Welcome to Portland
Portland, Oregon will be a magnet early in March as collectors, dealers, and others converge to participate in and enjoy the latest National Money Show. Our auction will be a dynamic part of several days filled with interesting events, including talks, seminars and workshops.
It is a pleasure to work with the ANA once again. You may be surprised to learn that our first ANA convention sale was held in 1939, back when the annual convention was held in October of 1939 in connection with the World’s Fair in New York City. Since then, we have conducted many memorable ANA events. Be sure to also join us at the ANA World’s Fair of Money this coming August. Consignments are now being accepted, as we start planning for this spectacular event very early!
Another tidbit … it is because of a coin flip of an 1835 copper large cent that the show is being conducted in Portland, Oregon, and not Boston, Oregon. In the winter of 1844-1845, A.L. Lovejoy and E.W. Pettygrove were the first men to build a log cabin on the original town site of 640 acres. What to name the place? Lovejoy, a native of Massachusetts, wanted to call it Boston. Pettygrove, a native of Maine, wanted to call it Portland. It was decided that the cent be tossed three times, and the best out of three would decide the name. Petty called “heads,” which came up twice. Welcome to Portland!
If you are an old-timer, you may remember the ANA convention held in Portland in 1959. Visitors were encouraged to take a drive to The Dalles, a town on the south bank of the Columbia River, to see a building on which construction began in the late 1860s for intended use as a federal mint. This never happened, and the structure was later used for other purposes. In 1959, it was occupied by Ralph’s Transfer and Storage Company. A winery is there now, and a visit to that locale will be part of a post-convention trip.
Enough of history and tradition. Now to the sale…
Auction Highlights
Our single-session live auction will take place at 6 p.m. (PT) on Friday, March 6. And, what a nice sale it will be! There will also be an Internet-only session, which ends on Tuesday, March 10, at 3 p.m. (PT).
Anchoring our sale is The Highland Collection, a marvelous cabinet with a rich and diverse assortment of popular and rare United States coins, each identified by a provenance or pedigree notation. Added to these are some incredible coins from other consignors. All told, the sale has something for every collector, one with a blossoming interest to a seasoned specialist.
Colonial coins come to the fore with a memorable trio of high-grade 1652-dated Pine Tree shillings.
Early half dollars include a nicely struck Gem Mint State 1807 Draped Bust, a variety which is usually seen poorly detailed; a notable Mint State 1807 Capped Bust with 50/20 error reverse; Choice and Gem later issues; and a long-to-be-remembered 1839-O Proof.
Private and territorial gold coins include an Oregon Exchange Co. $5, minted in Oregon City in 1849, not far from location of the present convention and sale location.
Modern coins in “top pop” grades, ideal for Registry Set builders, include a number of Lincoln cents, Buffalo nickels and other coins that are easily enough obtained in lower levels, but of which very few ultra-grade examples have been certified.
Liberty Seated silver coins include many scarce and high-grade issues, with a seldom-seen 1838 Gobrecht dollar, and a Proof 1845 dollar being particularly memorable. Twentieth century silver coins feature many desirable varieties.
Gold coins range from popular types to an incredibly rare Proof 1869 eagle (where could you possibly find another?), a pair of Gem 1857-S double eagles, a very nice MCMVII High Relief $20, and more. What else to mention? How about choice commemoratives, an 1870 pattern dollar rarity, and a large and impressive 1976 National Bicentennial medal struck in gold, measuring 76.2 mm in diameter and weighing 455.49 grams?
Look through our offerings carefully and select the items of particular interest. Along the way, contemplate some series that you do not collect, perhaps a new specialty is in order.
How to Be a Winning Bidder
There are several easy ways to bid in our National Money Show Sale. First, by attending the live sale in Portland, where lot viewing and bidding are comfortable and convenient.
Alternatively, you can participate online, by phone (with advance arrangement), or by sending your bids by mail. Our website connects you in real time, in the comfort and convenience of your favorite chair, where you will feel like you are truly there as you watch the auctioneer on the screen and click the “bid” button when so inclined. The experience is exciting. Nothing has ever been easier!
Today, in fact, most of our buyers bid this way! Countless thousands of clients will be following the action online. In addition, many Internet-only lots will be sold exclusively online in the follow-up session closing Tuesday, March 10!
Thinking of Selling?
If you are considering selling your coins, we would be delighted to make a proposal to showcase your collection or individual rare items in our schedule of upcoming auction sales. For one low and very completive rate, we will handle every aspect of getting you the best possible price for the items you have carefully acquired and enjoyed over the years. Call us at today 800.458.4646 (West Coast), 800.566.2580 (East Coast) or email us at Consign@StacksBowers.com for more information or a personalized presentation on realizing top market prices for your rarities or collection. As always, you can count on us to provide you with honesty, professionalism, integrity, personal service, scholarly expertise and financial security.
Sincerely,
Q. David Bowers
