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The most expensive and significant sales of the month. Infographics, photo galleries and analysis of record results.
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The arrival of the long-awaited collectible coin was accompanied by excitement. The packaging turned out to be very poor, which raised concerns about possible damage to the valuable specimen. In this regard, the unboxing was video-recorded to provide to the seller in case a return was necessary.

In an era when Napoleon led his armies across Europe armed with flintlock muskets, a Swiss engineer offered him a revolutionary technology—a breech-loading firearm that used unitary cartridges. However, the emperor rejected this opportunity, and the invention, half a century ahead of its time, remained in obscurity.

Many people, both buyers and sellers, are often surprised when they see the final price of a lot at auction. The price they expected can differ significantly from the final amount due to various auction fees and commissions that not everyone knows about in advance.

A major American numismatic auction by Heritage took place from December 6 to 9, 2025. This event can be considered a premium-segment auction, as it featured lots valued from several hundred to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Among the numismatic finds acquired at a fair in Valencia, a 2 lati coin from Latvia, dated 1926, stands out. This currency appeared just eight years after the country declared its independence and became an important affirmation of the new statehood.

The core of the collection consists of coins from the reign of Nicholas II, forming what is known as a 'year set'. The condition of the specimens is not always of collector's quality, but they serve as a worthy starting point for a novice numismatist, allowing for the study of various mint years and coin types.

The subject of this review is a 2 kopek copper coin from 1812, issued during the reign of Alexander I. This particular specimen is distinguished by its excellent, so-called 'cabinet' preservation. The coin's surface, or field, is completely glossy, with no signs of mechanical cleaning or harsh interference.

There is a coin storage method that ensures their maximum preservation for many years. It involves placing a coin not just in a plastic capsule, but in a special silicone insert with prongs. These grips clasp the edge and rim of the coin on three or four sides, holding it securely.

The 20 kopek silver coin of 1914 was issued during the reign of Emperor Nicholas II. This numismatic artifact has precise specifications, which are important for its identification and valuation.

Among the awards related to naval themes, sets belonging to divers are of particular interest. Such awards are found much less frequently than those of other military branches, making them highly valued in collector circles.
Two Orders of the Red Star, which at first glance seem almost identical, can have a colossal difference in price. One specimen might cost around 1,100 hryvnias, while another could be worth almost 10,000 hryvnias. Visually, they may differ slightly in size, but their weight is nearly identical.
To analyze past coin prices, let's turn to the catalog of the Kyiv Numismatic Auction held on September 26, 2008. This period is considered the peak of prices in the numismatic market, situated between the dot-com bubble and the subprime mortgage crisis.
The 1804 Silver Dollar is often called the 'King of all American Coins.' Initially, these coins were not intended for wide circulation. They were minted as diplomatic gifts for high-ranking officials, such as kings, queens, and other heads of state.

After being excavated, an ancient coin can be completely unrecognizable. It is often covered with a thick layer of organic deposits, dirt, and dense oxides that hide the relief and metal. In this condition, the artifact requires careful and systematic cleaning.
The story of this numismatic experience began back in the 90s, during my school years. The foundation of the collection at that time was Soviet commemorative coins in standard circulation quality and various foreign coins. At that time, the collection consisted of about ten Soviet commemorative rubles and several dozen coins from other countries.

Among the many Soviet coins with a denomination of 20 kopeks, there are specimens that can be of significant value to collectors. Such rare coins do turn up, and they can be found with a dedicated search.

The path to serious numismatics often begins with mistakes. Initially, it might seem that collecting coins in special plastic capsules, or slabs, is an unnecessary expense. There was a belief that a true collector needed to hold a coin in their hands, to feel its metal and history.

The story of this coin begins at a weekly collectors' fair in Valencia. It was there that a 1914 British shilling was purchased. Initially, it was sold for 12 euros, but after some haggling, the final price was 10 euros.
Purchased on the 'Meshok' marketplace, the 1913 3 Mark coin, known as the 'Crowd,' arrived in secure packaging. The seller ensured its preservation by placing the specimen in a special foam cutout inside a cardboard box.

The hobby of searching for old items, or 'metal detecting,' often yields unexpected finds. One such find was a 1/2 Kopek in Silver coin from 1841, minted at the Saint Petersburg Mint (SPM). Although it was the best specimen found in the ground, its condition was far from ideal.