Prices Soar in Goldberg Auction of Abe Sofaer's Palestinian Rarities

The star performer among the more than 40 lots of Abe Sofaer's PalestineMandate coins in Goldberg's September 15-16 auction was the unique finestknown 1931 100 Mils PCGS-MS-64. It was described as "Satiny white, near-gemsurfaces, with attractive golden patina around devices and inscriptions. In ouropinion, this is a full gem specimen and should be graded a point higher." Thehammer-price was $25,000 - 5 times the $5,000 estimate. Two other coins thatwere both tied for finest known, were the 1931 50 Mils PCGS MS-64, described as"An awesome coin [with] satiny surfaces covered by dazzling gold and peacock-green iridescence," bringing $5,250; and the 1940 20 Mils PCGS MS-65, "Lovelyexample, with satiny mint bloom," bringing $3,200. All of these, no doubt, aredestined for Registry Sets.

Not to be outdone by the popularity of Sofaer's Palestine Mandate coins, wererare groups of Palestine-era tokens used in the Holy Land- where lot after lotgreatly outperformed the estimates. A partial set of Jerusalem Hotel Tokens c.1880s, containing brass 1 and 1/4 Piaster, EF, brought $8,750 (est. $1,000 up); acomplete set of Templar Tokens c. 1880-1917, Avg. Fine, sold for a strong $5,000vs. the estimate of $250-$300; and a complete set of Mikveh Israel Tokens c.1885, VF - AU, was hammered down for an impressive $13,000, dwarfing the$2,000 estimate.

All of Sofaer's Palestinian coin and token lots are pictured and described, alongwith the prices realized, at www.goldbergcoins.com.