Santa Ana, CA (February 14, 2020) – Stack’s Bowers Galleries is excited to announce their February 26-28, 2020, Collectors Choice Online auction—their largest such sale to date offering World coins, banknotes and Ancient coins. The sale comprises over 2,000 lots and has high-end estimate of just over $1 million. The firm’s Collectors Choice Online auctions capture the feel of an auction room, with a live auctioneer, despite running and closing exclusively online. They are quickly becoming a cornerstone of the firm’s selling venues—popular with consignors and bidders alike.
Among the many offerings are fairly specialized runs of coins, such as well struck and pleasingly toned early British hammered issues, Alexander III (the Great)-style tetradrachms and drachms, and Canadian issues, which offer a particular focus upon numerous modern commemorative motifs. Also present are delightful examples from the Papal States (as well as its transition to the Vatican City) and a run of Filipino coins produced under U.S. administration (as well as two exceptional Piloncitos from the 10th-11th centuries). Of great interest is the "Galignani’s Messenger Newspaper Find," a number of late 19th century European silver issues deposited carefully in a folded newspaper and allowed to remain dormant for over a century.
Coins aren’t the only focus, as exonumia also takes the stage in this eclectic sale. Whether it be the ever-popular "Conder" British trade tokens—with issues featuring Lady Godiva and the prizefighter Daniel Mendoza—or lesser-studied series such as silver World War I medals that feature the German perspective. There is also a pleasing run of Swedish nominating medals for the Nobel Prize, as well as numerous medals and plaques celebrating the early games of the modern Olympics.
The World Paper portion of the auction features quite a few interesting pieces, such as the 1927 Royal Bank of Canada 50 Dollar note. The cover note of the Charlton Book is also featured, a Canadian Bank of Commerce 100 Dollar proof with the Barbados overprints in a PMG SGU 67 EPQ holder. Another standout, is the French Afars and Issas 5000 Franc in a PMG AU 55 holder. Overall the paper money is heavy in Mexican and Canadian highlights with a few high grade notes from Colonial Africa, and British Colonial countries.
The Stack’s Bowers Galleries February World Collectors Choice Auction will close live online at StacksBowers.com on February 26-28, 2020. For more information about the auction or to consign to a future event visit StacksBowers.com.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries February World CCO Highlights include:
Ancient Coins:
• Lot 70034: IONIA. Magnesia ad Maeandrum. AV Stater (8.48 gms), ca. 125-120 B.C. NGC AU, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5.
• Lot 70058: JULIUS CAESAR. AR Denarius (3.93 gms), Rome Mint; M. Mettius, moneyer, Early posthumous issue, 44 B.C. NGC Ch EF, Strike: 3/5 Surface: 5/5.
• Lot 70059: MARC ANTONY. AR Denarius (3.25 gms), Patrae (?) Mint, 32-31 B.C. NGC Ch EF, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 5/5.
World Coins and Medals:
• Lot 70108: AUSTRALIA. Proof Set (2 Pieces), 1935. Melbourne Mint. Both PCGS Gold Shield Certified.
• Lot 70132: BELGIUM. Peter d’Or, (1355-83). Louvain Mint. Jeanne & Wenceslas. NGC MS-61.
• Lot 70258: CANADA. 2500 Dollars, 2010. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo.
• Lot 70476: FRANCE. Rouen Freemasons/Skeletons Silver Medal, ND (ca. 1807-32). PCGS AU-58 Gold Shield.
• Lot 70690: GREAT BRITAIN. Marriage of William of Orange and Mary of England Silver Medal, 1641. PCGS SPECIMEN-62 Gold Shield.
• Lot 70691: GREAT BRITAIN. 1/2 Crown, 1658. London Mint. Oliver Cromwell. PCGS AU-58 Gold Shield.
• Lot 71102: ISLE OF MAN. 5 Crown, 1990. PCGS PROOF-69 Deep Cameo Gold Shield.
• Lot 71211: MEXICO. Birth of Prince Ferdinand and the Corporation of Mines of New Spain Silver Proclamation Medal, 1785. Mexico City Mint. Charles III. PCGS MS-61 Gold Shield.
• Lot 71541: RUSSIA. Ruble, 1842-CNB AY. St. Petersburg Mint. Nicholas I. PCGS PROOF-63+ Gold Shield.
World Paper Money:
• Lot 72065: CANADA. Bank of Canada. $2, 1954. P-BC-30bA. Replacement. PCGS Currency Choice About New 55 PPQ.
• Lot 70272: CANADA. Canadian Bank of Commerce – Barbados. 100 Dollars, 1922. P-S123p2a . CH#75-20-10P. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ.
• Lot 72078: CANADA. Royal Bank of Canada. 50 Dollars, 1927. P-CH #630-14-16. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ.
• Lot 72226: MEXICO. Banco de Mexico. 100 Pesos, 1866. P-9p. Proof. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ.
About Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducts live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company’s 80-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block — The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Joel R. Anderson Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, The Guia Collection, The Thos. H. Law Collection, and The Robert O. Ebert Collection.
Topping off this amazing numismatic history is the inclusion of the world record for the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar graded Specimen-66 (PCGS) that realized over $10 million, part of their sale of the famed Cardinal Collection. The company is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is an Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and its April and August Hong Kong Auctions.
