Welcome to our Official U.S. Coin Auction Sessions of the 2014 Chicago ANA World’s Fair of Money—one of several sessions that Stack’s Bowers Galleries is offering in conjunction with the most important numismatic convention of the year. This is a collectors’ sale encompassing colonial, federal, and related coinage from the earliest days of colonial America down to the modern era. Scarce and rare coins are offered, as are many affordable pieces—literally something for everyone. Get out your “want list” and be prepared to compete for many choice, interesting, and desirable coins.
Large and small cents abound as do two-cent and three-cent pieces, these being among the most popular American series. Most of the designs can be completed by Guide Book varieties and are affordable. Our sale will help you along. Nickels from the Shield type onward are likewise popular. In this sale you can start on a collection of these or add to what you have.
Silver coins from early types through the popular 20th century issues abound—again many opportunities for you. Morgan dollars are the most desired 19th century coins, and for these you’ve come to the right place. Peace silver dollars from 1921 to 1935 are here for your contemplation—including some in high grades. Gold coins by varieties and types, dollars to double eagles, also beckon.
Commemorative gold and silver coins await you as well. The classic era silver issues from 1892 to 1954 are extremely popular, always in demand, and each design has its own story to tell. Pattern coins also are in the offing, as are mint errors, among which will be found some seldom-seen Morgan dollar errors.
In recent years medals and related items have been hot tickets in the marketplace, and each of our offerings has drawn wide attention. The Token and Medal Society (TAMS) and Medal Collectors of America (MCA) have spurred interest, as has the attraction of great historical significance combined with very reasonable market prices in comparison to federal coinage. In our sale you will find military, naval, and various commemorative medals—plus a nice bronze Libertas Americana medal voted as No. 1 in Whitman’s The 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens. Lucky us, lucky you: there is a companion piece in our Rarities Night catalog!
Appreciation
As you peruse the lots you will see the efforts of the entire Stack’s Bowers Galleries team. I’ve been a part of this and the other World’s Fair of Money catalogs (Rarities Night, paper money, foreign and ancient) ever since last year, when planning began in a significant way and consignments began arriving. In our main office in Irvine, California, our popular gallery at 123 West 57th Street in New York City and other facilities there, our research office in New Hampshire, and other premises what I and others like to call the “Dream Team” in numismatics has been busier than ever. The midnight oil has been burned on many occasions. There is a difference between professional numismatics and most other businesses: our catalogers and researchers really enjoy what they do, even in the wee small hours of the morning.
In what may be a perfect scenario, our consignors enjoy their relationship with Stack’s Bowers Galleries as well. Although we are enthusiastic when we seek coins and collections, once a consignment is in-house that is where our work really begins. This works well for sellers as well as for us. Often, when a consignor sends us coins, tokens, medals, or paper money and then views the results of the sale, additional items are sent our way.
All of us are fortunate that the coin market is dynamic, that there are many players, and the field is so diverse that no one can know everything. New opportunities always beckon. Once you have completed or have come close to completing a series, there are new vistas to provide the thrill of the chase. Our long-time friend John W. Adams started out in the 1940s with Flying Eagle and Indian cents, then formed collections in other series (we were honored to sell his unprecedented set of 1794 large cents in 1982), built one of the finest numismatic libraries ever, and currently is involved in early American medals.
Watching the catalogs for the World’s Fair of Money has been a very enjoyable experience. Now I and other members of the team look forward to the convention itself—the most important of the year.
Plan to Participate
If you are coming to the World’s Fair of Money, call on us to help you in any way possible—during lot viewing, getting ready for or during our remarkable series of auctions, or simply to answer any questions you may have. The red carpet is out for you and any family or guests with you.
In today’s Internet age auctions are a lot different than they were a generation ago. For this sale millions of coin collectors worldwide will have the opportunity to tap into our real-time sale as it happens, and many will do so. You can watch the auctioneer call for and receive bids, see and hear the action, and, if motivated, push the green “Bid” button and join the competition. This is a very effective way to add to your collection and is very enjoyable as well.
As you review our several catalogs for this important sale check for the items that you have been seeking. Beyond that, review some others. You may discover a new specialty—always exciting.
Thinking of Selling?
We invite you to take advantage of the excitement and enthusiasm here at Stack’s Bowers Galleries and be a part of our 2014-2015 auction schedule! Upcoming sales include our 79th Anniversary Sale in New York City in early October, as an official auctioneer with the PNG convention, followed by our Official Auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo showcasing the C4 club and its special offerings. Then in January 2015 it is off to the New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) auction — a prestigious event dedicated to the needs of world and ancient collectors — held at the historical Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Consignors have numerous options when selling coins and paper money, but only one choice when it comes to having your consignments handled by a firm with the longest standing record of success in numismatics — Stack’s Bowers Galleries. Contact us today at 800-458-4646 (West Coast) or 800-566-2580 (East Coast) to ensure your rarities are part of our prosperous 2014-2015 auctions.
On behalf of all of us at Stack’s Bowers Galleries, we appreciate your review of our suite of catalogs produced for the American Numismatic Association’s World Fair of Money. It promises to be a grand event, and we look forward to you being a part of it.
My best wishes to you,
Brian Kendrella
President, Stack’s Bowers Galleries
