Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, launched 2009 with two outstanding auctions. The Orlando Rarities Sale held on January 4 prior to the Orlando FUN Convention realized $4,745,806, followed by the Ponterio & Associates, Inc., N.Y.I.N.C. ’09 Auction on January 9 and 10 which realized $1,648,460.

The Orlando spotlight was on Lot 225, a fully complete, exceptionally high-grade set of Business Strike Three-Cent Nickels, PCGS-certified and bearing the CAC designation, which realized $304,750. Comprised exclusively of top-of-the-pop coins, many of which are pop 1/0, this complete set is ranked at the top of the Current-Finest PCGS Registry in the category of Three-Cent Nickels, Circulation Strikes (1865-1889) – a top-ranked Registry Set acquired with a single purchase. Also garnering attention was Lot 1387, a 1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle from the Mises Institute Collection, graded MS-63 by PCGS, that realized $287,500; and Lot 1280, a 1799 Capped Bust Right Eagle, BD-7, HBCC-3188, Taraszka-19, Rarity-3, Small Stars Obverse, graded MS-64 by PCGS and also bearing the CAC designation, which realized $132,250.

“We are very pleased with the results of our Orlando Rarities Sale,” said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena. “There were some in the industry who expressed concern about the economy and were unsure what this first major show of the year would bring, but overall attendance was positive and we were happy to present a strong selection of fine rarities that were very well received by our bidders.”

Just days after the Orlando sale, Ponterio & Associates, Inc., presented its first auction since becoming a division of Bowers and Merena in early December 2008, held at the New York International Numismatist Convention. At the top of the highlights list is Lot 945, PERU, 8 Escudos, 1712-M, Fr-7; KM-38.2, ex: “1715 Plate Fleet,” which was recovered on July 31, 1992, by Captain Stephen Shouppe off the coast of Florida near a small cluster of cannons in about 15 feet of water. It realized $32,200, more than double the low estimate, and is considered to be one of the finest known Lima 8 Escudo cobs.

Also noteworthy in the Ponterio N.Y.I.N.C. auction is Lot 802, MEXICO, 8 Escudos, 1714-J, with denomination “VIII” punched over “IIIV,” Fr-6; KM-57.3; Cal-143 that realized $23,000; and Lot 503, BRAZIL, 12,800 Reis (Dobra), 1731/0-R. Joao V, 1706-50, Fr-40; KM-140 with unlisted overdate, Gomes-138.09; LDMB-197A, that realized $18,975.

“Ponterio & Associates is pleased to be part of Bowers and Merena and we were very happy with the enhancements they brought to the auction block that made for an even better auction experience for our clients, like live online bidding,” said Rick Ponterio, vice president. “We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with our longstanding Ponterio clients, and also bringing world and ancient coins and paper money to the Bowers and Merena clients in our upcoming auctions.”

Orlando Rarities Sale highlights include:

Lot 225 A Fully Complete, Exceptionally High-Grade Set of Business Strike Three-Cent Nickels. $304,750 PCGS-Certified. CAC.

Lot 316 1914-S Buffalo Nickel. MS-67 * (NGC). $39,100

Lot 427 1834 Capped Bust Dime. JR-1. Rarity-1. Large 4. MS-68 (NGC). $46,000

Lot 459 1916-D Mercury Dime. MS-65 FB (PCGS). $36,225

Lot 709 1897 Barber Half Dollar. Proof-69 Ultra Cameo (NGC). $50,600

Lot 927 1895 Morgan Silver Dollar. Proof-67 Ultra Cameo (NGC). $83,950

Lot 1056 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition $50. Round. MS-65 (NGC). $103,500

Lot 1094 Undated (Circa 1921-1922) August Bechtler. Restrike $5 Gold. K-30. Rarity-7+. Proof-66 (NGC). $44,275

Lot 1146 1868 Liberty Quarter Eagle. Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS). $43,700

Lot 1149 1898 Liberty Quarter Eagle. Proof-68 Ultra Cameo (NGC). $46,001

Lot 1205 1862 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. Proof-66 Ultra Cameo (NGC). $69,000

Lot 1212 1876 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. Proof-64 Cameo (NGC). $48,875

Lot 1280 1799 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-7, HBCC-3188, Taraszka-19. Rarity-3. Small Stars Obverse. $132,250 MS-64 (PCGS). CAC.

Lot 1285 1804 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, HBCC-3201, Taraszka-31. Rarity-4+. Crosslet 4. MS-63 (NGC). $126,500

Lot 1286 1804 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, HBCC-3201, Taraszka-31. Rarity-4+. Crosslet 4. MS-61 (PCGS). $80,500

Lot 1327 1861 Liberty Double Eagle. MS-65 (PCGS). $29,900

Lot 1359 MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Flat Edge. MS-66 (PCGS). CAC. $78,200

Lot 1361 MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Wire Rim. MS-65 (PCGS). $36,800

Lot 1387 1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-63 (PCGS). $287,500

Lot 1394 1925-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-66 (NGC). $120,750

Lot 1397 1931 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-65 (PCGS). $80,500

Ponterio N.Y.I.N.C. ’09 Auction highlights include:

Lot 502 BRAZIL. 12,800 Reis (Dobra), 1729/8-R. Joao V, 1706-50. Fr-40; KM-140 (unlisted overdate); $10,638
Gomes-138.05; LDMB-195(unlisted overdate).

Lot 503 BRAZIL. 12,800 Reis (Dobra), 1731/0-R. Joao V, 1706-50. Fr-40; KM-140 (unlisted overdate); $18,975
Gomes-138.09; LDMB-197A.

Lot 543 BRAZIL. 10,000 Reis, 1838. Pedro II, 1831-89. Fr-117; KM-451; LDMB-619. RARE. Mintage of only $9,775 482 pieces. ALMOST UNCIRCULATED.

Lot 544 BRAZIL. 10,000 Reis, 1848/7. Pedro II, 1831-89. Fr-118; KM-457; LDMB-628. RARE type ALMOST $8,913

Lot 667 GUATEMALA. 4 Escudos, 1783-P. Fr-11; KM-39. EXTREMELY RARE three year type. $12,650 NGC certified.

Lot 801 MEXICO. 8 Escudos, 1713-J (oXMJ-VIII). Philip V. Fr-6; KM-57.1. EX: “1715 Plate Fleet.” $8,913

Lot 802 MEXICO. 8 Escudos, 1714-J. Denomination “VIII” punched over “IIIV.” Fr-6; KM-57.3; Cal-143; $23,000
La Onza-396(plate coin). EX: “1715 Plate Fleet”. EX: Schulman 11/72 “Spanish Galleon Treasure” auction.

Lot 803 MEXICO. 8 Escudos, 1714-J (oMJ-VIII). Fr-6; KM-57.2. EX: “1715 Plate Fleet”. $12,650

Lot 811 MEXICO. 8 Escudos, 1747-MF. Fr-13; KM-149. VERY RARE one year type. EX: “Besalu” collection; $18,400
Heritage sale, 5/08, lot #5233 where it hammered $28,000. NGC certified & graded AU-55.

Lot 944 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1710-H. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: “1715 Plate Fleet” recovered from Corrigan’s wreck. $17,250

Lot 945 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1712-M. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: “1715 Plate Fleet”, recovered July 31, 1992, by Captain $32,200
Stephen Shouppe.

Lot 946 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1712-M. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: “1715 Plate Fleet.” $16,100

Lot 947 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1712-M. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: “1715 Plate Fleet”. $9,775

Lot 948 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1713/2-M. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: “1715 Plate Fleet”. $13,800

Lot 1192 BOLIVIA. 8 Soles, 1827-M. KM-unlisted; El-unlisted. $12,075

Lot 2145 STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 5 Cents, 1920. KM-31. NGC certified & graded MS-65. $14,375

Prices realized for all lots in the Bowers and Merena Orlando Rarities Sale and the Ponterio N.Y.I.N.C. ’09 Auction are available online at www.bowersandmerena.com. Bowers and Merena’s next auction is the Official Auction of the ANA National Money Show™ in Portland, Ore., March 11-13, and the Official Auction of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention, March 24-28. Ponterio & Associates will present the Official Auction of the Chicago International Coin Fair, April 24-25. Complete lot viewing and auction schedules are available at www.bowersandmerena.com and catalogs will be available in print and online approximately three to four weeks prior to each auction.

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