Submitted by aarAdmin on Thu, 06/19/2025 - 00:00
More than $600,000 was realised for a valuable collection of gold coins at Melbourne-based Leski Auctions June 17 Coins & Stamps sale.
The coins belonged to a family whose father passed away and the mother is about to be moved into aged care.
The most valuable coins in the collection were Perth Mint sovereigns struck between 1899 and 1931 (lots 41 and 42) in felt-lined timber cases – each of which sold for $38,000.
The sets numbered respectively 15 and 43 of only 70 produced represent every sovereign struck and issued under Queen Victoria (1899-1901), King Edward II (1902-10) and King George V (1911-31) and uncirculated.
Lot 41 included the highly sought-after Perth Mint 1899 Centenary Sovereign Proof.
The Perth Mint 1899-1931 Sovereign Series featured several of Australia’s key sovereign dates.
Of particular note was the rare 1926P, with the scarce 1925P, 1927, and 1929P sovereigns also major highlights. Another notable coin was the 1899P, the third-lowest minted sovereign from 1855-1919, and crucial dates were the World War I era 1916P and 1917P.
Other popular coins in the set included the three dates to carry the modified George V portrait – the low mintage 1928P, the rare 1930P and the last issue 1931P.
Two sets of Perth Mint collections of 12 sovereigns (1900-1911 and 1912-1923) in presentation albums (lots 43 and 49) entitled “Australia’s Prestige Gold Sovereign Collection” – with accompanying certificates from Melbourne coin dealers Downie’s who advertised these as two of only 50 sets they were able to assemble in 1996 – sold respectively for $13,000 and $12,500.
Sets of 1995-2003 Floral Emblems of Australia, each comprising nine either 22-carat or 24-carat gold coins in felt-lined timber cases, also sold within or at the top of their catalogue estimates.
The pick was lot 197 – comprising 24-carat $150 coins – which changed hands for $20,000, while lots 196, 195 and 194 respectively sold for $13,000 and $12,500 each.
Two Sydney 2000 $100 gold proof coin sets, comprising eight different designs (lots 208 and 209), brought $11,500 and an Australian nugget 2000 proof $200 coin (lot 207) changed hands for $9200.
