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HERITAGE NYINC 2020 SALE HIGHLIGHTSHere are a few highlights that caught my eye in the upcoming Heritage's New York International Numismatic Convention auction. -Editor Lot 32190: Elizabeth I Gold Ship Ryal
  Elizabeth I (1558-1603) gold "Ship" Ryal of 15 Shillings ND (1584-1586) XF45 NGC, Tower mint, Escallop mm, Sixth issue, S-2530, N-2004. 7.52gm. Potentially the most coveted issue from Elizabeth's reign - the outstanding 'Ship' Ryal, produced solely for international trade in extremely limited numbers, a type missing from many of the most famous British collections. The Ryal was always a slightly controversial denomination, representing an attempt during Edward IV's first reign to simplify the interlocking gold types by producing a 'Half Sovereign' equivalent worth 10 Shillings. However, as the Noble of 6 Shillings 8 Pence was the standard by then, the Ryal was found unsuccessful and replaced shortly afterwards by the famous Angel type. Despite its initial unpopularity, the 10 Shilling Ryal reared its head once again in Henry VII's reign, and again in Mary's reign then worth 15 Shillings to match the 30 Shilling Sovereign. By Elizabeth's reign it was not considered to be a necessary denomination, and the present type was only produced for trade in the Netherlands, designed with charming medieval style imagery and Lombardic lettering. Due to the quick abandonment of this denomination, only a handful of examples are known today and they always generate extreme excitement from collectors of British hammered gold when offered. This specimen is exemplary for issue, Elizabeth's portrait razor sharp with only localized areas of weakness to sunken areas of the flan and within the fourth quarter of the reverse. Dulled by tone and time to a pleasant honey-gold with subdued gleam at the highpoints; attractive, extremely rare and perhaps one of the only opportunities collectors will ever have to obtain an XF example of this celebrated denomination. A busy design, but an important coin. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 32221: 1817 George III Three Graces Crown
  George III silver Proof Pattern "Three Graces" Crown 1817 PR65 NGC, KM-PnA77, L&S-152, ESC-2020 (R2). Plain edge. By William Wyon. Alongside the famous 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Pounds, the 1817 Three Graces Crown represents Wyon's most celebrated piece of medallic art. His portraiture of George was far finer than the contemporary work by Benedetto Pistrucci, but it is for its reverse design that this Pattern is so beloved; depicting England, Ireland and Scotland anthropomorphized as the Three Graces of Greek mythology wrapped in a circular embrace, these three Goddesses represent the United Kingdom. Its neoclassical beauty, its energy, sensitivity, realism, all embody a talent hitherto absent from British numismatics. A great, classic coin. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 32295: 1870 Japan Meiji Gold 20 Yen
  Meiji gold 20 Yen Year 3 (1870) MS65 PCGS, Osaka mint, KM-Y13, JNDA 01-1, J&V-L1. A stunning gem example of this scarce, and popular, first-year in the 20 Yen series. This superb piece has full, bright orange-golden luster, with sharply defined details and only minuscule marks that do not detract from the spectacular overall appearance. The only collectible date of the brief, large sized 20 Yen series. Rare in this exceptional condition, with fewer than 30 Mint State examples certified by NGC and PCGS combined and no examples graded finer than this piece across both grading services. The finest Mint State example we have seen. Ex. S. M. Damon Collection Pretty piece. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 32307: 1916 Mexico Revolutionary Gold 60 Pesos
  Oaxaca. Revolutionary gold 60 Pesos 1916 MS64+ PCGS, Oaxaca mint, KM755, Fr-174, GB-379. Reeded edge. An immense offering, one of Mexico's most iconic gold coinages and one whose popularity makes it almost impossible to obtain for the majority of collectors. What must certainly have been an enormous denomination for the period, with this being the largest struck during the Mexican Revolution, this type would have instantly stood out to its contemporaries, not least due to the relative shortage of gold coinage struck at the time, and its general crudeness when it was minted. Bordering on gem, the surfaces of this example appear perfect buttercup-yellow with velvety tone and little evidence of handling, every element of the strike exceptionally bold and subsequently untouched. Absolutely outstanding for its size, preservation, and aesthetic appeal. Nice coin! -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 32321: 1825 Russia: Alexander I Poltina 1/2 Rouble
  Alexander I Poltina (1/2 Rouble) 1825 C??-?? MS64? Prooflike NGC, St. Petersburg mint, KM-C123a, Bit-183, Sev-2868. Narrow crown variety. Obv. Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle, with upright wings, and date below. Rev. Crowned four-line inscription within wreath. The strike is bold and a thin band of russet patina encircles the peripheries on both the obverse and reverse. The fields are deeply mirrored and the devices heavily frosted, yielding nice cameo contrast. A conditionally very rare issue. Only three pieces have been certified by NGC, with none at PCGS, this being the finest certified example. Our research has found only six other pieces auctioned since 2005, the finest being an AU sold on April 13, 2013 by the Russian auction firm Coins and Medals (Auction 80, Lot 268), which brought $16,165. The other 5 all graded VF, or less. A stunning example and, by far, the finest we can reference. To read the complete lot description, see:
 Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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