The discovery of the long-lost S.S. New York and the sale of gold and silver coins from the wreck made headline news last year. Since then, further explorations on the wreck have yielded more coins, including some amazing American gold rarities. These include high-grade Philadelphia and New Orleans coins from the 1830s and 1840s, some of which are among the finest known!

A book detailing the loss and recovery, The Treasure Ship S.S. New York, by Q. David Bowers, tells the exciting story (available from Stack's for $29.95 postpaid). The sidewheel steamer, 160.5 feet in length, was launched in New York City in 1837, and under the direction of Charles Morgan and others put into the coastwise run from New York City to Charleston. There she remained for but a short time, and was sent to New Orleans. The Republic of Texas, formed in 1836, beckoned immigrants from foreign countries, American citizens, and others to settle the vast territory. In 1845, Texas joined the Union. The S.S. New York was in service from New Orleans to Galveston, the latter being the largest city in Texas at the time.

Departing Galveston on September 5, 1846, with several dozen passengers and crew aboard plus light cargo, the ship headed toward New Orleans. It was foggy and the wind was light, but there was no indication of any problem. Unexpectedly, stiff winds and high seas arose, and within a few hours the ship anchored about 50 miles off the coast, to weather out the storm. This did not happen. A hurricane developed, the ship foundered, and despite heroic efforts of the passengers and crew to save it, the New York went to the bottom of the sea with a loss of 18 lives and an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 in money.

In 1990 the wreck was located by a group of four treasure seekers styling themselves as the Gentlemen of Fortune. In time, over 400 gold and over 2,000 silver coins were recovered. The better-preserved examples were consigned to Stack's and sold at auction last year, amid much excitement. Since that time, a much smaller number of important coins have been recovered from the wreck. These as well as some interesting artifacts (bottles, silverware, and other items) comprising several hundred lots in all, will be showcased in our July 30th-31st sale to be held in Los Angeles at The Tower Beverly Hills Hotel prior to the ANA Convention. The sale will offer nearly 1500 lots including major rarities with corresponding collector material in the United States series, World coins, and World paper money.

It is anticipated that once again the interest in our offering will be intense. Not only are the coins desirable in their own right, but each is a part of maritime history. The S.S. New York gold coins are part of a very elite class: only four other ships with significant early federal gold coins have ever been found: the S.S. Yankee Blade (lost in 1854), S.S. Central America (1857), S.S. Brother Jonathan (1865), and S.S. Republic (1865). The S.S. New York treasure is the earliest and has yielded incredible coins of high quality from the 1840s not represented in the other shipwrecks. Information about the S.S. New York treasure is included in the latest (2010) edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins.

Welcome to The Schaumburg Sale, presented by Stack's as the official auctioneer of the Mid-America Coin Expo. The Schaumburg Sale showcases many interesting items as well as the traditional offering of U.S. coinage. Please join us for the auction on June 25, 2009 beginning at 4:00pm CST in the Nirvana Room of the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel.

Part I of the Michael K. Ringo Collection of Latin-American Circulating Counterfeit Coinage appears early on, and offers coins from two workhorse genres: the gold coins of the Spanish dominions and their two reales counterparts. Many of these coins are exceedingly rare, and some are simply unique. Highlights here will undoubtedly include the gold alloy 1740 Lima-style contemporary imitation 8 Escudos, and the important 1807 Colombia 8 Escudos counterfeit that was struck over a U.S. Classic Head large cent. Among the selection of two reales counterfeits and imitations is the Quasimodo Head example, so called for its fascinatingly ugly portrait. This specimen is the only one known to Kleeberg, and should sell for a strong sum, so bid accordingly!

Among U.S. coinage, half cents proffer an impressive double struck 1795 C-4 example in the enticing grade of EF-40 BN (PCGS). U.S. cents boast an exceptional 1855 Proof, an N-10, Rarity-5 coin graded Proof-64 RB (PCGS) (CAC), which is immediately followed by a near gem example of the key 1856 Flying Eagle in Proof-64 (PCGS). U.S. minor coinage continues with several nice Proof nickel three cents and a fabulous 1924 Buffalo nickel graded MS-67* by NGC.

One of the most significant pieces offered for sale here is the 1792 half disme. Once part of the Jung Collection, this example of the formidably rare issue is certified as AU-58 by PCGS. Richly toned with a fully complete strike, this coin represents an important opportunity to own one of the most sought-after early coins struck by the United States. It is believed that only 1,500 of these coins were produced in 1792, so examples of these are rare no matter what condition they are in; the present example is all the more attractive for its excellent state of preservation.

Silver coinage offers much for the collector, like an 1854 Arrows dime in MS-68 (NGC) or an 1875 Proof twenty cent piece in Proof-65 CAM (PCGS). Early quarters feature an 1815 MS-66 (NGC) example with the still enigmatic E counterstamp on the obverse and an impressive 1818 B-4 graded MS-66 by PCGS. The famed 1794 half dollar rarity also makes an appearance in this sale in VF-35 (PCGS). Silver dollars provide a variety of scarce and rare coins bolstered by a healthy spread of more common issues, and include coins like a 1797 9X7 Stars, Small Letters variety graded EF-45 (PCGS), a key date 1870-CC in AU-58 (PCGS), and an 1836 Gobrecht Name Below Base Judd-58 Restrike in Proof-53 (PCGS).

A small selection of territorial gold offers big possibilities, with an Uncirculated C. Bechtler $5 graded MS-60 by NGC and an 1852 Wass, Molitor & Co. $10 in the same grade. California small gold and commemoratives take us through to the U.S. gold denominations. Quarter eagles boast an 1839-D in MS-62 (PCGS), one of the ten finest graded examples by that firm. Three dollar gold coins render several nice pieces, and half eagles serve up several appealing early issues including a splendid 1814/3 example that is certified as MS-64 (PCGS) (CAC), making it tied for finest certified by either PCGS or NGC.

Later date half eagles include a stunning 1899 Proof-64 Cameo (NGC) (CAC), one of just 99 pieces struck in the Proof format, and a lovely 1911 Matte Proof $5 in Proof-64 (PCGS). Ten dollar gold pieces provide a nice array of coins with lots like the 1801 BD-2 example in MS-62 (PCGS) and the outstanding 1876 rarity in AU-55 (PCGS) (CAC).

U.S. double eagles round out the sale with over 80 lots to choose from, and coins like the desirable 1871-CC graded AU-53 by PCGS and awarded a green CAC sticker are sure to generate a good deal of interest. Another $20 notable is the 1920-S, an undeniable rarity despite its 558,000-piece mintage. This example is certified as MS-62 by PCGS, and retains the eye appeal of an even finer specimen.

If you cannot attend in person, be sure to send us your bids by U.S. mail or fax, or place your bids on our website, either before the sale or by bidding online during the sessions. If you have yet to do so, take a moment to familiarize yourself with our new Stack's at Home™ program, an improved online bidding experience which allows bidders to watch and participate in the auction in real time through a live audio and video feed. You can find us at 123 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019 or at Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH 03894. To contact us by phone, please use 800-566-2580 (NY) or 866-811-1804 (NH), or email us.