Heritage Auctions' World & Ancient Coins sales have "continued to skyrocket over the last few years," according to a statement by the auction house.

And Heritage will no doubt be hoping that its January 3-4 New York Signature® World & Ancient Coin Auction at the Waldorf Astoria continues this trend.

The sale, which coincides with the New York International Coin Show (NYINC), is being billed as Heritage's "largest" World Coin auction to date.

"With more than 5,000 total lots in this auction we have literally scoured the planet for the best possible international numismatic offerings," said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage.

"The incredible scope of countries represented, and the depth to which the collections go is so advanced that putting this catalog together was like a getting a graduate degree in world numismatics at a crash course pace."

The Polish Sigismund III gold 10 Dukats from 1588

Among the sale's superb early highlights is a Polish Sigismund III gold 10 Dukats 1588, Fr- 83, XF45 NGC.

This exceedingly rare type, with its clean lines and striking imagery, appeals as much for its numismatic value as for its artistic value and is sure to be the subject of spirited bidding. It carries an estimate of $175,000-plus.

More than 240 consignors have placed coins in the auction, most of which will be on display for lot viewing, December 29 and 30, at Heritage's jewelbox New York space at 445 Park Avenue (at 57th).

To further entice International coin collectors, Heritage will have highlights from the upcoming auction the Norman Jacobs Collection of Korean and Japanese Coins, the most important collection of its kind, on display at the NYINC, January 6-9, at the Waldorf-Astoria.