Prices realized are approaching $7 million in our Signature Auction of Ancient and World Coins, held as an official auction of the New York International Numismatic Convention in New York City. The January 4-5 floor sessions realized in excess of $6.6 million, and after the conclusion of sales of Post Auction Buys and non-floor session material (ending Tuesday, January 13), total prices realized are expected to exceed $7 million. This was the lead event in a week of Heritage auctions that will see more than 18,000 lots of rare coins and currency valued above $50 million sold in New York City and Orlando, Florida.

This auction, Heritage's seventh Official NYINC event at the Waldorf-Astoria, featured nearly 3000 lots of ancient and world coins from 225+ consignors, and could well be our most valuable auction ever of ancient and world coins. Our prior record of $7,157,933 was set only last year at our June Long Beach Signature Auction, so this will be very close. It speaks well of the strength of the world coin market and our global marketing outreach wherever the final numbers fall.

Rarities were included from around the world, but the auction was strengthened by several impressive specialty collections. Among the outstanding consignments were the Grundy Collection (one of the top collections of silver world crowns ever assembled, with 600 crowns renowned for both diversity and quality collected over 35 years), selections From the Deb-Ann Collection (from a serious collector for more than a quarter century), and the Don Kagin Collection of Multiple Thalers (formed over half a century with guidance from his father, Art Kagin, and focusing on specimens of historic importance, rarity, and quality). We were especially gratified to see continued growth in our HERITAGE Live! online bidding system, which was kept constantly busy winning lots for clients around the globe.

The top lot in the auction at $109,250 was a unique ancient silver coin/medallion of Hadrian Augustus (minted A.D. 135-137) From the Deb-Ann Collection. Considered a masterpiece of ancient portraiture (by the 'Alphaeus Master', most likely a member of Hadrian's inner circle, and perhaps the sculptor Antonianus (Antoninianus) of Aphrodisias) at 33.5 mm in width, the obverse has been judged one of the finest among the entire Roman coinage. The reverse features a delightful mythological scene that speaks of Hadrian's patronage of the Greeks, with Poseidon standing, his left foot on a rock, holding a trident upright; at right, Athena stands with her left hand on her hip, and her right hand on an olive branch with a snake coiling from the base of the tree.

Second place honors at the auction were won by another Roman coin, a gold Aureus of Aelius Caesar, minted in 137 A.D., also From the Deb-Ann Collection and formerly from the John Whitney Walter Collection). In "Fleur de Coin" condition, Lot 20077 realized $103,500 against a pre-auction estimate of $40,000 - $50,000. Minted in Rome, the obverse feature a bare-headed and draped bust of Aelius facing right, while the reverse features Pietas holding a box of perfumes and sacrificing over an altar.

Additional rarities featured at NYINC include:

• Canada: George V, 1921 50 Cents, KM25a, MS64 PCGS. Realized $74,750. One of the legendary coins of the Canadian series and rarely available in mint state.
• Mexico: Republic Cap and Rays 8 Reales 1827-Pi JS, San Luis Potosi Mint, KM377.12, Pi-02, MS63 NGC. Realized $63,250. In total, 14 different mints struck these coins, and they became hugely popular in world commerce; this may be the finest extant specimen. This masterpiece in Mexican silver held a pre-auction estimate: $35,000 - $45,000.
• Russia: Peter I 1714 Novodel gold 2 Ducats (Double Chervonets), Bust of Peter I right/Triple Crowned Imperial eagle, Sev 39, UZD 0022, Diakov p21 N, AU58 NGC. Realized $63,250.
• Russia: Peter I (the Great) 1702 Medallic gold Novodel in the weight of 7 Ducats, Laureate and armored bust of Peter I right with the inscription in Russian reading, Tsar Peter Alexeexich Ruler of All Russia/Russian Double-headed eagle, F-81, Diakov 11.3 (R5), Reichel 917, 20.8 gm., lightly cleaned UNC. Realized $57,500. From the Deb-Ann Collection.
• Mexico: Philip V 1733-Mo F Portrait gold 8 Escudos, KM148 (listed as rare), Cayon-10030, Calico-422, MS64 NGC. Realized $54,625. From the Deb-Ann Collection. A majestic coin with a medallic strike, almost perfectly centered on each side with deep denticled rims, broad on the obverse and serving to offset the magnificent portrait as if in a cameo. In 1732, the design of gold coins was changed at the Mexico City mint from the medieval style featuring a huge cross and the royal crest to the portrait type, and the initial dates of 1732 and 1733 are very rare.
• Russia: Alexander II 1879 gold 3 Roubles CПБ-HФ, Triple crowned Imperial eagle/Date and value in circle, Bit-41 (R2), MS62 Prooflike NGC. Realized $48,875. Bitkin lists the mintage as 5 (which may be low), but this date is quite rare.
• Japan: Showa 5 (1930) gold 20 Yen, KM-Y52, MS65 NGC. Realized $48,875. A very rare type which was unattainable before the release of the Japanese Finance Minister holdings.
• France: Louis XV Ecu 1715W, D-1325, G-316, 30.26g, AU50 NGC. Realized $46,000. From the Grundy Collection. Lille mint. Ecu aux 3 Courounnes. One of the great rarities of French numismatics; of the four mints which struck this type, Lille is the only collectible mint.
• Japan: Showa 7 (1932) gold 20 Yen, KM-Y52, MS64 NGC. Realized $43,125.
• Russia: Russian Federation gold 10,000 Roubles 2002, Works of Dionissy, KM-Y784, 32.152g AGW, Choice Proof in the original case with certificate from a mintage of 100. Realized $43,125.
• Russia: Nicholas II Bicentenary of the Victory of the Russian Fleet at Gangut Rouble 1914 BC, Bust right with date/Imperial eagle with value, Bit-337 (R2), Uzd-4202, MS65 NGC. Realized $40,250.
• Japan: Showa 5 (1930) gold 5 Yen, KM-Y51, MS67 NGC. Realized $37,375. Essentially unavailable to collectors for over seventy years until the Japanese Finance Minister hoard was released for public auction.
• Russia: Alexander I Pattern Rouble 1801 CПБ-AI, Bust right/Imperial eagle with date, Bit-632 (R3), Severin-2497, Julian-941, MS61 NGC. Realized $35,938.
• Russia: Paul I Albertus Rouble 1796 БM, Crowned Imperial eagle with date above/Tablet with legend, Bit-14, UZD-1257, MS63 PCGS. Realized $34,500.
• Mexico: Philip V 1715-Mo J gold cob 8 Escudos, Cayon-9950, MS64 NGC. Realized $32,200. From the Deb-Ann Collection.
• Mexico: Felipe V 1743-Mo MF gold 8 Escudos, KM148, MS62 NGC. Realized $32,200. From the Deb-Ann Collection. Ex Norweb (as "proof") with the original flip included.
• Spain: Carlos III (1759-88) 1772-S CF gold 8 Escudos, KM409.2, Cayon-12836, MS64 NGC. Realized $32,200. From the Deb-Ann Collection.