Welcome to Smalls Auctions Sale 321. In the modern world, all great movies deserve a sequel – and so too do modern coin issues, which brings us to Modern Madness Sale - 2. This edition features an expanded selection of commemorative coins from around the globe, including two high-relief coins depicting Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic works, struck for the Cook Islands and Chad—countries he never visited, but which have paid vibrant tribute to his legacy. Beyond modern coinage, we’re also offering an exceedingly rare unauthorised account of Captain James Cook’s Second Voyage to the Pacific in 1772, written by “an Officer on Board” and published before the Admiralty’s official release, providing a more candid perspective. We’ve included near-pristine examples of the Pingo medals of Captain Cook, struck in silver and copper for the Royal Society in 1784, which remain a testament to his legacy as one of the world’s greatest explorers. Also on offer is a remarkable selection of ancient weaponry, including two Etruscan spearheads with provenance from the Harold Pederson Collection sold at Christie’s London in 1978, as well as a trio of bangles—two jade and one malachite—squeezed into the sale at the last moment and offered at a fraction of their retail value. Happy bidding, Smalls Auctions.

Welcome to Smalls Auctions Sale 322. In this sale, we continue to offer a diverse selection of modern coin issues from around the world, while also stepping back in time to present a rare and exceptional collection of Australian colonial coins. The 1813 ‘Holey Dollar’ is often considered the crown jewel of early Australian currency, but its lesser-known companion, the ‘Dump,’ struck in equal numbers, holds equal historical intrigue. This sale features three unique examples, plus a superbly detailed E3 Type Dump—believed to be among the first struck. A standout is the unique ‘Copper Factory Trial’ E3 Dump, likely the earliest surviving example. For comparison, we include a silver E3 Dump with impeccable provenance—one of only twenty-odd known. Also offered is a unique ‘Brass Trial’ A1 Type Dump showing the transition in reverse lettering, a rarity mirrored in only a few A1 silver Dumps. The collection concludes with the only known 1813 ‘Shilling Bit’—a quarter of a Holey Dollar, likely preserved after a trader realised it was struck from a counterfeit coin. Once owned by politician Henry Dangar and referenced in Coleman Hyman’s 1893 book, this piece is truly historic. Three of these four coins are unrepresented in national museums.