Auction News Network

World Record Price For Australian “Holey Dollar”

Australia’s first coin, the aptly named “Holey Dollar” is also one of the rarest.  Originally created in 1913, it was fashioned from a Spanish silver dollar that had been struck at the Lima Mint in Peru. Only about 20 of the coins with that Lima pedigree survive. Of those, the one that sold this week in Australia was the “absolute finest,” according to Belinda Downie, director of Melbourne-based auctioneer Coinworks. Evidently collectors agreed, as the coin fetched $508,000, a new world record price for an Australian coin.

Space Flown Coins At Heritage

Among the myriad categories in numismatics, one of the most specialized—and recent—may be items that have been to space. A Heritage space-themed auction coming up on November 2^nd features a number of these examples, including an Apollo 17 Flown Silver Robbins Medallion that comes from the collection of astronaut William Pogue. The sterling silver medal flew aboard the 1972 mission, which included the final lunar landing of the NASA program. It’s estimated at $25,000-$30,000.

Update: The Apollo 17 Medallion blasted well above expected altitudes, selling for almost $54,000.

Australian “Holey Dollar” Sells For $425,000

In the early 1800’s, Australia ran short of coins so they acquired Spanish silver dollars, punched a hole in the center , and called them “Holey Dollars,” worth five shillings. The last one in private hands was just auctioned in Melbourne for $425,000.

Ingot From Sunken “Ship Of Gold”

In 1857 a hellacious hurricane sunk the SS Central America steamer off the Carolina coast. On board were 15 tons of gold from California. 130 years later a team of American divers recovered the treasure from the so-called “Ship of Gold.”  A 2.5 pound ingot from the find will be auctioned by Bonhams next month.

Chicago Mobster’s Swag Up For Auction

The swag of a mobster who collected gobs of jewels, rare coins and watches goes to an online auction next month while the one-time owner, Frank Calabrese, Sr., lives out his days in an Illinois prison, convicted of multiple murders. Included in the 250 lots of seized bling are an 8.64 carat loose diamond, and a 1927 St. Gaudens $20 gold piece.

£1m Pound Note Not What It Used To Be

After World War II Britain was so broke it had to borrow £300m from the Bank of England, and they wanted the money in big bills, starting at £25k. Nine were printed in £1m pound denominations. After the debt was repaid, all were destroyed but two, and one of those was sold to a collector yesterday in London at a Dix Noonan Webb auction for $108,000.