Specialist valuer, Ken Payne was intrigued to hear the story behind some of the high-estimate lots in June’s Collectable Coins and Banknotes auction. The coins have lain, individually wrapped in tissue, inside of a purse since they journeyed from Australia to the UK with the vendor’s great aunt in 1911. It seems they are uncirculated as a result of this.
The rediscovered Australian coin lots comprise:
A set of four 1911 George V Australian silver coins: Florin, Shilling, Sixpence, and Threepence. Estimate – £1,500-£2,500
A set of four 1910 Edward VII Australian silver coins: Florin, Shilling, Sixpence, and Threepence. Estimate – £500-£700
A further set of four 1910 Edward VII Australian silver coins: Florin, Shilling, Sixpence, and Threepence. Estimate – £500-£700
Also of note in this auction is a two-coin set marking the 75th anniversary of Operation Fish, which saw the secret transportation of British Wealth to Canada early in WWII (1940). The set is made up of a Royal Mint 1912 George V Gold Sovereign and a Canadian 75 Dollar 2015. The estimate on this lot is £600-£800.
Ken’s final pick of the auction is another lot connected to WWII. This time, it is a London Mint WWII silver bullion bar from the ocean depths, The 99.9% war silver weighs 310g and is from SS Gairsoppa that went down in 1941. It’s an authenticated lot in a case, with a certificate, booklet, and outer box. Its limited edition number is 0486/4700 and it’s marketed with an estimate of £150-£250.
View the full auction catalogue here: Collectable Coins and Banknotes. It’s a timed, online auction and bids can be placed up to 6pm on June 18th.