The Eldorado Collection of Colombian Coins and Paper Money

The Eldorado Collection of Colombian Coins and Paper Money, to be offered in two auction catalogs, is the finest ever cataloged and represents an important event in Latin American numismatics. TheEldorado Collection is so sweeping in scope, that these catalogs are only the initial offerings, featuring many of the rarest and highest grade selections from this epic cabinet. Stack's BowersGalleries is pleased to be showcasing the first installment of this collection as part of their official auction January 11-13, 2018, during the New York International Convention at the Grand HyattHotel in New York City. The January offering of the Eldorado Collection shepherds together many of the most notable highlights from this wide-ranging cabinet, an accomplishment that was many decadesin the making.

The coins span chronologically from the very first gold coin of the New World -- the 1622 2 Escudos struck in Cartagena, a historic masterpiece of global importance -- to modern issues of theBogotá Mint. In the 350 years of history these coins bookend, a nation blossomed, from colony, through fits and starts of several republican (and not so republican) governments, to a modern power.The earliest coins represent some of the first treasure taken from the ground by representatives of the Spanish crown, while those of the 19th century show a nation whose wealth made it a player inworld trade, and a home to growing cities and grand aspirations.

This remarkable historical legacy is written in gold and, to a lesser but still important extent, silver. The vast majority of the coins in this offering are gold: onzas from colonial days andtheir later descendants, patterns of European workmanship and great beauty, and smaller denominations intended not for world trade, but local circulation. The silver coins here are all fromColombia's colonial beginnings: a world class collection of cobs, from Cuartillos to 8 Reales; rare Pillar types; and an extensive run of portrait coins depicting Carlos III and Carlos IV,including many struck during the reign of Ferdinand VII.

The paper money, featured in its own sale catalog, portrays the broadest view of this subject ever published in English or Spanish. Commencing in 1819 and continuing to the present day arecountless note types, from the majority of known series and issuers, cataloged and offered in this and subsequent sales for the first time. The lot descriptions and their accompanying full-colorimages often confirm rumored examples listed, but unpriced, in the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.

Many are first time individual offerings at public auction. This is especially true of previously unlisted types that were discovered in the Archives of the American Bank Note Company, sold byChristie's initially on November 28- 29, 1990. Nearly all 66 Colombia lots enumerated in that "Leo" moniker catalog (including two immense and unique record books) were obtained at the sale byEldorado's architect, who recognized their immense research importance and the opportunity to expand the collection's scope in the span of a few hours.

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Lot 11001: COLOMBIA. 1753-S 4 Escudos

COLOMBIA. 1753-S 4 Escudos. Santa Fe de Nuevo Reino (Bogotá) mint. Ferdinand VI (1746-1759). Restrepo M96.9. AU-55 (PCGS).

To read the complete lot description, see:
COLOMBIA. 1753-S 4 Escudos. Santa Fe de Nuevo Reino (Bogotá) mint. Ferdinand VI (1746-1759). Restrepo M96.9.(https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-967HH)

Lot 11367: 1842 Ecuador 8 Escudos

Finest Known 1842-MVS Ecuador 8 Escudos

To read the complete lot description, see:
ECUADOR. 1842-MVS 8 Escudos. Quito mint. KM-23.2. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-966AY)

Lot 10008: 1863 Estados Unidos de Colombia 2 Pesos

A superb grade example from a beautifully engraved ABNCo. series. This is fully issued with written serial number. There are a complete interest payment stamp on the back, an added endorsement,and it is endorsed in the center. The style is like an American obsolete note from the period. The roping scene at the top was originally engraved by Danforth, Wright & Co. Vermillion guilloche and"2" counters along the bottom. Engraved signatures. One of the best observed and graded. This will certainly garner much attention from all world note collectors who appreciate rarity andstyle.

To read the complete lot description, see:
COLOMBIA. Estados Unidos de Colombia. 2 Pesos. 1863. P-75. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-95XE1)