IRVINE, Calif. (January 30, 2014) — In just a few short days, Stack’s Bowers Galleries will be hosting its annual New York Americana Sale February 5 in its private auction gallery, located at 110 West 57th Street, and will resume February 6 at the Le Parker Méridien. Coins, tokens, medals and related items from the United States will be crossing the block during this very popular event.

“Our Americana Sales have become one of the greatest traditions in numismatics, eagerly awaited by everyone and drawing participants from many directions,” said Harvey Stack, a founder of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “Our upcoming sale contains many highlights and rarities, as you might expect, as well as more affordable coins, and just about everything else in between. Get set for a great event.”

The sale will showcase dozens of important coins, including the 1796 Small Eagle half dollar, 15 Stars, O-101 in MS-63 (PCGS) from The Eliasberg Collection, notable as the second-finest example known and one of the great blue-chip coins in American numismatics. Also featured is a 1792 pattern disme in copper, Judd-10 in VF-25 (PCGS) — one of the most desirable and easily recognized members in the U.S. pattern series, and the only 10-cent design having the denomination expressed as DISME. Only about a dozen examples are known. One of the hobby favorites, the 1792 Roman Head Washington cent, Baker-19 graded Proof-64 RB (PCGS) is certainly at or near the top of just about any wish list of collectors of Washingtonia or colonials. The appearance of an example is enough to make any auction a notable event.

Nickels are highlighted by important selections from the Just Having Fun Collection of Shield Nickels, as well as rarities from other consignors. An 1867 Rays Shield nickel in Proof-65 (PCGS), a sparkling Gem example of the undisputed key issue of the Shield nickel series, is close to the top of the list. Fewer than 100 examples are thought to have been produced. An 1880 Shield Nickel certified MS-66 by PCGS is a superlative example tied as the finest circulation strike known. Only about 100 examples of this rarity are thought to exist.

Silver coins include a 1794 half dime, LM-1, Specimen-64 (NGC), an exceptional rarity at this level with an estimated population of no more than a half dozen pieces. Specimen-format coins were produced for presentation purposes, much like Proofs coined during the modern era. An 1802 LM-1 half dime certified VG-8 by PCGS is an attractive example of the undisputed rarest date in the Draped Bust half dime series. No more than three dozen examples are thought to exist in all grades. 

The 1776 Continental dollar, Newman 2-C, AU-58 (PCGS) is characterized by lustrous motifs and semi-reflective fields. Continental dollars rank among the most eagerly sought items in the early American series. The 1799/8 dollar, BB-142 in MS-64 (PCGS) will attract a lot of attention as it is near the apex of the Condition Census for the variety, and worthy to be regarded as a centerpiece in any collection. It is from the Stack’s Bowers Galleries June 2005 sale of the Cardinal Collection, and a plate coin in Q. David Bowers’ newly published Encyclopedia of United States Sliver Dollars 1794–1804.

Gold favorites abound with a 1915-S Panama-Pacific $50 Round graded MS 62 (PCGS), which is by far the rarest issue in the commemorative series with a net distribution of just 483 examples.

Notably, the two Panama-Pacific $50 types were the only U.S. Mint issues of this high denomination produced prior to the 1980s. An 1806/5 quarter eagle, Stars 7×6 in AU-58 (PCGS) is a bold and handsome example of an issue having an estimated population of just 25 to 35 pieces in all grades. And an 1851-O double eagle graded MS-62 (PCGS) is tied with just a tiny handful of others as the finest certified by PCGS.

More Highlights

·       1825 John Quincy Adams Indian Peace medal. Medium size. Silver. 62 mm, 3.2 to 3.4 mm thick. 105.21 grams. By  Moritz Furst and John Reich. Julian IP-12. Choice Very Fine.

·       1905 Theodore Roosevelt inaugural medal. Bronze Cast. 73.6 mm. 121.7 grams. By Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Adolph Alexander Weinman. Dusterberg OIM 2B74, Levine TR 1905-2, Vermeule 119, Bowers-Jaeger 27. Choice Mint State.

·       1976 National Bicentennial medal. Large Format. Gold. 75 mm. 455.5 grams, 1 pound. 900 fine. Swoger-52IAa. No. 115. MS-67 (PCGS).

·       1652 Pine Tree shilling. Large Planchet. Noe-4, Salmon 4-D. Rarity-4. Without Pellets at Trunk, Reversed N. MS-62 (PCGS). CAC.

·       Undated (Circa 1785) Bar Copper. W-8520. AU-58 BN (NGC).

·       (1800) Skull and Crossbones Washington funeral medal. Baker-165A. Rarity-8. Silver. Plain Edge. EF-40 (PCGS).

·       1793 Liberty Cap half cent. Head Left. C-4. Rarity-3. AU-53 BN (NGC).

·       1831 Classic Head half cent. First Restrike. B-2. Rarity-5. Large Berries (Reverse of 1836). Proof-66 BN (PCGS). CAC.

·       1793 Flowing Hair cent. Wreath Reverse. S-10. Rarity-4. Vine and Bars Edge. AU-50 (PCGS).

·       1912-S Liberty nickel. MS-66 (PCGS).

·       1937-D Buffalo nickel. 3-Legged. MS-65+ (PCGS). CAC.

·       1916 Pattern Mercury dime. Judd-1794/1982, Pollock-2042. Rarity-8. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-25 (PCGS). CAC.

·       1822 Capped Bust quarter. B-2. Rarity-5. 25/50C. MS-61 (PCGS).

·       1776 Continental dollar. Newman 3-D. CURRENCY, EG FECIT. Pewter. EF-45 (PCGS). CAC. Secure Holder.

·       1895 Morgan silver dollar. Proof-45 (PCGS). Secure Holder.

·       1878 trade dollar. Proof-67 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. Secure Holder. 

·       1855-C gold dollar. Type II. MS-61 (NGC).

·       1908 Indian quarter eagle. Proof-66 (PCGS). CAC.

·       1798 Capped Bust Right half eagle. Heraldic Eagle. BD-3. Rarity-5. Large 8, 14-Star Reverse. AU-55 (NGC).

·       1844-O Liberty half eagle. MS-64 (NGC).

·       1872-CC Liberty eagle. AU-58 (PCGS).

·       1866 Liberty eagle. Motto. AU-58 (PCGS).

·       1910-D Indian eagle. MS-67 (NGC).

·       1861-O Liberty double eagle. AU-50+ (NGC).

·       1858-O Liberty double eagle. AU-55 (PCGS).

·       1880-S Liberty double eagle. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC.

·       MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens double eagle. High Relief. Flat Rim. MS-65 (PCGS). CAC.

·       MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens double eagle. High Relief. Wire Rim. MS-65 (NGC).

For a complete auction and lot-viewing schedule, please visit StacksBowers.com.

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 John J. Ford, Jr., The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collections, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal and The Battle Born Collections — 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 Irvine, California, with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is the Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Professional Numismatists Guild New York Invitational, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and our April and August Hong Kong Auctions.