Thanks, it looks even better in the video: https://media.invisioncic.com/k3213...64-1.mp4.66d524e0a10684c1ba9b7cabfef33ed8.mp4
Purchased from a world coin dealer back in July, 2020. At that time $8,500 seemed like a lot. In hind sight it was a steal. The CAMEO designation sets this one apart from nearly all others. Had also purchased a Florence 3 Ducat in the same transaction for slightly less, had a rim nick and was sent back. The Farouk piece was a keeper about a millisecond after seeing it.
That thing looks positively prooflike. On an aureus. Wow. @princeofwaldo - that’s an amazing huge Farouk!
I have placed a record bid on one of the coins that will be up for auction in about 3 and a half weeks.
This one cost me $10KUS back in 2002 (Triton Auction) If you take in inflation, probably like 35 K today. Its rare for the fact that CNG graded it FDC, a rarity for them.
I think this one is my most expensive world coin. At $422 I probably overpaid, but it's a really nice example with good surfaces, and they don't come cheap. GERMAN NEW GUINEA COMPANY, 1884-1899 CU 10 Pfennig (30.0mm, 10.08g, 12h) Dated 1894. Berlin, Germany mint Obverse: Bird of Paradise perched on branch Reverse: 10 NEU GUINEA PFENNIG 1894 in four lines between palm branches; NEU-GUINEA COMPAGNIE above, mintmark at bottom References: Numista 21762 Mintage: 100,000; all but 23,930 melted Rich brown surfaces with traces of iridescence. In 1884 the unified nation of Germany was still young, having only recently been established through the brilliant political machinations of Otto von Bismark, nicknamed the "Iron Chancellor". Yet Germany's economic power was on the rise, and it was eager to join the rest of the major European powers in establishing overseas colonies. To that end, the German New Guinea Company was founded in 1884 with the goal of colonizing the island and developing its natural resources, mainly through plantation farming. The project was not particularly successful, however, and in 1899 the German Imperial Government took administrative control of the island, which it held until the outbreak of World War I, when in 1914 German New Guinea was captured by Australian forces. These "Bird of Paradise" coin types struck for the German New Guinea Company are widely considered to be among the most beautiful modern coins ever minted. They are also quite scarce, not only because they are all one-year issues with low original mintages, but also because after the company was dissolved the majority of the coins were melted down and recycled. According to Numista, of the 100,000 pieces originally minted, all but a mere 23,930 were melted.
Post the other side if you get a chance. Nice. I’ve had the Hawaiian Kingdom dimes, quarters, and one half dollar (and the quarter in nice MS), but never a dala (dollar).
I do not have the Deutsches Neu Guinea AV 10 & 20 Marks Bird of Paradise, but have 98% of all German Colonies, Overseas Post Offices stamps.
I've always thought the birds on that coin is one of the most interesting designs on any coin. It is beautiful, and you have a great piece!