Dallas, TX. Heritage Auction Galleries will be presenting a late-year Signature Auction in Dallas, November 6-7, 2007. Descriptions and images of all lots are currently posted at HA.com, and are available for bidding. When the Signature and Final Session catalogs are combined, nearly 5,500 lots covering a broad range of coinage will be auctioned.

“The November Dallas catalog is anchored by the Sterling Collection of silver and gold commemoratives,” noted Heritage President Greg Rohan, “and the Arroyo Grande Collection from America’s gold rush heritage, including nineteen Liberty double eagles dated from 1855 to 1865, an 1852 Reeded Edge Humbert $50 (certified AU58 by NGC), and an important group of gold ingots; pedigrees include the S.S. Central America; the S.S. Republic , and the S.S. Brother Jonathan. The November catalog also contains many Registry-level coins from all series.”

According to Rohan, “Our year-end events have proven to be extremely successful, with consignors seeking the last major auctions before the calendar rolls into another new year, and bidders always anxious to add important coins. In 2007, Heritage is adding a new twist instead of two events here in Dallas, our final Signature Auction will take place at the Houston Coin Expo. This is a very exciting time for the coin market!” (more…)

IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin auction house, will auction the first known uncut sheet of Nationals from a rare McDowell County, W.Va., issuer. The sheet of four $5 1902 Plain Backs is from the First National Bank of Kimball, an institution previously represented in the census by only a single large size and a lone 1929 series survivor. Bowers and Merena is the Official Auctioneer of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention scheduled for November 14 to 17, 2007, at the Baltimore, Md., Convention Center. The Kimball sheet is one of more than 1,000 currency lots and 3,000 coin lots that will cross the block.

Kevin Foley, Senior Numismatist – Rare Currency for Bowers and Merena, noted that the sheet has been in the consignor’s family since the time it originally was received by his grandfather when he went to the First National Bank to cash his paycheck. Foley said, “Our consignor’s grandfather operated a jewelry store and four-table billiard parlor in Kimball, and when he wrote his weekly paycheck to himself he would go to the bank to cash it. One day the teller handed him the sheet we’ll be selling in Baltimore as part of the transaction. Observing what had happened, a bank officer approached him and tried to get the sheet back, telling him that they weren’t supposed to hand it out to the public. He declined to return it, figuring that if the bank wanted it back, it must be special. As it turns out, it was more special than he ever could have realized.”

“This will be a real trophy item for any collector of National Bank Notes,” said Steve Deeds, Bowers and Merena President. “We are thrilled to say that the November Baltimore auction will be our largest auction ever, and that includes almost 1,100 currency lots. To have this uncut sheet of West Virginia Nationals that is so rare as the centerpiece of our currency section is really quite prestigious.” (more…)

By Greg Reynolds For CoinLink

A 1921 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle ($20 gold coin) was the main attraction of the September auction by the firm of Ira and Larry Goldberg. It is one of only four privately owned gem quality 1921 Saints. This coin ‘came on the block’ on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The Goldberg’s sale lasted several days, Sept. 23-26, and was held at the Beverly Hills Crowne Plaza, just prior to the beginning of the Long Beach (CA) Coin, Stamp and Collectible Expo.

It is the finest quality 1921 Saint to become available since Nov. 2005, and it is unlikely that any of the other three privately owned gems of this date will be ‘on the market’ in the near future. As Saint Gaudens Double Eagles are among the most popular of all collecting specialties, a gem 1921 Saint is truly a prize.

I estimate that fewer than one hundred 1921 Saints exist in all grades. Next week on CoinLink, there will appear my analytical article on 1921 Saints in general. There is more information regarding this 1921 below.

Goldberg’s September auction included a wide variety of coins, from many nations and time periods, plus other numismatic items. U.S. and foreign coins consigned by Robert Hesselgesser, MD, were featured. His collections of Russian and British coins, now mostly dispersed through Goldberg’s auctions, were among the finest of all time, in terms of quality. (more…)

Today Spink’s World Banknotes auction featured numerous rarities which realized unbelievable prices. Without a shadow of a doubt, the highlight of the sale was a collection of the first ever Malaysian banknotes. The lot was purchased for an amazing £115,100, four times the original estimate, which broke Spink’s previously held record for the most expensive Asian Banknotes sold ever at auction.

The banknotes were a gift presented by Ismail Mohd Ali, on behalf of the Board of Governors of Bank Negara Malaysia, to the (fourth) King of Malaysia, Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah. They are preserved in a blue leather presentation album with the title Bank Negara Malaysia and arms in gold on the front cover. The folder contains the following: 1 ringgit, blue and multicoloured, 5 ringgit, green and multicoloured, 10 ringgit, blue and multicoloured, 50 ringgit, blue and multicoloured and 100 ringgit, purple and multicoloured, all ND (1967), serial number A/1 000001, all with portrait of Yang Di- Pertuan Agong, TuAnku Abdul Rahman, first King of Malaysia, at right, all are signed by Ismail Mohd Ali, value at centre and at each corner, all notes are mounted in card with gold border (Tan M 27, 28, 29, 30, 31). There is also a second presentation album containing 1000 ringgit, ND (1968), serial number A/1 000001, purple and multicoloured, portrait of Yang Di- Pertuan Agong, TuAnku Abdul Rahman, first king of Malaysia at right, signed by Ismail Mohd- Ali, value at centre and each corner, mounted in card with gold trim (Tan M 32). (more…)

Total Sales Realize Nearly $995,000

IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin auction house, announces the success of their Collector’s Choice Auction, held September 17 to 26, 2007, at the company’s Irvine, Calif., headquarters. The online auction offered more than 1,100 lots and realized an impressive $994,585 in total sales.

“This was only our second official Collector’s Choice Auction and already we have surpassed our first in terms of total prices realized,” said Steve Deeds, Bowers and Merena President. “These Collector’s Choice Auctions generate such an eclectic selection of coins and currency and there is something for everyone in a sale like this. I really like that this is an auction that any collector can participate in, on all levels from novice to expert, budget-friendly to high-end.” (more…)

Dallas, TX. The Official Auctions of the September 2007 Long Beach Coin Expo were held by Heritage Auction Galleries, and included Signature Auctions of U.S. coins ($11,311,996), U.S. currency ($10,486,434), ancient and world coins ($3,210,026), and U.S. tokens and medals ($598,946). When proceeds from Final Session Auctions of U.S. coins, U.S. currency, and ancient and world coins are concluded, plus Post Auction Buys from all events are added, the total prices realized are expected to approach $27 million. This was Heritage’s 61st Official Auction at Long Beach. All lot descriptions, images, and prices realized for more than eleven thousand lots that sold in Long Beach are currently posted at HA.com.

“Heritage offered an incredible suite of events at the September Long Beach,” noted Heritage President Greg Rohan. “The U.S. Signature event contained wonderful rarities from the silver and gold series, and Heritage’s leadership position offering high-level Registry coins continued with Jim O’Neal’s collection of Indian Half Eagles and the #3 PCGS ‘Mile High’ Registry Set of Carson City Morgan Dollars.” (more…)

by Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

An 1879-S Double Eagle ($20 gold coin) is ‘in the news’ as the finest certified piece is being offered by Heritage tonight, Friday, Sept. 28, 2007. Heritage is conducting the official auction of the Long Beach (CA) Coin, Stamp and Collectible Expo. Although I could not attend the Long Beach Expo this time, I did have the pleasure of closely examining this exact same coin in the past.

Numerous abrasions and contact marks are almost always expected on gold coins, especially large ones. Gold is a very soft metal. This 1879-S has very few light, short hairline scratches. Sure, a coin expert would notice these very few scratches, even without a glass. I have seen, however, many certified MS-65 grade Double Eagles that have more scratches. Furthermore, almost all Double Eagles have at least a few small, circular contact marks, often from contact with other coins. This Double Eagle does not seem to have almost zero such contact marks. Besides, no one expects a MS-64 grade coin to look perfect. Even a MS-67 grade Double Eagle would typically have a few marks and light scratches.

This coin is sharply struck. Certainly, Miss Liberty on this coin has more hair detail than do most of her cousins on other San Francisco Mint Double Eagles of the third design type, minted from 1877 to 1907. (more…)

by Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

During the evening of Friday, Sept. 28, Heritage will auction Jim O’Neal’s set of Indian Half Eagles ($5 gold coins). These were minted from 1908 to 1916, and again in 1929. O’Neal’s set is the “Current Finest” and the fourth “All-Time Finest” such set in the registry of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). The offering of O’Neal’s collection is one part of the official auction of the Long Beach (CA) Coin, Stamp and Collectible Expo.

The present purpose is to highlight O’Neal’s more newsworthy Indian Head Half Eagles, plus to provide an idea of the meaning and significance of his set. The rules governing the PCGS registry require that only PCGS graded coins may be registered. This O’Neal set is of business strikes, coins made by ordinary means. Business strikes that lack visible wear are said to be uncirculated. The modern concept of ‘Mint State’ roughly approximates the traditional definition of uncirculated. To grade ‘Mint State (or Proof) coins, all eleven points on a scale from 60 to 70 are employed.

O’Neal’s Half Eagles that have attracted a good deal of attention, or are most likely to ‘make news,’ are the ones that are high in the condition rankings for their respective dates. Undoubtedly, there are other Half Eagles in O’Neal’s set that are attractive and desirable, but it is not feasible to discuss them here.

Although the 1909 New Orleans issue (1909-O) is the scarcest date in the Indian Head Half Eagle series, O’Neal’s 1908-Denver, 1914-D and 1914-San Francisco Half Eagles are perhaps the most important coins in his set. His 1910 and 1912 Philadelphia Half Eagles are also newsworthy. For each of these dates, O’Neal’s Half Eagle is likely to be among the finest known, possibly even the finest.

While Indian Head Half Eagles are not very rare coins, collectors are willing to pay tremendous premiums for high quality pieces, especially for coins that are among the five or ten finest for their respective dates. Consider that a 1914-S Half Eagle has a retail value of around $1500 in MS-60 grade and may be worth anywhere from $35,000 to $65,000 in MS-64 grade. (more…)

Numismatists from the around the world gathered at Spink in London yesterday to bid on one of the most exciting offerings of coins and medals to come on the market for some time. When the hammer dropped on the 753rd and final lot, the sale had realized a staggering total of £1,914,747. Several items sold for as much as twenty times their estimates in the end.

English coins and Russian medals stole the show with fantastic prices achieved. The highlight of the sale was the Charles II ‘Petition’ Crown by Thomas Simon which sold for an astounding £207,100. Spink last sold a ‘Petition’ Crown in May 2003 which realized £138,000. This numismatic masterpiece is the creation of the great engraver, Thomas Simon. Following the Restoration of the Monarchy Charles II ordered trials for a milled coinage from the Royal Mint. Simon, aggrieved that he had not been given the commission, was determined to win the King over and be chosen as the official designer with his clever concepts.

Thomas Simon engraved the dies for this Crown featuring a bust of Charles II on the obverse with “Simon” engraved just below the King’s clothed neckline. The “Petition” is two hundred raised letters in two lines around the coin’s rim which is only 35mm in depth and reads:

THOMAS SIMON MOST HVMBLY PRAYS YOVR MAJESTY TO COMPARE THIS HIS TRYALL PIECE WITH THE DVTCH AND IF MORE TRVLY DRAWN & EMBOSS’D MORE GRACE; FVLLY ORDER’D AND MORE ACCURATELY ENGRAVEN TO RELIEVE HIM (more…)