The most extensive private collection of ancient and medieval coins, mainly related to the Romanian circulation area, including some extreme rarities, is being auctioned on Friday, July 14, in Bucharest.
The 212 old pieces – Celtic, Dacian, Greek, Roman imperial and republican, but also medieval and modern Romanian, present a unique historical and cultural significance and offer a historical perspective on the evolution of Romanian civilization in the Carpatho-Danubian-Pontic space – the „Little Big Passions” event. Numismatics and Medals Auction” on Friday, July 14 at noon, contains a valuable source of information about the culture and economy of important local and regional civilizations and highlights how the ancient empires imposed their authority over the Romanian space or they influenced its evolution, as well as the trade exchanges and cultural contacts of the respective eras.
The impressive ancient coins are of great scientific interest, most of them being in a good state of preservation. An example is the Lepton rarity of the Demetra type minted in Histria in the c. III-II BC, which has a starting price of 1,000 euros. The rare bronze piece was purchased by the collector from an auction house in Ohio, USA, and is accompanied by provenance documentation. Another rare ancient coin is the Alexander the Great Tetradrachm, Callatis (Mangalia) type, with a starting price of 1,250 euros.
The silver piece dates from the century III BC, was purchased by the collector from an auction house in California, USA, and is accompanied by the purchase papers. Another rare occurrence is the Herakles-type Drachma coin, also minted at Callatis (Mangalia), made of silver, with a starting price of 1,000 euros. A collector bought the collector’s item from 200 B.C.E. from an auction house in London, UK.
During the July 14 auction, you can also discover a unique selection of medieval coins minted by the great rulers of Moldova and Wallachia. Scarce and of great numismatic value is the Double Thick silver coin, minted by Stephen II of Moldavia (1433-1445) and the Half Thick coin, minted by Bogdan III (1504-1517), which have starting price of 500 euros each.
The auction contains new or rare pieces in its modern history section of Romania. Thus, the 20 lei coin from 1870 appears on July 14. The gold collector’s piece graded XF 40, has a starting price of 3,750 euros. Another critical piece is the pair of „Our Transylvania” gold medals from 1944. The two copies together have a starting price of 1,000 euros and depict portraits of historical figures. A few rare banknotes will also appear in Friday’s auction – including the first Romanian banknote from 1877. The 10 lei mortgage-ticket banknote has a starting price of 600 euros.
The ancient coins, banknotes and medals, expertized by recognized numismatic specialists, can be admired at the Cesianu-Racoviță Palace until Friday, July 14, at 11:00 a.m. „Little Big Passions. Numismatics and Medals Auction” will be held exclusively online, on the Artmark Live 2.0 platform, in the new Timed Online Auction format.
