sept. 25-Oct. 1 in Long Beach, California. The rare pattern type featuring a facing dragon on the obverse and Chinese characters on the reverse including Ta Ching Gold Coin in the central circle. The coin Graded Specimen 62 PCGS, Tientsin Mint, boldly struck details on both sides with full mint luster, just a faint scattering of tiny contact marks.

A large, 1812 Joao VI Prince Regent gold ingot of Sabara retaining its original issue certificate leading the auction with $199,750 realized price. The ingot appeared as Part II of the RLM Collection of Brazilian Gold, which offered a collector's choice of important ingots and Portuguese colonial era Brazilian coinage. The total number of authentic ingots today is 219 pieces from 9 foundries (Numismatist Claudio Schroeder of Porto Alegre contributed).

"Heritage's growth in the World and Ancient Coin market has a bright future," said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics. "Long Beach Expo has always been a highlight of our hobby, but this year's results far surpassed our expectations. We remain grateful to our consigners and buyers and look forward to offering many special collections in the next year."

The $10.6+ million total, when combined with the more than $17.5 million realized in Heritage's U.S. Coins Signature Auction and the $7.6+ million realized in its U.S. Currency Signature Auction, both also held as part of the Long Beach Expo, adds up to a $36+ million dollar week for the company. That total represents the highest auction realization that the combined Long Beach events have ever realized.

Another top performing lots was a South Africa Republic gold Burgers Pond 1874, surpassed its estimate to realize $152,750. From a mintage of just 142, the coin is considered one of the finest examples known to exist.

A Danzig ducat from 1547, one of a small handful of examples to be offered at public auction in decades, sold for $135,125 against a $40,000 estimate. The coin show * SIGIS · I · REX · POLO · DO · PRVSS · 1547, crowned and armored bust of Sigismund right / * MONE · NO · AVR · CIVI · GEDANEN, two lions supporting the arms of the city. This example was issued in the golden age of Danzig's power and influence, nearly a century after being granted autonomy by Casimir IV Jagiellon and 30 years prior to repulsing the armies of Stephan Bathory.

Source: Heritage Auction.

SA-RIBU RINGGIT Malaysia note graded PMG XF40 will be in Mavin Auction 35-session 2 on 9 & 16 November 2013. In their description, Mavin wrote them as a "Malaysia $1000, (1976-81), 3rd series, sign. Ismail Md. Ali, (KNB.18a), serial nos. A/1 084315, A/1 127283, both graded PMG XF40". Actually the 1st piece in front is Malaysia $1000 1st series SA-RIBU RINGGIT. According to KN Boon 6th Edition Book, the price for Malaysia 3rd series (1976-1981) seribu ringgit banknotes is only RM9000 for Extremely Fine banknotes and RM22,000 for Uncirculated notes. The price for Malaysia 1st series (1967-1972) SA-RIBU ringgit banknotes is only RM20000 for Extremely Fine banknotes.

Another highlight of the day is Lot 1209: Malaya & British Borneo $100 Queen Elizabeth II, Graded PMG Choice XF45, sale estimate SGD7,500.

Lot 1172: Malaya $10 1940 KGVI specimen, 1 January 1940, serial no. A/7 081807, perforated "SPECIMEN ONLY", "SPECIMEN" ovpt. rev., blue ink on serial nos., missing bits top right margin, ageing, VF, sale estimate SGD1,900.

Lot 1226: Malaysia $1 1967-81 Printers Essay (2), uniface Printers Essay, no colour, sign. or serial no., PMG Choice UNC63EPQ; $1, (1967-81), (P.UNL1ape, P.unlisted), uniface Printers Essay, no colour, sign. or serial no., PMG AU55EPQ, sale estimate SGD850.

Lot 1229: Malaysia $50 ND vignette proof, a black and white obverse vignette proof of the RM50 banknote, GEF, sale estimate SGD2,900.

Lot 1225: Malaysia $1 1976-81 printer's proof, printer's proof of the obverse $1, in black and white on thick cardboard, annotations, AU-UNC, sale estimate SGD420.

Lot 1241: Malaysia $1000 1995-98 replacement note, 7th series, sign. Ahmad Md. Don, (KNB.45b), replacement note, serial no. ZZ 0033975, PMG Choice AU58, sale estimate SGD2,600.

Lot 1257; Malaysia $10 2000 replacement PMG, 11th series, sign. Zeti Aziz, (KNB.63h), serial no. ZE 2222222, replacement note, PMG Gem UNC66EPQ, sale estimate SGD2,300.

Lot 1255: Malaysia $1 2000 PMG Gem UNC66EPQ, 11th series, sign. Zeti Aziz, (KNB.61i), serial no. AAA 6666666, PMG Gem UNC66EPQ, sale estimate SGD4,000.

Mavin International is the Auctioneer appointed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). All Lots sold on behalf of MAS is subject to 7% Goods and Services Tax on both the Hammer Price and the Buyers Premium if the Lot is delivered in Singapore. No GST is payable if the Lot is exported outside Singapore. The buyer's premium for bids made through liveauctioneers.com is 20%. The buyer's premium for absentee bids by post, fax and email is 18%.

You can contact Mavin International Pte Ltd at (+65) 62387177.

Online auction via liveauctioneers.com.

Obverse design of the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins has been revealed by US Mint in their website. The winning design in the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin competition was created by Cassie McFarland of San Luis Obispo, California. Her design was selected from sixteen finalists by the Department of the Treasury on September 9, 2013.

The common obverse (heads) design depicts a glove that, combined with the baseball design featured on the reverse, exemplifies the most basic elements of our national pastime or a simple game of catch in the backyard or at the local sandlot. The glove design also highlights the unique concavity of the coin.

The common inscriptions on each coin's obverse are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2014. The obverse design was sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

The common reverse (tails) design of each coin depicts a baseball similar to those used in Major League Baseball®. The final design, also designed and sculpted by Everhart, was approved by the Department of the Treasury on May 20, 2013, after consultation with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

The common inscriptions on each coin's reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM. Additional inscriptions (seen below) are:

FIVE DOLLARS on the gold coin
ONE DOLLAR on the silver dollar
HALF DOLLAR on the clad coin

The National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 112-152), signed into law on August 3, 2012, requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to:

50,000 $5 gold coins
400,000 $1 silver coins
750,000 half-dollar clad coins

These coins are being issued in recognition and celebration of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2014.

National Baseball Hall of Fame coins are scheduled to go on sale in early 2014. You can view the designs of all of the finalists on Challenge.gov.

Two Chinese tourists was arrested in France on suspicion of forging Euro coins after trying to settle their hotel bill with one-euro coins. 3,700 one-euro coins has been found by French police in the Chinese tourists' hotel room.

The Hotel owner in Bagnolet, eastern Paris, called the police after he became suspicious about the two men after they had tried to pay their 70-euro (£59) hotel bill with the 1 Euro Coins.

"Investigators suspected they were dealing with a case of forged currency," a source was quoted as saying by France's Le Parisien newspaper.

But banking experts checked the coins and confirmed that they were not fake.

The men said they had got the money from scrapyard dealers in China, who often find forgotten euros in cars sent from Europe.

It was later established that the two men - who have not been identified - had friends in the scrap metal trade in China and bought the coins from them.

Thousands of European cars are shipped to China for scrap every year.

They are meticulously searched before demolition - and it appears that the most common valuables left inside are one-euro coins.

Source: BBC.

On 19 October 2013, a new record for The Most Expensive Malaysia circulation coins sold in Auction broken today when a 1969 50 sen Milled edge coin sold for SGD4012 or RM10,253 (including buyer premium) in Numismatic Society Asia (NSA) Auction at Landmark Village Hotel, Singapore. The winning bidder is an Internet bidder via liveauctioneers.com and the total Buyer Premium is 18%. The 1969 Freak w/o security edge graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) Au- 55 with estimate price SGD1,600 - SGD2,500. To learn why this 50 sen coin is so special, you can read my article; What so special about 50 sen 1969?

On 27 March 2013, Malaysia 1 sen 1976 make it into the record for The Most Expensive Malaysia Circulation coin when a bid in Monetarium Singapore Auction closed at SGD$2,600 (excluding tax and commision). The coin graded By Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) as Bronze: 1-Sen 1976 (KM1) PCGS MS65 RD.

Another 50 sen Milled edge coin, 1967 50 sen Milled edge graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) Au 55 sold for SGD1092 (including buyer premium).

Here are other highlights of the auction relating to Malaysia Numismatic:

Lot 368: Malaysia: 1976 Conservation Commemorative, 3pcs set.
Malaysia: 1976 Conservation Commemorative: Silver RM 15 NGC MS65; Silver RM 25 MS66; Gold RM 500 NGC MS64. 3pcs set.
Sold SGD4,140 (including buyer premium)

Lot 439: 1 ringgit 1982 struck on a 20 sen planchet.
Malaysia, 1989, C-N 1 ringgit, mint error, struck on a 20 sen planchet, weight 5.7gm, rare error. NGC MS 63.
Sold SGD345 (including buyer premium)

Lot 428: 5 sen 1982 mirror brockage on reverse
Malaysia, 1982, C-N 5 sen, mint error, mirror brockage on reverse. NGC MS 65.
Sold SGD437 (including buyer premium)

Lot 430: 5 sen 1978 struck with two obverse dies
Malaysia, 1978, C-N 5 sen, mint error, struck with two obverse dies, unusual error. PCGS MS 65.
Sold SGD575 (including buyer premium)

Lot 364: 1 sen 1970 NGC MS 64 RD
Malaysia 1c, 1970, NGC MS 64 RD.
Sold SGD322 (including buyer premium)

Lot 344: 1954 Malaya & British Borneo 50 cents Milled Edge
Malaya & British Borneo, C-N, 50c, 1954, Freak. w/o security edge. KM#4.2 NGC graded. NGC Au50.
Sold SGD805 (including buyer premium)

Lot 345: 1961 Malaya & British Borneo 50 cents Milled Edge
Malaya & British Borneo, C-N 50c, 1961, Freak w/o security edge. KM#4.2. NGC Au 55.
Sold SGD862 (including buyer premium)

A rare private banknote, Johor Constantinople Estate 1 dollar banknote only manage to get SGD10,000 in the same auction.

A Buyer's premium of 15% will be added to hammer price for each lot to all succesful bids. Lots sold though "liveauctioneers.com" are subjected to an additional 3% Buyer's Premium (18% in total). All Shipping, handling and insurance charges will be paid by Buyer.

PS: For a list of Malaysia valuable coins, you can read my post; Malaysia Rare Coins.

Congratulations to Trigometric Sdn Bhd for being the 1st Malaysia PMG & NGC Authorized Dealer. Trigometric Sdn Bhd or also know as "K.N Boon Shop" founded in 2002 specializes solely in dealing with World Stamps, Coins, and Banknotes. The shop own by Master Sifu KN Boon, one of the known celebrity in Malaysia Numismatic. Their shop located in Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya.

Searching for their information in NGC, I found they're the only Dealer under Malaysia and they're offering Services: Assists Collectors with Submissions, Collector Sales, Storefront and Specialties in Commemoratives & Modern Coins. Under their name I can found Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) badge.

I know there are many dealers out there that offer third party grading to NGC, PCGS or PMG but all of them will send your item to Singapore. Trigometric Sdn Bhd will send your item directly from Malaysia. Hopefully their price will be cheaper and we will received our graded coins faster.

I am still waiting for information about their term & condition and charges for their services. Will share it in this blog later if I already received that information.

Trigometric Sdn Bhd (610503-X)
Lot 327, Amcorp Mall, 18 Jalan Persiaran Barat,
Off Jalan Timur, Petaling Jaya, 46050 Selangor, Malaysia

Tel: 603-79579566
Fax: 603-79579568
Email: trigo3833yahoo.com
Website: www.3833.com

Business Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday 10.00am to 6.00pm

For further information, you can contact 03-7957 9566 (Mr. Koay / MS Farah).

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1880 $4 Stella Flowing Hair coin in Bonhams Auction

50th Anniversary of Malaysia day coins issued

King Edward VIII threepence coin for Auction

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Best British Coins in Spink's Autumn sale

Unique 1804 Duit Ayam Proof coin in Monetarium Auction 12

John Ho-Collector Sanity-Amcorp Mall Flea Market

CTTan Numis-Amcorp Mall Flea Market

1880 Coiled Hair gold coin sells for $2.5mil

1638 gold Doppia coin in Spink Auction

Banknotes Professor-Amcorp Mall Flea Market

50 fils Government of Iraq sold £45,600

Gold Pattern Kuping Tael sold $114,562

SA-RIBU RINGGIT Malaysia notes in Mavin Auction?

2014 Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins

Chinese tourists detained over Euro coins

1969 50 sen Milled Edge Sold RM10,253

1st Malaysia PMG & NGC Authorized Dealer