NGC-certified Norman Jacobs Collection Rarities Highlight Heritage July Auction

More rarities certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) are being offered from the superb Norman Jacobs Collection of Asian coins, including a Chinese ultra-rarity that is expected to sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. That coin, together with over 30 extraordinary Thai coins from the 19th and 20th centuries, constitute the Norman Jacobs portion of a Heritage Auctions sale scheduled for July 12-13, 2020.

The China 1910 Yunnan Silver Dollar, referred to as a “Spring Dollar,” is one of the greatest rarities in Chinese numismatics. Graded NGC AU 58, it is the finest of just three known examples and realized $546,250 at a Heritage sale in 2011. Bidding has already reached $200,000 weeks before the current auction concludes.

China 1910 Yunnan “Spring Dollar” graded NGC AU 58. Click images to enlarge

It contains Chinese characters with a date of Spring 1910, making it the only Chinese coin to feature the season as part of its date. One theory is that these were struck as presentation pieces for the completion of an important rail line linking the Yunnan region with neighboring Vietnam.

“This Spring Dollar presents advanced numismatists with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to add one of China’s greatest vintage rarities their collection,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman and Grading Finalizer. “NGC certification guarantees both authenticity and grade, which will give bidders total confidence in this ultra-rarity.”

“Though we understand that many collectors and dealers will be unable to travel to the auction to view the coins in hand, we are sure that NGC’s guarantee of grade and authenticity will allow bidders to make informed and confident decisions from the comfort of their own homes," said Cris Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics for Heritage Auctions.

Meanwhile, the Norman Jacobs Collection’s Thai coins include an (1877) Silver 2 Baht graded NGC PF 62. The coin shows Rama V, who ruled for 42 years, and was struck early in his reign. This coin has an estimate of $10,000 to $20,000.

Thailand (1877) Silver 2 Baht graded NGC PF 62. Click images to enlarge

Previous NGC-certified highlights of the Norman Jacobs Collection include a 1909 Korea 20 Won graded NGC MS 64 that realized $632,500 in September 2011 in a Heritage Auctions sale. That result was part of a $6.8 million sale of the NGC-certified Korean and Japanese selections from the Norman Jacobs Collection.

Jacobs was a native of New York City with an interest in Asian culture. During World War II, the military deployed him to the Pacific theater, and he was stationed in Japan after World War II ended. That gave him unique opportunities to expand his numismatic expertise. This led him to conduct research for important numismatic books and assemble one of the greatest coin collections of all time.

The upcoming sale had been scheduled for the Hong Kong International Numismatic Fair before the show was canceled due to the coronavirus. Bids can now be made online, and Heritage plans a live simulcast on the days of the auction. Other NGC-certified highlights from the Norman Jacobs Collection being offered include:

• a Thailand (1864) Rama IV Birthday 4 Baht graded NGC AU 55, with an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000
• a Thailand (1909) 1/4 Baht Silver Essai graded NGC MS 66, with an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000
• a Thailand (1877) Copper 2 Baht graded NGC PF 65 RB, with an estimate of $8,000 to $10,000
• a Thailand (1909) 1/2 Baht Silver Essai graded NGC MS 64, with an estimate of $8,000 to $10,000
• a Thailand (1868) Copper 4 Baht graded NGC PF 60 RB, with an estimate of $6,000 to $8,000
• a Thailand (1868) 2 Baht graded NGC MS 65 BN, with an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000
• a Thailand (1908) Baht Silver Essai graded NGC AU 58, with an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000
• a Thailand (1863) Gold 8 Baht graded NGC MS 63, with an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000
• a Thailand (1860) Copper 1/8 Baht graded NGC MS 63 BN, with an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000
• a Thailand (1835) Elephant 2 Keping graded NGC PF 64 BN, with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000
• a Thailand (1868) Silver 1/8 Baht graded NGC MS 63, with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000
• a Thailand (1908) Baht graded NGC AU 55, with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000
• a Thailand (1874) 1/2 Att Copper-Nickel Pattern graded NGC MS 63, with an estimate of $2,000 to $3,000.

All estimates are provided by the auction house and are expressed in US dollars.