Rare coins worth an estimated $8 million US (about $10.1 million Cdn.) are set to cross the block at this year’s Tokyo International Coin Convention (TICC) in a joint auction hosted by the British Royal Mint and Taisei Coins, Japan’s largest numismatic firm.
The numismatic firms have joined forces to offer the April 29 sale, which is now open for online registration and pre-bidding. Among the 800-plus lots, three “particularly rare items” include a Japanese rare Oban (a large gold coin); a Henry VII fine gold 20-shilling sovereign; and an 1817 “Three Graces” crown.
A 16th-century Japanese Oban, a gold coin, also stands among the sale’s top highlights.
“We announced the partnership and auction with Taisei Coins last September, and we are delighted to finally reveal the full catalogue of coins that will be on offer,” said Rebecca Morgan, the Royal Mint’s collector services director. “Bringing together the best of rare British, Japanese and international coins, we feel this is the pinnacle of coin auctions, and we’re delighted to partner with Taisei Coins on this.”
Masahiro Oka, the president of Taisei Coins, said his firm’s relationship with the Royal Mint has spanned for more than half a century, “and this joint auction is a testament to the mutual trust.”
“We want to thank the Royal Mint and the Japan Numismatic Dealers Association (JNDA), the organizer of TICC, for the permission and effort to make this possible. I think this joint auction has a particularly special meaning since it will be the first time for TICC to be held in two years. Taisei and JNDA acknowledge the significance of this joint auction and are making the necessary arrangements to make it a memorable event like exhibitions centred around the Royal Mint in 2022.”
An 1817 ‘Three Graces’ crown is expected to draw wide interest in this April’s auction in Tokyo.
To view a full digital catalogue or register for and bid in the auction, visit the Taisei Coins or Royal Mint website.