Heritage to Offer the Finest Collection of Korean Coinage in its June Long Beach Sale

Dallas, Texas: Heritage is proud to announce the sale of the Piedmont Collection in its upcoming June Long Beach Signature Sale. One of the finest collections of its kind, the Piedmont Collection is possibly the finest collection of Korean coinage ever auctioned in the United States. Also included in the collection are numerous Japanese and a few Chinese rarities, all of which are equally significant. The sale, which is the official auction of the Long Beach Coin Expo, will be conducted June 8-9, 2000 at the Long Beach Convention Center in southern California.

According to Bob Korver, Director of Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc., "The Piedmont Collection represents more than 1000 years of Asian numismatics. A now deceased California collector assembled this collection in the 1930s-1960s. Through speaking and writing Korean, he became enamored with Korea, the Orient, and, most importantly, its coinage. Since all of the coins in the Piedmont Collection have been off the market for at least 35 years, I anticipate that collectors from around the world will focus their attention on Long Beach this coming June."

The list of distinguished rarities in the Piedmont Collection is nearly as long as the collection's roster itself. "A near-complete offering of 1886-1910 Korean coins, including numerous patterns in various metals, forms the centerpiece of the Piedmont Collection," noted Warren Tucker, Heritage's World Coin Cataloger. "Nearly every coin is Mint State, and some of the patterns trace their pedigrees back to Sotheby's 1954 sale of King Farouk's Palace Collection." Highlights include: Korean gold 5, 10, and 20 won; silver Whan and Warn; three denominations of Russian influence coinage; an 1892 five-piece proof set; and 16 patterns in white metal and bronze. "Several 1905 and 1906 proof coins are also included," continued Tucker. "These pieces are not listed in any reference book and, as far as I know, nobody has seen them before."

Japanese offerings include extensive gold issues, Choice specimens of most Meiji 3 silver types, many early date Meiji coppers in BU, assorted provincial issues, and a set of Leprosarium coins. Noted Tucker: "The Leprosarium coins are particularly noteworthy. This is quite possibly only the second set offered in the United States, and the coins are undeniably rare. Over the course of 34 years in the rare coin industry and more than 25 trips to Japan, this is the only Leprosarium set that I have seen."

An undated Sinkiang (Chinese Turkestan) silver Sungarei pattern dragon dollar heads the Piedmont Collection's list of memorable Chinese selections. "This issue is one of the classic rarities in Chinese coinage," stated Tucker. "The present piece grades XF and surpasses the representatives in both the Irving Goodman Collection and the Kann book." An equally important Sinkiang undated gold 2 miskals is also included in the Chinese offerings.

Consignments for June Long Beach Signature Sale are being accepted through April 27. For more information on consigning, please contact the Heritage Consignor Hotline at 1-800-US COINS (800-872-6467) Ext. 222.