The much anticipated sale of a single-owner collection of ancient Greek and Roman coins discovered in Lichfield has totalled over £40,000 at in a two-day auction held last week, (13th/14th February).
Day one – Fittingly, the 400 Lots of classical coins were offered by established Lichfield Auctioneers Richard Winterton Ltd in their City Centre Salerooms. Experts at the auction house estimated the collection at around £25,000 but the huge amount of pre-sale publicity in the local and international press whipped up a bidding frenzy leaving pre-sale expectations standing.
Some of the worlds’ leading authorities in this highly specialised field made the trip to attend the sale on Wednesday (13th February). The live internet bidding facility enabled those long distances away and abroad to participate in real time enabling buyers around the globe to make successful bids.
Individual highlights include Lot 3 a Roman Republic Apulia Luceria Bronze Quincunx at £340 and Lot 128, a silver Antoninianus at £340. Lot 150, a group of Roman Imperial bronze coins from Licinius 1 – Aelia Flaccilla brought £380 and Lot 206, a pre-Roman 450-350 BC Lucania silver stater realised £360.
Day two witnessed a packed saleroom with the internet and phones lines buzzing in readiness for the Fine and Decorative Arts aspect of this specialist sale.
Lot 422 in the jewellery and watch sale, a boxed gent’s 18kt Blancpain wristwatch sold mid estimate for £1,800. Part two of a Sutton Coldfield private collection of antique scent bottles totalled over £10,000 with lot 456, a Thomas Webb tripe cut cameo teardrop shaped bottle from the 1880’s receiving the highest single bid at £1,500 to a room bidder, (part three of the collection is due to be offered in May).
In the works of art section, Lot 536 an oval portrait miniature of a military gentleman by Giuseppe Sacco (1805-1889) sold to an Italian buyer on the telephone. In the ceramics section, Lot 669, two rare Beswick Beatrix Potter ‘Duchess’ figures brought £1,000.
Highlights in the furniture section included Lot 723, a George III Irish mahogany peat bucket discovered amongst the contents of a Stafford estate at £1,600 and Lot 741, a 1980’s ’Nomos’ dining table designed by leading architect Sir Norman Foster at £1,500.
The next specialist Fine and Decorative Arts Sale which will include a watch section is 9th May and entries are currently being invited.
Please contact Adrian Rathbone, Fine Arts Manager on 01543 251081 for further details.
