Numismatic Rarities at Gadoury Noir

4 October 2025
Gadoury Auctions
Monaco, Hôtel Le Méridien

Gadoury Auctions has established two auction series in recent years: the blue catalogue presents entire collections, while the black catalogue features numismatic highlights from antiquity to the present day, sourced from various collectors. And this catalogue is indeed full of highlights. Main focal points are on antiquity, France and Italy as well as Casa Savoia. But there are also many noteworthy pieces from other fields. The auction will take place in Monaco on 4 October 2025. On the previous day, the coins and medals offered in the blue catalogue will be auctioned off by collection. A separate auction preview has been published for the blue catalogue.

The auction opens with a good four hundred lots of ancient coins. Among them are a number of exceedingly rare gold pieces, both from Greek and Roman periods. These include an extremely rare gold eighth stater of Pyrrhos from Taranto, an extremely rare gold hemi drachm of the magistrate Polianthes from Cyrene, some gold coins of the Auxumites, and of course the many perfect aurei in the Roman section. Examples include a perfect aureus of the young Marcus Aurelius, issued by his adoptive father Antoninus Pius, and an aureus of Constantius Chlorus, showing Heracles bringing down the Ceryneian Hind on the reverse. This about uncirculated piece is so rare that even the standard work by Calicó had to resort to a drawing for illustration. This aureus is part of a series of aurei and argentei from the early Tetrarchy, including numerous pieces with extremely rare reverses.But do not be fooled by all the gold. You will also find perfect denarii and an abundance of interesting bronze coins with exquisite patina that are sure to enrich any collection.

Following a very interesting series of coins from the early Middle Ages, including some pieces from the Migration Period, the auction continues with world coins and medals, starting with issues from Monaco. Whatever you collect, take a look at the catalogues: there are interesting lots from many countries, including some that can rarely be found in auction sales. As an example, we present an actual rarity: Ras Tafari Makonnen - better known in the West as Haile Selassie - awarded the order offered by Gadoury in multiple lot No. 1488 to the mechanic an pilot Fernand Picaper. Picaper was one of the first three members with whom Haile Selassie established his new air force from 1930 onwards, which is probably the reason why he was honoured. The multiple lot also includes two wearable medals, which are probably also from his estate. They commemorate the Ethiopian Air Force and the tenth anniversary of Haile Selassie's coronation.

This piece is probably one of the most interesting rarities in the history of French coinage. The coin was struck with a hammer in the old Paris mint between 29 October 1640 and 23 January 1641. It testifies to the fierce resistance of journeymen minters to the introduction of the screw press. They feared that these machines would render their previously indispensable hand-striking skills obsolete. In fact, little training was required to operate the screw press. Nevertheless, the results were superior, and so the new double louis d'or pieces were produced exclusively with the screw press following a few hand-struck patterns.

Two extremely rare specimens of outstanding condition dominate the French section. One was minted in gold under Napoleon for representation purposes with the dies of the 1807 5-franc piece. A little reminder: this remarkable year saw the conclusion of the Peace of Tilsit, which sealed peace with Russia and the subjugation of Prussia.The exact dating of the second pattern is unclear. It was either minted at the beginning or the end of Charles X's reign. There are only three specimens of this spectacular pattern. According to PCGS, the one offered at Gadoury is the best known piece of all the specimens graded by PCGS.

Following its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, France had to pay Germany 5 billion francs in the form of 1,450 tons of gold. This included a significant proportion of the 10,460 100-franc coins minted in 1870. Since almost the entire batch was melted down to create the first Prussian coins of the German Empire, only a few specimens have survived to this day. PCGS and NGC only know four other specimens of extremely fine quality.

This heavy gold coin with a weight of more than 80 g was probably minted to be used as a diplomatic gift. Given the coin's size, it would have been possible to use the dies of the double scudo for this. The coin is a perfect example of the many rarities Gadoury is offering from Italy in this year's auction sale.

To conclude this auction preview, let us take a look at Russia. 41 lots are on offer, including a 10-rouble piece of Tsarina Elizabeth from 1756 in extraordinary condition, as well as a medal of merit of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society, founded in St. Petersburg in 1845. The society initiated, organised and financed a series of important expeditions to systematically map the northern Urals, Siberia and Mongolia. Since 1899, the society has awarded the Semjonow Medal annually to outstanding scientists who have rendered exceptional service to the geographical mapping and description of Russia.

Please take note of our other auction preview presenting four collections that were catalogued as ensembles.

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 and www.numisbids.com. Of course, it is also possible to bid live on your computer at home via www.biddr.ch!

To view Gadoury's website, please see:
https://www.gadoury.com/en/auction