This spectacular serial number 1 Black Charter Note represents a true miracle of survival.

Discovered earlier this year, it is the only serial number 1 Black Charter Note from any bank to survive, and is one of only three Original Series Black Charter Notes known to exist (Fr. 399).

It is the “A” position note from the first sheet of fives sent to the Red Oak, Iowa bank in 1873, and, as Peter Huntoon noted in his Bank Note Reporter story earlier this year, had obviously been saved by one of the signers.

Nothing is known of the note’s pedigree since the day it left the bank in late 1873 until it walked into a small Iowa coin shop earlier this year. The note quickly changed hands and the second dealer sent it to PMG for grading because of its attractive appearance.

Only when the note came back from PMG with the attendant fanfare did the second dealer realize that this was not only a serial number 1 example but was the only serial number 1 Black Charter example ever to be recorded.

Fortunately for collectors, it is a lovely as well as unique note, with great color, signatures, and eye appeal, fully, in our opinion, meriting its PMG assigned grade of Very Fine 25.

The Note will be auctioned by Heritage in the upcoming Long Beach Currency Sale in September as Lot 3502.

Platinum Night at the Baltimore World’s Fair of Money has come and gone, and what a success it was! In total, over $27 million in great coins sold in Thursday’s evening sessions. Overall, this auction is expected to bring in nearly $40 million; sessions continue online through Sunday at HA.com/coins.

The Ed Price Collection, a fascinating and complete die study of Heraldic Eagle dimes and quarter eagles, led off the night’s festivities, realizing $5.7 million in enthusiastic and aggressive bidding. A copper 1792 Disme pattern, graded PR62 Brown by NGC and probably the second finest known, highlighted this collection, realizing $690,000. An 1804 14 stars dime, graded AU58 and believed to be the finest 1804 dime of either variety, brought $632,500. Other highlights from the Ed Price Collection included:

* 1796 10C MS67 NGC. JR-4, R.3. Sold for: $299,000
* 1797 10C 13 Stars MS65 NGC. JR-2, R.4. Sold for: $402,500
* 1798/97 10C 13 Stars on Reverse MS63 PCGS. CAC. JR-2, R.6. Sold for: $103,500
* 1798 10C Small 8 MS66 NGC. JR-3, R.5. Sold for: $253,000
* 1802 10C MS62 NGC. JR-4, R.4. Sold for: $138,000
* 1803 10C MS64 NGC. JR-3, R.4. Sold for: $322,000
* 1804 10C 13 Stars on Reverse AU55 NGC. JR-1, R.5. Sold for: $149,500
* 1796 $2 1/2 No Stars XF40 PCGS. CAC. BD-1, R.7. Sold for: $207,000
* 1796 $2 1/2 No Stars MS61 PCGS. CAC. BD-2, R.4. Sold for: $276,000
* 1796 $2 1/2 Stars MS62 NGC. BD-3, R.5. Sold for: $207,000
* 1797 $2 1/2 AU55 NGC. BD-1, R.6. Sold for: $103,500
* 1804 $2 1/2 13 Star Reverse AU55 NGC. BD-1, Low R.7. Sold for: $322,000

Platinum Night proper saw over $21.5 million in rare coins change hands, including one of the two known 1825/4 half eagles. Graded AU50 by NGC, this extremely rare piece realized an impressive $690,000. A 1921 double eagle graded MS64, both an absolute and a conditional rarity, brought $474,375. A 1944-S cent struck in steel and graded MS66, one of only two known 1944-S steel cents and by a wide margin the finest 1944 steel cent from any mint, sold for $373,750. And last but not least, lunch with Heritage co-founder Jim Halperin brought $12,650, with all proceeds including the Buyer’s Premium to be donated to the ANA. (more…)

The Bayside New York Collection contains an incredible 100-plus half dollars minted between 1794 and 1807. Heritage will offer this wonderful assemblage as a Featured Collection in the upcoming 2008 July-August Baltimore, MD (ANA) US Coin Signature Auction.

Early half dollars are a favorite – albeit challenging – series among advanced collectors. Their fascination with die varieties is one of the very oldest traditions in American numismatics. Using his keen eye, the consignor assembled a collection featuring an abundance of beautiful variety examples over many years. The collection is sure to attract early half specialists, as well as type collectors seeking beauty and rarity.

Without any question, the cream of the Bayside New York Collection is the complete selection of 1796-1797 varieties. This is the second time that all four varieties of the Draped Bust, Small Eagle type consigned from one collection has crossed the Heritage auction block; the first time was the Reiver collection in January 2006. To put this achievement in its proper context, we are aware of only three other times ever that an auction has contained all four varieties from a single consignor.

The Bayside name came from the area where the consignor grew up and discovered coin collecting. He bought his first group of bust halves (about 20 of them, at 55-cents each!) late in WWII, when a neighborhood friend needed to raise cash. With a library copy of Beistle as his guide, he started down the path to becoming an expert in the series. Over the decades, while he collected many different series, he always pursued the early halves first. Even while stationed in the Pacific, this career Navy officer was able to continue collecting, thanks to the excellent FPO mail system. When stateside, he entertained Al Overton in his home. After his retirement, he took tables at dozens of coin shows to get first crack at the early halves on the market.

Highlights, many of which have video descriptions, of the Bayside New York Collection include:

• 1794 50C, O-101 VF30 NGC.
• 1794 50C, O-106, R.6 VF35 NGC.
• 1795 50C Two Leaves, O-101, R.7 VF20 NGC.
• 1795 50C 2 Leaves, O-105 XF40 NGC.
• 1795 50C 2 Leaves, O-106, R.6 VF20 NGC.
• 1795 50C Two Leaves, O-120, Low R.7 XF Details NCS.
• 1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, R.5 AU58 PCGS.
• 1796 50C 16 Stars, O-102, High R.5 VF30 PCGS.
• 1797 50C O-101a, High R.4 VF30 NGC.
• 1797 50C O-102, Low R.6 VF35 PCGS.
• 1805/4 50C O-103, R.5 XF40 NGC.