Smalls Auctions Sale 315 offers an exceptional selection of rare and historically significant items, headlined by two ultra-rare British Colonial gold coins: a 1902 S ‘Matt’ Proof Half Sovereign (mintage of just three) and a unique 1902 S ‘Brilliant’ Proof Sovereign, starting at $175,000 and $200,000 respectively. These coins are unparalleled in rarity and prestige, comparable to a recently sold 1901 P Proof pair that fetched over $525,000. The sale also features several mid-20th-century Aboriginal Transitional Boomerangs, including a remarkable example by Joe Timbery inscribed for the 1960 French Rugby League tour. Additional highlights include a strong lineup of PCGS-graded Australian Sixpences and a 1915 (L) Shilling PCGS MS64—one of the top five known. From numismatic treasures to cultural artifacts, this auction presents a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire items of extraordinary value, rarity, and historical depth. Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of history with Smalls Auctions.

Welcome to Smalls Auctions Sale 316. This Sale features a superb piece of Australiana—a Sterling Silver Emu Egg Goblet with gilded interior, crafted in the 1860s by renowned colonial silversmith William Edwards, who arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and gained acclaim for his exquisite silverwork. Also of note is a mid-19th century set of Precision Gold Scales by L. Oertling of London, marked No. 2 and reputedly used at the Adelaide Assay Office—its twin, No. 1, remains missing from the Sydney Mint. Another standout is a Maritime 'Right of Passage' dated 11th February 1818, signed by Major General Ralph Darling as Governor of Mauritius, allowing the schooner Little Mary to sail to Port Jackson—Darling later governed New South Wales, tying the document to Australia’s colonial history. The Sale also includes a wide selection of Jewellery, Coins, Banknotes, and other collectables sure to delight collectors. Happy bidding! Smalls Auctions

The Ottoman Caliphate began with the capture of Adrianople in 1362 and ended in 1924 when Kemal Atatürk abolished it in favour of a secular republic. The Sultan ruled over the Empire which at its peak spanned Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa but steadily declined due to territorial losses and its ill-fated alliance with Germany in World War I. During the war, Ottoman banknotes were backed by German Treasury Bills and printed by the German firm Giesecke & Devrient. These emergency notes, printed on poor-quality paper, circulated until 1927 with few surviving in high-grade condition. In 2016, a remarkable archive of lightly cancelled specimen notes surfaced in Australia, which has since been determined were once owned by Huseyin Cahid, Vice-President of the Ottoman Parliament. Housed in a leather-bound album, the collection mirrors the circulation issues that bore Cahid’s signature with a printed breakdown of the notes printed for each denomination. The list reveals that only 40 examples of the high-denomination 50,000 Livre were printed and in today's terms each would now have a gold equivalent value of USD $34 million. Most surviving high-value notes are found in extremely poor condition, making this archive the only known repository of high-grade notes. The collection offers a unapparelled glimpse into the pristine artistry and history of Ottoman currency and presents a rare opportunity for collectors.