Private Treaty | Coin Department

For more information please contact Tim Robson | +44 2075634007 | [email protected]

The Collection of Nepal Coins and Medals

Property of the late Nicholas Rhodes

Nicholas Rhodes (1946-2011) was described as a “numismatic giant … a scholar and collector of immense importance” in obituaries that appeared in the Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (No.208). A founder member of this society, his specialist numismatic interests embraced the currency of the whole Himalayan region: from Kashmir and Ladakh in the west, through Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, to Assam and the Hindu states of north-east India.

Since 2013, Spink have had the honour of selling much of the collection through auctions in London, Hong Kong, and New York. During this time, we have continually been asked ‘when will the collection of Nepal coins be sold?’ The core of this collection is well known, as many of the coins appear in the standard reference work on Nepali coins, ‘The Coinage of Nepal,’ that he wrote in collaboration with Dr. Karl Gabrisch and Carlo Valdettaro back in 1989.

The Rhodes collection is considered to be the finest collection of Nepal coins currently in existence. Nicholas started acquiring coins in 1962, and his interest continued long after 1989. Nicholas was renowned for his painstaking ability to track down every known variety of a series, so the collection today contains approximately 3500 documented pieces as well as some unpublished coins, proof sets, important medals and local tokens.

Where could one find such a collection again? Indeed, would it be possible to assemble such a collection today? Its historical importance is difficult to overstate, as the coins track the history of Nepal from the earliest times; extending from examples of ‘the smallest coin ever issued’ to magnificent gold Double-Mohurs, struck for presentation. This is why we believe the collection will be as valuable to investors in the future, as it is to museums and researchers today.

Spink is delighted to be offering the Nicholas Rhodes collection of Nepal coins and medals as a single sale through private treaty. The buyer will receive a full listing of the coins in catalogue format compiled by the renowned expert Wolfgang Bertsch, together with copies of ‘The Coinage of Nepal’.

Please contact Barbara Mears for further information and a brochure of important coins in the collection.

Email: [email protected] | Tel: +44 (0)207 563 4091

View the catalogue CLICK HERE

Coins Available for Private Sale

For further information please contact: Gregory Edmund | [email protected] | Tel: +44(0)20 7563 4048

Edward III (1327-1377), Noble, Pre-Treaty Period, Series E, London, 11h, 7.77g, i.m. cross pattée 2 (3), E | DWARD DEI GRA REX ANGL Z FRAIIC HY | B, King standing in ship, holding sword and shield, (Schneider I, 23; N.1160; S.1488), an exceptional and most handsome coin, beautifully struck up even for type, a superlative example of this most famous and ever-popular Medieval English gold Noble, good extremely fine, rare thus

SOLD £11,600

Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth (1653-1658), Shilling, 1658, OLIVAR D G R P ANG SCO HIB & PRO, laureate and draped bust left, rev. 16-58 PAX QVÆRITVR BELLO, crowned and garnished shield (Lessen J28; ESC 254 [1005]; S.3228), dark tone, near EF

Price £4,250

Edward VII (1901-10), Coronation Specimen 'Long' Set, 1902 [13], £5; £2; Sovereign; Half-Sovereign; Crown; Halfcrown; Florin; Shilling; Sixpence; and Maundy Coins (4) ~ Fourpence; Threepence; Twopence and Penny (S.PS9), a trace of past wiping to obverses as often encountered with these historically unpopular 'Matte Proofs', otherwise good extremely fine to as struck with attractive tone across silver denominations, 8,066 sets recorded as issued, this set provided with the original, albeit rather tatty Royal Mint case of issue (13)

Price £5,950

George V (1910-36), Proof Two-Pounds, 1911, GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:, bare head left, BM initials on truncation (for artist Bertram Mackennal), rev. St George and the Dragon, date in exergue, edge milled (W&R 415; S.3995), a hint of ochre toning overlying brilliant fields, a pleasing and choice example, as struck, only 2,812 pieces reportedly issued

Price £4,250

George VI (1936-52), Proof Two-Pounds, 1937, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:, bare head left, H.P initials below truncation (for designer Thomas Humphrey Paget), rev. St George and the Dragon, edge plain (W&R 437; S.4075), some spotting to reverse surface, otherwise brilliant uncirculated

Price £2,500