Due to be held at the CIPFA Conference Centre in London on the 4th and 5th of May this sale is packed full of quality, rare items and is one of the most diverse and varied auction that Baldwin’s have conducted for many years. Pre-sale interest from both collectors and dealers globally has been extensive and Baldwin’s are expecting some lively bidding both in the room and online.
The first day of the sale is dedicated almost entirely to the first part of the Michael Hall Collection of Medallic Portraits dating from the Renaissance to the Nineteenth Century. These miniature works of art are the product of 40 years of relentless and dedicated collecting by New York antique dealer and fine art connoisseur, Michael Hall. The sheer volume and variety of this collection is quite astounding and the passionate nature of the collector can be seen throughout. Amongst the numerous stand-out pieces are some extraordinary lots, including a 1447 cast bronze medal by Pisanello depicting the scholar, Cecilia Gonzaga (lot 7), and a 1544 silver medal of The Trinity or Moritz-pfennig, sculpted by Hans Reinhardt the Elder for Duke Morritz (lot 418). The first day concludes with a selection of British and World commemorative medals, including, an 1872, George II large silver medal depicting the busts of George II and Queen Caroline which was created as a personal gift from the King for foreign princes and dignitaries (lot 1022).
Day two of the auction begins with a fascinating section of Ancient coinage, including 10 lots from the well publicised Bishop’s Wood Hoard (lots 1152-1162), followed by the exceptional Reverend Strickland Neville Rolfe Collection, which, like the Bishop’s Wood Hoard, has remained untouched since the late 19th century. The hoard consists of 1661 pieces, almost entirely bronze coins of the Constantinian family, together with the original earthenware pot and the custom made cabinet in which the coins have been housed. The majority of the coins were minted at Lugdunum (Lyons), Treveri (Trier) and Arelate (Arles). Rome and Aquileia are also present, as well as a sprinkling of coins from Siscia, Thessalonica, Heraclea, Constantinople, Nicomedia, Cyzicus and Antioch. Included with the hoard is a reprint of the article from the Numsimatic Chronicle of 1896 and a reprint of ‘Notes on a Great Hoard of Roman Coins found at Bishop’s Wood in 1895’ from the “Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society”, vol. XIX, both written by Mary Bagnall-Oakeley.
The Rolfe collection contains many extremely rare and desirable items, including two key George III Pattern Crowns. The pattern “Incorrupta” crown (lot 1405), only one of eighteen known to exist in silver, and the “Three Graces” crown, one of the most important and majestic coins of the English series (lot 1406). A small colonial selection includes a pewter Continental Dollar (lot 1589), some stunningly preserved Rosa Americana coppers (lots 1590-1593), and a magnificent Virginia halfpenny (lot 1594) which, like the two pattern crowns, were all acquired shortly after issue and have been immaculately preserved. The lots from the Rolfe collection continue with an extraordinary series of Norfolk and Suffolk 17th Century tokens (lots 1474-1486), a collection of 365 pieces, formed with obvious pride and dedication. There are numerous rarities for both counties, many in remarkably high grade and this collection was unknown to the key researchers and cataloguers of this series in the 19th and 20th Centuries, William Boyne (1858), George Williamson (1889) and latterly, Michael Dickinson.
Hot on the heels of the Rolfe Collection and the Bishop’s Wood Hoard the third and final session of the day comprises an exceptionally extensive group of World coinage. Notable highlights of the section include: lot 1622, an AD 1519 Sultan Selim I, Gold Altin; lot 1655, an 1813 Westphalia, Hieronymus Napoleon, Restrike 40-Franks; lot 1741, an undated Michael Korybut (1661-1673), Gold Double Ducat; lot 1860, a 1907 Chihli Province, Silver Pattern Pei Yang Tael, Kuang Hs;, lot 1876, a China Republic, Yuan Shih-Kai, Gold Dollar and lot 1939, a 1906 Kuang Mu, Gold 20-Won.
A small collection of Japanese Oban and Koban are one of the more unusual highlights from the sale. Lot 1905, a 1725 Kyoho Oban Kin is one of only 8,515 and is one of the rarest and most valuable pieces in the auction. The name Oban Kin derives from the Japanese word Oban meaning ‘large plate’ and Kin meaning gold. The obverse of the coin has the value written on it in ink and below is the signature of the family member responsible for minting it. There are four stamp marks around the outside of the coin, each depicting a Kiri flower which is the ancient Japanese symbol of power. The reverse, in contrast is reasonably plain aside from three small mint marks in the bottom left corner which are abbreviated names of the employees that minted the coin. These coins were originally only used by the Imperial Court for business transactions or as gifts to foreign dignitaries but later became the first legal currency throughout Japan.
The auction concludes with ‘A Nobleman’s Collection’ of Russian Coinage dating from 1700-1917. Highlights include lot 1946 a Peter I (1689-1725) Poltina ??? (1704) ??, lot 1961, a Peter I (1689-1725) Beard Token A?E and lot 1996, a Peter III (1762) Pattern Rouble.
Baldwin’s Managing Director, Ian Goldbart, commented ‘we are delighted to be offering such an exceptional variety of items in this our 64th and 65th London sale. The diversity and rarity of the lots is outstanding with something to suit all tastes.’
For more information about any of the other lots in the sale please contact Seth Freeman on +44 (0)20 7930 9808 or at [email protected] .
For press enquiries please contact Caroline Newton on +44 (0)20 7930 9808 or at [email protected].
SALE HIGHLIGHTS
7 RENAISSANCE ITALY. Antonio de Pucci, called Pisanello (c.1394-1455). Cecilia Gonzaga (1426-1451), cast Bronze Medal 1447, half length bust of the sitter left, her hair tightly bound with a ribbon, wearing an embroidered gown and pleated skirt, CICILIA VIRGO FILIA IOHANNIS FRANCISCI PRIMI MARCHIONIS MANTVE, rev in a rocky landscape below a crescent moon, a semi-nude young woman rests her hand on the head of a unicorn lying beside her, to the right, a stele, with a floral ornament fixed to its top, bears the inscription OPVS PISANI PICTORIS M CCCC XLVII [the work of Pisanello the painter 1447], 72.5mm (Hill, Corpus 37; Arm I, 5, 12; Currency of Fame 7a, this piece; Pollard 20; Kress 17; Syson & Gordon 3.31a, b). An extremely fine original cast of the highest quality, a masterpiece of renaissance medallic art.
Cecilia Gonzaga was celebrated as a scholar despite her few years. Wishing to pursue her studies rather than marry she elected to join a convent but this met with opposition from her father who had independently arranged for her to marry Oddantonio da Montefeltro of Urbino. Oddantonio reportedly financed his debauched and excessive lifestyle by imposing heavy taxes and was commonly despised. Cecilia refused to marry him. He was ultimately assassinated. The medal’s meaning is clear in its intention to portray the innocence and chastity of the sitter, and the representation of a unicorn in the form of a goat alludes to her acquisition of knowledge. The composition of the medal, the simplicity of the obverse and the symbolism of the reverse, make students of Italian art consider it one of the very best renaissance medals.
Estimate: £60,000-80,000
166 RENAISSANCE ITALY. Alfonso Ruspagiari (1521-1576). Bust of a Woman viewed by a face in profile, uniface Lead Medal, sculptural bust of a woman shown in three-quarter profile, in the centre of an oval field, wearing a narrow girdle around which a veil is intertwined, she wears earrings and a pendant hanging on a ribbon from her neck, her hair is wound with a twisted cord, the artist’s signature AF can be seen on the sitter’s truncated right arm, from the scrolled frame a viewer’s face is depicted opposite the face of the sitter (Pollard 519; Kress 450; Arm I 216/5; Currency of Fame 73, this piece). Nearly extremely fine and an original cast. Writing in The Currency of Fame, Mary L Levkoff notes that this piece is not technically a medal. As such it illustrates the crossover between renaissance medallic art and renaissance art in other media; consider also the medals that follow this lot. Levkoff suggests that the theme of the work calls to mind a painting by Fra Filippo Lippi in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York, and discusses the themes of Pygmalion and Vanitas. All of these factors strongly support the opinion that these pieces were designed for artisitic display not as historical references. The present ambiguous double portrait continues to fascinate the student.
Estimate: £2000-3000
418 GERMANY and BOHEMIA. Hans Reinhardt the Elder (active 1535-1568). Hans Reinhart the Elder (c.1510-1581), The Trinity or Moritz-pfennig, Silver Medal 1544, on an ornate throne decorated with floral design, God the Father, seated facing, holding orb and sceptre, wearing an imperial crown and jewelled cope, before him Christ on the crucifix, surmounted by a Dove representing the Holy Spirit, angels attend in prayer on clouds either side of the throne, above them the heads of cherubim ascending to the heavens, PROPTER SCELVS MEI PERCVSSI EVM ESAIAE LIII [I have smitten him for my people’s transgression, Isaiah 53], rev two angels standing on a cloud support a tablet inscribed with an excerpt from the Athanasian Creed and a prayer to the Trinity, around REGNANTE MAVRITIO D G DVCE SAXONIAE ZC GROSSVM HVNC LIPSIAE H R CVDEBAT ANO MDXLIIII MENSE IANV [in the reign of Maurice, by the grace of God, Duke of Saxony etc. Hans Reinhart cast this medal in Leipzig in the month of January 1544], 100mm (Habich 1962, pl.207, 1 and pl.209, 1; Scher 127). Beautifully cast and finely chased, iridescently toned, the lightest wear to some high points and without damage, a medal of the finest quality. This medal is without question a masterpiece of Northern European Renaissance art. In work produced for Maurice’s cousin, Johann Friedrich, Reinhart had incorporated symbols and references sympathising with the Lutheran movement, clearly stating the Elector’s religious affiliation. In this piece, through the incorporation of the Athanasian Creed with its theological relevance to both Protestants and Catholics alike at this juncture, Maurice attempts, through art, a reconciliation between the two churches. Highly prized then as now, copies of the medal were cast in 1556, 1561, 1569 and 1574, the last three in the name of Elector August, Maurice’s successor.
Estimate: £60,000-80,000
1022 Commemorative Medals. British Historical Medals. George II, The Royal Family 1732, Large Silver Medal, by John Croker, busts of George II and Queen Caroline facing each other, date in exergue, rev portraits of the King’s seven children with Frederick Prince of Wales in the centre, children’s names in exergue, 70mm (MI ii 500/47; Woolf 44:1). Very fine or better, a few minor surface marks, rare. This medal was in the personal gift of the King for foreign princes and dignitaries. Noel Woolf suggests it is a rejoinder to the medal issued by James (III) Stuart depicting his two sons.
Estimate: £1500-1800
1133 Ancient Greek. Sicily, Syracuse, Hiketas (287-278 BC), Gold Dekadrachm, ?YPAKO?I?N, head of Persephone left, wreathed with corn, torch behind, rev E?I IKETA, biga of horses galloping right, driven by Nike, crescent above, dot within circle below, 4.25g (T V Buttrey, NC 1973, 28, 3-G; SNG ANS 776 (obverse die) and 777 (revserse die)). Traces of double-striking on the reverse, a few light marks on the edge and toning on the obverse, good very fine.
Estimate: £1800-2200
1171 Ancient Roman. Mint of Rome unless otherwise stated. Nero (AD 54-68), Gold Aureus, AD 64-65, NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS, laureate head right, rev IVPPITER CVSTOS, Jupiter enthroned left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre, 7.40g (RIC 52; BMC 67). Light marks, some lustre, extremely fine.
Estimate: £4000-5000
1243 British Coins. Commonwealth (1649-1660), Gold Unite, 1650, English shield within laurel and palm branch, initial mark sun, .THE.COMMONWEALTH.OF.ENGLAND., toothed border both sides, rev English and Irish shields, value above within beaded circle, date at top, .GOD.WITH.VS., 9.02g (N 2715; S 3208). A broad full round specimen with original mint bloom, a superb example, original die-engravers guide line still visible on the obverse encircling the legend, one light scratch above the obverse shield, otherwise extremely fine and a rarer date, all dates are very rare in this high grade.
Estimate: £8000-10,000
1405 The Strickland Neville Rolfe Collection. British Coins. George III, Pattern Crown, the “Incorrupta”, 1817, struck in silver, by William Wyon, laureate and draped bust right, date below, W.WYON: below rear of drapery, GEORGIUS III D:G: BRITANNIARUM REX, last letter obscured by drapery, toothed border both sides, rev struck en medaille, crowned quartered shield of arms with a crowned escutcheon of the Arms of Hanover, INCORRUPTA FIDES VERITASQUE, edge plain (ESC 229 R4; L&S 159). Attractively toned with a few tiny blotches, mint state FDC, attractive and extremely rare. Lot 1199 from the J T Brockett auction in June 1823 is the first known record of one of these patterns being sold and a note there shows a total mintage of only 25 pieces. According to a manuscript note in one of the surviving copies of this sale, this may include the seven specimens struck in gold, leaving only 18 struck in silver.
Strickland Charles Edward Neville Rolfe was born in 1789, eldest son of General Neville of the Royal Artillery. He assumed the name and arms of Rolfe by royal warrant in 1837, upon receiving the bequest of the estates at Heacham and Sedgeford, from Edmund Rolfe, a distant relative who had no issue. Educated at Wadham College, Oxford, BA 1812, MA 1816, he was ordained in 1814. He became domestic chaplain to the Duke of Kent in 1814 and to the Duke of Somerset in 1825. He was appointed vicar of Heacham in Norfolk in1838. His first wife, Agnes, was the only daughter of Henry Fawcett, MP for Carlisle. They married in 1814 and had five sons and four daughters. In 1833 he married Dorothy, widow of the Rev TT Thomason, Chaplain to the Honourable East India Company. Strickland Rolfe died in 1852. Heacham Hall was destroyed by fire in 1941, whilst being occupied by the RAF. The numismatic collection has remained in the hands of descendents and represents a snapshot of the tastes and interests of an educated country gentleman and divine. The English coins span three centuries and include some key rarities, such as the pattern “Incorrupta” and “Three Graces” crowns, as well as some rare and interesting coppers. It is amazing to think that these were probably acquired soon after they were issued, which would account for their remarkable state of preservation.
Estimate: £10,000-15,000
1406 The Strickland Neville Rolfe Collection. British Coins. George III, Pattern Crown, the “Three Graces”, 1817, struck in silver, by William Wyon, laureate head right, date below, W.WYON. below truncation, GEORGIUS III D:G: BRITANNIARUM REX F:D:, beaded border and linear circle both sides, rev struck en medaille, the Three Graces, personifying England, Scotland and Ireland, with national emblems, W.WYON to left of harp, FOEDUS INVIOLABILE, palm branch and paddle in exergue, edge plain (ESC 223 R2; L&S 152). Attractively toned with a few tiny blotches, a little cabinet friction to high points, good extremely fine, attractive and extremely rare
Strickland Charles Edward Neville Rolfe was born in 1789, eldest son of General Neville of the Royal Artillery. He assumed the name and arms of Rolfe by royal warrant in 1837, upon receiving the bequest of the estates at Heacham and Sedgeford, from Edmund Rolfe, a distant relative who had no issue. Educated at Wadham College, Oxford, BA 1812, MA 1816, he was ordained in 1814. He became domestic chaplain to the Duke of Kent in 1814 and to the Duke of Somerset in 1825. He was appointed vicar of Heacham in Norfolk in1838. His first wife, Agnes, was the only daughter of Henry Fawcett, MP for Carlisle. They married in 1814 and had five sons and four daughters. In 1833 he married Dorothy, widow of the Rev TT Thomason, Chaplain to the Honourable East India Company. Strickland Rolfe died in 1852. Heacham Hall was destroyed by fire in 1941, whilst being occupied by the RAF. The numismatic collection has remained in the hands of descendents and represents a snapshot of the tastes and interests of an educated country gentleman and divine. The English coins span three centuries and include some key rarities, such as the pattern “Incorrupta” and “Three Graces” crowns, as well as some rare and interesting coppers. It is amazing to think that these were probably acquired soon after they were issued, which would account for their remarkable state of preservation.
Estimate: £10,000-15,000
1588 The Strickland Neville Rolfe Collection. World Coins. Pre-Federal America. Continental Dollar, 1776, pewter currency type, die axis ??, twin olive leaf edge device, rarity 3, struck from late stage obverse die but with all details showing, 18.49g (N 1C; H 1A.3). Uncirculated. vastly superior to the J J Ford specimen (Part I, 14 October 2003, lot 4) which realised US$46,000 (£27,750) . Strickland Charles Edward Neville Rolfe was born in 1789, eldest son of General Neville of the Royal Artillery. He assumed the name and arms of Rolfe by royal warrant in 1837, upon receiving the bequest of the estates at Heacham and Sedgeford, from Edmund Rolfe, a distant relative who had no issue. Educated at Wadham College, Oxford, BA 1812, MA 1816, he was ordained in 1814. He became domestic chaplain to the Duke of Kent in 1814 and to the Duke of Somerset in 1825. He was appointed vicar of Heacham in Norfolk in1838. His first wife, Agnes, was the only daughter of Henry Fawcett, MP for Carlisle. They married in 1814 and had five sons and four daughters. In 1833 he married Dorothy, widow of the Rev TT Thomason, Chaplain to the Honourable East India Company. Strickland Rolfe died in 1852. Heacham Hall was destroyed by fire in 1941, whilst being occupied by the RAF. The numismatic collection has remained in the hands of descendents and represents a snapshot of the tastes and interests of an educated country gentleman and divine. The English coins span three centuries and include some key rarities, such as the pattern “Incorrupta” and “Three Graces” crowns, as well as some rare and interesting coppers. It is amazing to think that these were probably acquired soon after they were issued, which would account for their remarkable state of preservation.
Estimate: £10,000-15,000
1590 The Strickland Neville Rolfe Collection. World Coins. Pre-Federal America. Rose Americana Twopence, undated (1722), motto on label, bath metal, 13.35g (Breen 88). Somewhat double-struck (apparent behind hair), otherwise sharp and problem-free with pleasing light tone, about uncirculated and thus rare. Strickland Charles Edward Neville Rolfe was born in 1789, eldest son of General Neville of the Royal Artillery. He assumed the name and arms of Rolfe by royal warrant in 1837, upon receiving the bequest of the estates at Heacham and Sedgeford, from Edmund Rolfe, a distant relative who had no issue. Educated at Wadham College, Oxford, BA 1812, MA 1816, he was ordained in 1814. He became domestic chaplain to the Duke of Kent in 1814 and to the Duke of Somerset in 1825. He was appointed vicar of Heacham in Norfolk in1838. His first wife, Agnes, was the only daughter of Henry Fawcett, MP for Carlisle. They married in 1814 and had five sons and four daughters. In 1833 he married Dorothy, widow of the Rev TT Thomason, Chaplain to the Honourable East India Company. Strickland Rolfe died in 1852. Heacham Hall was destroyed by fire in 1941, whilst being occupied by the RAF. The numismatic collection has remained in the hands of descendents and represents a snapshot of the tastes and interests of an educated country gentleman and divine. The English coins span three centuries and include some key rarities, such as the pattern “Incorrupta” and “Three Graces” crowns, as well as some rare and interesting coppers. It is amazing to think that these were probably acquired soon after they were issued, which would account for their remarkable state of preservation.
Estimate: £1000-1500
1622 Cyprus under Venice : Re-coinage of 1518. 8-Bezants. Sultan Selim I (918-926H; AD 1512-1520), Gold Altin, 3.35g, 925H (AD 1519), Misr (Egypt), obv control figure “9” or “6” near the edge, rev numeral “8” countermarked near edge (Pitsillides 34; Olçer p.165, 9630-9631 for host coin; Pere -). Coin struck off-centre, coin and countermark good very fine and extremely rare. Only the second known example on an Ottoman coin.
This coin ties in with the coinage reform initiated in Venice 1518. It is struck a year later than the other recorded Ottoman Altin of Misr published by Michael Broome in Numismatic Chronicle 1997. The host coin is very rare with only three examples known as late as 1995.
Estimate: £3000-4000
1655 Germany. Westphalia, Hieronymus Napoleon (1807-1813), Restrike 40-Franks, 1813C, Cassel, laureate bust left, rev value within wreath, date in exergue, plain edge (de Mey/Poindessault 742; KM 34a). Slightly concave flan, about extremely fine and very rare. restrike of 1867, only 80 pieces struck
Estimate: £4000-5000
1665 India. Gupta, Chandragupta II (c.375-414 AD), Gold Dinar, 7.80g, Lion-slayer/Lion retreating type, legend above king standing to front, head left, legs apart and with long sash at his waist, he holds an arrow in his left hand and with his right thrusts his bow towards a lion which has turned its back on him and is retreating, rev Sinhavikramah at right, tamgha above left, goddess seated facing on a lion walking to right, she holds a lotus flower in raised left hand and a riband in her right (BMC pl.IX, 12, published from the Mirzapur Hoard, Lucknow Museum; see also NC 1910 p.406). An attractive coin, good very fine and extremely rare.
Estimate: £4000-5000
1741 Poland. Michael Korybut (1669-1673), Gold Double-Ducat, undated, Thorn, 6.91g, rev city view (Kop -; F 66). Somewhat wavy flan, otherwise about mint state and very rare.
Estimate: £7000-9000
1860 China. Chihli Province, Silver Pattern Pei Yang Tael, Kuang Hsu, year 33, (1907), dragon, three dots in curve on central pearl, rev Chinese inscription (Kann 938; KM Y74.2; L&M 437). In PCGS holder graded XF45.
Estimate: £25,000-30,000
1876 China. Republic, Yuan Shih-Kai, Gold Dollar, flying dragon (KM Y332; Kann 663; L&M 1114). Extremely fine.
Estimate: £5000-6000
1905 Japan. Kyoho Oban Kin, c.1725, 165.4g, 153mm x 94mm, with JNDA Guaranty Certificate 20494, issued 2007 (JNDA 09-08; F 5). Calligraphy restored, extremely fine and toned, rare.
Estimate: £20,000-25,000
1939 Korea. Kuang Mu (1897-1907), Gold 20-Won, year 10 (1906), dragon, rev denomination within wreath (KM 1131; JNDA 18-13; F 1). Good very fine, rare. only 2506 pieces struck
Estimate: £25,000-30,000
1946 Peter I (1689-1725). Poltina ??? (1704) ??, 14.12g (Bit 538 (R) var; Sev 131 (S); Uzd 0468 (S)). Golden hues with a full mint lustre, very well preserved for the type, extremely fine.
Estimate: £4000-6000
1961 Peter I (1689-1725). Beard Token A?E (1705), 4.53g, crowned eagle countermark, variety with narrow beard (Bit ?3893 (R2); B 3 (R)). Well struck, extremely fine, a rare original issue.
Estimate: £400-600
1973 Anna (1730-1740). Rouble 1736 (St Petersburg), 26.81g, Hedlinger type, Novodel (Bit H228 (R3) var; Ilyin (50-Rubl); JRNS, 63, fig.12; Sev 1236A (RR); Uzd 0727 (RR)). Golden tone over prooflike surfaces, some reverse die rust and edge filed, otherwise good extremely fine, a classic Russian rarity.
Estimate: £10,000-15,000
1996 Peter III (1762). Pattern Rouble 1762 ???, novodel, 23.12g, edge 1 (Bit H43 (R2); Diakov N14; Ilyin (25-Rubl); Sev 1887 (RR); Uzd 0929 (RR)). Grey tone over a few old scratches on the obverse, extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate: £6000-9000
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