Copeland Roberts Auction 018 Realises More Than $836,000

One of the most encouraging features of Auction 018 was the breadth of demand.

Competitive bidding was not confined to a handful of headline rarities. Strong results were recorded across Australian pre-decimal coins, sovereigns, complete decimal collections, modern Perth Mint silver issues and international coinage.

Substantial collections performed particularly well. These results demonstrated the market’s continuing appetite for complete, carefully assembled collections when they are accurately described, clearly photographed and offered with realistic estimates.

A 1922 Australian Penny with the English obverse, certified PCGS MS64RB, was one of the strongest Australian pre-decimal results.

The coin retained considerable original red colour and was one of only seven examples certified at that grade by PCGS, with just one graded higher.

Estimated at $2,000-$2,500, the penny sold for $5,124 including buyer’s premium.

The result was a strong reminder that, in the Australian bronze market, exceptional condition can make all the difference. While the 1922 English obverse penny is already a recognised scarcity, a coin with this degree of preservation and original colour sits in a very different class from the more commonly encountered circulated examples.

Another notable result was a 1943 WWII Hay Internment Camp Threepence, graded by PCGS as MS64RB.

Estimated at $200-$300, it realised $1,342 including buyer’s premium after attracting sustained competition.

Australian WWII internment camp tokens combine historical significance with numismatic scarcity. The strength of this result demonstrated the premium collectors may place on well-preserved and independently certified examples.

A complete Australian decimal coin collection spanning 1966 to 2023 proved to be one of the most hotly contested lots of the auction.

The collection comprised 531 uncirculated coins housed across five albums. Estimated at $900-$1,500, it sold for $3,111 including buyer’s premium.

The lot attracted 44 absentee and live bids.

Complete collections can offer considerable appeal because they allow a buyer to acquire years of dedicated collecting in a single purchase. Clear organisation, completeness and strong overall presentation can also make an established collection more accessible to a wider range of bidders.

A comprehensive date run of Australian one-ounce Silver Kookaburra coins also performed strongly.

The collection comprised 34 uncirculated coins covering the period from 1990 to 2022, together with a 2012 Dragon Privy Mark issue. The coins contained a combined actual silver weight of 34 troy ounces and were presented in a Dansco Supreme album.

Estimated at $2,500-$3,000, the collection realised $4,758 including buyer’s premium.

The lot received 46 absentee and live bids, demonstrating the continuing crossover between precious-metal buyers, Perth Mint collectors and collectors seeking complete modern date runs.

Australian sovereigns formed one of the most substantial sections of Auction 018 and attracted competitive bidding across a wide range of dates, mints, and grades.

A 1931-M Melbourne Mint Sovereign catalogued as Uncirculated sold for $2,867 including buyer’s premium, against an estimate of $1,400-$1,700.

An 1863 Sydney Mint Sovereign graded Extremely Fine realised $2,623 including buyer’s premium, also against an estimate of $1,400-$1,700.

These results reflected the continuing depth of the Australian sovereign market. Collectors responded strongly to coins combining historical importance, attractive condition and the established international appeal of Australian branch-mint gold.

If Auction 018 told us anything, it is that the Australian numismatic market remains broad, enthusiastic and full of life.

High-grade pre-decimal coins continued to attract premium prices when rarity, colour and preservation aligned. Australian sovereigns remained a major value category, while complete decimal and silver collections benefited from competition between established collectors and newer market participants.

The results also demonstrated that buyers remain prepared to compete well above estimate for material that is complete, accurately attributed and professionally presented.

Estimates are intended to provide a reasonable guide rather than impose an artificial ceiling on a result. When several knowledgeable buyers recognise the same rarity, quality or opportunity in a lot, the bidding room is where its true market value is decided.

August’s Auction 019 is already taking shape, with an expansive selection of high-grade Australian pre-decimal coinage, remarkable mint errors, and high-grade Australian gold already consigned.

Copeland Roberts welcomes important individual coins, established collections, inherited holdings, bullion accumulations and complete numismatic estates.

We are particularly interested in Australian pre-decimal coins, sovereigns and half sovereigns, mint errors, complete decimal collections, Australian banknotes, world and ancient coins, and precious-metal collections.

If you are considering selling a coin collection, our team would be pleased to provide a confidential, no-obligation assessment.

Robbie Colborne

Managing Director

Copeland Roberts