The Official Auctions of the FUN 2009 Convention in Orlando began on Wednesday, Jan. 7, and spectacular results have already been posted in Heritage’s first Pattern Night session featuring The Lemus Collection – Queller Family Collection Part Two.

Containing 465 different Patterns, the collection was so extensive that it warranted a special catalog, and posted prices realized totaling $8,361,219. The Lemus Patterns were followed by a further session of patterns from the holdings of more than 600 consignors participating in Heritage’s FUN auctions, which brought in an additional $650,000. As additional sessions take place in Heritage’s $50 million, 15,000+ lot auction, results will be posted on its Web site (www.HA.com).

“We expected FUN 2009 to be amazing,” said Heritage President Greg Rohan, “and so far we’re thrilled. We’re just incredibly excited about the coins and notes we’re bringing to the eager buyers in Orlando. FUN started just days after we presented our $7 million auction of Ancient and World Coins at the New York International Numismatic Convention. FUN is the world’s largest coin show, and Heritage is the world’s largest numismatic auctioneer; these events are always exciting!”

Featured Lemus-Queller rarities at FUN included:

Lot 1500: 1792 Pattern Cent, Judd-1, Pollock-1, High R.6, VF30 NGC. Realized: $253,000.

With a design most likely by Henry Voight, the patterns of 1792 are the rarest series of patterns ever struck, and each is a classic of U.S. coinage in its own right. This exclusive series includes the silver center cent, Birch cent (two varieties), half disme, disme, and the Eagle on Globe quarter. Of these five issues, only the half disme and disme ever circulated. From The Lemus Collection, Queller Family Collection Part Two.

Lot 1501: 1792 Birch Cent, Judd-5, Pollock-6, R.8, Fair 2 NGC. Realized: $86,250

On the obverse Liberty faces right, and the name BIRCH is seen on the truncation of her neck; most likely designed by William Russell Birch. Struck in copper with a lettered edge reading TO BE ESTEEMED BE USEFUL. From The Lemus Collection, Queller Family Collection Part Two. (more…)

1797 DT$5 Five Dollar, Judd-24, Pollock-40, Unique–Mint Defaced–PR50 NGC.

This issue is an original die trials piece from 1797. It was defaced at the Mint to prevent possible counterfeiting (it would be a simple matter to gild the piece, and five dollars was a lot of money in 1797).

Miraculously preserved, this piece has been known to numismatists since the 1890s. The dies were used to strike an extremely rare variety of 1797 half eagle, BD-4, with only a single example known today. The BD-4 variety was unknown until Robert P. Hilt discovered a specimen in the Byron Reed Collection in 1972. Harry Bass purchased that coin at the sale of the Byron Reed Collection (Spink, 10/1996), lot 99, and it now resides in the Harry Bass Research Foundation.

Because of this unique copper pattern, the BD-4 reverse die was known to the numismatic community for almost a century before the single gold example was discovered. Unique, the only specimen known. The coin has been off the market for 20 years, and it may not be offered again for decades.

While not a thing of beauty, this coin has character and unparalleled historic charm. Heavy blows from a blunt instrument have distorted the devices on both sides, but enough detail survives to identify the design. The dark brown surfaces have been well preserved, and the romance of the early Mint enhances every detail.

Provenance. Ex: Woodside Collection (New York Coin & Stamp, 4/1892), lot 7; Virgil Brand; Forty-First Catalog (New Netherlands, 9/1953), lot 419; Matt Rothert Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 11/1973), lot 1266; Breen II (Pine Tree, 6/1975), lot 332; Everson and Faught (Bowers and Merena, 6/1988), lot 281.
Part of the The Lemus Collection, Queller Family Collection Part Two. (#11068) Being offered By Heritage at the FUN Signature Sale in Orlando Wednesday, January 7, 2009 as Lot 1504

Heritage is the official auctioneer of the Florida United Numismatists Show, and will conduct a 5200+ Lot Currency Signature Auction on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday January 8-10, 2009 at the Orange County Convention Center, 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando Florida. The Convention Center is also the site of the Florida United Numismatists Show, as well as the location for lot viewing for the CAA auction as well as other Heritage auctions. Nearly 1400 of the lots will be included as part of the Non-Floor Session.

On Thursday evening, Heritage will begin with 750 lots consisting of Colonial Notes, Fractional Currency, Obsoletes, Canadian, Confederate and others. Some of the highlights include, a selection scarce Colonials that have never been offered before. The best pieces have been graded by PMG and it includes a Maryland May 10, 1781 2s6d, an issue that Heritage-CAA has never previously handled, and a Vermont February 1781 1s. The Obsoletes section is highlighted by large offerings from Virginia and Wisconsin. A small, but quality offering of California and Nevada pieces includes a Sacramento – California and Salt Lake Mail Line $10, a San Francisco – Amador Canal & Mining Co. $1, and a handful of notes from the California Panic of 1907. The Tarheel Collection of Postal Notes is the largest collection of its kind to ever be offered and will also be included in Wednesday night’s session. In addition to Serial Number One notes, the collection includes notes from Tucson, Arizona; Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts; and Twin Bridges Montana. The Canadian selection is larger than usual and includes a BC-11 $25 1935 PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ, and a BC-28 $1000 1937 PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ. (more…)