Noonans

George Medals were awarded to military recipients for bravery not in the face of the enemy, so bomb or mine disposal is a classic reason.

Mayfair auction house builds on an excellent performance last year with stand-out results at the start of 2024

Noonans was the dominant player in the London coins and medals auction market in 2023 with a market share of almost 32%, ATG’s exclusive annual special report reveals.

The best-selling gallantry medal of 2023 was offered at Noonans late in the year on December 6. The Naval Victoria Cross awarded to Seaman James Gorman at the Battle of Inkerman sold for a hammer price of £320,000 (plus 24% buyer’s premium) and now forms part of a private collection of Crimean War medals.

This Iraq specimen banknote printed in India during the Second World War sold for £100,000 plus 24% buyer’s premium at Noonans on November 29-30. It was purchased by a lifetime collector or Iraqi banknotes at double the low estimate.

A remarkable Canadian single-owner collection of coins of the East India Company was offered by Noonans on February 8-9, 2023.

Total sales across London coin and medals auctions were £61.6m in 2023, just a fraction down on 2022’s record aggregate

Jewellery, watches and luxury goods have become a key battleground in the regions. A persistently strong market has brought competition from specialist departments and the arrival of new designated auction firms based in and around the London area.

The small German beakers known as monatsbecher (‘month beakers’) were made in sets of a dozen: one for each month of the year.

This rare Rolex reference 6238 was one made for the Japanese market in 1965.

In November 1915, Captain Wilton John Rix of the 6th Bedfordshire Regiment wrote from France to the East Suffolk Gazette with an understated and moving plea for a relief from the war’s monotony.

The ‘fine and scarce’ 1918 Sopwith Camel fighter ace’s Distinguished Flying Cross and bar awarded to Captain Solomon Clifford Joseph (previewed in ATG No 2613) sold within estimate for £20,000 in Mayfair.

Elements from the Pearson collection of post-war silver - the largest assemblage of its kind in private hands - will be on display at Noonans in Mayfair.

The Distinguished Flying Cross and bar awarded to the highest scoring Jewish ‘ace’ of the First World War is to be offered at Noonans’ auction in London on October 13.

On October 3 Noonans will sell two single-owner collections.

Serpent jewels, symbols of eternity and exoticism, are ever popular and two good examples are on offer this autumn.

A fine example of Viking metalworking was offered at Noonans (24% buyer’s premium) in Mayfair on July 18.