Brazilian Afonso VI Gold Counterstamped Issues Reach $292,800 to Lead Heritage’s CSNS World & Ancient Coins Auction to $11.9 Million

Result, along with $26.9 million U.S. Coins auction and $7.6 million U.S. Currency auction, boosts three-event total to $46.4 million DOWNLOAD DIGITAL PRESS KIT DALLAS, Texas (May 4, 2026) — A pair of Brazilian Afonso VI gold Counterstamped 4400 Reis issues each sold for a record $292,800 to lead Heritage’s April 29-30 CSNS World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction to $11,888,476. Sharing top-lot honors were an Afonso VI gold Counterstamped 4400 Reis (Moeda) ND (1686) MS63 PCGS and an Afonso VI gold Counterstamped 4400 Reis ND (1668) AU50 NGC, each of which set a record for the type. The 1686 coin was struck during the transitional period between hammered coinage and the implementation of machine-made coins, during a transitional time in which between hammered coinage and the implementation of machine-made coins. The 1686 crowned globe indicates that this example passed inspection at the mint, where a milled edge was subsequently applied to the hammered coin in an effort to prevent the widespread practice of clipping. This example already was amply clipped, so the law turned out to be ineffective, since both clipped and not clipped coins were being regulated to circulate at the same value, leading to people clipping the coins right before having them stamped and edged. The 1668 coin is a magnificent example from some of the first Portuguese regulated coins for Brazil. This piece is a true survivor from a few dozen known examples, and the re-appearance, 15 years later, of the only piece ever offered at Heritage. “The results for these coins are as impressive as the coins themselves,” says Cris Bierrenbach, Heritage’s Executive Vice President of International Numismatics. “Demand for Brazilian coins has been growing in the collecting community in recent years, which is evident in the more than 100 bids cast between these two coins, as well as the record results.” A Pernambuco. Dutch Colony - Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) gold Klippe 3 Guilders (Florins) 1646 AU55 NGC, from the Vila Rica Collection of Brazilian Gold Coins, Part I, achieved $268,400 — another record for its type. As the largest denomination from this fleeting Dutch colonial series, struck during the occupation of Brazil (1630-54), its survival is exceptionally rare given the widespread melting of such coins after the restoration of Portuguese control. Complementing this result, a Pernambuco. Dutch Colony - Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) gold Klippe 12 Guilders (Florins) 1646 MS61 NGC brought a winning bid of $146,400, while a João V gold 12800 Reis (Dobra) 1729-B AU58 NGC representing one of the most elusive issues from the Bahia mint and a key date seldom seen at auction brought a record $134,200, and a João V gold 6400 Reis (Peça) 1734-M MS62 NGC ended at $103,700. An exceedingly rare Nicholas II gold Specimen Imperial of 10 Roubles 1896-AГ SP61 PCGS realized $268,400, the second-highest result on record. With a reported mintage of just 125 pieces but only a handful certified across major grading services, the offering represented a rare opportunity to acquire a cornerstone rarity. A British India. Victoria silver Proof Pattern Piefort Rupee 1860 PR63 NGC raced past pre-auction estimates when it sold for a record $70,150. Other records for coins from India were set by a Sultans of Malwa. Ghiyas Shah, as Heir Apparent (AH 873-906 / AD 1469-1500) gold Square Tanka AH 894 (1488/1489) MS66 NGC that nearly doubled the previous mark when it closed at $41,480 and a Mughal Empire. Jahangir (AH 1014-1037 / AD 1605-1627) gold Mohur AH 10xx Year 15 (c.1619/1620) MS63 PCGS that nearly quadrupled the previous record when it ended at $40,260. Other world coins that set records included:   • A West Friesland. Provincial “Silver Rider” Ducaton 1673 MS62 Prooflike NGC: $53,680   • A West Friesland. Provincial “Silver Rider” Ducaton 1673 MS63+ NGC: $53,680   • A Central American Republic 8 Reales 1837 NG-BA MS66★ NGC: $43,920   • A Charles III 8 Reales 1778 Mo-FM VF35 NGC: $39,040 Ancient coins The auction also featured a number of ancient coins that performed exceptionally well, highlighted by a MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III the Great AV distater, which realized $158,600. Struck during Alexander’s lifetime, the coin features refined artistry and strong preservation, attributes that continue to attract advanced collectors. A Constantius II AV medallion of 2-solidi achieved $134,200, notable as just the fourth known example of this historically significant commemorative type celebrating the emperor’s victory over Magnentius in AD 353. Further reinforcing the depth of the auction, an extraordinary Praetorian Roman military diploma from the reign of Vespasian (dated AD 74) realized $134,200. Among the most complete examples handled by Heritage in more than a decade, the set of bronze plates documents the granting of citizenship and legal rights to elite military units, offering a rare and tangible connection to Roman imperial administration. The auction also showcased crossover appeal beyond traditional numismatics. A highly impressive natural gold nugget weighing 926.3 grams (29.78 ounces) realized $138,624, reflecting continued interest in significant natural gold specimens tied to the history of gold discovery and collecting. Complete results can be found at HA.com/3132. Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world's largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Heritage also enjoys the highest Online traffic and dollar volume of any auction house on earth (source: SimilarWeb and Hiscox Report). The Internet's most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has more than 2 million registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of 7,000,000 past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. Reproduction rights routinely granted to media for photo credit. For breaking stories, follow us: HA.com/Facebook and HA.com/Twitter . Link to this release or view prior press releases . Hi-Res images available: Steve Lansdale, Public Relations Specialist 214-409-1699 or SteveL@HA.com