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Watches, Contemporary Art and collectible Coins in Auction 9 – Salmoiraghi Collection by Nomisma Aste

A special auction in which part of the proceeds will be donated to the Piero and Zita Salmoiraghi Foundation

Nomisma Aste, Asta 9 - Collezione Salmoiraghi

Verona, Friday, February 28, 2025. Nomisma Aste presents Auction 9 – Salmoiraghi Collection, an auction dedicated to the most refined and discerning collecting, which will take place on Sunday, March 23, at the enchanting Villa Mosconi Bertani. A total of 854 carefully selected lots will be offered, including watches, contemporary artworks, and collectible coins.

Watches

The sale will open with an exclusive selection of watchmaking masterpieces, totaling 55 timepieces.

Among the top lots is the extremely rare Patek Philippe Chronograph Gobbi Milan “Tasti Tondi” in rose gold, reference 1463, lot 55 – estimate €110,000. This was the first and only waterproof vintage Patek Philippe chronograph, thanks to its screw-down caseback and round pump pushers, from which it earned the nickname “Tasti Tondi.” Enhancing its rarity is the “Gobbi Milan” dial, from the historic Milanese dealer of Patek Philippe and other prestigious brands.

Also deserving special attention is lot 25, the Rolex Pre-Daytona, reference 3525, estimate €18,000. Considered the forerunner of the Daytona, this remarkable 1950s timepiece is also known as the “Barilotto” (“little barrel”) due to the shape of its monobloc case. Andy Warhol, fascinated by vintage-inspired watches, owned one himself!

Equally notable is the Rolex Milgauss reference 1019, lot 7 – estimate €15,000, the quintessential anti-magnetic watch, created by the crowned house to meet the needs of scientists working in environments exposed to strong magnetic fields.

Other highlights include the elegant and timeless Longines Chronograph, reference 5415, lot 36 – estimate €10,000, and the refined Audemars Piguet Quantieme Perpetual Calendar, reference 5548BA, lot 46 – estimate €10,000.

Contemporary Art

And now, the major novelty for 2025! For the first time, Nomisma Aste, in collaboration with the Artemisia Fine Art gallery of San Marino, has selected 13 contemporary artworks by some of the most important artists who shaped the Italian cultural and artistic landscape of the 20th century: Alberto Burri, Enrico Castellani, Lucio Fontana, Mario Schifano, Giorgio de Chirico are just a few of the names that collectors will find in the catalog.

Among the highlights of this section is Senza Titolo by Alberto Burri, lot 58 – estimate €80,000, in which matter forcefully dominates the canvas, drawing the viewer toward a dimension where materiality acquires new meaning.

Also worth mentioning is Le Amiche Velate by Massimo Campigli, lot 59 – estimate €90,000, a painting in which the artist recreates on canvas images reminiscent of the fresco technique. Lastly, Superficie Bianca by Enrico Castellani, lot 61 – estimate €160,000. Castellani, renowned throughout the art-historical world, made his canvases a medium for exploring the concept of Spatialism, presenting the public with works whose surfaces acquire a dynamic and vital appearance.

Numismatics

Closing the catalog of Auction 9 – Salmoiraghi Collection is a rich numismatic section, featuring 786 lots spanning world coins, Italian mints, and the House of Savoy.

Among the English specimens are some that certainly do not go unnoticed: a 1694 5-Guinea multiple and a Guinea with the portraits of sovereigns William III and Mary, lot 291 – estimate €15,000 and lot 292 – estimate €1,000. Both coins feature on the obverse a distinctive and fascinating symbol: a small elephant surmounted by a castle, the “Elephant and Castle,” indicating the African origin of the gold used in their minting.

Also included are two further 5-Guinea pieces issued during the reign of George II, dated 1741 and 1746, lot 299 – estimate €15,000 and lot 300 – estimate €15,000. The latter specimen bears the “LIMA” mark, denoting the South American origin of the metal. This mark referred to the enormous treasure seized during the circumnavigation voyage of the fleet commanded by George Anson, acting in his role as a royal privateer. Yet its precise use remains a mystery, since there appears to be no known connection with Peru, as Lima itself was never conquered by the English.

Particularly spectacular are the sovereigns, starting with lot 330, the 1839 5 Pounds “Una and the Lion”, estimate €60,000, struck to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria. This is one of the most iconic and admired English coins worldwide, notable for being the first to depict a British monarch in the guise of a literary character: “Una and the Lion” from Edmund Spenser’s poem.

Also noteworthy is the 100 Swiss Francs of 1925 in pristine Fleur-de-Coin condition, lot 707 – estimate €13,000.

Amid this triumph of gold, the Kingdom of Italy is also well represented: a magnificent 100 Lire 1903 in exceptional preservation, lot 837 – estimate €13,000, and a 100 Lire 1905 in similar condition, lot 838 – estimate €13,000.

This event is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated of the year for collectors, thanks to the care and exclusivity of the objects offered. With exceptional watches, contemporary artworks, and rare coins, this auction celebrates the very best of collecting and represents an unmissable opportunity to enrich one’s collection with items of the highest historical and artistic value.

All that remains is to get ready for a unique experience—an encounter with excellence, rarity, and passion.

AUCTION PROGRAM

Auction 9 – Salmoiraghi Collection
at Villa Mosconi Bertani, Via Novare 2, 37024 Arbizzano-Santa Maria,(VR)

Sunday, March 23 2025

Session I, starting from 10:30 am CET, Lots 1-290
Session II, starting from 3:00 pm CET, Lots 291-584

It will be possible to take part in the auction both in person and online.

Browse the catalogue

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