Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that a truly sensational collection of gold dollars, off the market for a century or more, will be offered in the November 2024 Showcase Auction. Designated the “Chapman Set,” this long hidden collection includes many items pedigreed to historic auctions presented by Henry and S.H. Chapman from 1903 through 1916. The discovery of these coins was announced recently in Coin World and featured in advertisements from Matador Rare Coins. They were submitted for grading at PCGS and will create quite a stir in the numismatic marketplace when they cross the auction block.
The coins, many of which can be traced to a small number of Chapman auction sales between 1903 and 1916, were purchased by Alexander Parker Wylie, an Illinois banker and early dealer of currency and numismatic literature. Wylie’s collection was consigned to M.H. Bolender and sold in three named sales in 1935, 1936, and 1937, but no gold dollar collection was included among his holdings. It is quite possible that Wylie assembled this collection piecemeal, for himself or for a client; it has remained intact for a century.
“When we were first made aware of the existence of this collection, we were amazed that these coins had not been seen for so long by anyone in the numismatic community,” said Mark Schimel, Director of East Coast Retail at Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “Working with the client, we are proud to be able to offer this incredible collection of gold dollars, all of which last sold at auction prior to the United States’ entry into World War I.”
“Presenting old time, historic, and legendary cabinets has been our business for over 90 years,” said Brian Kendrella, President of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “When the time came to sell these important coins, the consignor knew that our team of experts would be the best choice to showcase this historic collection.”
“While the information presented in the initial announcement in CoinWorld was exciting, our incredible team of numismatists was able to expand on the story, connecting the coins to a well known pioneer in early 20th century numismatics, and making this offering even more significant,” Mr. Schimel continued.
Highlights include:
1852-C Gold Dollar. Winter-2. MS-63+ (PCGS). CAC. A Choice Mint State example from the Chapman’s sale of February 1903.
1860 Gold Dollar. JD-1. Rarity-6+. Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. A beautiful Gem Cameo ex Charles S. Wilcox; Chapman’s sale of February 1904.
1860-D Gold Dollar. Winter 12-P. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC. A highly significant Choice AU Example.
1863 Gold Dollar. MS-68 (PCGS). CAC. Desirable low-mintage Civil War issue. Tied for finest known. Ex Chapman’s sale of the Major W.B. Wetmore Collection, June 1906. Likely purchased directly from the Philadelphia Mint by Maj. Wetmore.
1875 Gold Dollar. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC. Incredibly low mintage of 400 struck. Ex Howard R. Newcomb.
1880 Gold Dollar. MS-68 (PCGS). CAC. Stunning Ultra Gem Uncirculatedfrom Lyman Low’s sale of February 1905.
1881 Gold Dollar. Date Right. JD-1. Rarity-5+. Proof-66 Deep Cameo (PCGS). Glorious Gem Deep Cameo Proof ex Charles S. Wilcox; Chapman’s sale of February 1904.
1882 Gold Dollar. MS-68 (PCGS). CAC. A virtually pristine example. Ex Charles S. Wilcox; Chapman’s sale of February 1904.
1884 Gold Dollar. Repunched Date. JD-1. Rarity-4. Proof-67+ Cameo (PCGS). CAC. A Handsome Superb Gem, ex Charles S. Wilcox; Chapman’s sale of February 1904.
The recently publicized “Chapman Set” of Gold Dollars and the other fabulous rarities crossing the block in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries November 2024 Showcase Auctions will be available for viewing and pre-sale bidding at www.stacksbowers.com. For more information on the sale or to consign to an upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries event call 800-458-4646 or email Info@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 90+ 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, The Sydney F. Martin Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few.
World coin and currency collections include The Pinnacle Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Salton Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, the Augustana Collection of gold rarities from across western Europe, the Richard Margolis Collection of world coins and medals and The Thos. H. Law Collection. Recently the firm was awarded the privilege of bringing the most valuable world coin collection to auction – the L. E. Bruun Collection.
The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, with galleries in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Offices are also located in New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Sacramento, South Carolina, Virginia, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Paris and Vancouver. Stack’s Bowers Galleries hosts an annual Global Showcase in August featuring United States coins and currency, Ancient coins and World coins and currency in its Costa Mesa auction gallery. They are also the Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic events, including the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, the Spring and Fall Hong Kong shows, and the Maastricht Paper Money shows.
