Copeland Roberts Auction 021 Realises $625,043 With 98.55% Clearance

Lot 67, the 1948 Perth penny in Choice Uncirculated condition, was one of my favourite results of the sale. Estimated at $1,000–$1,500, it hammered for $3,800 and realised $4,636.

Lot 67: 1948-Y. Perth Penny, Choice Uncirculated, sold for $4,636

This was a particularly attractive example, with considerable original mint colour, a strong strike and unusually clean surfaces for the issue. Those details matter, especially with Perth copper of this period.

The result also needs to be seen in the context of a fairly selective pre-decimal market. We are not seeing every Australian penny or halfpenny rise in value. There are still plenty of buying opportunities in the middle of the market. What this result shows is that collectors will compete for a coin when the quality gives them a reason to.

Lot 656, the specially packaged 2000 Constitution Act Centenary Limited Edition Proof Set, produced one of the strongest results against estimate.

Lot 656: 2000 Constitution Act Centenary Limited Edition Proof Set, one of 100 sets, sold for $5,063

One of only 100 sets produced, it was accompanied by a certificate signed by the Royal Australian Mint’s then Controller, Graeme Moffatt, together with a letter from the Mint’s then Director of Marketing, Anton Porzig.

Estimated at $500–$1,000, the set hammered for $4,150 and realised $5,063. That was more than four times the high estimate at hammer.

It is a good example of why we take the time to look carefully at packaging and accompanying paperwork. At a glance, something can look like an ordinary mint release. The detail can make it a very different proposition.

The highest-priced lot was Lot 171, the 1856 Sydney Mint Half Sovereign graded PCGS AU58, which realised $12,200 from a $10,000 hammer price. It was an important coin to handle: a well-preserved example of the short-lived Type I design from the opening years of the Sydney Mint.

Lot 171: 1856 Sydney Mint Half Sovereign, PCGS AU58, sold for $12,200

Lot 168, the 1910 Specimen Shilling presented to Senator James Thomas Walker, realised $5,002. The coin retained its original Commonwealth Treasury letter dated 7 March 1910, giving it a direct connection to the introduction of Australia’s Commonwealth silver coinage.

Lot 168: 1910 Specimen Shilling presented to Senator James Thomas Walker, sold for $5,002

The shilling hammered for $4,100 against an estimate of $4,000–$5,000. For me, the surviving letter was a particularly important part of the lot. It preserves the story of who received the coin and why, rather than leaving that history to speculation.

Lot 680, the 2012 Red Poppy $2 roll, realised $8,906. Its $7,300 hammer price exceeded the $5,000–$7,000 estimate and made it one of the highest-priced lots in the auction.

Lot 680: 2012 Red Poppy $2 Roll, Uncirculated, sold for $8,906

There were also some very good results among the certified decimal proofs. Lot 765, a 1974 Proof 1 Cent graded PCGS PR70DCAM, hammered for $1,100 against an estimate of $400–$600, realising $1,342.

Lot 765: 1974 Proof 1 Cent, PCGS PR70DCAM, sold for $1,342

Lot 762, the 1973 Proof 2 Cent graded PCGS PR70DCAM, realised $2,501, while Lot 752, the 1970 Captain Cook Proof 50 Cents graded PCGS PR69DCAM, realised $536.80. The Captain Cook coin’s $440 hammer price was almost three times its $150 high estimate.

Lot 762: 1973 Proof 2 Cent, PCGS PR70DCAM, sold for $2,501

Lot 752: 1970 Captain Cook Proof 50 Cents, PCGS PR69DCAM, sold for $536.80

These are quite different collecting markets within the broad category of Australian decimal coins. A scarce roll, a limited edition set and a proof coin in an exceptional grade each attract buyers for different reasons. It is worth recognising those differences when putting a collection together for auction.

Lot 238, the 2004–2006 Rare Birds $200 Gold Three-Coin Collection, realised $9,272, the second-highest result of the sale. Lot 201, the 1980 Koala $200 Gold Proof, realised $2,318, with its $1,900 hammer price comfortably exceeding the $1,400–$1,500 estimate.

Lot 238: 2004–2006 Rare Birds $200 Gold Three-Coin Collection, sold for $9,272

Lot 201: 1980 Koala $200 Gold Proof, sold for $2,318

Among the world coins, Lot 929, a British countermarked dollar on a 1796 Mexico 8 Reales, realised $1,769 against an estimate of $1,000–$1,300. Lot 932, an 1804 Mexico 8 Reales catalogued as Extremely Fine with cleaning noted, realised $585.60 from a $480 hammer price, against an estimate of $200–$300.

Lot 929: Great Britain Countermarked Dollar on a 1796 Mexico 8 Reales, sold for $1,769

Lot 932: 1804 Mexico 8 Reales, Extremely Fine, sold for $585.60

More recent British material also produced a pleasing result. Lot 990, the 2009 United Kingdom Kew Gardens Proof Set, realised $701.50, with a hammer price of $575 against an estimate of $300–$400.

Lot 990: 2009 United Kingdom Kew Gardens Proof Set, sold for $701.50

Two banknote results worth mentioning were Lot 1032, the 1949 Coombs/Watt £1 Star Note in Fine, which realised $1,159, and Lot 1082, the 1993 Fraser/Cole $20 Uncut Vertical Pair with gold serial numbers, which realised $945.50. Both exceeded their high estimates at hammer.

Lot 1082: 1993 Fraser/Cole $20 Uncut Vertical Pair with Gold Serials, sold for $945.50

Alongside the auctions, we are working on a number of improvements to the business.

We are building a consignor portal so that consignors can log in and track their consignments over time. I want people to be able to see where their material is in the auction process and keep track of their results in one place. It is still being developed, and we will share more as it gets closer to being ready.

We are also planning a dedicated numismatic catalogue for numismatic items valued over $1,000. This will give us more room to present the better coins and banknotes properly, with larger photographs and the research and background that make them interesting.

These are practical improvements to how we look after consignors and present their material. As the business grows, I want the service and the quality of presentation to keep improving with it.

Thank you to everyone who consigned, registered and bid in Auction 021. We appreciate the continued support, whether you have been with us since the beginning or joined us for the first time in this sale.

If you have an individual rarity or a collection you are considering selling, we would be pleased to discuss it with you. We are particularly interested in quality Australian coins and banknotes, sovereigns and half sovereigns, important varieties and specialist world and ancient collections.

Or call us on 02 8318 9782 to discuss your collection.

Robbie Colborne
Managing Director