When reviewing upcoming auctions, one of the things we like to look for are the more unusual items, the coins that surprise you and say “I didn’t know that!”

In the upcoming Heritage Signature Sale of The Ellsworth Collection (May 29th) we found the following 1795 Double Error Half Cent.

Below is the auction catalog Description:

This is a stunning and spectacular double error, either of which would be extremely important in its own right. The substantial curved clip is positioned at 4 o’clock. This clip is larger than any we recall seeing on a half cent of any date, let alone this 18th century date. Similarly, the off-center strike, positioned to 9 o’clock, is further off-center than we recall on any other examples. The combination is nothing short of amazing.

Any combination of two or more error types on a single coin essentially makes that coin unique. It is completely unreasonable to think that another identical error combination could have been produced, unless someone at the Mint was making these intentionally, and during the 1790s, that was probably not the case.

The surfaces are lightly corroded. The obverse has charcoal-brown and deep green color, with mostly deep green on the reverse. A few old obverse scratches are so nicely blended with the rest of the coin that they are not immediately obvious. EAC 12.

Among the collections anchoring the upcoming Heritage Long Beach Signature Auction, one simply stands out. The Silbermünzen Collection (the word Silbermünzen is German for “silver coins”) lives up to its name quite nicely, offering a particularly high quality selection of rare quarters and half dollars, with many series represented, including some spectacular early proofs.

Many of the coins in the Silbermünzen Collection are the finest known or close to it, often with superb pedigrees. The 1891-O Specimen Strike quarter we profiled two weeks ago in CoinLink’s Coin Guide, is from this collection, as are early proofs such as the 1820, 1828, 1833, and 1841. Half dollars include proof 1825, 1841, 1845 and 1846 coins, as well as circulation strikes such as an amazing Gem 1892-O Micro O half and a 1915-S half grading MS67. The collector did not limit himself to quarters and half dollars; another standout piece is a magnificent gem Proof 1846 Seated Dollar.

Highlights of the Silbermünzen Collection include:

Live sessions of the 2008 May Long Beach, CA Signature Auction will take place at the Long Beach Coin and Collectibles Expo on May 28-30, and online through Heritage Live May 31-June 2. Internet bidding for this auction is open now at www.HA.com.

Early Goals Have Been Exceeded, Signature Series Graders Added

{Virginia Beach, VA.} Dominion Grading Service (DGS) announced today that their initial operations goals have been exceeded in the first month. According to John Feigenbaum, President, “as of May 20, we have graded 638 coins and met our goals in many other areas as well, including our software which provides email updates to submitters as orders reach various stages of the submission process. The web site offers similar features, including the ability to view any coin slabbed and valued over $100 (a feature we call AuthentiView™).”

Signature Series Graders Added

In our first month of operations, DGS solidified Signature Series grader agreements with: Rick Snow (Indian Cents); Jim McGuigan (early U.S. coinage); Bill Bugert (Seated Half Dollars); and John Feigenbaum will perform this service for Barber coinage and Washington quarters, upon request.

DGS was very excited to receive its first Signature Series submission which included several rare large cent varieties, and a sharp example of the very rare 1802 half dime (DGS XF40 Slightly Bent, Light Graffiti), which has a pedigree back to the Buddy Ebsen collection and is valued over $100,000. Jim McGuigan — a renowned specialist in U.S. Bust coinage — graded and authenticated this important coin. His opinion was verified by three other graders at DGS. (more…)

(New Iberia, Louisiana) - A recent close examination of coins recovered a year ago from the 1846 Gulf of Mexico shipwreck of the SS New York has revealed some of the finest known Southern branch mint gold coins and a nearly complete set of Bust half dollars.

The New York was a side-wheel steamer that foundered during a hurricane about 60 miles off the coast of Cameron, Louisiana in 1846. Four New Iberia, Louisiana area residents found the 365-ton wooden hull ship in about 60 feet of water two years ago. The four, who call their recovery operation, “Gentlemen of Fortune,” are Gary and Reneè Hebert, Avery Munson and Craig DeRouen.

“We brought up the ship’s bell in the summer of 2006, staked a claim and obtained a federal court judgment granting us title to the site, then brought up several hundred coins from the underwater mud last year. We recently sent them to Numismatic Conservation Services and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation for certification,” said DeRouen.

“This is the most important group of Southern gold coins ever found on a treasure ship. There are some of the finest known Quarter Eagles and Half Eagles struck in Charlotte and Dahlonega, as well as examples of gold coins struck at the New Orleans Mint,” stated prominent numismatic researcher and author Q. David Bowers, co-chairman of Stack’s Rare Coins in New York City and Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

“The recovered coins are worth more than $1 million,” said dealer John Albanese of Far Hills, New Jersey who recently appraised them.

“They include an 1845-D $2.50 graded NGC MS-64; 1844-D $5 graded NGC MS-63* prooflike; and an 1844-O $5 graded NGC MS-64. There’s also a nearly complete set of Capped Bust halves with over two dozen different dates including an 1815, and quite a few foreign gold coins as well,” said Albanese. (more…)