Baldwin’s are delighted to present the first part of the most impressive collection of Indian coinage ever to be sold by public auction. Due to be held on the 7 May in London the auction will contain 724 lots of rare Proofs, Restrikes and Off-Metal Strikings, [repeats] of the Victorian Portraits from the States of Bikanir, Dewas, Dhar and Sailana and a large selection of Bombay Mint pieces.
Formed over twenty five years by a passionate collector of Indian coins, and a specialist with the diligence to locate the best examples, this collection is the culmination of a quest to build a monumental collection of the finest British Indian coinage. The collection in its entirety contains over four thousand coins, of which, between 300 and 400, were formerly in the world famous Fred
Pridmore collection, which was catalogued by A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd and sold by auction by Glendinings between September 1981 and October 1983.
From the items offered for sale in part one the two coins that are the unquestionable highlights, and the most highly valued, are lots 357 and 724. A Gold Early Restrike Proof 2-Annas 1862C, off-metal strike in gold and an Gold Early Restrike Proof 2-Mohurs, 1835C are both are estimated to sell for £10,000-15,000
Other highlights of the collection include lot 633, a Gold Early Restrike Proof Rupee, 1893C, off-metal strike, estimated at £4,000 – 6,000 and lot 268, an Silver Early Restrike Proof ½-Anna, 1862C, off-metal strike in silver, formerly of both the Pridmore Collection and the legendary collection of King Farouk I of Egypt, estimated at £2,000 – 3,000.
Part one of this collection is being sold as part of a three day Baldwin’s auction extravaganza alongside part three of the Bentley Collection of British Gold Sovereigns and The Horus Collection of Islamic coins. The auctions will take place in London between 7 – 9 May with the second part of the David Fore Collection being offered on the 31st May and all catalogues available online at www.baldwin .co.uk in the five weeks prior to the events.
