International coin auction

From Julius Caesar to Aage Bohr

Although it is often both difficult and unfair to promote certain items at the expense of others, this auction is in many ways the exception that proves the rule, as especially two items have a very special aura, placing them in a class of their own.

The first is an exquisite and extremely rare denarius, showing the oldest Roman portrait of a living person on a coin, namely the legendary dictator Julius Caesar. This is undoubtedly the ”most important” numismatic object from the Antiquity, which has been put up for sale in Denmark for more than a century. In addition hereto, it’s artistic and historical importance by far exceeds the limits of numismatics.

The other outstanding lot is a Nobel Prize medal, which was awarded to nuclear scientist Aage Bohr in 1975. Original Nobel Prize medals are practically never seen in the market, and it is thus a great honour for Bruun Rasmussen to be entrusted with selling not only the Nobel Prize medal itself, but also eight other rare, and highly estimated prize medals in gold – awarded to either Niels or Aage Bohr.

Further rarities

Among the other highlights at the auction one cannot ignore the wonderful 8 ducat from 1698 picturing the city of Nuremberg. This fine gold coin is probably the only existing copy in private ownership.

The offering of interesting and rare coins – both domestic and foreign – is, as always, both large and varied, but this time we are especially proud to be able to offer the first part of a brilliant collection of Danish bank notes, which is, among other things, impressing by it’s comprehensive selection of rare signature combinations. Talking about signatures, it is worthwhile to take note of a Chinese silver dollar, with an accompanying letter signed by Chinese president Sun Yat-Sen and his wife.

From the category of medals and decorations should be mentioned a French, pre-revolution, military medal of honour and the Danish medal for ”Noble Deeds” which was awarded in connection with a shipwreck in 1807.

Primitive currency

In case you have nothing against garnishing your collection with ”borrowed plumes”, you have the possibility to acquire a so-called primitive currency in the form of a several meters long roll made from the breast feathers from scarlet honeyeaters (”Myzomela Sanguinolenta”). This is just one of several lots, which come from Peter Flensborg’s renowned collection, which also includes one of the famous stone coins from the island of Yap.

The laurel wreath as a symbol

The front page of the auction catalogue shows, among other things, the laurel wreath, with which professor Niels Bohr was ”crowned”, when he was appointed honorary doctor of the University of Lund in 1962 (one out of 34 ”doctor honoris causa” appointments that he received), and the laurel wreath is in many ways a common denominator of this auction. The auction is clearly dominated by prominent figures of history, be it dictators, kings, presidents, or scientists – and big or small achievements – who one way or the other have left indelible traces in history and deserve to be commemorated. Numismatics offers, unlike any other category of art and antiques, a direct possibility to acquire a small part of history.

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Copenhagen Coin Fair 2012

Come and meet us at Copenhagen Coin Fair 2012 from 10 am–5 pm on Saturday 3 November. The majority of the items set to go under the hammer at the above coin auction will be on display on our stand. We will also be on hand to give you a no-obligation valuation of your coins, medals and notes. The address is: Radisson Blu Falconer Hotel, Falkoner Allé 9, Frederiksberg. We look forward to seeing you for a numismatic chat!