MDC MONACO OCTOBER 2022 SALE

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V25 2022 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 25, Number 37, September 11, 2022, Article 24

Here's the press release for the October 2022 MDC Monaco sale. Beautiful coins! -Editor

1473 exceptional lots will be back under the hammer on the 13th and 14th of October in Monaco. MDC auction will for sure be the most important numismatic event of the end of the year. The coins and medals which will be presented go from antiquity to present days and are from all over the world. The auction will be held by the expert Nicolas Gimbert at the Métropole Hôtel, in Monaco.

A prestigious 448 pages-long catalogue with numerous highlights and historical information is available. Live bidding is possible on the Biddr platform.

LOT 49.
Caligula (37-41). Aureus with Divine Augustus 37-38, Lyon. Obv. C. CAESAR. AVG. GERM. P. M. TR. POT. Bare head of Caligula facing right. Rev. DIVVS. AVG - PATER. PATRIAE. Radiate head of Divine Augustus facing right. Calicó 331 - RIC-9 (R3) - Giard, Lyon 159/2 (this specimen) ; Gold - 7,70 g - 19 mm - 8h.

Specimen with a well-known history : from Bourgey, 2nd to 6th of march 1925, Récamier Collection n°120 then Leu 10, 29th of may 1974, n°328 and Leu 38, 13th of may 1986, n°229 and finally NAC 54, 24th of march 2010, n°328.

NGC Ch AU 5/5 2/5 marks. Very rare with bare head of Caligula, only 3 specimen known (ours, another in Vienna and another in Copenhagen). Minimal contact traces, otherwise outstanding quality. Almost uncirculated.
120000 €

LOT 75.
Constantine I (307-337). Solidus ND (326), Thessaloniki. Obv. CONSTAN - TINVS AVG. Laureated head, facing right. Rev. VIRTVS CON - STANTINI AVG / SMTS. Standing emperor, facing left, dressed in military cloths, holding a shield and a trophy, two captives at his feet. RIC- - Depeyrot cf. 12/1 (head wearing tiara, no legend) - Bastien, Donativa p.78, a ; Gold - 4,47 g - 19 mm - 6h. Exceptional emission from Thessaloniki with multiples described by Alföldi, Die Constantinische Goldprägung, 1963. NGC Ch MS 5/5 4/5. Almost mint state with mint lustre and well-centered. Very rare with only a few specimen known. Uncirculated.
30000 €

LOT 312.
Charles V (1364-1380). Gold Royal ND (august 1364). Obv. °K'O'L° REX° - ‘FRANCOR'°. King standing under a gothic dais, crowned, holding a scepter ; quatrefoils on the uprights. Rev. + XP'C° VINCIT° XP'C° REGNAT° XP'C° IMPERAT. Quatrefoiled cross, leafy and flowered, in a trefoil quatrefoil confined with 4 little crowns. Dy.357 (Not found) - H.1 (not found) - C.454 (Charles de Navarre) - L.369 (Not found) - Fr.283 (no record of issue) ; Gold - 3,88 g - 28 mm - 7h. Top Pop : this is the only graded specimen !

PCGS MS63. Ponctuation using pointed ringlets. This specimen hasn't circulated much, with barely burnished surfaces. Reduced weight and 28 millimeters module : for Charles V whose Gold Royal had not been identified ! Very rare. Uncirculated.

The Gold Royal of Charles V described in the Ciani (n°454) is in fact of Charles II, King of Navarre (Lafaurie, BSFN, 1956, p.67-68 and Dumas, BSFN, 1958, p.210-211). Lafaurie describes the conditions of making but doesn't know any specimen. More recently, Duplessy mentions unknown type (probably similar to Jean II's) and not found. However, an extensive research make it possible for us to propose an attribution for our specimen to Charles V.

The Gold Royal of Charles V is expected to weight the same as the Franc à Cheval of Jean le Bon and the future Franc à Cheval, on the july 24th of 1364, with a gold title of 1000‰ (24 karat), a weight of 3.885 grams (63 coins for a mark) and a value of 20 sols tournois. The executive order is dated july 31 1364. At the Archives Nationales, the Z1b/56 register indicates : Charles, by the grace of God, king of France. To our friendly and royals general masters of our Coins, greatings and order. We let know that... from us and our meeting with several prelats, barons, people from good cities of the realm and others, wish and order, and ask that quickly and without waiting you shall create gold coins that will be called Gold Royals, the weight being a 1/63th of a mark from Paris and the value being 20 sols tournois each... Paris, on the 23rd of July 1364.

The production of those coins has been proven in 3 mint places : Rouen (1500 coins, account from the 20th of april to the 18th of august 1364, delivered in the 17th and 18th of august), Toulouse (7000 coins, account from the 6th of august to the 25th of october 1364, first delivered on the 12th of september) and Montpellier (16000 coins, account from the 14th of august to the 25th of december 1364, first delivered on the 10th of september). Some production orders have been given in Paris, Tournai, Saint-Quentin, Dijon and Angers.

A Gold Royal for Charles V has been published for the first time in 1973 by Georges Savès and Leandre Villaronga, specimen n°42 of the Grenade-sur-Garonne's treasure (Haute-Garonne, 1881), but was not noticed by numismatists. This coin, illustrated page 179, is described using a few caracteristics : weight of 3.88g, (obverse legend) .KOL.R...FRAnCOR, ponctuation using pointed ringlets, large flan (cropped) measuring 27.3mm vertical and 27.8 horizontal.

New elements corroborating the Savès and Villaronga's identification are brought to light by Marc Bompaire, one of the most prominent french royal and feudal coinage expert, in 1993 in an article published in the Bulletin de la Société francaise de Numismatique. In this article is presented an illustration of a Gold Royal coming from the oldest list of illustrated gold coins known (BnF, ms. nouv. acq Fr 4139, early 15th century.)

The Cabinet des Médailles of the Bibliothèque nationale de France had 6 Gold Royals, all attributed to Charles IV. 2 of them have been re-attributed to Charles V : Chabouillet 411 (3.85g) and Côte Collection 764 (3.8g).

Our specimen has some caracteristics that allow us to attribute it to this very rare fabrication. Those caracteristics are different compared to a Charles IV Gold Royal's ones. The obverse legend is FRANCOR and not FRA°COR. The ponctuation uses pointed ringlets, and not simple ones. There is also quatrefoils on the uprights of the gothic dais, missing on the Charles IV's. Otherwise, our specimen has the perfect prescribed weight (3.885 g). With this weight and a module slightly larger to the one of Charles IV, our specimen is certainly a Gold Royal for Charles V, which was not yet clearly identified. Our specimen has a beautiful style and his conservation is by far superior compared to the few others known (BnF).
120000 €

LOT 377.
Louis XIII (1610-1643). Gold pattern of 10 Louis, laureated head and draped bust, 1640, A, Paris. Obv. LVDOVICVS. XIII. D. G. FRANC. ET. NAV. REX. Laureated and draped king's bust facing right, below (date).

Rev. CHRISTVS. REGNAT. VINCIT. ET. IMPERAT. Cross composed by 8 Ls, crowned arms divided by 4 fleur-de-lys, A in a circle at the center. Dy.1293 - G.63 - Drs (1987) PP2 - Fr.405 ; Gold - 67,17 g - 48 mm - 6h. From Fraysse et Associés, Sabine Bourgey as expert, June 20th 2007, (n°161)

Well-centered strike on this spectacular flan. The king's bust is in high relief and is remarkably composed, by Jean Warin. Small rim damages at 1 and 11 o'clock obverse and 5 o'clock reverse.

Slight wear on the high reliefs and slightly spotted surfaces in reverse. Golden patina. Very rare. XF to almost uncirculated.

The making of Gold multiples to the modules of 8 or 10 Louis by Jean Warin is known by two documents from the National Archives, published and analyzed by Fernand Arbez and Christian Charlet, Une médaille d'or de 100 livres, à l'effigie de Louis XIII, volée et restituée à Jean Warin en 1641, BSFN, march 2014, p.66-70. The gold multiples of 54 grams or 67.5 grams are described as 8 and 10 gold Louis coins since 1878 and the work of Hoffmann. This denomination has been taken over by Ciani in 1926, Duplessy in 1989 and 1999, Droulers in various editions, etc. However, F. Leblanc in 1690 describes those coins as pleasure coins. More recently, for J. Lafaurie and P. Prieur, in the third unpublished volume of their work, Les Monnaies des Rois de France, those examples are patterns of non-chosen types. The documents from the archives published by Arbez and Charlet confirm the date of those patterns engraved by Jean Warin in 1640. Nevertheless, those monetiform patterns didn't have any legal value. We choose the denomination 8 or 10 Gold Louis Pattern.
450000 €

LOT 516.
Louis XVI (1774-1792). Gold medal, Paris Royal Society of Medicine, by Duvivier ND, Paris. Obv. LUD. XVI. REX – CHRISTIANISS. Draped bust facing right ; below signature B. DUVIVIER. Rev. In the field : PRIX DE LA SOCIÉTÉ ROYALE DE MÉDECINE DE PARIS. Nocq.- (type 5 bust) - TNG.- ; Gold - 59,27 g - 42 mm - 12h. Top Pop : this is the only graded specimen !

NGC MS 61. A very high reliefs specimen, with mint lustre preserved under a delicate patina. Rare, only a few other specimens known. Uncirculated.
25000 €

LOT 663.
Louis-Philippe I (1830-1848). 5 francs Domard, Gold strike, raised lettered edge, Proof 1831, A, Paris. Obv. LOUIS PHILIPPE I ROI DES FRANÇAIS. Laureated head facing right, signature DOMARD. F. Rev : In the center of a two-branchs wreath : 5 FRANCS (mint) (date) and below a star. G.677a - Maz.1068A - VG.2820 ; Gold - 37 mm - 12h. Top Pop : this is the only graded specimen ! From Paramount Collection, Heritage 3096 n°30180.

NGC PF 62 CAMEO. Proof and cameo aspect. Very rare with only 2 known specimen ! Minimal scratch on the cheek, on the matte lustre. Minimal hairlines on the fields. Beautiful shine. Uncirculated.
70000 €

LOT 761.
IIIrd Republic (1870-1940). Gold pattern of 100 francs Génie, large lettering, Proof 1878, Paris. Obv. RÉPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE. Standing winged Genius of the Republic, facing right, writing CONSTITUTION on a table, a fasces on the left, a rooster on the right ; below : signatures A.B. and Dupré. Rev. LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ. Oak wreath, value and (date) in the center, at the bottom ESSAI between two anchors. GEM.278.1 - G.1137 - Maz.2112a - F.cf.552 - Fr.cf.590 ; Gold - 32,25 g - 35 mm - 6h. Second highest graded ! Very rare pattern struck during the Universal Exposition of Paris.

NGC PF 65+ CAMEO. Proof and Cameo, showing strong constrasts between mirror fields and matte reliefs. Plain edge and large letters on the reverse. Exceptional quality with traces of dies polishing still visible ! Uncirculated.
150000 €

Lot 767.
IIIrd Republic (1870-1940). 100 francs Génie 1905, A, Paris. Obv. RÉPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE. Standing winged Genius of the Republic, facing right, writing CONSTITUTION on a table, a fasces on the left, a rooster on the right ; below : signatures A.B. and Dupré. Rev. LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ. Oak wreath, value and (date) in the center, at the bottom (mint letter). G.1137 - F.552 - Fr.590 ; Gold - 32,25 g - 35 mm - 6h. Top Pop : finest known specimen, among 50 submitted !

NGC MS 66. This is the finest known specimen, all dates combined ! Mint state. Only micro-traces on the original surface. With lustre. Uncirculated.
40000 €

LOT 1018.
James I Stuart (1603-1625). Gold Royal (Rose Ryal), third emission ND (1621-1623), London. Obv. (mint mark) IACOBVS D: G: MA - BRI: FR: ET HIB: REX. King enthroned facing, holding a scepter, feet on a harrow, in a lilies and roses decor. Rev. (mint mark) A. DNO: FACTVM. EST ISTVD ET EST MIRAB: IN. OC: NRIS. Shield divided by a long and flowered cross, circled by four groups of lily, leopard and rose ; XXX above the shield. Fr.239 - S.2632 (125) ; Gold - 12,13 g - 40 mm - 4h. Top Pop : this is the only graded specimen ! From the Simon English Esq.

Collection and Alderman Hird Collection, Spink 1962. NGC AU 58. With a thistle flower as mint mark, for the third emission, very rare. Minimal traces on the edge. Good strike, well-centered, on a well prepared flan. Outstanding quality with a lot of details. Golden reflections. Almost uncirculated.
40000 €

Lot 1020.
Scotland, Charles I (1625-1649). Gold Unite, Third emission, by Nicolas Briot ND (1637-1642), Edinburgh. Obv. CAROLVS. D: G. MAG: BRITAN. FRAN. ET. ET. HIB. REX. (mint marks). Half figure bust, wearing the crown of Scotland, in a decorated cuirass, holding a scepter and the globus cruciger. Rev. HIS. PRÆSVM. VT. PROSIM. Crowned shield between a crowned C on the left and a crowned R on the right. S.5531 - KM.57 - Fr.56 ; Gold - 9,92 g - 35 mm - 6h.

NGC AU 58*. With a thistle flower and "B" for Nicolas Briot on the obverse. Minimal straight clip (cutter mark) barely visible. Perfect strike using coining press, directed and engraved by Nicolas Briot. Regular wear due to circulation. Exceptional patina with iridescent golden tones. Almost Uncirculated.
18000 €

LOT 1026
William III (1694-1702). 5 guineas, 2nd bust, 1701, London. Obv. GVLIELMVS. III. DEI. GRA. Laureated bust facing right. Rev. MAG. BR. FRA. ET. HIB. REX (date). Cross composed by four crowned shields separated by four scepters, lion at the center. Fr.310 - S.3456 - KM.508 - Holloway p.163 ; Gold - 36 mm - 6h. Top Pop : finest known specimen !

NGC MS 64+. With the high wig bust and full scepters. Lettered edge : + DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. DECIMO. TERTIO +. Wonderful patina. Exceptional mint lustre. Uncirculated.

This outstanding portrait of William III has been created by the famous Sir Isaac Newton, Master of the Royal Mint since 1696. Implicated, he orders the prosecution and conviction of many counterfeiters. Using his mechanical skills, he also oversees the engraving of a new king's portrait. The realism of this representation, called "fine work", is unprecedented in the Royal Mint. Very detailed treatment has been given to the wig strands and to the depth of the bust's reliefs.
300000 €

PCGS PR61CAM. Plain edge and DIRIGIT in legend. Smooth headband variety, and no decorations on the Queen's cape. Large lettering on the obverse. Large beaded on the contour. A knock on the edge. Only one or two known specimen ! Very rare pattern for this mythical coin. About Uncirculated.

Conceived by William Wyon (1795-1851) in 1839 to commemorate the beginning of queen Victoria's reign (1837), the Una and the lion 5 pounds is considered one of the most beautiful british coins. Victoria, standing with a lion, is moving left, with the motto May God direct my steps above her. The young queen, 20 years old, is represented as Lady Una, from Edmund Spencer's The Faerie Queene, a poem written in 1590. This is the first time a british monarch is represented as a fictitious character : England as a lion is guided by Una, personified by queen Victoria, and her sceptre.
750000 €

LOT 1297.
Venice, Paolo Renier (1779-1789). Osella of 4 sequins 1784 - Year VI, Venice. Obv. SALVS IMPERII. The allegory of Security leaning on a rudder, holding a spear, a canon, some cannonballs and an anchor at her feet. Rev. In an endless wreath : PAULI REINERJ PRINC: MUNUS ANNO VI (date) and (mint mark). Mont.3237 - Paol.II-489 ; Gold - 13,91 g - 33 mm - 12h. Top Pop : finest known specimen !

NGC MS 66+. By Fantin Dandolo (FD). With full mint lustre. Uncirculated.
30000 €

LOT 1325.
Victor-Emmanuel III (1900-1946). Gold pattern of 100 lire with Minerva and Agriculture by S. Johnson, Proof and matte 1903, Milan (Johnson). Obv. VITTORIO EMANVELE III. Bare head facing right, signature EB. Rev. REGNO D'ITALIA framing a crowned shield of Savoy. Allegories of Italy and Rome standing, to the right the (date) and L100 ; signature JOHNSON AC INC. Pag.P138 - Luppino PPSJ1 ; Gold - 35 mm - 6h. Top Pop : finest known specimen ! From Nihon Coin Auction 48, December 9th 2018, n°596.

NGC PF 65 MATTE. Proof and matte strike. The obverse is signed by Egidio Boninsegna (EB), the reverse by Angelo Cappuccio (AC) for the firm of Stefano Johnson, in Milan. Mint state, a minimal trace on the tip of the mustache, otherwise full mint lustre. Uncirculated.
80000 €