Coins

The Premier Sale held by St James’s Auctions on September 22 includes this gold half guinea token with a ‘phoenix from the flames’ motif made for Wilson and Younge of Sheffield in 1812.

The 264 English gold coins in the so-called Ellerby Hoard, uncovered by a Yorkshire family while re-laying a floor in an 18th century home, range from the reign of James I to George I.

Away from London, some exceptional coin sales coming up in Europe include a number of outstanding British issues.

Bonhams has closed its coin and medals department in London and specialist John Millensted will now work as a consultant to the firm.

You reported on the front page of the ATG (No 2550) that Bonhams has added another auction house to its expanding stable.

An Anglo-Saxon gold shilling or thrymsa dating from 650- 670AD took £15,000 at Dix Noonan Webb in Mayfair.

The most cherished coin from the reign of Victoria proved popular at a German saleroom

The sales figures and market share of the top London auction houses in 2021

The most cherished coin from the reign of Victoria is the 1839 gold £5 piece by William Wyon.

A three-quarters-length bust of a bare-chested Antinous, the favourite of Hadrian, appears on this medallic coin minted in Mantinea, Arcadia, c.134AD.

Price increases and a good supply fired the London coins and medals market to record levels in 2021

The 150th Victoria Cross ever awarded sold for £180,000 at London auction house Spink on July 29.

The sale at Sovereign Rarities on September 21 included this Charles I (1625-49), silver pattern unite (20 shillings) dated 1630.

The fourth and final part of the North Yorkshire Moors collection of coins and medals sold by Dix Noonan Webb included some exceptional examples from the Interregnum.

Spink offered 52 coins from one of the ‘lost’ parcels of Alderman Horace Hird (1899-1973), former president of the Yorkshire Numismatic Society.

This ‘cameo’ version of the 1847 gothic crown is one of the finest available for commerce.

Stamps specialist Harmers is a newcomer to London numismatic sales.

The finest-known example of a New England shilling sold for £220,000 at Morton & Eden in London on November 26.