Coins

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History
Spink has been dealing in coins for almost three centuries. A founder member of both the International Association of Professional Numismatists (established 1951) and of the British Numismatic Trade Association (est. 1973); we lead the field in numismatic dealing, valuations and auctions.

Our first public coin sale was held in 1978 and we hold many records for prices achieved at auction. Some of the most recent and most widely reported were set on 15th May 2003 during the historic auction of the Slaney Collection of English Coins. Formed in the first half of the twentieth century, and privately owned, the Slaney Collection was possibly the last of the truly great coin collections.

...a record-breaking auction. In 25 years of reporting on London auctions I have never seen so many new auction records being set
John Andrew in Coin World

During the sale, all 285 lots were sold and the auction realised over £1million. The highest price achieved at this auction also set a new record for an English silver coin - the famous ‘Petition’ Crown of 1663, which sold for £138,000. Another star was the Charles I Exeter Mint half crown (£40,250). This coin had previously remained off the auction block for exactly a century.

Our sale in Milan on the 9th and 10th June 2003 consisted mainly of a choice collection formed between the two World Wars by a Milanese collector who kept careful records of all his purchases. Some fine coins of the Kingdom of Italy, including some great rarities, were also auctioned and the sale realised €1,334,000.

In March 2004, the Marshall Collection realised some amazing prices. A superb Henry VIII Testoon with full facing portrait fetched £34,500, and an extremely rare George IV plain edge proof sovereign of 1825 realised £14,950.

The Coinex sale in October 2004 saw the only known purpose-made Anglo-Saxon gold penny of clearly regal design (which in addition is the only known gold coin in the name of Coenwulf of Mercia) fetch a record-breaking price of £230,000. This magnificent coin, with its superb workmanship and remarkable state of preservation, is the most important discovery in British numismatics for many years, and is the first Anglo-Saxon gold penny to come to light for almost a century. The sale also featured over 140 highlights from the Pimprez Hoard of 569 British and French silver coins and ingots, deposited circa 1140 in France and discovered in 2002.

2005 saw continued success with strong prices for fine quality coins, particularly from single owner collections. In April 2005, another historic auction took place in New York where the American Numismatic Rarities in association with Spink auctioned the final part of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins and Medals. This exceptional collection, which spans the entire world and more than 2000 years of history, was passionately amassed over half a century by the Baltimore financier and well known numismatist, Louis E. Eliasberg (1896-1976). The sale comprised 3,600 lots sold over two days, and realised a total of US$10,118,246. Of the many highlights, two were of particular note: a Venetian 50 Zecchini circa 1763, which realised US$379,000; and a Korean 5 Won of 1908 at US$287,500.

In May 2005, the sale of the highly important Samuel King Collection of English Gold Coins featured a comprehensive selection of exceptional pieces from the reign of Edward III to the early 20th century. The collection offered an unrivalled opportunity to view and acquire some of the finest rarities in English coinage. This was the most important sale of English gold coins for many years and featured no less then 60 Five Guinea pieces, the largest in a generation. A Queen Anne Vigo five guineas of 1703 realised £149,500 and a George III pattern five guineas of 1770 sold for £80,500. The sale totalled £1,630,234.

Following this strong showing for English coins, the 30th June auction saw nearly 500 lots of Italian coins. These were mostly from one outstanding collection, and included many modern rarities. The top lot, a 5 Lire of 1901, realised £28,175; and in the general section an Austrian 10 ducats of 1674 sold for £12,500. An excellent example of Bermudan Hogg money recently discovered in the Isle of Wight sold for £8,500.

The Lucien LaRiviere Collections of Irish and Scottish coins and medals were sold in two very successful sales in February and March 2006. The sales totaled £366,120 for the Irish coins, and £486,090 for the Scottish including a new record price for an Irish coin the gold Pistole which realised £67,500. (add picture of the Pistole, lot 137 from sale 6028)

A new world record price for an English coin, and a record price for any coin sold in the U.K., was achieved in the June 2006 auction when the Edward III gold Double Florin or Double Leopard sold for £460,000 (add picture of the Double Leopard lot301 from sale 6013)

Our auction activity is complimented by our retail sales. We are always interested in acquiring quality single coins or entire collections, for sale either at auction or directly to our extensive list of discerning collectors. You can view our stock at our offices and selections of this stock can also be seen online. Alternatively, you can subscribe to our Numismatic Circular (published 6 times a year) which offers coins and numismatic books for sale, together with scholarly articles about coins.

Special Offers

Collector’s Corner - Special Offers

Ancient coins          Indian & Islamic coins          Foreign coins           British coins

In Collector’s Corner we aim to make available through special offers good specimens of relatively common items which may fill the gap in a mature collection or may be an ideal starting point for the new collector.  We hope to offer items of historical interest and ‘with a good story’ to awaken or re-awaken your love of coins, medals or banknotes.

As these are special offers we regret we cannot send pictures of individual coins.  Please see our full stock list for this service.

Ancient

The 30 Pieces of Silver

Tyre, Shekel, laureate head of Melqarth/Herakles right, lion’s skin knotted round neck, rev. TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI EΣYΛOY ([coin] of Tyre the holy and inviolable), Eagle standing left, palm-branch over wing, right foot on prow of galley, club of Tyre on left, date in Greek numerals in field.

A Shekel of Tyre
Disclaimer: Coin shown may not be actual coin you will purchase.

Quite possibly the most notorious ancient coin known to the public at large, accepted as they are to have formed the 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas Iscariot to betray Christ.  They were the most common silver coins in circulation at the time, and were issues each year from 126/125 B.C to A.D. 69/70.  They were the only coinage of sufficient purity to be acceptable to the authorities running the Temple as the annual Temple Tax that had to be paid by all Jews.  The money-changers that Christ expelled from the Temple were there to convert other currencies into Tyrian Shekels and half-shekels – a necessary service, but one for which they may have attracted a poor reputation for their conversion charges or exchange rates.

We have a number of them for sale in various condition, at the following prices:

VF           £240 each
Good VF              £260 each
EF           £280 each

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘Tyre Shekel’ and your full name and contact details and which grade of coin you would like to purchase.

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The Athenian Tetradrachms

Attica, Athens (5th Century B.C, after 449 B.C.), AR Tetradrachm, head of Athena right, wearing crested helmet ornamented with olive-leaves and floral scroll, rev. AΘE, owl standing right, head facing, olive-leaves with fruit and crescent behind, all within incuse square

An Athenian Tetradrachm
Disclaimer: Coin shown may not be actual coin you will purchase.

These coins are part of the vast issue of silver tetradrachms that Athens coined to pay for the great building programme on the Acropolis, the surviving buildings of which we can see today.  Shortly beforehand Athens had prevailed in having the 5,000 talents (about 125 tons or 7,500,000 tetradrachms) lodged in the Delian League’s treasury on Delos removed to Athens.  Any doubts that Athens was by now running as an empire, as opposed to leading a defensive league to combat Persian aggression, disappear.  Athena was Athens’ patron deity, while the owl was Athens’ attribute symbolizing wisdom.

We have a number of them for sale in various conditions, at the following prices:

With test cut, about VF    £400 each
Pleasing, a good VF        £440 each
Pleasing, well struck, EF  £480 each

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase quoting ‘Athenian Tetradrachm’ and your full name and contact details and which grade of coin you would like to purchase.

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Indian and Islamic

Abbasid, 8th century silver Dirhams – set of 5
These silver dirhams were all minted at the great Abbasid capital, Madinat al-Salam (City of Peace – now Baghdad). Each sets contain coins of the same dates in an average condition of about EF: al-Mansur (A.D. 754-775), AH 156, 157, 158; al-Mahdi (A.D. 775-785), AH160, 161, naming Caliph al-Mahdi on reverse (Album 213, 215.1; MWI.146, 159),

SOLD OUT

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘Abbasid 5 dirham set’ and your full name and contact details.

Ottoman, Sulayman I, gold Ashrafi,
The Ottoman Empire was at its height during the reign of Sulayman I, known as ‘the Magnificent’. His great admirals Barbarossa and Turghut Reis made Algiers and Tunisia into provinces, and most of Hungary, Adharbayjan and Iraq were also annexed. The Ashrafis of Sulayman are not rare, but this is a good opportunity to acquire a gold coin of this historic ruler at a very reasonable price. They were struck at various mints throughout the empire – this was usually written near the date at the bottom of the coin and will be identified if legible. All are dated with the accession date of AH926.

Various conditions,        SOLD OUT

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘Ottoman gold Ashrafi’ and your full name and contact details.

Egypt, Burji Mamluk, gold Ashrafi
Mamluk means “slave”, as most of the rulers started their lives as slaves, working their way up the system through merit. They ruled Egypt and Syria for 250 years in the medieval period, the Burji Mamluks being the second dynasty 1382-1517. Mamluk gold Ashrafis were struck to a weight of approximately 3.5g, which was the same as that of the standard gold trade coin of the period, the Venetian Ducat. They are generally of the highest purity. Although the mint is mostly off the flan in these examples, they would have been minted in Cairo (al-Qahira)

Various conditions, with identified ruler     SOLD OUT
Various conditions, anonymous                SOLD OUT

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘Egypt Murji Mamluk’ and your full name and contact details and whether you would like to purchase an identified ruler or anonymous coin.
           
Ilkhanid, silver Dirhams 
Ilkhanids were a branch of the Mongols, who ruled in Central Asia in the 13th -14th centuries. Hulagu routed the Abbasids and sacked Baghdad and killed the last Caliph al-Musta’sim. He then ruled this area on behalf of Kublai Khan. After death of Kublai in 1294 the dynasty converted to Islam under Ghazan Mahmud (1295-1304). It was during this period Ilkhanid power reached its height. Ghazan Mahmud reformed the coinage to a high standard that set a standard for future Persian issues. His successor was Uljaitu (1304-17) who issued these dirhams. They were part of a hoard and therefore in good condition for their age.

Various conditions,         £10 each

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘Ilkhanid dirham’ and your full name and contact details.

India, Maghada Janapada punchmarked Karshapana
These are some of the earliest coins of India, dating from the 5th to 4th centuries B.C. Many small kingdoms and confederations of tribes existed in the fertile plains bordering the Ganges and its tributaries. The Maghada Janapada was one of the most successful, eventually absorbing several lesser polities into its kingdom. One of its rulers, Bimbisara (c.546-494 B.C.) was a contemporary of the Buddha and many of the most important Buddhist sermons took place in his kingdom. Bimbisara’s son, Ajatasattu (c.494-462 B.C.) was impatient to inherit the throne and killed his father. These coins were probably minted at this time, as they are one of the earliest series of Magahadan Karshapana, having wide, thin flans and five punches (although some may have banker’s marks as well). The meaning of the punches is uncertain, it is possible they were marks of identification or dating, as certain of them feature on every coin, and some are variable. The fact that each coin is a unique record of this fascinating historical era is what makes them so interesting.

Various conditions,         £50 each

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘punchmarked Karshapana’ and your full name and contact details.

India, Kshatrapas (Satraps) of Western India, silver Drachm
Said to have descended from the Indo-Parthians of the North West, the Western Kshatrapas inhabited the north-west seaboard including Gujarat and present-day Maharasthra from the late 1st century AD. Like Parthian coins, they had a stylised portrait of the ruler on the obverse. The reverse displays a 3-arched hill and names the ruler in Kharosthi script. Each coin weight around 2.2g. The style must have been popular in the area as it was copied by the Gupta rulers. These particular coins date from the 3rd century AD

Various conditions,         £20 each

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘Satraps drachm’ and your full name and contact details.

Late Kushan, Kipananda (c.A.D.360-380), base gold Dinara
These coins date from the later period of Kushan rule, during the period the Gupta dynasty were gaining control in the Ganges valley. They were probably issued in Taxila, in the north-west, which was then a great centre of Buddhist learning. The obverse depicts the king in a decorated coat, holding a standard right and making an offering to a small altar on the left. Above this is a ribboned trident. The reverse features the goddess Ardoksho, seated on a throne holding a cornucopia. Ardoksho was a favourite goddess of the Kushans and represented good fortune.
(MAC.3618-20)

Various conditions,         £150 each

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘Kushan Dinara’ and your full name and contact details.

India, Mughal, Jahangir (1605-28), Rupee
Jahangir was the son of the greatest Mughal emperor, Akbar. While not such an innovative ruler as his father, he was a great patron of the arts. He invited several famous Persian artists to the Mughal court, where they were employed illustrating courtly events, the unusual animals Jahangir collected, and epic stories bound in lavish volumes. He famously acquired his beautiful wife, Nur Jahan, by sending her first husband on a deadly mission from which he never returned. His coins are some of the most beautiful created, and include the famous series depicting the 12 signs of the zodiac, and some rare portrait coins. All of his coins are renowned for their graceful calligraphy and the examples offered here are no exception, the individual letters being set on a frosted background intertwined with small leaves and flowers. All bear Jahangir’s name on the obverse and a religious inscription on the reverse.

Various conditions,         £40 each

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘Mughal rupee’ and your full name and contact details.

British India – Queen Victoria (1838-1901), silver Rupees of 1840 
These attractive silver rupees were struck in the second year of Queen Victoria’s in India. Amazingly, at this time Indian was not officially part of the British Empire, but was still under the control of the East India Company, which is why this name is written on the reverse and the Queen is not given her full titles. The date remained the same on all currency rupees until 1860.

Various conditions,         SOLD OUT

Please download an order form attachment here and send an email with attachment to mgooch@spink.com to enquire or purchase, quoting ‘Victoria 1840 Rupee’ and your full name and contact details.

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Foreign

Sorry, there are no foreign coin special offers at the moment, please try again soon.

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British

Sorry, there are no British coin special offers at the moment, please try again soon.

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Numismatic and Collectables Articles
You may find some of our educational and reference articles of interest. Please click here to browse our collection, including our Guide to Coin Collecting.