|
Croydon had a little good fortune with the weather in their January auction, in that the anticipated snow was delayed until the evening of the 5th, which meant that over 50 people were able to attend. There were a few multiple lots to start, which, as often, sold to room bidders at rather more than expected. We were soon into pennies, as popular as ever, the highlight being 1849 slight surface marks, virt Unc, slight lustre, which sold at £2200. Halfpennies were also good, with some small groups of Victorian & later selling for considerably above expectations. Gold was a little patchy, where collectors and investors are finding that they are getting rather less for their money these days; however a half guinea of 1740, virt EF found a room buyer at £2000. Fractional farthings did well, as did farthings, particularly the rare 1875H young head, F530. Croydon had sold the Freeman example in 2005 for £280, and this example sold for £500 in much the same grade (VF); the Freeman coin was cleaned & re-toned, this one was not. Strangely enough, for such a rare coin, another example will be offered in May, so for the underbidders there is another chance. A 1746/5 shilling, GEF/EF in a USA NGC slab AU55 headed back to USA at £700. A 1927 proof set sold at £440. There were some good highlights among crowns, with 1691 AVF-VF with some flaws selling at £550, a 1700 GEF with some haymarking at £750, 1707 R&P GVF at £600. The wreaths sold at estimate or a little below, so they were not quite as popular as in recent sales. Maundies were good as sets and individually; this is an area where prices have moved ahead dramatically. It seems that a 50% increase in a year or 2 is the case with some sets. There were some interesting foreign lots which sold at over estimate, and hammered had some good successes, an Eadred portrait 1d selling at £950. Roman was patchy, as seems to be the case recently, giving a chance to buy around estimate.We look forward to our May sale, which has a number of bronze rarities, including the 1885 penny, as far as we know unique, on the cover of Michael Gouby’s specialist book. |
