Skinner’s September Coins and Currency Sale Will Present an 1812 $5 “Capped Bust” half-eagle—estimated at $18,000-$20,000

Sep 16, 2021 | Announcements, Auctions

The sale features a diverse selection of American, foreign and ancient coins as well ascoins from rare mints, including Carson City, Charlotte, New Orleans.

MARLBOROUGH, MA – Skinner Auctioneers will host an auction of Coins and Currency with online bidding open from September 14-21, 2021. The sale will feature a diverse selection of American, foreign and ancient coins, with the majority of the sale representing U.S. coins from the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly early denomination gold. The sale is notable for its representation of type coinage as well as a range of domestic coins from rare mints, including Carson City, Charlotte and New Orleans.

The centerpiece of the sale is an 1812 $5 “Capped Bust” half-eagle, estimated at $18,000-$20,000, and minted just in advance of the War of 1812. Given that much of the early 19th-century gold has been melted and many coins were shipped overseas during this period, this coin is considered extremely rare. Its authenticity was certified by a third party in the 1980s and it has stayed in protective plating since then.

Also represented is a 1905 U.S. Liberty Head Quarter Eagle proof, estimated at $12,000-$14,000. This limited-series coin is in choice condition, and only 144 proofs of this version were originally struck. The remaining U.S. coins represented in this auction range from 1798 to 2011, with the exception of a 1652 Pine Tree shilling—estimated at $800- $1,200—the first coin minted in the United States during colonial times. Because only the king had the power to issue coins, the colonies were held hostage to very low circulation of hard currency during the early years, with all trade dependent on England. Massachusetts took advantage of a crisis of succession in 1652 – after Charles I was beheaded and before King James had been crowned – to begin minting currency for domestic circulation, an act of rebellion. This coin remains a powerful symbol of early American independence and audacity.

The sale will also highlight coins from Rome, Greece and ancient India. The most famous of these coins is the Athenian Owl tetradrachm, estimated at $600-$800, which remains among the most recognizable coins of the ancient world.

About Skinner

Skinner attracts top consignments and commands record-breaking prices in the international auction marketplace. With renowned expertise and extraordinary service, Skinner is the place for buyers, sellers and the passionately curious. Skinner appraisers are familiar faces on PBS’s 19-time Emmy Award-nominated ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. Visit us in Boston, Marlborough, New York, Maine, Florida, or online at https://www.skinnerinc.com.

The Royal Mint to auction rare samples for first time in its history – including Kew Gardens 50p

Sep 9, 2021 | Announcements, Auctions, Royal Mint

For the first time in its history, The Royal Mint is offering collectors the chance to own exceptionally rare ‘trial pieces’ featuring designs such as the highly collectible Kew Gardens 50p and the iconic ‘Three Graces’ – a collection that sold out in 25 minutes in December 2020. These bespoke items are expected to drive high levels of interest from collectors and art enthusiasts when they go to auction later this month.

A trial piece is one of the first samples struck using a new die, and is carefully inspected by coin makers at The Royal Mint to ensure it meets their exacting standards. The trial pieces are then stored for posterity and the design is officially approved by Her Majesty the Queen before coin striking can begin.

To ensure authenticity, each die trial piece bears a hallmark stating the quality of the metal and a unique latent security feature – designed by The Royal Mint’s Chief Engraver, Gordon Summers. A die trial piece is one of the first coins struck and sets the standard for all coins issued. They are used to prove tooling, and clarity of design and detail for proof coins, ensuring they are accurate enough for a perfect strike to be used in production.

These pieces do not form part of the standard issue limit and have not been put on sale before by The Royal Mint.

On 26th September, The Royal Mint will offer 60 rare examples of trial pieces to the public for the first time following growing demand from collectors.

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint, said: “Each year The Royal Mint introduces a range of original new coin designs celebrating British milestones, anniversaries and themes. Each of these designs requires a trial to ensure the design meets our exacting standards, and results in a handful of trial pieces.

“This month we are delighted to offer a sample of our trial pieces at auction for the first time. Each of the trial pieces has played an integral role in creating the final coin, and offer collectors the chance to own a part of numismatic history.

“Interest in trial pieces has grown significantly over recent years, as customers increasingly seek out exclusive and rare items for their collections. Many customers will treasures the trial pieces as part of a collection or even investments – so we have added a security feature to safeguard their provenance.”

The trial pieces auction is the pinnacle of The Royal Mint’s Collect Week, an annual celebration of collecting. This year’s Collect Week includes a series of free webinars, awards and virtual events for collectors across the globe, all hosted on the Royal Mint’s website.

To learn more about the intricate world of die trial pieces and what makes them so special, the Royal Mint is holding a free webinar with New Product Technical Manager Dan Thomas and Chief Engraver Gordon Summers, who will discuss the process and detail of how die trial pieces are used to help maintain the high production standards. Held on Monday, 20 September 2021 at 11am, this webinar is suitable for both budding numismatists and seasoned collectors interested in gaining an insight how our 1,100-year-old organisation makes its coins.

For more information visit The Royal Mint’s website www.royalmint.com/collect/auction.

The full list of pieces in the auction is as follows:

  • The Piedfort Sovereign 2019 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Three Graces 2020 UK Two-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Three Graces 2020 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Three Graces 2020 UK Gold Proof Kilo (Trial Piece)
  • Three Graces 2020 UK Two-Ounce Silver Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Three Graces 2020 UK Five-Ounce Silver Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Three Graces 2020 UK Silver Proof Kilo (Trial Piece)
  • Three Graces 2020 UK Ten-Ounce Silver Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Three Graces 2020 UK Ten-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • 50 Years of the 50p 2019 UK 50p Gold Proof Piedfort (Trial Piece)
  • Pay Attention 007 2020 UK Two-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Shaken Not Stirred 2020 UK Two-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Shaken Not Stirred 2020 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Queen’s Beasts The Falcon of The Plantagenets 2019 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Britannia 2019 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Britannia 2021 UK One Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Britannia 2020 UK Two-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Britannia 2021 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Britannia 2019 UK One Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • C – Cricket 2019 UK 10p Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • David Bowie 2020 UK One Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • David Bowie 2020 UK Two-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • David Bowie 2020 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • David Bowie 2020 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • D-Day Landings 2019 UK 50p Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The 75th Ann D-day Normandy Landings 2019 UK £2 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Elton John 2020 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Elton John 2020 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • A Celebration of the Reign of George III 2020 UK Two-Once Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • A Celebration of the Reign of George III 2020 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • A Celebration of the Reign of George III 2020 UK £5 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Team GB 2020 UK 50p Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Britannia New Pence 2019 UK 50p Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Bond, James Bond 2020 UK One Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Pay Attention 007 2020 UK One Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Shaken not stirred 2020 UK One Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • 007 Special Issue 2020 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Bond, James Bond 2020 UK Two-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Kew Gardens 2019 UK 50p Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Kew Gardens 2019 UK 50p Gold Proof Piedfort (Trial Piece)
  • The 400th Anniversary of the Voyage of the Mayflower 2020 UK £2 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Queen 2020 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Queen 2020 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • 50 Years of the 50p 2019 UK 50p Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Queen’s Beasts The White Horse of Hanover 2020 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • Queen 2020 UK One Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Victoria 2019 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The 200th anniversary of the Birth of Queen Victoria Celebration Sovereign (Trial Piece)
  • The Five Sovereign Piece 2019 Brilliant Uncirculated (Trial Piece)
  • The Double Sovereign 2019 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Double Sovereign 2020 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Five Sovereign Piece 2019 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Five Sovereign Piece 2020 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Half-Sovereign 2019 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Half-Sovereign 2020 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Quarter-Sovereign 2019 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Quarter-Sovereign 2020 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Sovereign 2019 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The Sovereign 2020 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)
  • The 75th Anniversary of VE Day 2020 UK £2 Gold Proof (Trial Piece)

$24 Million in 24 Hours: GreatCollections Top Bidder for Three Historic Rare Coins

Aug 22, 2021 | Auctions, News

(Irvine, California) August 20, 2021 – Three of the world’s most valuable rare coins were acquired within a 24-hour time span, in two different auction locations, by Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections Coin Auctions (www.GreatCollections.com) of Irvine, California. The three numismatic treasures were purchased for a combined total of $21.5 million on behalf of collectors, and now two of those coins may be exhibited alongside the fabled 1933 Double Eagle, also acquired by a GreatCollections client for a record-smashing $18.9 million earlier this year.

“I was able to bid in person on the 1794 and 1804 dollars and an 1861 Paquet Double Eagle, along with several other important coins at two different auctions for a combined total of $24 million in winning bids. That’s even after my original flight from California to Texas was canceled. It is extremely fulfilling to help collectors with their passion, as it’s my passion as well,” explained Russell.

Russell was the top bidder for the top three most valuable coins sold in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association’s 2021 World’s Fair of Money® by Stack’s Bowers Galleries on August 17 in Costa Mesa, California and Heritage Auctions on August 18 in Dallas, Texas. They are:

  • 1804 Class I Original Draped Bust dollar, PCGS Proof-68, from Stack’s Bowers, the finest known of its kind. It was presented as a diplomatic gift on behalf of President Andrew Jackson to the Sultan of Muscat in 1835 and most recently was in the Pogue family collection. Winning bid: $7,680,000, making it the fifth most valuable U.S. coin ever sold.

    • 1804 Class I Original Draped Bust dollar, PCGS Proof-68 and the finest known of its kind, acquired for a client by GreatCollections for $7.68 million. (Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.)

  • 1861 Paquet Reverse Double Eagle, PCGS MS-67 with CAC approval, from Heritage, the finer of only two known examples and formerly in the collections of Virgil Brand, King Farouk of Egypt, and Ambassador & Mrs. R. Henry Norweb, among others. Winning bid: $7,200,000 is the sixth highest price ever for a U.S. coin.

    • Graded PCGS MS-67 CAC and acquired for a GreatCollections client for $7.2 million, this is the finer of only two known 1861 Paquet Reverse Double Eagles. (Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.)

  • 1794 Flowing Hair dollar, PCGS MS-66+ with CAC approval, also sold by Heritage and previously in the collections of Lord St. Oswald, Jimmy Hayes, D. Brent Pogue, and Bob R. Simpson, among others. Winning bid: $6,600,000 is the highest price ever paid at auction for a Mint State 1794 dollar.

1794 Flowing Hair dollar, PCGS MS-66+ CAC, purchased on behalf of a client by GreatCollections for a record $6.6 million. (Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.)

“While we have managed to broker many rarities quietly in private transactions over the years, it was quite a coincidence that three of the major rarities we hoped to acquire were auctioned in a 24-hour period,” said Russell. “For the 1794 dollar, we represented a serious collector with a long history in coins. For the 1804 dollar, we represented a relatively new client to GreatCollections who contacted us after reading about the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. We also acquired two rare gold patterns for a 45+ year veteran collector who recognized the ‘once in a lifetime”’ opportunity to add them to his collection,” explained Russell.

Russell exhibited the 1933 Double Eagle at the recent 2021 Chicago World’s Fair of Money. He said the exposure gained from that display introduced a new group of collectors to GreatCollections over the past month.

‘We are discussing with the new owners of the 1804 and 1794 dollars about displaying the pair at an upcoming coin show so that other collectors can see them in person. Perhaps we’ll even be able to display the 1933 Saint again. It would be a ‘mic drop’ presentation to have three of the most famous U.S. rarities on display at a single show,” he said.

Who are the new owners of these coins?

“Many bidders like to remain anonymous, especially high-profile collectors or celebrities. They trust us to secure ultra-rarities. I personally place the bids as if I was buying them for my own collection. Sometimes, they are on the phone with me so I can explain the bidding in real time; others just want to receive a text message saying, ‘We won,’” explained Russell.

“Aside from actually placing the bids, GreatCollections also offers detailed advice and strategy on acquisitions, as well as financing for larger purchases. For August, our sales figures are expected to exceed $40 million, a new company record for a single month,” he added.

For additional information, contact GreatCollections at 949-679-4180 or visit online at www.GreatCollections.com.

SS Central America Foreign Gold Coins Set Record Prices in Goldberg’s Auction

Jun 16, 2021 | Auctions, News

(Los Angeles, California) June 16, 2021 – The allure of coveted treasure from the fabled “Ship of Gold,” the SS Central America, resulted in record bids of up to eight times pre-sale estimates for 76 world gold coins in an auction conducted by Ira and Larry Goldberg in Los Angeles and online on June 15, 2021.

“This was the first time these treasure coins recovered from the SS Central America in 2014 were offered in the marketplace. All sold without reserves to different buyers from all over the world. The sale was like the old days: bidding from all over the place and very strong prices, including record prices for date and grade for every coin,” said Larry Goldberg, President of Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, Inc.

Recovered from the SS Central America, this first year of issue Australia 1855 Sydney Mint gold Sovereign (Fr-9; KM-2, PCGS MS-62+) sold for $55,200 against a pre-sale estimate of $25,000 in an auction by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, June 15, 2021. Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.

“The bidding was over the top with collectors and dealers competing to buy these coins from the famous shipwreck,” Goldberg added.

Among the highlights of the “Treasure from the SS Central America – World Gold” auction:

  • Australian 1855 Sydney Mint gold Sovereign, Fr-9; KM-2, graded PCGS MS-62+, made during the first year of that mint’s operations, sold for $55,200 against a pre-sale estimate of $25,000.
  • An 1856 Sydney Mint Sovereign, Fr-9; KM-2, PCGS AU-58, brought $31,200 compared to its $12,500 estimate.
  • Estimated at $500, a Costa Rica 1855 JB 1/2 Escudo, Fr-10; KM-97, PCGS MS-63, sold for eight times that amount at $4,080.
  • Great Britain 1852 Queen Victoria Sovereign, S.3852D; Fr-387e; KM-736.1, PCGS MS-63+; estimated at $1,250 sold for $4,080.
  • Netherlands 1840 (Utrecht) King Willem I 10 Gulden, Fr-327; KM-56, PCGS MS=63+, sold for $3,120 against an estimate of $1,000.

The oldest-dated gold piece recovered from the famous ship, Spain King Ferdinand VII 1809 (Seville) Draped Bust 2 Escudos, Fr-304a; KM-456.1, PCGS AU-50, was estimated at $600 but brought $3,600.

The prices realized include a 20 percent buyer’s premium. Certified by PCGS, the coins were each encapsulated in specially-produced and labeled holders that contain a pinch of recovered S.S. Central America gold dust in a separate compartment.

Estimated at $500, this SS Central America sunken treasure Costa Rica 1855 JB 1/2 Escudo (Fr-10; KM-97, PCGS MS-63) sold for eight times that amount at $4,080 in an auction, June 15, 2021, conducted by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles. Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.

The coins were consigned by California Gold Marketing Group which purchased the rights to all of the SS Central America treasure recovered in 2014 as well as more than 90 percent of the treasure retrieved during expeditions decades earlier.

“The SS Central America pedigree is perhaps the single most important pedigree in numismatics, covering coin collecting, the Old West and the California Gold Rush, as well as the lure of the sea and sunken treasure,” stated Dwight Manley, Managing Partner of California Gold Marketing Group.

“Combining that with the Goldberg’s exquisite, award-worthy catalog with its unparalleled descriptions and an introduction by Bob Evans, the chief scientist on the 1988-1991 missions that first located and recovered portions of the fabulous treasure and led the 2014 recovery, resulted in such a fantastic sale,” said Manley.

This 1852 Great Britain Queen Victoria Sovereign (S.3852D; Fr-387e; KM-736.1, PCGS MS-63+) recovered from the SS Central America in 2014 had a pre-sale estimate of $1,250 but sold for a record $4,080 in the June 15, 2021 auction by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles. Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.

The SS Central America was a 280-foot long, three-masted side-wheel steamship carrying tons of California gold that had been shipped from San Francisco to Panama when she sank in a hurricane on September 12, 1857 during the final leg of a voyage from Aspinwall (now Colón), Panama to New York City. The tragedy took the lives of 420 of the ship’s 578 passengers and crew members, and the loss of the gold cargo was a major factor in the economically devastating financial panic of 1857 in the United States.

The treasure was recovered from the seafloor of the Atlantic, 7200 feet down about 150 miles off the North Carolina coast.

For additional information about the auction, contact Goldberg Coins and Collectibles by phone at (310) 551-2646, by email at info@GoldbergCoins.com and online at www.GoldbergCoins.com.

S.S. Central America Sunken Treasure World Gold Coins in Goldberg Auction

May 21, 2021 | Announcements, Auctions

First offering of these historic coins retrieved in 2014 from Atlantic Ocean site where fabled “Ship of Gold” sank in 1857

(Los Angeles, CA) May 19, 2021 – Two of the finest known, very rare 1855 and 1856 Australian sovereigns as well as an interesting mix of 74 other sunken treasure gold coins from Europe and South America that were also recovered from the fabled “Ship of Gold,” the S.S. Central America, will be offered in an auction by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles (www.GoldbergCoin.com). The auction will be conducted in Los Angeles and online, June 13-16, 2021.

“These 76 gold pieces were among 82 world gold coins retrieved during the 2014 recovery expedition to the Atlantic Ocean site where the legendary ship sank during a hurricane while sailing to New York City in 1857,” said Larry Goldberg, co-owner of the auction company. “This is the first time these recovered sunken treasure coins from Australia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, France, Great, Britain, Netherlands, Peru, and Spain have been offered.”

The Australian 1855 Sydney Mint gold Sovereign, Fr-9; KM-2, now graded PCGS MS-62+, was made during the first year of that mint’s operations. An 1856 Sydney Mint Sovereign, Fr-9; KM-2, now graded PCGS AU-58, also was incredibly recovered.

Recovered from the S.S. Central America, this first year of issue Australian 1855 Sydney Mint gold Sovereign (Fr-9; KM-2, PCGS MS-62+) will be offered at auction by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, June 13-16, 2021.

Photo credit: Lyle Engelson/ Goldberg Coins & Collectibles

“It is fascinating to think how these coins got to San Francisco where their journey to New York began. Were they carried by an Aussie miner seeking his fortune during the California Gold Rush or acquired as winnings in a gold camp poker game? Those two coins were onboard when the SS Central America went down 164 years ago,” said Dwight Manley, managing partner of the California Gold Marketing Group which consigned the 76 recovered world gold coins to the Goldberg auction.

Among the other especially notable world coins recovered in 2014 and in the auction are:

  • Great Britain 1852 Queen Victoria Sovereign, S.3852D; Fr-387e; KM-736.1, PCGS MS-63+;
  • Great Britain 1855 Queen Victoria Sovereign, S.3852D; Fr-387e; KM-736.1, PCGS MS-62;
  • Costa Rica 1855 JB 1/2 Escudo, Fr-10; KM-97, PCGS MS-63;
  • France 1855-A Napoleon III 20 Francs, Fr-573; KM-781.1, PCGS MS-61;
  • Netherlands 1840 (Utrecht) King Willem I 10 Gulden, Fr-327; KM-56, PCGS MS=63+; and
  • Spain King Ferdinand VII 1809 (Seville) Draped Bust 2 Escudos, Fr-304a; KM-456.1, PCGS AU-50, the oldest-dated gold piece recovered from the famous ship

Each of the PCGS-certified world coins is encapsulated in a specially-produced and labeled holder that contains a pinch of recovered S.S. Central America gold dust in a separate compartment. The insert labels include a statement of authenticity hand-signed by Bob Evans, the chief scientist on the 1988-1991 missions that first located and recovered portions of the fabulous treasure and assisted with the 2014 recovery. Evans wrote the introduction to the auction catalog’s section on these coins.

The 76 world gold coins recovered from the famous S.S. Central America offered in the June 13-16, 2021 auction by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles are each housed in special PCGS holders with a pinch of recovered California Gold Rush-era gold dust.

Photo credit: Lyle Engelson/ Goldberg Coins & Collectibles

“The S.S. Central America treasure is a remarkable time capsule of economic practices in 1857, representing a specific, important moment in United States and world history: the outflow of wealth from Gold Rush California along the commercial artery that was the Panama Route… The treasure illustrates that world gold coins were an integral part of California and international trade during this exciting decade of burgeoning commerce in the 1850s,” explained Evans.

The S.S. Central America was a 280-foot long, three-masted side-wheel steamship carrying tons of California gold that had been shipped from San Francisco to Panama when she sank on September 12, 1857 hurricane during the final leg of a voyage from Aspinwall (now Colón), Panama to New York City. The tragedy took the lives of 420 of the ship’s 578 passengers and crew members, and the loss of the gold cargo was a major factor in the economically devastating financial panic of 1857 in the United States.

The treasure was recovered from the seafloor of the Atlantic, 7200 feet down about 150 miles off the North Carolina coast.

For additional information about the auction, contact Goldberg Coins and Collectibles by phone at (310) 551-2646, by email at info@GoldbergCoins.com and online at www.GoldbergCoins.com.

Rare PCGS-Graded Asian Coins Break Records at Stack’s Bowers Galleries Auction

Apr 8, 2021 | Auctions, News

Several Significant Rarities from the Pinnacle Collection and Graded by PCGS Cross the Block at April Hong Kong Auction

Santa Ana, California – April 7, 2021) – Some of the rarest coins from Asia and beyond crossed the auction block in Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) holders during the April Hong Kong Auction held by Stack’s Bowers Galleries. Many of the coins hail from the world-famous Pinnacle Collection, and numerous lots took six- and seven-figure sums during Session B trading on April 6, 2021.

Among the top-selling lots that crossed the block at the April Hong Kong Stack’s Bowers Galleries event are several that broke world records. These include the PCGS SP64 1928 China Silver Dollar Pattern, Year 17 (1928), which surpassed its presale estimate of $150,000 to $250,000 by many multiples to realize $2,280,000 – a world-record price for a Chinese coin.

Eclipsing past records for Japanese coinage was a Hishi Oban (10 Ryo), ND Tensho Era (Ca. 1588) graded PCGS MS60; this outstandingly rare first Japan Oban claimed $1,920,000, or more than double its presale estimate of $700,000 to $900,000. An eight-piece pattern set from Year 3 (1870) also broke records when the coins – all graded PCGS SP66 or higher – collectively took $1,560,000 to become the most valuable modern Japanese coin set to trade hands at auction.

Other highlights include a Year 3 (1911) Silver Long-Whisker Dragon Dollar Pattern graded PCGS SP64 that trounced presale estimates beyond a factor of four to fetch $1,020,000. Meanwhile, a unique Philippines-Mexico 8 Escudos from 1834-37 representing the Empire of Iturbide snagged $180,000 to set a world-record price for a Filipino coin.

“House records were shattered, and world records were created,” remarks Stack’s Bowers Galleries President Brian Kendrella. “It’s amazing to see the excitement in the coin industry right now – hammer prices like these at our April Hong Kong Auction speak to the market’s depth and strength. Quality rarities graded by PCGS raise bidding paddles through the roof.”

“We can’t underscore enough how happy we are to see these PCGS-graded rarities take the spotlight at the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Hong Kong Auction,” says PCGS President Brett Charville. “We have seen incredibly bullish market activity for United States coinage these past months and are thrilled that Asian coins performing just as robustly. Good things are ahead for our hobby, and we are excited that our PCGS offices in Beijing and Hong Kong are serving numismatists in Asia as the hobby continues growing by leaps and bounds there.”

About Professional Coin Grading Service

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is a third-party coin and banknote grading company that was founded in 1986. Over 35 years, PCGS has examined and certified more than 45 million U.S. and world coins, medals, and tokens with a combined value of over $41.7 billion. For more information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, please visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.

Royal Mint To Auction Incredibly Rare, 500-year-old Tudor Coin in Digital Auction

Feb 7, 2021 | Announcements, Auctions

The Royal Mint has today (Thursday 4th February) announced they have acquired an incredibly rare, 500-year-old, gold Sovereign and the coin will be put up for auction early next month.

The Royal Mint’s historic coin experts have sourced a Type 2 Henry VII Sovereign, one of a select few in the world that are not held by a museum. The Henry VII Fine Gold Sovereign of Twenty Shillings is the earliest gold Sovereign a collector can own and there are only two examples in private ownership, making it a rare and historic addition to a collection. Struck more than 500 years ago, this exceptionally rare coin was created to assert the authority of the first Tudor king of England through its splendour and impressive weight and size. Bids will open at £950,000 for the sought-after coin.

Famous for making new coins, The Royal Mint successfully expanded into the sale of rare, historic coins two years ago. The company now helps customers track down rare examples to add to their collection, and authenticate coins on the secondary market using their unique experience in British coinage.

Rebecca Morgan, Divisional Director of Collector Services, comments: “We are delighted to have acquired such a rare coin which traces its history to the first Tudor king. The survival rate of these gold coins is miniscule, and this particular coin is the earliest example of a gold Sovereign that a collector can own. Our experts have checked and validated the coin, and there are just two left in private ownership – making this an incredibly exciting addition to a collection.

Rebecca Morgan with Henry VII sovereign

Rebecca Morgan with Henry VII sovereign

Rebecca continues: “The Royal Mint was originally based at The Tower of London, and this coin would have been hand struck on ‘Mint Street’ – which still stands today. What makes this coin even more fascinating is that we can trace its ownership back to the 1800’s. One notable owner of the coin was the world-renowned banker J. P. Morgan, who owned the coin until his death in 1913 with subsequent sale in 1915.

“We have seen many customers buying historic coins to bring purpose to their collection, either as an investment for the future or an heirloom to pass onto the next generation. Our Collector Services division is growing year on year, and with 1,100 years of expertise, the team here at The Royal Mint can help enrich and enhance any coin collection. We set the record for the sale of a British historic coin at £1 million last year – so who knows, perhaps this might beat the record.”

The gold Sovereign of Twenty Shillings was first introduced in the reign of the first Tudor King, Henry VII (1485-1509) 1489 over 500 years ago. The coin depicts the crowned Tudor King seated on a wooden throne, in robes, holding an orb and sceptre, the reverse shows the quartered shield of England upon a Tudor rose. Henry VII started the Tudor dynasty and was determined to cement his position. He was the father on the infamous Henry VIII, and grandfather to Elizabeth I.

The coin was acquired by The Royal Mint’s Collector Services division, that offers a range of services including authentication and valuation, accessories to care for and display treasured pieces, an unrivalled coin finder service, providing the safety and security of 1100 years of knowledge to go out into the secondary market and find the missing pieces from collections, help to fill the gaps or find that one rare piece a customer has always wanted.

Coin Specifications

  • This coin was commissioned by Henry VII to be produced from 28th October 1489, over 500 years ago
  • The Sovereign was the largest hammered gold coin of the Tudor period, approximately 40mm across in diameter, a millimetre thick, at a weight of approximately 15.3 grammes.
  • The coin was issued in gold of approximately 23 1/3 carat fineness (0.995 fine)
  • The coin has been assessed and graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as “AU50” guaranteeing the state of preservation to be “almost uncirculated 50”
  • The chain of ownership of this coin can be traced back to the Victorian era through six, named collectors.

How to Bid

The online auction will take place on 4 March 2021 and those wishing to bid will need to pay a £20,000 deposit*. This is the first in a series of online auctions that will be held by The Royal Mint and there is no buyer’s premium. If you would like to take part in the auction as a bidder or observer, take note of the following steps and register your interest by midnight on Monday, 1 March 2021.

To register, visit www.royalmint.com/auction/

*Please note that the £20,000 deposit is fully refundable to bidders who are unsuccessful in acquiring the coin at auction.

PCGS-Graded Rare Coins Realize Monster Bids at Heritage Auction Event

Jan 24, 2021 | Auctions, News

1804 Draped Bust Eagle Takes $5.28 Million, Other Rarities Score Strong Prices

PCGS(Santa Ana, California) – January 23, 2021 – Many important rare coins graded by Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) fetched record-breaking prices and hammered other notable bids at the landmark Bob R. Simpson Collection Part III sale offered by Heritage Auctions on January 20, 2021. Leading the way is an ultra-rare 1804 Plain 4 Draped Bust Eagle graded PCGS PR65+DCAM, which sold for $5,280,000 at the event. It is the finest specimen of its kind and is one of only four struck.

“The 1804 $10 is personally my favorite coin,” says PCGS President Brett Charville. “It’s basically a rarer version of an 1804 Draped Bust Dollar and has the added panache of being an early Federal proof gold piece that was then the largest-denomination coin minted in the United States,” Charville says, comparing the 1804 Draped Bust Eagle to the iconic 1804 Draped Bust Dollar, of which 15 specimens are known. Incidentally, the 1804 $10 that just sold for $5.28 million commanded some $1.1 million more than the most expensive 1804 Dollar, which has a record price of $4.14 million.

Other significant PCGS-graded rarities also took headlining figures, including:

  • 1792 Silver Center Pattern Cent, Judd-1 Pollock-1 PCGS SP67BN – $2,520,000
  • 1885 Trade Dollar, PCGS PR63+CAM – $2,100,000
  • 1796 Draped Bust Quarter Eagle, Stars on Obverse PCGS MS65 – $1,380,000
  • 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar PCGS MS64+ – $870,000
  • 1943-D Lincoln Cent Struck on Bronze Planchet PCGS MS64BN – $840,000

“While the strong prices these rarities fetched are well-deserved nods to their overall desirability, it also speaks to the trust that collectors place in rare coins graded by PCGS,” says Charville. “Ultimately, the best coins always end up in PCGS holders because PCGS encapsulation maximizes the value, security, and liquidity of their coins.”

About Professional Coin Grading Service

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is a third-party coin and banknote grading company that was launched in 1986. Over 35 years, PCGS has examined and certified more than 45 million U.S. and world coins, medals, and tokens with a combined value of over $41.7 billion. For more information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, please visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.

All Do Well in Holabird’s 5-Day ‘Spooktacular’ Auction

Nov 18, 2020 | Auctions, News

More than 3,600 lots in a wide array of collecting categories crossed the auction block, online via several platforms and live at the gallery in Reno, Nevada. The sale had a 75% sell-through.

RENO, Nev. — A rare Wells Fargo and Company stock certificate from 1870 sold for $2,875, a 1960s-era 25-cent Jennings slot machine from the famous Nevada Club Casino brought $2,625, and a $1,000 Federal Reserve note from 1934 realized $2,500 at Holabird Western Americana Collections’ 5-day “Spooktacular Sale” held Oct. 29-Nov. 2, online and live at the Reno gallery.

More than 3,600 lots in a wide array of collecting categories crossed the auction block over the course of the five days. “We had a 75 percent sell-through. It would have topped 80 percent had it not been for the art category,” said Fred Holabird, president and owner of Holabird Western Americana Collections. “The auction attracted a registered bidder audience of more than 5,000 people who placed over 50,000 bids, representing over 750 separate buyers. It was a great sale.”

Following are highlights from the auction. Online bidding was facilitated by iCollector.com, LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Auctionzip.com. Telephone and absentee bids were also accepted and were a big part of the sale. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium.

Day 1, October 29th, was filled with 679 lots of art, Native Americana, textiles, foreign and general collectibles, collector spoons, jewelry, scales, advertising items and signs, furnishings and 3-D items, music, theater, sports, tobacciana, saloon, cowboy, comic books, books and magazines, antiquarian books, bottle, marbles and gaming. It was a veritable collector’s paradise.

The star lot of Day 1 was the classic 1960s 25-cent slot machine from the Nevada Club Casino, a must-have for collectors of Lake Tahoe items. The machine featured the classic Jennings Indian Head in brass. Also sold was a heavy turquoise and silver-twisted wire and stamped bracelet, featuring a beautiful oval turquoise stone from the Royston mining district in Nevada ($1,220). “One of our specialties is silver-turquoise jewelry, and this sale was loaded,” Mr. Holabird said.

Other Day 1 superstars included a glazed China marble, a little over an inch in diameter, in the King’s Rose pattern, which went for $1,000, as part of a large vintage marbles collection; and a group of six Navajo (Arizona) cuffs, five of them stamped and one stamped and hammer embossed with eagle and swastika designs ($1,000).

Day 2, October 30th, was even more packed than Day 1, with a staggering 762 lots of firefighting memorabilia, fraternal organizations items, badges (which also came up for bid on Day 5), numismatics, bullion, ingots, coins and currency, dies and hobbs, ephemera and exonumia, medals, so-called dollars (named because they are shaped like silver dollar coins) and tokens.

The $1,000 note from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (Series of 1934-A) was a Day 2 notable. It was in VF-to-EF condition and featured a portrait of President Grover Cleveland. Also offered was a coin hoard of 90 percent silver U.S. coins with a face value of $220: Mercury dimes, Roosevelt dimes, Washington quarters and Walking Liberty half-dollars. It made $3,782.

An extremely rare 5-cent token from the post exchange at Camp Yosemite in California, round and 24 millimeters in diameter, knocked down for $2,000; while a token from the Herman & Wright Saloon in Gillett, Colorado, 28 mm, changed hands for $1,187.

A group of three badges from the city of San Francisco Fire Department, circa 1933, including Fireman Badge No. 1567 and Fire Line Pass 2280, earned $1,125. Also, a scarce stereo view of the Carson City (Nev.) Mint, with (presumably) the employees standing in front, hammered for $732. The Carson City Mint produced gold and silver U.S. coins, on and off, from 1870-1893.

Day 3, on Halloween, had 685 ‘spooktacular’ lots of collectibles in a wide variety of categories: transportation, stocks and bonds, minerals and mining, tools, firearms, political memorabilia, World’s Fair items and militaria. Firearms sales were subject to state and federal regulations.

The 1870 Wells Fargo and Company (N.Y.) stock certificate was the top lot of Day 3. It was certificate #312, issued for 100 shares to H.W. Perkins and signed by the company president, treasurer and secretary. Also, a stock certificate from 1879 for the Metallic Consolidated Gold & Silver Mining Company (Lake District, near Mammoth Lake, Calif.) for 95 shares made $1,125.

A crystallized gold specimen from the Monarch Mine in Comstock, Nevada, circa 1989 or 1990, weighing 12.8 grams, the finest crystallized specimen to come out of that mine, sold for $1,830. Also, a set of nine original 19th century touchstone needles used by jewelers as a way to test gold by making a streak on a streak plate and comparing it to the streak on the needles, reached $812.

A flintlock blunderbuss pistol, caliber unknown and with no proof marks shown, possibly made in Spain, Portugal or India in the 1800s and likely for display purposes, hit the mark for $1,750. Also, a company stock specimen from the 1920s for the Owl Drug Company, boasting four owl vignettes on the corners, number 662, with officers’ names hole-punched, commanded $625.

Day 4, November 1st, contained 712 lots of general Americana (geographically sorted, from Arizona to Wyoming), maps, photographs, philatelic, Wells Fargo and bargains and specials.

On Day 4, a collection of over 300 tokens from military camps in Vietnam, made by SEGA for use in slot machines, pinball machines and jukeboxes during the Vietnam War years (1962-1971) brought $1,687; while a group of about 19 Halloween cards, with artwork by John Winsch, one of the finest artists of the early postcard period that ran from circa 1905-1910, finished at $1,562.

Day 5, November 2nd, featured Part 2 of bargains and dealer specials, art, Native Americana, firearms and weaponry, badges, foreign collectibles, textiles, furnishings and 3-D collectibles, general Americana ephemera and collectibles, Hollywood and theater, music, cowboy / saloon / tobacco, bottles, gaming, jewelry, general Americana (geographically sorted), political, sports, postcards, Wells Fargo, World’s Fairs, military, mining, stocks and bonds and transportation.

Sold on Day 5 was a collection of 1920s boxer postcards from the Exhibit Blue Series. The cards, encased and in good condition, included greats like heavyweight boxer Jack Sharkey, featherweight Archie Bell, middleweight Dave Rosenberg and bantamweight Bud Taylor. `

Holabird’s gallery is located at 3555 Airway Drive in Reno. Anyone owning a collection that might fit into an upcoming Holabird Western Americana Collections auction is encouraged to get in touch. The firm travels extensively throughout the United States, to evaluate and pick up collections. The company has agents all over America and will travel to inspect most collections.

Holabird Western Americana Collections is always in the hunt for new and major collections to bring to market. It prides itself as being a major source for selling Americana at the best prices obtainable, having sold more than any other similar company in the past decade alone. The firm will have its entire sales database online soon, at no cost – nearly 200,00 lots sold since 2014.

To consign a single piece or a collection, you may call Fred Holabird at 775-851-1859 or 844-492-2766; or, you can send an e-mail to fredholabird@gmail.com. To learn more about Holabird Western Americana Collections, visit www.holabirdamericana.com. Updates are posted often.

Holabird Western Americana Collections Will Host a Huge, 5-Day ‘SPOOKTACULAR’ Sale, Live in Reno, Nevada and Online, Oct. 29-Nov. 2

Oct 21, 2020 | Announcements, Auctions

Start times all five days are 8 am Pacific time. More than 3,600 lots in a wide array of collecting categories are set to cross the auction block, with online bidding available on several platforms.

RENO, Nev. – Original artwork for what is widely regarded as the very first psychedelic rock poster – created in 1965 for the grand opening of the Red Dog Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada and advertising the acid-rock group The Charlatans for a series of dates that never happened – is an expected star lot in Holabird Western Americana Collections’ big, five-day Spooktacular Sale planned for Oct. 29-Nov. 2, online and live in the gallery located at 3555 Airway Drive in Reno.

Start times all five days are 8 am Pacific time. More than 3,600 lots in a wide array of collecting categories are set to cross the auction block. “We continue to get in marvelous collections of Americana from all over the country, and this auction features many amazing one-of-a-kind rarities and several long-awaited collections, like the ones for Ken Prag, Salvatore Falcone and John Reynolds,” said Fred Holabird, the president of Holabird Western Americana Collections.

The Charlatans concert poster will be offered on Day 1, October 29th, and has a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$15,000. In 1965, when Red Dog Saloon owners Mark Unobsky and Chandler Laughlin made plans to open for business, they decided against a jukebox for music and instead wanted to enlist a house band. A friend suggested The Charlatans, a fledgling acid-rock group in San Francisco that had never even played a gig – just practiced. Oh, and dropped a lot of acid.

To advertise the event, one of The Charlatans, George Hunter, suggested a poster, only not the usual kind that featured publicity photos of the act. This one would be hand-drawn, in the style of an old circus poster, with the faces and names of the band members and the dates – June 1-15. Hunter himself did the artwork. Except The Charlatans were too stoned to keep the dates, so the shows had to be pushed ahead, to June 21st. As a result, another poster was created. The one in the auction, for the June 1-15 dates, is the original (“The Seed”), and is a psychedelic rock rarity.

Along with that rare poster, Day 1 will be filled with 679 lots of art, Native Americana, textiles, foreign and general collectibles, collector spoons, jewelry, scales, advertising items and signs, furnishings and 3-D items, music, theater, sports, tobacciana, saloon, cowboy, comic books, books and magazines, antiquarian books, bottle, marbles and gaming – a collector’s paradise.

Co-headlining Day 1 will be a classic 1960s 25-cent slot machine from the famous Nevada Club Casino, a classic slot for those who collect Tahoe items (est. $550-$650). The machine features the classic Jennings Indian Head in brass. Also offered will be a complete set (#1-169) of Classic Illustrated Comics (1941-1969). These comic books took classic stories from history and literature and made them more attractive to children and teenagers (est. $3,000-$6,000).

Other Day 1 superstar lots will include a banded Lutz marble, very attractive and in a rare 1 ½ inch size, with a clear glass base (est. $700-$800). Along with the two Lutz bands there are also four light blue outer strands. The surface is original. Also, a turquoise cluster bracelet by the well-known Navajo silversmith Ella Peter, boasting beautiful dark blue turquoise stones and flanked on both sides by nice silver work, signed by the artist, should command $550-$650.

Day 2, Friday, October 30th, will be just as packed as Day 1, with 762 lots of firefighting memorabilia, fraternal organizations items, badges (which will also be offered on Day 5), numismatics, bullion, ingots, coins and currency, dies and hobbs, ephemera and exonumia, medals, so-called dollars (named because they are shaped like silver dollar coins) and tokens.

Day 2 might just see the top lot of the entire auction: a large silver ingot from the U.S. Assay Office in San Francisco, the product of five pours in the 1940s. The ingot came to Holabird in an old Farmers Merchants Bank (Lodi, Calif.) cloth bank bag, held by the same family since its original purchase. Weighing 1016.70 troy ounces, the ingot should bring $24,000-$35,000.

Also offered on Day 2 will be a Moore and Sweet token, good for 50 cents in merchandise at Fort Quitman, which operated on the border of Texas and Mexico in northwest Texas from 1858 to 1877. Struck in 1871, the token has an estimate of $800-$1,600. A British gold sovereign coin from 1890, during the rule of Queen Victoria, weighing .2354 ounces, should reach $500-$700.

A Washington, D.C. Metro Airport Fire Department gold-plated brass badge from the 2001 presidential inauguration, showing the presidential seal, the American and Virginia flags, a passenger jet and a fire truck, is estimated to sell for $200-$250. Also, a group of ten Fire Department Convention ribbons, all from Northeastern states and circa 1808-1911 (example: “Neptune Vet. Firemen’s Assn., Newburyport, Mass.”) is expected to garner $300-$400.

Day 3, October 31st, will feature 685 ‘spooktacular’ collectibles in a wide variety of categories: transportation, stocks and bonds, minerals and mining, tools, firearms, political memorabilia, World’s Fair collectibles and militaria. Firearms sales subject to state and federal regulations.

Day 3 highlights will include a rare and early stock certificate for Gould & Curry (Virginia City, Nev.), one of the key producers on the Comstock, datelined San Francisco Jan. 13, 1865 and one of possibly only a dozen known (est. $800-$1,200); and a great gold specimen from the North Bonanza mine, located in the Flowery District down Six Mile Canyon in Virginia City, Nevada, near the Lady Bryan (est. $1,000-$2,000). The visible gold specimen weighs in at 2.59 ounces.

Day 4, November 1st, will contain 712 lots of general Americana (geographically sorted, from Arizona to Wyoming), maps, photographs, philatelic, Wells Fargo and bargains and specials.

Day 4 top lots will include an original broadside for the opening of the Hoover Dam in Boulder City, Nevada, printed circa 1935 and measuring 22 inches by 32 inches, reading, “Las Vegas, Nevada / Gateway to the Great Boulder Dam” (est. $1,000-$2,000); and a blue and white enameled metal sign for the Valley Express Company, measuring 24 inches by 16 inches, with some corrosion and wear on the back but the front in very good condition (est. $500-$1,000).

Day 5, November 2nd, will feature Part 2 of bargains and dealer specials, art, Native Americana, firearms and weaponry, badges, foreign collectibles, textiles, furnishings and 3-D collectibles, general Americana ephemera and collectibles, Hollywood and theater, music, cowboy / saloon / tobacco, bottles, gaming, jewelry, general Americana (geographically sorted), political, sports, postcards, Wells Fargo, World’s Fairs, military, mining, stocks and bonds and transportation.

Offered on Day 5 will be a nice quartet of four 1800s bourbon and whiskey bottles, including a rare J. Moore Brown Old Bourbon, a Roanoke Rye brown, a blob top brown and a clear Old Quaker Club Whiskey with a rare embossed picture, all being sold as one lot (est. $350-$1,000).

Online bidding will be facilitated by iCollector.com, LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com, AuctionMobility.com and Auctionzip.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted. For those planning to attend live, Holabird’s gallery is located at 3555 Airway Drive in Reno. All state and CDC regulations regarding COVID-19 (masks, social distancing, etc.) will be enforced.

Color catalogs are available by calling 1-844-492-2766, or 775-851-1859. Also, anyone owning a collection that might fit into an upcoming Holabird Western Americana Collections auction is encouraged to get in touch. The firm travels extensively throughout the U.S., to see and pick up collections. The company has agents all over America and will travel to inspect most collections.
Holabird Western Americana Collections is always in the hunt for new and major collections to bring to market. It prides itself as being a major source for selling Americana at the best prices obtainable, having sold more than any other similar company in the past decade alone. The firm will have its entire sales database online soon, at no cost – nearly 200,00 lots sold since 2014.
To consign a single piece or a collection, you may call Fred Holabird at 775-851-1859 or 844-492-2766; or, you can send an e-mail to fredholabird@gmail.com. To learn more about Holabird Western Americana Collections, visit www.holabirdamericana.com. Updates are posted often.

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