Last week, Stack's concluded its three-day sale of the Entlich, White Oak, Gross, & St. Andre Collections in Baltimore. This extensive, almost 4,000 lot sale took place over March 23-25, and touched on many aspects of the numismatic field. From coins and medals to tokens, paper money, and printing plates, this sale generated significant realizations in each and every category.

Session One covered U.S. coinage from Colonial and Early American issues up through half dollars, as well as commemoratives and error coins. A nice run of early Massachusetts silver coins led the way, with a lovely 1652 Oak Tree shilling in an AU-55 (PCGS) (CAC) holder getting the ball rolling at $12,650. Some one hundred lots later found bidders vying for a wonderful 1787 Massachusetts Horned Eagle cent graded MS-64 BN, which eventually clocked in at an impressive $17,250.

United States minor coinage boasted many important rarities, such as the Gem Matte Proof 1909 V.D.B. cent, certified as Proof-65 RB by NGC, which climbed to a stunning $25,300 before its closing. A marvelous selection of Buffalo nickels was highlighted by the nearly Uncirculated 1916 Doubled Die Obverse example. This rarity, a true prize for the nickel specialist, was graded AU-55 by PCGS and was eventually awarded to a lucky phone bidder for $51,750. Other Buffalo nickels were "hot tickets" to the extreme-action all over the place! Quarter dollars were another important section of this sale, and claimed one of the highest realizations of the entire auction. The gorgeous 1927-S, graded an astounding MS-66 FH by PCGS and tied for the finest graded, sold for an incredible $149,500 when all was said and done. For this and many other items, the record books will have to be rewritten!

Session Two encompassed American. medals, Washington pieces, so-called dollars, silver dollars, patterns, territorials, and gold coins. A beautiful presentation of Betts medals, many of them pedigreed to the sale of the Norweb Collection by Stack's, paved the way. The room was afire when Admiral Vernon medals crossed the block, with starting bids being doubled, tripled, and quadrupled in many instances! Who would have ever thought such a thing? This goes to prove that collectors are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and that for solid numismatic material in many specialized categories, the market is stronger than ever. Indian Peace medals were up next, highlighted by a splendid large size silver Lincoln piece in almost Extremely Fine condition that realized $29,900.

Silver dollars encompassed an amazing 300+ lots, with over 100 examples of Flowing Hair and Draped Bust types! The first example, the famous 1794 rarity, was certainly the highlight of this section. The Hall-Walton specimen and the Collins plate coin, this coin in 1945 for $1,200; last week, it took $41,400 to buy it! Other early dollar rarities included the splendid 1803 Large 3 Draped Bust example in AU-58 (PCGS), which brought a pleasing $20,010.

American gold coins performed exceptionally well in this auction sale, with both the extreme rarities and the more generic issues realizing strong prices across the board. The 1795 Bass-Dannreuther-3 half eagle was one such rarity that we were pleased to offer in this sale. Graded MS-63* by NGC and designated with a green CAC sticker, this stunning and important first year of issue half eagle soared to a lofty perch of $166,750 before being awarded to its new owner.

American gold eagles were also big players, showcasing a lovely 1838 $10 in AU-58 (PCGS) that brought $54,625. Later issues boasted a wonderfully satiny 1907 With Periods, Wire Rim Indian Head example graded MS-65 (PCGS) that realized $57,500. Double eagles also featured