Paramount Collection tops $50M at auction with new British coin record

With realizations nearing $42 million US (about $52.92 million Cdn.), more than 700 world and ancient coins crossed the block as the Paramount Collection in late March.

Offered by Heritage Auctions, the collection featured dozens of lots considered to be unique plus more than 100 multiple-ducat gold coins. Many of these large-format gold issues commemorate marriages and deaths, highlight the horrors of war and mark the beginnings of revolutions and reformations.

“This is by far the most significant collection of world and ancient coins ever offered by Heritage, and it is likely the most significant collection to come on the market in at least a generation,” said Cristiano Bierrenbach, executive vice-president of international numismatics with the Texas-based auction house.

The sale included at least one major record-breaking realization: a 1937 Edward VIII £5 sovereign pattern – marking the king’s abdication rather than his coronation – sold for $2.28 million US. It’s now the most expensive British coin.

The March 25-27 sale included two other lots – a 1662 Charles II proof gold pattern crown and a 1773 George III five-guinea proof gold coin – that sold for more than $750,000 US.

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