GAINESVILLE, Mo. – The Ancient Coin Collectors Guild (ACCG) has announced its second annual benefit auction raised in excess of $32,000 to support ACCG operations, primarily the guild’s legal fund.
The ACCG is presently engaged in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. State Department in an effort to penetrate what the group described as the department’s “widely recognized and longstanding wall of secrecy regarding cultural property issues.” It seeks the release of information withheld from collectors in multiple FOIA requests. On another front, the guild is contesting import restrictions on ancient coins from Cyprus and China.
VAuctions.com donated the Internet sale venue this year, with photography and cataloging donated by the firm of Sayles and Lavender, and fulfillment/shipping contributed by Mary Lavender. Some 40 private collectors, dealers and friends of the ACCG, donated 197 auction lots, which consisted of ancient coins, books and $100 gift cards.
While some lots achieved more than their presale estimates, the spirit of the auction was best expressed by the sales of gift cards which all went for more than their face value. Particularly ironic was the sale of a silver coin of Ptolemy XII of Egypt (80- 58 BC). The coin is identical in the design and inscription to coins minted in Cyprus, which are controlled by U.S. import restrictions being fought by the ACCG. The coin even includes the mintmark for Paphos in Cyprus. However, this particular coin was actually minted in
Alexandria, Egypt and can only be distinguished from the Cypriot versions by subtle stylistic differences understood only by experienced numismatists. There are no import restrictions on Egyptian coins.
Court filings related to the FOIA lawsuit, launched in concert with the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) and the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), have been released by the ACCG and can be accessed at: http://www.accg.us/issues/news/accg-releases-files-in-foia-lawsuit.
This suit is currently before a federal judge and awaiting a decision.
The ACCG said it will conduct its third annual benefit auction in 2010. For additional information contact Wayne G. Sayles at 417-679-2142.
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