Cara Collection of British Rarities Returns to Spotlight in Heritage’s World & Ancient Coins Auction

1839 “Una and the Lion” 5 pounds and ancient coins featuring three usurping rulers also among November 6-7 event highlights DOWNLOAD DIGITAL PRESS KIT DALLAS, Texas (October 21, 2025) — Exceptional offerings from the second part of an extraordinary collection will grab a share of the spotlight when they cross the block in Heritage’s Nov. 6-7 World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction. Six lots in the auction hail from The Cara Collection of Highly Provenanced British Rarities, Part II. Part I of the collection produced several highlights in Heritage’s CSNS World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction in May. Among the top draws in the collection is Victoria gold Proof “Una and the Lion” 5 Pounds 1839 PR62 Deep Cameo PCGS that is one of engraver William Wyon’s most celebrated and arguably most famous designs. This Deep Cameo beauty is a magnificent example of a coin that is enormously popular throughout the collecting community. This 1839 example is graded at an appreciable near-Choice designation and is a true prize for an advanced collector hoping to attain one of the most iconic issues of British numismatics. Also from the Cara Collection is an Elizabeth I (1558-1603) gold “Ship” Ryal of 15 Shillings ND (1584-1586) MS63 NGC that is one of the most coveted and intensely hunted pieces in British numismatics, and among the last coinage to be struck in this medieval design style. These breathtaking types are certainly ultra-rarities when located in such pristine condition, and demand for this piece is only increased by its proud gold WINGS sticker and impeccable list of provenances. It represents a spectacular opportunity to acquire a high-quality piece that is considered one of the greatest numismatic rarities of the Elizabethan era and one that would make a great trophy in an advanced cabinet. “This is an exceptional collection for the most discerning collectors of British coins,” says Kyle Johnson, Heritage’s Managing Director of World & Ancient Coins. “These coins are both examples of the pinnacle of British numismatics that every serious collector would love to have in any grade, let alone Proof/Mint State. They are made even better by their impressive provenances.” A British Colony. George II gold Counterstamped 8 Escudos (Doubloon) ND (c. 1773) XF45 NGC is one of four incredibly rare counterstamped Jamaican gold coins, this plugged piece virtually never encountered on the marketplace and hailing from the Virgil Brand collection. It is one of the most sought-after types in the Jamaican counterstamped series, referred to across references as a Private Token, Doubloon or 8 Escudos. Presumably, this Cob was plugged up to full weight by George Clinton, an active goldsmith during the 1770s and 1780s. Such examples are exceedingly rare, with only three recorded pieces known, this one bearing the impressive and desirable Ex. Brand pedigree. Another top British coin in the auction is an Edward III (1327-1377) gold Noble ND (1356-1361) MS66 NGC, a masterful example of this iconic English gold issue that is among the earliest types in this metal available to collectors of British coinage. This is one of only two Pre-Treaty Edward III Nobles awarded with an MS66 by NGC, an awesome feat that is sure to draw plenty of attention and bidding interest. One visually striking offering is a George VI gold Proof 5 Pounds 1937 PR66 Cameo NGC that is a one-year, Proof-only type struck during the King’s Coronation year and offered in a 5 Pound denomination, which was not revived until the reign of Elizabeth II. The mintage of this issue is not insignificant, but quality, well-maintained Proofs, especially Cameos, are in great demand within the collecting community. This Gem Cameo specimen is of an elite quality not often encountered on the market. Cryptocurrency collectors will be drawn to a Casascius gold-plated brass “Storage Bar” Bearer Bar Loaded (Unredeemed) 1 Bitcoin (BTC) 2011 Genuine PCGS. These Storage Bars were the very first Casascius items issued unfunded, allowing original owners to load a custom amount of Bitcoin via the assigned firstbits and public address. The precise number of funded and unredeemed examples remains unknown, but their extreme scarcity is clear, with only the rarest appearances on the secondary market. Modeled after the form of a 10-ounce gold bar, the design is both striking and historically important within the Casascius series. It is one of the earliest user-funded crypto collectibles, with few known survivors. Ancients The auction boasts an extraordinary selection of ancient coins, including a trio of coins that celebrate Roman leaders who usurped power during the third century. The coins typically portrayed people who ruled for a short period of time. A Jotapian (ca. autumn AD 249). AR antoninianus. NGC (photo-certificate) AU 4/5 - 2/5 is one of just a handful of coins known for Jotapian, the eastern province ruler who led a revolt in autumn of 249 AD. This coin, which features Victory on the reverse, was crudely produced, strongly indicating that Jotapian did not control a mint to strike them. Not much else is known about Jotapian, proving that coins helped obscure figures to leave a mark on history. A Regalianus (usurper, AD 260). AR antoninianus. NGC (photo certificate) VF 3/5 - 1/5, overstruck, edge chip, bends is a magnificent example of a coin celebrating a ruler who rose to power during a time when the Empire was in complete chaos. All known coins from this reign are overstruck, and this specimen displays part of Septimius Severus’s portrait on the reverse, along with the partial legend “ART MA.” A Uranius Antoninus (AD 253-254). BI denarius. NGC Choice AU 4/5 - 3/5 is only the fourth known example of this attractive and magnificent rarity. Uranius Antoninus shows that, in addition to city bronzes, gold coin dies were used for denarii, which were presumably distributed as part of an issue for the city’s New Year’s festival in September/October 253 AD. A BITHYNIA. Cius. Ca. 350-300 BC. AV stater. NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 4/5 is a highly attractive example from a rare issue that offers a previously unknown magistrate. It always is a highlight when an auction has a Macedonian distater, but it is an extraordinary treat when four different examples are offered — as is the case in this auction, which features among its offerings a MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AV distater. NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5. The distater was likely employed to pay many of Alexander’s veteran soldiers, who were rewarded for their labors with the equivalent of a silver talent. With the new denomination, a talent could be paid out as 120 gold distaters. Despite their size and enormous buying power, gold distaters evidently circulated heavily, for most specimens found today display considerable wear and numerous contact marks … but this attractive specimen is nearly mark-free. An Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR cistophorus. NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style, brushed, with its sphinx reverse, should spark spirited bidding for this rare and popular type with exceptionally intricate detail. A Julian II, as Augustus (AD 360-363). AV solidus. NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style is tied for the finest certified example. This gorgeous solidus features Julian II with a sharp, high-relief portrait of the emperor sporting his pagan “philosopher’s beard.” Twelve Caesars collectors will be drawn immediately to a Claudius I (AD 41-54). AV aureus. NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 4/5, light marks with the elegant Pax-Nemesis reverse that displays a gesture — spitting on one’s chest — that the Romans believed warded off ill fortunes. Images and information about all lots in the auction can be found at HA.com/3126. Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world's largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Heritage also enjoys the highest Online traffic and dollar volume of any auction house on earth (source: SimilarWeb and Hiscox Report). The Internet's most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has more than 2 million registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of 7,000,000 past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. Reproduction rights routinely granted to media for photo credit. For breaking stories, follow us: HA.com/Facebook and HA.com/Twitter . Link to this release or view prior press releases . Hi-Res images available: Steve Lansdale, Public Relations Specialist 214-409-1699 or SteveL@HA.com