Exhibition stamps returned to sender
DESPITE huge overseas interest and firm prices at the recent Mowbray’s international stamp and coin auctions, a series of postage stamps featuring the 1925 New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition did not sell.
The halfpenny, penny and fourpenny stamps, worth a couple of cents when they were sold at the exhibition in Dunedin, had an estimated auction value of $3800.
They did not sell at the Wellington auction last weekend, but Mowbray Collectables auctioneer John Mowbray said there was strong online bidding on other stamps at the auction.
An 1840 example of the world’s first postage stamp — a Penny Black, featuring Queen Victoria — sold for $10,000; and a preWorld War 2 New Zealand specialised health stamp cover collection sold for $4000 — four times the preauction estimate.
A veteran of stamp and coin auctions for over 45 years, Mr Mowbray said online presence was rapidly increasing and had greatly enhanced the international interest that could be achieved for stamp and coin auction events.
He said the recent death of the Queen had a positive effect on both the international online response to the auctions and for the prices achieved for coins in particular.
‘‘There was definitely higher interest in coinage with the Queen’s head on it and prices were firm.’’
The twoday auction event contained more than one thousand lots and resulted in $1 million dollars in sales.
‘‘With a preauction estimate of $1000, the pristine set featuring the late Queen Elizabeth finally sold at auction for over $4000.’’
The top price for the weekend was $33,000 for a set of rare Chinese gold coins from 1981
The coins, featuring a leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and dragon, had an estimated value of $23,900 and went to an overseas buyer.
An 1852 Adelaide Pound from the time of the Australian gold rushes, sold for $21,500 — up from the estimated $19,700 auction price.