03 January 2023
|
The "Colección Val y Mexía" of Chilean Coins is the most comprehensive collection of Chilean coinage by types, dates and varieties ever offered by Heritage Auctions, and will be offered in logical, coherent groupings over the next two to three years.
In the words of Dr. Val Y Mexia:
"I was always attracted to the old, but began to collect only in the 1980s, beginning with Japanese Art (Paintings and Calligraphies), which I still love. At some point I saw the beauty of Classical Greek Coins (what else!) and I bought some, as well as Spanish Monarchy, German Thalers and Russian coins.
"But, somehow I thought I should be collecting the coins of my country-Chile, and that was that! The Spanish coins were sold in Spain and the Thalers and Russian coins with Heritage, and since then, I have collected nothing but Chile, Colonial and Republic, in all metals: gold, silver and copper."
Part one on sale now
Part I: Chile Gold Coins from 1851 until Modern Times, is being offered in a Showcase auction ending on 16 January.
This first group of the collection contains all the Oro Moderno (Modern gold) plus the earlier gold coins minted according to the Decimal System (1, 2, 5 Pesos, etc.).
The earliest year of this new decimal system (which replaced the 1, 2, 4 Escudos of Colonial and Early Republic times) is 1851. These are, in general, low or very low mintage years. The last year for this series is the 20 Pesos Oro in 1917. The Oro Moderno can be said to begin with the Female Head Looking Left coined in 1926 in denominations of 20, 50 and 100 Pesos. A modified design was done in 1932 for the 100 Pesos coin and used much later in the other denominations.
Highlights of the sale
A few of the highlights of this initial auction are as follows (links open in new window):
- Republic gold 5 Pesos 1867/6-So MS64 NGC, KM144
- Republic gold 10 Pesos 1867/6-So MS63 NGC, KM131. Large plume variety
- Republic gold 10 Pesos 1895-So MS67 NGC, KM154
- Republic gold Onza 1948-So MS62 NGC, KMX1
A spokesperson for Heritage Auctions said:
"The overall Colección Val y Mexía is truly amazing, and, by far, the finest collection of Chilean coins that we have offered or seen offered. This is only the first part of several parts that will be offered over the next few years.
"We at Heritage are proud to offer this special collection, and we are certain you, our clients, will find this wonderful collection to be both interesting and intriguing."
