Islam, Popes, Gold and France: Four Collections at Gadoury Bleu

3 October 2025
Gadoury Auctions
Monaco, Hôtel Le Méridien

Gadoury Auctions has established two auction series in recent years: the blue catalogue features collections, while the black one presents numismatic highlights from antiquity to the present day, sourced from various collectors.

In 2025, the blue catalogue contains four top-class collections. The sale begins with an extensive collection of Islamic coinage from the estate of Monsieur R. This is followed by papal issues from the Monsieur M. F. Collection. Monsieur J.'s interests included several areas, such as ancient coins - Greek, Roman and Byzantine - papal coins and issues of Casa Savoia. The auction concludes with the M. S. Collection featuring French issues.

The day begins with an extensive and fascinating collection of coins from the Islamic world. The focus is on gold coins, and the time frame ranges from issues of the Umayyads to early Moroccan francs. Almost all individual lots were graded by NGC.Most coins have estimates in the mid three-digit range. However, connoisseurs will discover many rarities of particular historical significance. For instance, there is a previously unpublished dinar that combines two different dies. One side dates from the era of Abd al Malik, i.e. from the years between 685 and 705. The other side dates from the time of Al-Walîd (705-715). This coin is of particular interest due to its iconographic similarity to Byzantine issues: rather than the cross on three steps that can be found on Byzantine coinage, the piece features a sphere on a staff.

One focal point of the collection containing about 566 lots is Arab rule in Spain. The earliest piece is connected to the Umayyad conquest of the country. The last pieces were minted under the Nasrid rulers of Granada. We highlight a Maravedi or Morabetino minted in the style of the Almoravids, created under Alfonso VIII, King of Castile and León. This coin transports us to the heart of the battles of the Reconquista: Alfonso emerged victorious from the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa on 16 July 1212.

A great rarity of modern Moroccan numismatics is a gold coin from 1201 / 1796, commissioned by the Alawite ruler Sidi Muhammad III, who is now known as the "architect of modern Morocco". Not only did he conclude numerous trade agreements with European nations, he also planned a new currency. The order was issued on 13 January 1787, and the production began in Madrid on 22 September. 10,000 gold pieces and an unknown number of silver patters were minted. But these coins never entered circulation as the delivery reached Morocco after Muhammad III's death. His son Yazid did not share his father's admiration for Western models. Most coins were melted down. However, a few specimens have survived. Gadoury has the pleasure of offering both the gold and the silver coin as part of the Monsieur R. Collection.

The collection of papal coins of Monsieur M. F. contains more than 80 lots. All of them are characterised by their excellent condition and the variety of their reverses, making these coins a popular souvenir for travellers to Rome as early as in the 17th and 18th centuries. Our specimen from 1699 depicts the port of Anzio. It was built to promote the economic development of the surrounding area.

Rome attracts a particularly large number of pilgrims when a Holy Year is announced and the Holy Door opened. This door is depicted on a piaster by Clement XI from 1700.

Coins depicting famous buildings of Rome have always been particularly popular. This specimen presents the church of Saint Theodore, built at the end of the 6th century, which was renovated and given an architectural frame by Pope Clement XI through Carlo Fontana. The courtyard, which was designed at the time, is clearly visible in front of the round church from late antiquity.

A collector does not necessarily have to limit himself to one area. Monsieur J., who created the third collection featured in the blue Gadoury catalogue, did not. He bought pieces he liked, and many of them come with original Émile Bourgey bags, used to deliver coins to successful bidders - an indication of their provenance. The collection begins with a small but impressive selection of Greek gold coins.

The focus is on Roman coins, with a wide range of gold pieces in average, but also in extraordinary condition. It is a typical mixed collection as they were common to assemble a few decades ago. The collector was primarily interested in the historical significance of the coins. He was particularly drawn to sestertii with beautiful patinas, some of which are included in the auction sale.

The ensemble is completed by a selection of world coins, both in silver and mostly gold, as well as an extensive collection of French coins. Of the 117 lots, the majority are gold coins. Connoisseurs will also find numerous medieval rarities of the finest style.

The auction concludes with about one hundred lots of French coins, most of which are made of gold. This time, the time frame ranges from the late Middle Ages to the Napoleonic period. Once again, experts will spot numerous very rare pieces of historical significance. Notable examples include a florin d'or, minted when the popes withdrew to Avignon. Another highlight is an extremely attractive mouton d'or by Jean II le Bon, struck in the year before he was imprisoned.

Please also take a look at our second auction preview with rare individual pieces from all over the world, from antiquity up to the 20th century.

You can order the catalogue at Gadoury Auctions, 57, rue Grimaldi, 98000 Monaco; phone: +377 93 25 12 96; fax: +377 93 50 13 39; email: contact@gadoury.com.

You can find the catalogue online at auction.gadoury.com, www.sixbid.com and www.numisbids.com. Of course, it is also possible to bid live on your computer at home via www.biddr.ch!