COINS AT TENNANTS
In a challenging year, Tennants Auctioneers’ Coins, Tokens and Banknotes Sales have proved their strength and stability, and auction prices remain buoyant for both collectable coins and gold. Buyers have embraced digital technology, taking greater advantage of the remote bidding solutions offered by the North Yorkshire auctioneers which draws bidders from across the world
The year got off to a strong start when Tennants recorded their highest ever sale total for a Coin Sale on 12 February, having achieved a total hammer price of £168,680 for 179 lots. A near-perfect sale, a rarity in the auction world, only one lot went unsold. Tennants’ Coin Consultant said of the sale “This was a small but select sale, full of collector’s pieces and a number of high-quality rarities that drew in an engaged and eager audience of buyers”.
The top lot of the sale was a 1937 Gold Four Coin Specimen Set in superb condition, in the original case, which must have delighted the vendor when it exceeded the £4,500-5,500 estimate to sell for a punchy £8,700 (plus buyer’s premium). Other results of note included a George V Proof Five Pounds from 1911 (S3994) in about flawless condition, which sold for £7,500.
Following lockdown, Tennants’ postponed second sale of the year on 17 June took place behind closed doors, but still achieved impressive results well above top estimate. The sale was led by a 1937 George V
Four Coin Gold Proof Set in the original official box of issue, which sold above top estimate for £7,200. Gold proof sets sold confidently across the sale, with top prices going to a ‘Countdown to London’ Set of Four Gold Proof £5 Coins issued to commemorate the 2012 London Olympics (sold for £5,500) and a Gold Proof Sovereign Five Coin Collection issued in 2012 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (sold for £4,100).
Tennants’ achieved a ‘White Glove’ auction in their 19 August sale, in which every lot sold, and strong results were seen across the board. Gold once again proved its worth, but the sale also contained a good offering of early collectors’ coins. The sale was opened with a Byzantine Empire Gold Solidus of Heraclius (610-641AD), which sold for £450. The coin depicted Heraclius flanked by his two sons Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas and was in almost extremely fine condition. The sale also included a good collection of early English hammered, which garnered competitive bidding. Highlights of the collection included an Aethelred
Silver Penny (Helmet Type, London Mint) in almost extremely fine condition, which sold for £320, and a rare Richard III
Groat (London Mint) in very good to fine condition, which sold for £600 against an estimate of £250-350.
If you have a collection you are thinking of selling, contact Tennants for a free, no obligation valuation on enquiry@tennantsltd.co.uk or 01969 623780. All prices quoted are hammer price, excluding Buyer’s Premium of 20% plus VAT (24% inclusive).