Irregular Postings on Coin Collecting & Numismatics - Both Canonical & Conanical

A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars

Numismatists Do Not Fear Change

Category Archives: Ancients

Some 1970’s Auction Appearances of ACD Collection Coins

Some 1970’s Auction Appearances of ACD Collection Coins

“… he had put up for auction …”

– The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans (BRUC)

In late 1968 and early 1969, the New York firm of Manfra, Tordella & Brookes sold the ancient coin collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle via private transations with individual collectors and Sherlockians. Shortly afterwards, some of these coins were then sold at public auctions when the purchasing collector consigned his collection.

Thanks to the Newman Numismatic Portal, from time to time, we are able to locate some of these coins.

Harmer, Rooke Numismatists, Ltd. featured two lots from the Conan Doyle collection in their June 19, 1973 auction.

Lot 147 didn’t get near the estimated value of $125 and was hammered for $72.50. Lot 206 was closer to the estimate and sold for $70.

Superior Galleries, in their December 1972 auction sale, had one lot that featured two coins from ACD’s collection. Lot 579 sold for $45, nearly reaching the high end of the estimate

Unfortunately, while photgraphs are plentiful in today’s auction listings, it is quite a different story in the pre 1990s sales. It was expensive to take photographs and include in the catalogs. Generally, only higher value items woud be photographed. Unfortunately, in reviewing the MTB price list from ACD’s collection, he did not have many coins of high collector value.

We will note that a reorganized version of Superior Galleries would later auction the manuscript for The Adventures of the Three Garridebs in 1995.

We will continue to scan for previous sale appearances of coins from the Arthur Conan Doyle collection and post periodic updates on this website.

The Ancient Greek Coins Stolen By Le Chevalier in Elementary’s The Leviathan Episode

The Ancient Greek Coins Stolen By Le Chevalier in Elementary’s The Leviathan Episode

“Somewhere in the vaults …” – The Problem of Thor Bridge (THOR) In the tenth episode of Season one of Elementary, airing December 13, 2012, the opening scene is of a bank vault robbery in progress. The supposedly uncrackable bank vault called “The Leviathan” is breached for the second time, Sherlock is called in to figure out what… Continue Reading

Conan-Doyle Ancient Coins Set For Sale (8/21/1968)

Conan-Doyle Ancient Coins Set For Sale (8/21/1968)

“My publishers give me a most discouraging account of its sale.” – The Adventure of the Resident Patient (RESI) The ancient coin collection of the late Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, celebrated author and creator of the Sherlock Holmes mystery thriller series, has been acquired by the firm of Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York,… Continue Reading

Period Americana’s Sale 50 Auctioned Off A Coin From ACD’s Estate

Period Americana’s Sale 50 Auctioned Off A Coin From ACD’s Estate

“Now and again I drive down to Sotheby’s or Christie’s.” – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (3GAR) Period Americana, a Boston, Massachusetts-based auction house recently conducted their Sale 50: Ephemera, Revolutionary War, Civil War, RPPC Timed Sale. Of interest to us is Lot 177: Lot 177: Coin from Sherlock Holmes’ Conan-Doyle collection Est: $350 –… Continue Reading

Three ACD Collection Coins Auctioned in January 2014

Three ACD Collection Coins Auctioned in January 2014

“Here was a case of ancient coins.” – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (3GAR) One of our group’s earliest goals was to attempt to track down coins from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s personal coin collection. We were able to locate a price list that Manfra, Tordella & Brookes produced in 1968 of Doyle’s ancient… Continue Reading

Welcome IHOSE Episode #128 Listeners

Welcome IHOSE Episode #128 Listeners

“… difficulties caused by his own aversion to publicity.” – The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot (DEVI) We would like to take this opportunity to welcome those of you may have heard about us on Episode 128 of the I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere podcast. Your friendly editor was interviewed by Scott Monty and Burt Wolder… Continue Reading

TFG Issues Souvenir Card at 2017 ANA National Money Show Dinner

TFG Issues Souvenir Card at 2017 ANA National Money Show Dinner

“Surely you will stay and have some dinner?” – The Hound of the Baskervilles (HOUN) Souvenir Card issued for the 2017 Orlando Dinner Six Sherlockians and numismatists gathered at Maggiano’s Pointe Orlando on Friday, March 10th for the Numismatic Friends of Sherlock Holmes Dinner. The 2017 National Money Show in Orlando by the American Numismatic… Continue Reading

Classical Numismatic Group Sells 2 Coins From ACD Collection

Classical Numismatic Group Sells 2 Coins From ACD Collection

“Here was a case of ancient coins.” – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (3GAR) Classical Numismatic Group conducted an online auction of ancient coins that closed on September 28, 2016. One lot would be of interest to the Sherlockian numismatist: Sale 383, Lot: 458. Estimate $100. Sold for $240. This amount does not include… Continue Reading

Heritage To Auction A Syracusan Decadrachm At CICF

Heritage To Auction A Syracusan Decadrachm At CICF

“Syracusan – of the best period …” – The Adventure of The Three Garridebs (3GAR) Heritage Auction’s April 14 – 19, 2016 CICF World Coins Signature Auction – Chicago #3046 – Lot TBD – HA.com Every member of The Fourth Garrideb receives a Garrideb Decadrachm with their lifetime membership certificate, an homage to the Baker Street Irregulars… Continue Reading