IRVINE, CA–Ponterio & Associates, Inc., the world and ancients auction division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, will conduct its Baltimore Auction of World and Ancient Coins and Paper Money as part of Bowers and Merena’s Official Auction of the June 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. The two-session sale will be conducted June 18 and 19 at the Baltimore Convention Center. More than 2,300 lots will be offered, including approximately 1,500 lots of Ancient and foreign coins and 825 lots of world paper money.

Executive vice president, Rick Ponterio states, “Our June 2010 Baltimore Auction is sure to see strong bidder participation—and competition—among specialists in many areas of foreign coins and paper money. Featured among the coin offerings in this sale are important rarities from many periods of history, ranging from Ancient Greece to the modern era.”

Continued Ponterio: “An example of the diversity in this sale can be found in two of the more important highlights. The first is a very rare Zeugitana, Carthage AV Trihemistater, or 1 ½ Shekel, that dates to the early period of the First Punic War (ca. 264-260 BC). The coin is attributed alternatively as Jenkins & Lewis Group IX Pl.18#392 (same dies) and Muller-Pg.86#66, and has been certified by NGC as AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5.”

“We will also present a Yuan Dynasty Zhi Yuan 50 Tael Sycee Ingot that is extremely rare and historically significant,” Ponterio added. “It is dated the 14th year of the Zhìyuán era (1273 A.D.), inscribed with the denomination at upper left and the ruler’s name and date at lower center, Khubilai Khan, the fifth Great Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan (1260-94). It is among the earliest known Chinese 50 Tael Sycee ingot.”

Additional highlights in Ponterio & Associates’ Official June 2010 Baltimore Auction include:

• Ancient Greece, Sicily, Messana, AR Tetradrachm (17.39 gms), ca. 450-426 B.C., Caccamo-Caltabiano-425, D183/R175 (same dies), NGC XF, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5, Die Flaws.
• Ancient Greece, Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I, Nikator 312-280 B.C., AR Tetradrachm (17.04 gms), Susa Mint, EMS-420#99 (A59/P7), Newell-417 (Persepolis), Very Fine.
• Roman Empire, Tiberius, A.D. 14-37, AV Aureus (7.88 gms), Lugdunum Mint, RIC-25, S-1760, Cal-305, NGC Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5.
• Roman Empire, Nero, A.D. 54-68, AV Aureus (7.33 gms), Rome Mint, RIC-52, S-1930, Cal-412, NGC AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 2/5.
• Australia, ½ Penny, 1923, KM-22, Extremely Fine.
• Australia, Florin, 1934, KM-33, NGC Proof-62.
• Austria, Taler, 1590, Hall Mint, Rudolf II (1576-1612), with Archdukes Maximilian, Charles V and Ferdinand, Dav-8105, Bachtell-128A, NGC EF-45.
• China, Yuan Dynasty: Zhi Yuan, 50 Tael Sycee Ingot, Dated Year 14 (1273 A.D.), BMC-unlisted, Chen-14, Pictoral Yuanbao-unlisted, Very Fine, described in the catalog as “EXTREMELY RARE and historically significant.”
• Guatemala, 8 Reales, 1787-M, KM-36.2a, FC-33, El-41, Brilliant Uncirculated.
• Guatemala, 16 Pesos, 1867-R, Fr-39, KM-188, Almost Uncirculated, described in the catalog as, :VERY RARE, mintage of only 467 pieces.”
• Malta, 50,000 Liras, 2005, Fr-unlisted, KM-unlisted, Hospitallier Order, #46 of only 100 minted, Choice Brilliant Proof.
• Mexico, Escudo, 1679 (J), Charles II (1665-1700), Fr-5, KM-50, Very Fine.
• Mexico, 8 Escudos, 1805-TH, Fr-43, KM-159, NGC MS-62.
• Mexico, 20 Pesos, 1871 ZsH, Fr-127, KM-414.8, Very Fine.
• Mexico, War of Independence, Oaxaca, 8 Reales, 1812-C, KM-168, Bold Very Fine.
• Monaco, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Francs, 1950, Fr-24, 26, 28 & 30, KM-PE6a, 7a, 8a & 9a, Piefort Essais struck in gold, Brilliant Uncirculated.

A complete auction and lot viewing schedule is available at www.bowersandmerena.com or by calling 800.458.4646.