Heritage Auctions is set to offer a historic opportunity for numismatists, as it presents the Elite Coenen Collection of Dutch and Colonial Coins in its World and Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction, taking place on November 1-2. This event is anticipated to be a landmark sale, featuring selections from what is regarded as the most complete and premier collection of coins from the Netherlands ever assembled.
Cris Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage Auctions, remarked, “This is an extraordinary auction, showcasing elite coins for collectors with interests traveling world coins to ancient gems. The Coenen Collection stands out as perhaps the finest collection of Netherlands and Dutch Colonial coins in existence. Additionally, the ancient coin section features top-tier examples from important periods such as the Byzantine era, with multiple coins ranking at the top of their population.”
Highlights from the Elite Coenen Collection
Among the 21 exceptional lots from the Coenen Collection is a Provincial gold Proof Pattern Ducaton (Silver Rider) 1672 PR63 NGC. This coin is unique as the only certified example across both NGC and PCGS, and Heritage Auctions experts note it as the first of its kind in the 11 Ducat weight to appear at auction in recent history.
As part of the famous Dutch Rider series, this piece describes one of the best off-metal and off-weight specimens ever presented by Heritage. The Ducaton, or Silver Rider, first appeared in 1659 in the Seven Provinces and gained popularity during the 17th century when the Netherlands was a major global power. While silver issues are already highly demanded, rare off-metal gold presentation pieces, like this one, elevate their appeal to a completely different level because of their rarity and historical value.
Another highlight is a near-choice Willem I silver Proof Trial 25 Cents 1817 PR62 NGC, an exceptional trial piece considered extremely rare by the famous numismatist Schulman. This particular coin is noted for its scarcity, with no other certified examples known apart from this piece, and auction records are scarce for this trial type. The coin’s near-choice designation is attributed to minimal handling marks on its open areas, which are typical for its open-plan design. This trial, along with another example, made headlines in September 2023, bringing bids exceeding $90,000 each.
British Coin Highlights
The auction will also excite British coin collectors with 209 lots that have exceptional offerings such as a Victoria gold “Coronation” Medal 1838 MS63 NGC. Designed by Benedetto Pistrucci, this coronation medal is a highly coveted type in gold, making it an important addition to a comprehensive collection of British numismatic history. It is the second-highest graded example to be auctioned by Heritage in recent years, placing it among the top three in the census.
Additionally, a George III gold Proof Sovereign 1817 PR63 Cameo NGC stands out as a particularly rare gem. With just 10 entries on NGC’s census and nine on PCGS’s, this coin is far scarcer than the more frequently encountered 1817 Half Sovereign, making it a prize addition for collectors specializing in British gold.
French Coin Selections
The auction features an excellent range of French coins, including a pair of important Republic gold 100 Francs coins. The first is a near-Gem 100 Francs 1896-A MS64 NGC from a mintage of just 400, while the second is an 1894-A MS61 NGC, an even rarer specimen from an original mintage of only 143. Another notable piece is a Napoleon gold “King of Rome” Medal 1811-Dated MS60 NGC, commemorating the birth of Napoleon’s son, known as the “King of Rome.” This historically important and collectible medal is rarely seen in such a format.
Ancient Coins Offerings
In addition to the Dutch, British, and French selections, the auction has two distinct sessions dedicated to ancient coins. These sessions contain nearly all major regions of antiquarian numismatics. Among the highlights is a unique Unpublished Stater of Menelaus, King of Cyprus, marking the first major auction appearance of a Menelaus coin in over 20 years.
Other ancient treasures have a Syracuse decadrachm featuring a charioteer and quadriga, and a Macedonian Alexander III the Great AR decadrachm (33mm, 36.58 g) graded NGC VF 4/5 – 1/5. The auction’s ancient coin section also caters to Judean collectors with offerings such as a Jewish War (AD 66-70) AR half-shekel (18mm, 6.61 g) graded Choice AU 5/5 – 3/5, and a Jewish War (AD 66-70) AR shekel (22mm, 13.74 g) graded Choice AU★ 5/5 – 4/5. It is noted that while approximately 220 Year 3 shekels are known to have survived, only about 105 half-shekels are recorded to exist, highlighting their rarity.
A particularly rare piece in the sale is a Constantine XI Palaeologus AR eighth-starvation (12mm, 0.63 g) graded NGC Choice XF 3/5 – 4/5. Though small and natural, this coin has deep historical value, having been minted from melted silver holy vessels to fund the desperate defense of Constantinople before its fall to the Ottoman Army in 1453. For those curious about its worth today, a coin value checker can provide insights into its rarity and estimated value.
The auction also features Imperial Roman coins, including a Gold AV Aureus of Otho (AD 69) graded NGC Choice VF 4/5 – 3/5. As one of only 14 lots from the Lattermer Collection, this aureus is highly valued, often considered a cornerstone in the collection of coins representing the first 12 Caesars.
The upcoming auction is an important event, drawing interest from collectors and investors alike, with opportunities to acquire some of the rarest and most historic coins ever to appear at auction.