It is that time again! Welcome to our latest Rarities Auction, a companion to our sale of the D. Brent Pogue Collection Part III. The Rarities Auction will be held by us and Sotheby’s at Sotheby’s New York City headquarters on February 10, 2016, the day after our third offering of coins from the incomparable Pogue Collection.
Our sale begins with a diverse selection of American and related paper currency rarities encompassing colonial to federal issues. Then follows an interesting and important group of Americana that offers a number of numismatic treasures—including a magnificent leather bound volume of Civil War cartes de visite, and other historical Americana from the library of Chateau d’Hauteville. Classic medallic rarities follow with a fine Tammany Society member badge, a Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace medal (as famously distributed by Lewis and Clark) and life-saving medals struck at the Philadelphia Mint and awarded for exceptional valor on the high seas. Each has a story to go with it—not only that given in this catalog, but more that can be found among early accounts and books. Indeed, an entire afternoon could be spent on a single medal without discovering all. Such is the lure of numismatics. Early American coins include two notable 1776 Continental dollars, one with CURRENCY and the other with the CURENCY misspelling.
Federal copper, nickel, and silver coins include many condition rarities, early (pre-1858) Proofs and more. A gem Proof 1867 With Rays nickel will draw bids from all directions. The “1851-O” Liberty Seated dollar is a great classic well recorded in the literature and it will certainly be a highlight in the collection of its next owner.
From the Dr. James A. Ferrendelli cabinet we present many treasures among the “rarest of the rare”—gold coins produced from the 1790s until mid-1834—including quarter eagles (beginning with 1796), half eagles, and eagles. Apart from our Pogue Collection offerings, the Ferrendelli coins are among the finest to be offered in our generation.
A great highlight is the simply marvelous Choice Mint State 1795 eagle that hails from our sale of the Oliver Jung Collection 11 years ago. As one of the finest known examples from the first year of coinage of America’s highest early gold denomination it will attract worldwide attention as it crosses the block.
Among later gold coins we present key issues from gold dollars to double eagles. Low-mintage and high grade gold dollars are important; quarter eagles include a Gem 1911-D, the key to the Indian Head series; and among half eagles there is a landmark Gem Proof 1877, the likes of which may not be offered again for a long time. In the same category is one of the finest Proof 1871 eagles in existence. Double eagles, one of the most popular gold series in American numismatics, include high grade Type I coins (with a nod to a beautiful 1857-S, bringing back memories of when we helped distribute the S.S. Central America treasure), scarce and popular Carson City varieties, and more.
Commemorative coins, two beautiful octagonal Augustus Humbert $50 “slugs,” 1851 and 1852, from the California Gold Rush, and other treasures beckon.
I invite you to come early, enjoy the sights and pleasures of New York City—the art and financial center of the world—and to participate in our D. Brent Pogue Collection Part III sale on Tuesday, February 9, and the present Rarities Auction on Wednesday. Come as a bidder, as a buyer, or as an interested observer. The red carpet will be rolled out. If you are not attending in person, you can bid by telephone (by advance arrangement) or have a virtual reality “you are there” experience on the Internet—with our auctioneer and action in view in real time.
On behalf of the entire staff of Stack’s Bowers Galleries and Sotheby’s, I thank you for your interest and possible participation.
All good wishes,
Q. David Bowers
Co-Founder, Stack’s Bowers Galleries
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