Stack's: Rare Coins For Sale: Numismatic Auctions

The Minot Collection and Other Important Properties ...[Wednesday, May 7, 2008]

Stack’s Sale of Tallent and Belzberg Collections Nets over $6.5 Million! ...[Thursday, May 1, 2008]

The Husky Collection of Classic Rarities ...[Thursday, April 17, 2008]

Archives...[Additional Articles]

The Minot Collection and Other Important Properties
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

On May 21-22, 2008, Stack’s eagerly invites you to join us in the event inaugurating our brand new, custom-designed auction gallery located at 110 W 57th Street in New York City. The sale of the Minot Collection and other important properties, to take place over two sessions from May 21-22, is sure to be an outstanding way to launch what will surely be a new and lasting tradition.

The Minot Collection offers astounding diversity and superb quality. With large offerings of colonial coins, U.S. medals, coins, and paper money, this sale represents a veritable panorama of American numismatics. Opportunity abounds, as there are significant rarities offered in every section of the sale.

Opening the sale is a recently discovered Sommer Islands twopence. The exceptional rarity of these specimens means that examples appear for sale very infrequently, making this an important opportunity. An excellent medley of colonial coinage follows, with a great selection of Massachusetts silver, including an MS-61 (NGC) Oak Tree shilling. The very rare ca. 1659 Lord Baltimore shilling will certainly attract attention, as will the stunning 1766 Pitt halfpenny token and one of the finest known 1786 Baby Head Vermont coppers. A nice run of New Jersey coppers is capped off by a Condition Census Mint State 1787 Maris 15-T. A delightful run of Washington pieces is sure to please, as is the probable Condition Census Newman 3-D 1787 Club Rays Fugio cent.

The section of the sale devoted to U.S. medals offers a goodly amount of interesting and affordable pieces mixed in with many serious rarities. The unique 1781 Libertas Americana reverse cliché and the 1787 Columbia and Washington copper medal are two of these fantastic rarities. The rare small size silver 1801 Jefferson Indian Peace Medal will certainly command attention, and an intriguing privately issued and intricately hand-engraved Louisiana Confederate Veteran Cross will certainly catch the eye of any Confederate or Civil War collector. The section of Presidential medals is highlighted by the rare (only four struck!) Jimmy Carter Inaugural Presentation Gold Medal. The historic and exciting silver Tammany Society Badge offered in this sale is one of just a few pieces extant of this little known piece.

The regular United States series begins with early coppers and features the elusive key date 1796 half cent and a lovely Proof 1856 large cent in Proof-64 RB (PCGS). A wonderful Proof 1857 Flying Eagle cent, one of the finest known, is sure to be a major attraction, as will a lovely 1918/7-D Buffalo nickel and a Mint State 1794 half dime. A beautiful Gem 1807 dime, two Mint State 1916-D Mercury dimes, several Gem 1942/1’s, and a Gem 1942/1-D quickly follow.

We are excited to offer two of Hermon MacNeil’s original bronze casts of the 1916 and 1917 Standing Liberty quarter designs. The first is a cast of MacNeil’s approved obverse design for the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter, and the second is his alternate reverse design for the 1917 Type II quarter. These large, possibly unique casts were intended for the preparation of dies and represent two great chances to acquire a fascinating piece of numismatic history. These wonderful casts are followed by three exceptional 1916 Standing Liberty quarters, one in MS-65 and two in MS-64.

Half dollars start out strongly, with the rare 1794 O-101 variety, and several 1795 Flowing Hair examples. A superb and nearly complete collection of Gem quality Walking Liberty half dollars, missing only the 1917-S Obverse Mintmark and 1921-S, affords the collector a remarkable opportunity. Each coin is housed in an early PCGS “Green Label” holder, and all but one piece is graded MS-65.

Silver dollars, always a popular area for collectors, begin with several examples of the 1795 issue and include a Proof 1836 Gobrecht and a Proof 1863 Seated dollar. A lovely selection of Trade dollars, including an 1882 Proof-66 Deep Cameo (PCGS), and a wide array of Morgan dollars finish out the section.

Session Two of the Minot Collection and other important properties begins with U.S. Paper Money. Included with the Large Size Currency is an impressive color wash drawing for the proposed 1896 Educational series $2 note. A nice assortment of National Bank Notes boasts a newly discovered, Serial Number One $5 on The First National Bank of North East, Pennsylvania. The extremely rare Original Series $1 on the Waldoboro National Bank of Waldoboro, Maine is just one of four pieces known, this being the finest. Another rare Original Series $1 on the First National Bank of Hightstown, New Jersey is one of just two known. These Nationals serve as a precursor to the two Trompe l’oeil paintings offered in this sale. The first by A. Duran in 1895, and the second by Otis Kaye in 1930, these rarely offered numismatic-themed paintings represent an opportunity that is not to be missed.

A focal point of the sale will undoubtedly be the collection of the Revolutionary War-era Continental Currency offered here, the sale’s namesake in fact. A truly fine collection, this section presents a tremendous opportunity and represents the precursor of the Federal notes begun in the 1860s. The elusive May 10, 1775 Marbled Border Twenty Dollars note and the sharp uncut pair of One Sixth of a Dollar Fugio notes are just two examples of what this collection has to offer, and the 24-subject “Fugio” style uncut sheet is a rarely seen treat. Also a part of this stupendous collection is a grouping of high quality and visually stunning May 20, 1777 “First United States Issue” notes.

An excellent selection of Colonial currency follows the Continentals, and offers, among other rarities, a wonderfully rare 1734 New Hampshire Seven Shillings Merchants Note. A South Carolina 10 Shillings note signed by Francis Salvador, the first Jewish elected official in America who served two stints in South Carolina’s Provincial Congress before joining the army to fight the British, offers bidders the chance to acquire a very attractive note steeped in Revolutionary War history.

Following the Colonial currency is the U.S. Obsolete currency and Western American paper currency. A large section, it comprises a fair amount of both Proofs and issued notes. Highlights include the Merchants Bank, Boston $500 note (issued and stamped “PAID”), the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Santa Claus Proof sheet, and the legendary Knickerbocker Bank Two Dollars Santa note.

The large and comprehensive Western American paper currency section boasts several dazzling rarities, including a Mesilla, Arizona Territory Cloth note, an eye-catching and very rare red Emperor Norton I Fifty Cents note, and a Virginia City, Idaho scrip payable in gold dust. The Utah-Mormon section features three notes signed by Brigham Young!

Private and Territorial Gold coins follow the Western American paper money section, and the 1852 Humbert $50 slug will be important, as will the Kellogg and Humbert gold ingot recovered from the S.S. Central America. U.S. gold coins round out our sale, and include many key issues as well as desirable types, like a beautiful 1796 No Stars quarter eagle. The half eagle section is replete with rarities, including a lovely 1806 Knob 6, a Choice 1853-C, a Gem Cameo Proof 1867 (the finest graded by NGC), an 1878-CC that is tied for finest certified by PCGS, and a condition rarity 1901 (none graded finer by NGC).

U.S. Eagles start off with a spectacular MS-63 (PCGS) 1795 13 Leaves Eagle pedigreed to our sale of the DiBello Collection and certified by CAC as Premium Quality, and continue with several beautiful examples of early tens. Later issue highlights include a Superb 1901 (tied for finest graded by NGC), a Gem Proof 1907 Liberty, and a Gem 1907 Wire Rim, with Periods Indian.

An excellent selection of $20 gold pieces takes us home, with an appealing 1850-O in AU-53 (PCGS) and an 1879-CC graded AU-58. Two exquisite Proof Saint-Gaudens double eagles also steal the limelight, with a 1912 in Proof-66 (NGC) and a 1913 in Proof-67 (NGC).

We invite you to join us in person for our sale in New York. If you cannot attend, 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. 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.

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Stack’s Sale of Tallent and Belzberg Collections Nets over $6.5 Million!
Thursday, May 1, 2008

Stack's sale of the Michael S. Tallent and the Alicia and Sid Belzberg Collections took place last Thursday, April 24 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. With standing room only, this jam-packed auction room witnessed the extraordinary sale of $6,592,516 worth of world coins and medals. Lawrence R. Stack noted, "In speaking to the three highlighted consignors from this sale, Michael Tallent, Alicia and Sid Belzberg, and the owner of the Chinese kilo coins, everyone was very happy with the overall results, which goes to show that specialized collections bring out the crowds as well as financial rewards.

The auction began with the Tallent Collection, starting with English Hammered coinage, and took off at an exciting pace, with the two Henry VIII Sovereigns fetching $37,375 and $29,900 respectively. A majestic Mary Tudor Fine Sovereign weighed in at $25,300 and a stunning Elizabeth I Pound brought $23,000, bolstering the House of Tudor's legacy as one of the most famous (or infamous!) English royal families.

The highly specialized collection Charles I silver coins saw serious bidding (both live and via telephone) and fierce competition. The sheer quantity of types and high end quality of the coins made this dramatic collection a rare opportunity for collectors. A gorgeous Type 5 Tower Mint Crown was highly sought after and fetched $20,700, while soon after, a fabulously pedigreed 1643 Triple Unite sold for $29,900. Only minutes after that, a tremendous 1643 Oxford Mint Crown surpassed all expectations when it sold for $20,700. The seven lots of siege coinage were also the focus of intense bidding, with the Octagonal Shilling of Pontefract climbing to $14,950.

The dozen or so examples of Ormonde coinage were also well received, exceeding estimates on all fronts.

The Alicia and Sid Belzberg Collection opened with a stunning group of select Polish rarities, and their performance indicated that the robust Polish coin market is in no present danger. The epic Battle of Chocim 1621 Gold 50 Ducat commemorating the Polish victory finally weighed in at a whopping $431,250, the highest realization in the sale, after intense bidding. Excitement abounded when, minutes later, the exceedingly rare 1614 Gold 5 Ducat soared to $115,000 and the 1624 Gold 5 Ducat made its way to $63,250. All paddles were in the air when the magnificent and extremely rare 1617 Silver Double Talary crossed the block, topping out at $184,000. Polish patterns also performed brilliantly, with the breathtaking 1766 Pattern Talar encountering aggressive bidding and culminating in a winning bid of $138,000. The unique 1925 Gold Pattern 5 Zlotych opened at $36,000 and climbed to an astounding $218,500.

As the sale progressed, it was clear that Polish rarities were not alone in this spectacular performance. European and Asian rarities were also the source of significant collector interest. The Russian market continued to perform strongly, with the first of two famed 1836 Russian "Family Rubles" selling for $126,500. The Borodino commemorative 1839 1½ Rubles brought an impressive $89,125. The civil division Order of St. Stanislaus was the focus of intense bidding, and sold for an astonishing $126,500. Other European coins also saw spirited bidding, with a 1751 Essai 10 Sovererain d'or from the Austrian Netherlands selling for $26,450. Once again, the English and British coins were the source of serious competition. Some lots later, bidders had to fight over the fabulous St. Peter Testone. Probably the scarcest piece struck from the three founding Cantons of the Swiss Confederation, it was the source of competitive bidding; it finally sold for $24,150.

Another major highlight of this auction sale was the offering of five Chinese Lunar Calendar Gold Kilo coins, each representing a year of the Animal Cycle of the 12 Zodiac signs. With only 15 pieces struck each year beginning in 1992, these coins are of the utmost rarity. The 1995 Year of the Pig 2,000 Yuan quickly flew to $149,500. The 1996 Year of the Rat 2,000 Yuan climbed to $184,000, the largest sum of the five pieces, before it found its new home. The 1997 Year of the Ox coin reached $172,500, and the 1998 Year of the Tiger went to its new owner after a successful bid of $161,000. The final piece of this offering was the 2001 Year of the Snake 10,000 Yuan, which crept its way to $155,250 before the hammer fell.

To cap off this exciting day, the final section of the auction was devoted to Ancient coins, and included some serious rarities. A massive Ptolemaic Pentakaidekadrachm (a 15 Drachm piece) was bought for $24,150. Several lots later, a Posthumous Denarius of Julius Caesar surprised everyone when it sold for $19,550.

At the end of the day, more than $6.5 million worth of world coins and medals were sold. The response was unanimous: the sale was an unqualified success.

For further information on participating in or consigning to an upcoming Stack's auction, contact Stack's at 123 W 57th Street, NY, NY 10019 or Stack's at Box 1804, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, 03894. By phone please use 800-566-1580 or 866-811-1804. Full sales results from the Tallent and Belzberg Collections, as well as full photos and text from previous sales, are available online at www.stacks.com.

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The Husky Collection of Classic Rarities
Thursday, April 17, 2008

To be Sold by Stack's June 25th, New York City

A collection of remarkable depth, breadth, and quality has been consigned to Stack's for public auction to be held June 25th in New York City. Valued upwards of seven million dollars, the holding is replete with the finest of the fine, the rarest of the rare, all certified by NGC and PCGS.

1793 Cent

A lovely 1793 half cent VF-20 (PCGS) sets the stage for federal copper coins. Cents commence with a 1793 Wreath AU-58 BN (NGC), continuing on to include other varieties. A gorgeous Proof-65 1856 Flying Eagle (NGC) follows, and then, in due course, a 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln cent, in Ultra-Gem MS-66 (NGC) with full mint red, will attract bids from every corner as this is one of the most popular of all 20th century coins.

1792 Half Disme

1796 Dime

A 1792 half disme in MS-63 (NGC) will attract notice when it crosses the auction block, as will a gorgeous MS-62 (PCGS) certified 1795, a very rare 1796 dime in MS-64 (NGC) (of the highly desired type with Draped Bust obverse and Small Eagle reverse), and other issues.

Quarter dollars commence with the first year of issue, a 1796 VF-25 (NGC), and go on to include other issues. An MS-65 FH (PCGS) 1916 Standing Liberty quarter, will make bidders sit up and take notice.

Half dollars begin with the first year of issue, a 1794 XF-40 (NGC), and continue through the decades, including many remarkable pieces like the 1796 in XF-45 (NGC) and a 1797 Fifteen Stars in VF-20 (PCGS) both will command attention. We also mention a Proof-63 (NGC) 1836 and a gorgeous 1839 Liberty Seated Without Drapery MS-64 (PCGS).

1794 Dollar

1895 Proof Dollar

Silver dollars would make a great presentation all by themselves, and include the classic 1794 rarity in VF-20 (NGC), a lovely 1795 Draped Bust in XF-40 (PCGS), and others. A beautiful Proof-63 (PCGS) 1836 "Original" Gobrecht dollar will play to a wide audience. The remarkable, unique 1851 Proof-62 (PCGS) Restrike over an O Mint planchet Liberty Seated silver dollar will be a highlight, a "find" for even the most advanced specialist. An Ultra-Gem 1895 Proof-67 Cameo (NGC) will sell itself, so to speak, as this is perhaps the most famous date in the Morgan series.

Quarter eagles commence with both varieties of the famous 1796 year, Without Stars AU-58 (NGC) and With Stars AU-53 (PCGS), both lustrous examples, followed by other early rarities, including a landmark Mint State 1808 MS-60 (NGC)! Quarter eagles of the 1820s and early 1830s, seldom seen, are represented by high grade examples as well. A lovely Mint State 1848 CAL. MS-61 (NGC) will excite interest, including as it does a fantastic measure of history as America's first commemorative coin.

All eyes will be on an 1880 $4 Flowing Hair Stella Proof-63 (NGC), dozens of times rarer than the usually seen 1879 of the same design.

Half eagles commence with a superb 1795 MS-65 (PCGS) Small Eagle, and an MS-62 (PCGS) Large Eagle, the first year of issue, and continue to include Mint State and high level AU examples of other die varieties of the year, as well as 1796 and other issues through the early 19th century. Many coins will be recognized as the finest offered for a long time. Half eagles of the late teens and the 1820s, an era laden with rarities, are represented by multiple examples including 1818, 1820, 1823, 1824, 1827, and, in due course, a lovely Mint State early style 1834.

1880 Flowing Hair Stella

1795 Half Eagle

1795 Eagle

1860 Clark Gruber $10

Eagles or $10 gold include the incredibly rare 1795 with nine leaves below the eagle graded AU-58 (NGC), plus the regularly seen and highly prized variety with 13 leaves graded AU-58 (NGC), continuing to include 1796 MS-63 (NGC), a 1797 Small Eagle AU-58 (NGC), a 1797 Large Eagle AU-58 (NGC), the two main varieties of 1798, and onward, into the next century, culminating with an MS-61 (PCGS) 1804, the last year of the early issues. A 1907 Indian Head $10 with the "rounded" or "rolled" edge in MS-66 (PCGS), one of America's greatest rarities in the gold series, is an Ultra-Gem in quality, keeping good company with a similar 1907 With Periods having a "wire" rim graded MS-67 (PCGS).

Double eagles include one of the nicest 1861-S XF-40 (NGC) Paquet reverse issues we've seen, a remarkable quality 1870-CC XF-40 (NGC) (the key to the Carson City issues), and more. A lustrous 1879-O AU-58 (NGC) will also satisfy.

Territorial gold is memorable, including as a small sample, an 1851 Augustus Humbert $50 with lettered edge, a large and impressive 1855 Wass, Molitor $50 Fine-15 (PCGS), an MS-60 NGC certified 1860 Clark Gruber $10 (the defining coin of that institution, well documented in history), Mormon gold from Salt Lake City, and more. For good measure, a splendid Kellogg & Humbert gold bar from the fabulous S.S. Central America treasure will be featured, accompanied with a nice discussion of its significance and history.

Commemoratives are extensive and include gorgeous Gem examples of the two great rarities-the 1915-S Panama-Pacific octagonal $50 graded MS-65 (PCGS) and the even rarer round version in MS-66 (NGC).

The Husky Collection will be offered in a separate catalogue and is scheduled to go to press in the next few weeks. Consignments are now being accepted for this event to be presented in a separate catalogue on the same day. For more information on participating as a buyer or consignor to this event, contact Vicken Yegparian or Christine Karstedt at Stack's123 West 57th Street, New York City, NY 10019. More details are also available at www.stacks.com.

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