Today the summer ANA show, the World’s Fair of Money, is the high point of the numismatic year in America and, indeed, for many arriving from foreign countries as well. Our multiple auctions, a large bourse with dealers, exhibits by the U.S. Mint and Bureau of Engraving & Printing, clubs and societies, displays by world mints, museum and private displays from their collections, and more, beckon. Come early, stay late, and call on me and the entire staff of Stack’s Bowers Galleries to help in any way we can.
From all of us, thank you to the ANA officers, board of governors, members (including incoming new faces), and staff for helping and working with us not only for this show but for many others. Our list of official ANA convention auctions dates back many years.
Our Sale
Lots of activity! We have several sales with the World’s Fair of Money, including some specialties in separate catalogs. For United States coins, this is the main catalog with the most items, complemented by our Rarities Night catalog for Thursday evening.
In the following pages you will find coins of nearly every description in the American series from the colonial series down to “condition rarities” among modern coins. There is something for everyone, I believe, and for you I hope there will be many items of commanding interest and importance. I invite you to be a part of our auction at the World’s Fair of Money itself or, as many do, to participate via the Internet in the comfort and convenience of your home or office. Our descriptions, plus high-resolution images on the Internet, will give you the feeling of being there. You can watch our auctioneers, Melissa Karstedt and Marissa Russell, in action, and push the green “Bid” button on your computer to be a part of the action. I mention that after the ANA, members of our auction team will be heading to Hong Kong for our auction there! It seems that the sun never sets on Stack’s Bowers Galleries activities!
Our auctions have always been focal points for collectors, museums, investors, and others who desire to sell. Our ANA sale demonstrates this in spades, with quality coins from many sources. Some coins have been off the market for generations.
The Charles A. Wharton Collection of Indian Peace Medals brings to auction one of America’s most historic numismatic series. This museum-quality offering commences with an 1801 Jefferson silver and continues to include many other notable issues into the late 19th century.
Years ago Ted L. Craige was a frequent and welcomed visitor to our gallery at 123 West 57th Street in New York City. Although we haven’t been designated a National Historical Landmark yet, it is notable that our business, founded in 1933, has been at the same West 57th Street location since 1952, far longer than any other coin dealership has been in the same spot. Plan to visit next time you are in the city! Ted was a connoisseur par excellence, specializing in the colonial series. In this catalog we offer his struck copies and related issues, information about which can be found in the Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins. There are many rarities the likes of which may not appear again for many years.
Robert Ayers, whose biography you will find on another page, has consigned his specialized collection of one of our favorite series: 1787 Fugio coppers. Made on contract, these are the first federally authorized coins.
You will find Guide Book-listed varieties plus other dies that are listed in Eric P. Newman’s standard reference on the series.
The Michael Demling Collection of Half Cents is a collector’s collection, so to speak—not spangled with rarities, but well-endowed with “nice” examples of circulated issues—say, in the spirit of the late Roger Cohen who enjoyed these “coins of the people.” I must mention, however, a beautiful EF-45 1793 half cent that indeed is a landmark scarcity.
The Argo Collection is comprised of United States coins by design types plus sets of beautiful Proof Shield and Liberty nickels (including the seldom-seen 1867 With Rays Proof), notable Walking Liberty halves, and more. The George Edward Collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars brings to the auction block a memorable high-quality offering of one of America’s most beautiful series. The Gilman New Heart Collection of Rainbow Toned Morgan Silver Dollars is nearly complete by date and mintmark, and contains beautiful coins, some of which would be difficult to duplicate.
How to Be a Winning Bidder
There are several easy ways to bid in our sale. Attending the sale in person should be your first priority, as you can enjoy the bourse floor, meet with other collectors and dealers, and benefit from a memorable experience overall.
Alternatively, you can bid online (pre-bids through StacksBowers.com or live during the auction), by telephone or by mail, fax and email.
On behalf of Stack’s Bowers Galleries, we thank you for reviewing our presentation and wish you the best of success.
Sincerely,
Q. David Bowers
Chairman Emeritus, Stack’s Bowers Galleries
