2025-11-25 12:40
publication
2025-11-25 12:40
On Monday, a large gold coin from the times of King Philip III of Spain was sold at an auction in Geneva. The nominal price obtained during Monday's auction turned out to be the highest in the history of European numismatics.
On November 24, the Swiss company Numismatica Genevensis sold a gold coin for 2,817,500 Swiss francs at an auction it organized. The starting price was CHF 2 million. In this way, the Spanish coin became the most expensive coin sold (and bought) in Europe – reports Reuters. Calculating it at the average NBP exchange rate from Monday (PLN 4.5496) gives over PLN 12.8 million.
Of course, it was not an ordinary ounce bullion coin, which today can be bought for approximately PLN 15,500. zlotys. First of all, we are talking about a coin with a nominal value of 100 escudos, weighing 339.35 grams (approx. 10.93 troy ounces) and containing 58% gold. Therefore, the value of the bullion itself was “only” PLN 169.4 thousand. zlotys.
Therefore, 98.7% of its market value was the collector value of this extraordinary coin. Firstly, it was made in 1609 and has been preserved in excellent condition to this day. Secondly, it was not ordinary money intended for circulation by merchants and bankers. It was minted in Segovia from gold plundered by the Spanish conquistadors in the “New World” and was a symbol of royal power.
– It was a truly royal gift to other kings or queens – explains Alain Baron from Numismatica Genevensis, quoted by Reuters. – The new owner will in some way be able to compare with the king, because this coin could only be given by a king to another king – added the Baron, a bit snobbishly. And for this exceptional value, a collector was able to shell out over three million euros.
The previous record was held by a coin with a nominal value of one hundred ducats belonging to Ferdinand III Habsburg. This disc was sold for 1.95 million Swiss francs. The current record is therefore 44.5% higher than the previous one.
KK/Reuters
