Sale 126 Preface

This is our first auction for 2021 and once again we are offering of a wide variety of material. The catalogue will almost certainly be remembered for the extensive collections of tokens of Ceylon and South Africa as well as North Africa (Egypt) formed by Mark Freehill. Together with the series of medals of India many pieces are illustrated for the first time. This offering virtually completes the sale of Mark Freehill’s important British & Colonial series which commenced in sale 122.

The sale commences with a few spectacular mis-strikes highlighted by the brockage fifty cents of 1976 which comprises three planchets, the first two are jammed together (lot 68). The third session has the miscellaneous items including gold and diamond jewellery, ‘the Pacific’ opal, (lot 468), an interesting range of pocket watches (lots 489-510), David Lennox Croshier’s trophy Rhinoceros horn (c1919) (lot 543), Aboriginal bark paintings by named artists of the Northern Territory in the 1950s (lots 580-612), and artworks including a series of nine oil paintings by David Boyd (lots 633-641).

The fourth session at 4.30pm commences with British Gold Coins including a Noble of Edward III (lot 715) from the D.G.L Worland Collection. This is then followed by an attractive set in eight lots (743-750) of German New Guinea coins from the late J.L Miller Collection. In Australian Historical Medals the most important is the Ballarat Cricket Club 1862 hand crafted medal in silver (lot 811) from the late Dr. John Chapman Collection, and late in the session Captain Cook related medals from the late Dr. W.J.D Mira Collection.

The fifth or evening session commences at 7.30pm with proclamation coins in all metals, followed by a NSW Dump (lot 928) and Australian gold coins from various collections. Australian Commonwealth includes early proofs originally from the George Fenton Collection, the rarest being the Royal Visit florin ex Spink Christies Melbourne sale (lot 1037).

World coins occupy sessions 6 &7 the next morning, the Ceylon tokens are believed to be the most comprehensive in private hands and present an opportunity for the specialist not to be missed (lots 1212-1250). The Paul Kruger five shillings 1892 (lots 1455-1460) collected by J.L. Miller exemplifying his enthusiasm for the coin having collected at least 15 examples. The finest double shaft we have handled, highlights the offering (lot 1458). The Freehill Collection of South African tokens is the most comprehensive we know of at present (lots 1465-1535). World gold coins complete the seventh session; of the five French hammered issues, the last, a demi ecu d’or of Francis I is a rarity originating from an 18th century collection (lot 1627). 

The eighth session at 2.30pm offers world historical medals including an important Indian collection formed by Mark. E. Freehill (lots 1728-1777). The third and final part of the late Brian Bennett’s collection of Police badges and accessories follows (lots 1821-1911). The session concludes with stamps including the J.P. Melick collection of China, South East Asia and Japan (lots 1953-1983). 

The ninth session commences with New Zealand banknotes, featuring the Robert Tonner Collection of Trading bank issues (lots 1989-2053). World banknotes A-Z follow on from the New Zealand collection.

The second and final evening session commences at 7.30pm and is devoted to all Australian banknote categories. Among important bank share certificates, share number three for The Bank of Van Demien’s Land 1824, lot 2274, is a unique offering from the Dr W.J.D Mira Collection. Bill Mira regarded this as a very important historical document of an early bank. The first or number 1 Commonwealth Bank cheque for one pound, Sydney, 20th January 1913 is also unique and a valuable document (lot 2293).

The next morning at 9.30am and 11.30am the sale offers an extensive series of Greek and Roman coins in all metals. Four Siculo Punic tetradrachms (lots 2561-2564) should excite bidders. The ancient gold is highlighted by a choice gold tri - hemistater of Carthage (lot 2836 ex Hannibal Collection, Sale 112) and is thought to be from The Tunis hoard of 1948.

The Byzantine gold is one the best offerings seen in Australia (lots 2858-2888). The ancients conclude with Byzantine bronze lots from the Dr.V.J.A Flynn Collection (lots 3087-3109).

The thirteenth and final session commences at 2.30pm and is devoted orders, decorations, medals and militaria, beginning with Australian medals and groups. Among the highlights is a large collection of Zulu War medals (lots 3223-3241) with one very rare award to a defender at the historic battle at Rorke’s Drift (lot 3228). There are several bravery award groups, and groups to soldiers killed in action or wounded in action including several for the Gallipoli campaign. There are also some World War II prisoner of war groups, one of which (lot 3204) was to a POW killed when the unmarked ship transporting prisoners, the Montivideo Maru, was sunk by an American submarine. 

Also of interest is a very rare Tasmania Meritorious Service Medal (lot 3211) with no recorded issues of same. Another interesting item is a Polar Medal with clasp ‘Antarctic 1930-31’ (lot 3143) to a member of Sir Douglas Mawson’s British, Australian, & New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition. This is just a small sample of the interesting and unusual medals and badges on offer.

On behalf of the company I would like to thank all our vendors who have helped to create a most interesting and diverse sale in what have been difficult times for businesses. We look forward to being of assistance to all participants in their viewing and bidding.