Bowers and Merena, America’s premier rare coin and currency auction house, kicked off what promises to be an exciting year with its January 2010 Orlando Rarities Sale. The sale, with nearly 1,000 lots of rare and enticing United States, Colonial and Territorial gold coinage, was conducted in a single session on January 5. Total prices realized for the auction is in excess of $2.5 million.

“We had a strong turnout among bidders in our Orlando Rarities Sale,” stated Bowers and Merena president Steve Deeds, “and prices realized for many lots reflected collectors’ interests in rare, difficult-to-find coins in premium-quality condition. The stand-out highlight of the sale is lot 743, an 1879 Judd-1635 Flowing Hair Stella certified Proof-66 Cameo by NGC. The dazzling rarity traded hands for $182,500.”

“Another gold coin that performed very well is lot 747, an 1802/3 Half Eagle MS-65 * NGC,” continued Deeds. “This sharply struck, Condition Census rarity brought $115,000 at auction.”

Said Deeds: “United States gold coins were not the only strong performers in our Orlando Rarities Sale. Early Copper specialists made their voices heard by driving the realized price for lot 27 to an impressive total of $25,300. The coin in that lot is a fresh, new-to-market example of the rare S-264 Large Date, Small Fraction variety of the 1803 Draped Bust Cent. We sold the coin as a PCGS VG-10.”

“And in the Territorial gold section of our Orlando Rarities Sale we were pleased to present lot 695,” observed Deeds. “A unique variety of the 1851 K-2 Augustus Humbert $50 Gold, this PCGS-certified AU-55 is missing the digits 88 in the inscription 880 THOUS on the obverse scroll. We saw particularly fierce competition between two interested bidders, and when the dust settled the winner earned the right to take this important coin home at $115,000. (more…)

Important U.S. Coins to Cross Auction Block in January

Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, will commence its 2010 auction schedule with the Orlando Rarities Sale. The auction will be conducted on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, beginning at 6 p.m. ET at the Doubletree Resort-Orlando International Drive. Pre-sale lot viewing will take place in the same location January 3 to 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

“2010 promises to be another exciting year for Bowers and Merena,” remarked Steve Deeds, president of the firm. “The year will certainly begin on a high note with our eagerly anticipated Orlando Rarities Sale. Many important coins are included among the highlights of this sale, and bidding promises to be spirited for all U.S. coin series and types.”

Continued Deeds: “Among the leading rarities set to cross the auction block in our Orlando Rarities Sale is an 1851 Augustus Humbert Fifty-Dollar gold piece with an extremely important, previously unknown engraving error.

Nominally an example of the Kagin-2 Lettered Edge variety—itself a scarce variety with a Rarity-5 rating—this particular piece is missing the digits 88 in the inscription 880 THOUS, resulting in a partially blank scroll on the obverse above the eagle.

A discovery piece that has been certified AU-55 by PCGS, this coin is sure to warrant the undivided attention of Territorial gold specialists.”

Deeds also called attention to highlights in the regular issue United States silver- and gold-coin series. “We will also be presenting a low-mintage 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter graded MS-65 Full Head by NGC, an elusive 1796 Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dollar of the 16 Stars variety in PCGS/CAC VG-10 and an exquisite 1879 Flowing Hair Stella rarity that NGC has certified as Proof-66 Cameo.” (more…)

Russian, Annam and Argentine Sun Face Coinage Loom Large Among Highlights

Ponterio & Associates, Inc., the world and ancients auction division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, will commence its 2010 auction schedule as an Official Auctioneer of the New York International Numismatic Convention (N.Y.I.N.C.).

The auction will be conducted January 8-9, 2010, in New York’s prestigious Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Pre-sale lot viewing will take place in the same location beginning January 6, with additional lot viewing opportunities available at the Bowers and Merena world headquarters in Irvine, California, December 21-31, 2009 (by appointment only; closed December 24-27).

“Our 2010 N.Y.I.N.C. Auction will feature more than 2,300 lots of ancient coins, world coins, paper money, and orders and decorations,” stated Rick Ponterio, executive vice president of Bowers and Merena and founder of Ponterio & Associates. “Leading the way among important consignments is the second installment of the Chester Skotak Collection of Central American Coinage. We sold the first part of this fabulous collection through our Official November 2009 Baltimore Auction, and we anticipate equally impressive results when the second portion of Mr. Skotak’s holdings comes up for auction at the N.Y.I.N.C. We also have significant consignments of Russian and Annamese coinage, as well as a noteworthy array of Argentine Sun Face Coinage.”

Continued Ponterio: “One of the most prominent coins in our upcoming N.Y.I.N.C. Auction is a 1902 Russian 37 ½ Rubles—the Prize of Russian Numismatics. Attributed alternately as Fr-170, Y-B65, Bitkin-309 and Sev-578, this is a very rare type with a mintage of only 225 pieces. A special issue that was used by the Czar for gifts on special occasions, this is the largest Russian gold coin struck in the modern era. We grade the piece attractive AU and are offering it as lot 7389.” (more…)