(NEW YORK) - For Classical numismatists, the New Year will begin on an exceptional note: the sale of the Lawrence R. Stack Collection of Ancient Greek Coins. To be held January 14, 2008 in New York City, the sale brings together a veritable pantheon of outstanding rarities, marvelous examples of the celator’s art and historic and important pieces.

Formed with a discerning eye, the collection places special emphasis on the gold and silver issues of Magna Graecia and Sicily. Collectors of early issues will find a lovely group of Archaic Staters of Tarentum, Metapontion, Poseidonia, Sybaris, Kaulonia and Kroton. Those who fancy Greek gold will be pleased with the 4th to 3rd Century B.C. issues of Etruria, Tarentum, Metapontion, the Brettii, Akragas and Syracuse. The Sicilian silver, meanwhile, is exceptional featuring pieces by such famous engravers as “the Master of the Leaf,” Herakleidas, Eumenos, Phrygillos and Euainetos.

As for the Titans of Ancient coinage, the collection features signed and unsigned Dekadrachms of Syracuse, including a Demaretion; a Carthagian Dekadrachm; Oktadrachms of the Bisaltai and Abdera and Dodekadrachms of the Derrones.

Other highlights of the collection include a rare Chersonesos Tetradrachm of Miltiades II, an exceptional group of Athenian Wappenmünzen and Archaic owls; rare Boiotian Staters and Fractions; and Arkadian Fractions. Moving to the East, the sale features a high-grade array of Staters from Crete, an extremely rare gold Stater from Pergamon, and a highly-prized early gold Kyrene Stater of King Ptolemy I depicting the deified Alexander. Extensive historical and numismatic notes are given throughout the offering.

Additional consignments of Greek and Roman coins include: a fine tendering of Roman Imperatorial silver, an outstanding group of Roman Imperial bronzes, and a specialized collection of coins of Julian II, the Apostate.

Extensive, full-color catalogs will be available in December on a limited basis by contacting Stack’s, 123 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, toll-free: 800-566-2580, or emailing us online.

Baltimore, one of our favorite cities, is the site for our sale of the Amherst and Waccabuc Collections and other important consignments. A panorama of interesting coins, paper money and other items awaits your review and bidding pleasure. Come early and attend lot viewing, which begins on November 11th. Our host for this sale is the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel. Our auction will be held on two days, the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, November 13th, and the afternoon of the 14th, also extending into the evening. As a registered bidder you will be our guest for dinner. The red carpet will be rolled out!

Our sale has something for every interest in American numismatics. Colonial and early American coins are highlighted by a choice Mint State 1776 Continental dollar. Cents begin with 1793 and continue to include high grade coins, “type” issues, and rarities, through Flying Eagle, Indian and Lincoln issues. Half dimes from 1794 (two Mint State examples), dimes from 1796, quarters from 1796, and early half dollars will be a magnet for connoisseurs and specialists as well as type coin collectors. Capped Bust, Liberty Seated, Barber and other issues await. Into the 20th century, a gem 1916-D dime and 1916 Standing Liberty quarter set the pace for a field that includes many other treasures.

Morgan silver dollars, perhaps the most popular of all 19th century coins, include one of the finest collections ever assembled, the Amherst Collection–with emphasis on a combination of high grade and superb eye appeal. Suffice it to say, if these are your specialty, here is an offering that can’t be missed. In addition, many other Morgan dollars, Mint State coins as well as Proofs, are in the offering.

Gold coins range from dollars to double eagles, commencing with the first year of issue. From the “rarest of the rare” era, 1796 through early 1834, rare quarter eagles include 1796 and 1808 and other delicacies, half eagles from 1795 onward, and eagles from the same year. Later date gold is rich in Liberty Head and 20th century issues, including rarities, Proofs, multiple gem MCMVII twenties, and more. The superb gem Proof 1845 quarter eagle is the stuff of which dreams are made. Territorial gold coins range from Bechtler to California issues, including $50 “slugs” by Augustus Humbert, direct from the Gold Rush. (more…)

The Q. David Bowers Reference Collection Obsolete Paper Money · Part II
Some Comments from the Consignor

Welcome to Part II of my Reference Collection of Obsolete Paper Money, an Internet Sale, the first in a series to be presented by Stack’s. Offered are over 150 interesting and affordable notes from a wide variety of issuers. I have acquired these over a period of time to aid in research and study, including in the publication of my recent Whitman book, Obsolete Paper Money Issued by Banks in the United States 1782-1866, obtainable from us for $69.95 plus shipping (I will autograph a copy on request, and your complete satisfaction is guaranteed), or from numismatic booksellers and bookstores nationwide. In gathering these notes I have sought a combination of history and romance, combined with importance in the banking and financial world, attractiveness of design, and, often, rarity—the last creating an opportunity that should not be missed.

Today, obsolete paper money offers what I consider to be an exceedingly attractive advantage for astute collectors. Market-wise it reminds me of what colonial coins were like in the 1950s—many items offered for sale, a rather small population of collectors, and prices that today in retrospect seem to be incredible bargains. In the present sale, hardly any notes are “common” in relation to United States coins. Even the most plentiful variety by numismatic standards is rare in comparison to popular 20th-century coins, for example.

After each note I have given an estimated bid, with the lower figure generally representing my cost of acquisition, sometimes dating back a long time. This will represent the starting bid for each lot. Most are inexpensive, with starting prices in the tens of dollars. Once the starting bid is met or exceeded—and you can watch progress on the Internet—you know the note will be sold, hopefully to you.

I appreciate your interest in the offering to follow and wish you the best of success in obtaining the notes that attract or intrigue you the most, keeping in mind that I enjoyed them myself when they were in my possession. Few areas of numismatic Americana offer more beauty, history, and rarity combined with attractive purchase opportunities.

Best wishes.

Dave Bowers

Auction Detail

Auction Detail

Auction Detail

Auction Detail

By Numismaster

Stack’s Sept. 18 auction of U.S. coinage features a top-grade 1838 quarter.

At that grade it is the finest certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corp., said sale catalogers. The piece was once part of the Jimmy Hayes collection sold by Stack’s in 1985 and is accompanied by a letter from Mr. Hayes to a later owner of the piece.

Another top-graded piece to be offered is an 1853-C gold $5, certified as MS-64 by Professional Coin Grading Service. Catalogers cite the PCGS population report of one 1853-C $5 seen in this condition and none finer.

An 1874 Trade dollar, PCGS MS-66 with only one other graded higher by PCGS, will attract specialists. Catalogers write, “What truly makes the present coin so special is the quality of the surfaces, with just a few microscopic nicks in the fields this is much, much finer than usually encountered.”