Manhattan, New York - December 18, 2007 - On Dec. 12 -13, the R.M. Smythe & Co. auction of part 13 of the The Schingoethe collection of obsolete currency generated a great deal of interest from bidders. 94% of the 1162 lots offered were sold totaling $450,000 in sales. Many of the more unique and rare items far surpassed their pre-auction estimates, perhaps signaling a significant upsurge in interest for obsolete currency.

Of particular note was a $10 bill issued by the Merchants & Planters Bank of Tallahassee Florida Ca. 1830s-40s. (FL-70 G10). The bill pictured; a man plowing, top; 10s in geometric die counters, top left and right; Mercury bears cornucopia with coins, Juno Moneta seated, left; Washington in classical garb, right. RWH. VG, crease, toning. The pre-auction estimate was $150 to $250. The realized price was $3450, including the buyers commission. The $10 Tallahassee note, was not an anomaly. There were many other lots that far exceeded their pre auction estimates. These included: (more…)

Website and Catalog Feature Exclusive Input on Select Coins by PCGS Founder and Director, David Hall

IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin auction house, kicks off festivities in Orlando on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, with the Bowers and Merena Orlando Rarities Sales, featuring 670 rare and desirable coin lots sure to satisfy the tastes of the most discerning collector. The auction will be held at the International Plaza Resort & Spa in the heart of Orlando’s bustling entertainment district, two days prior to the Orlando F.U.N. Show.

As a special feature of this and future auctions that will be enjoyed by bidders and consignors alike, Bowers and Merena launches a new arrangement with PCGS founder and director, David Hall. Mr. Hall will be offering his exclusive input on many of the coins in this Orlando auction as well as upcoming Bowers and Merena auctions. For a limited time only, he will talk on video about coins offered at auction by Bowers and Merena. The videos will be available online before the auction for potential bidders to view, and also partially transcribed into the printed catalog descriptions. In addition, Bowers and Merena will keep an online video archive of these comments by
Mr. Hall. (more…)

Browsing through the December 24th issue of Coin Wold we came upon an interesting and unannounced auction notice. On January 16th the PCI Coin Grading Service is to be auctioned off.

The auction will be conducted by Gravitt Auctions and includes:”…all assets of PCI, Inc., tangible and intangible, are to be sold to the highest bidder at “Absolute Public Auction”, all for one bid!!! including: Name, Registered Service Mark, Web Site, Toll Free Number, Safes and Office Equipment,Customer List, Approximately 13,000 - 14,000 Names”

PCI, Inc, began in 1989 as a service primarily for collectors. In the beginning the company was called Photo Certification Institute, hence the acronym PCI. At the time the company would encapsulate coins in a holder along with a photo of that coin. As time went on, the photos were dropped.

PCI has gone through several transitions. From the original founder Louis Revels, to a change in ownership, the passing of Brian Beardsley, JT Stantons’ arrival to oversee all operations and then his departure on September 29th of this year. (more…)

The sale of George W. Bush campaign pins, a bundle of Taft political memorabilia, autographed Barry Bonds souvenirs, a strand of Marilyn Monroe’s hair, and thousands of other collectibles netted the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation $2.55 million, the agency announced yesterday.

The sale marked the latest step in the liquidation of the now-infamous $50 million rare-coin funds managed by GOP insider Tom Noe. More than a year ago, Noe was sentenced to 18 years in state prison after a jury found him guilty on 29 charges stemming from his theft of millions of dollars from the coin fund. Read Full Article