On June 25, 2008 Stacks will host a spectacular one-day sale of a truly remarkable collection. The new auction facilities were inaugurated last month with the sale of The Minot Collection. The auction will begin at 12:30pm sharp with the sale of the Glenn E. Bergstrom Collection and other important properties.

Kicking off the sale will be a small offering of colonial and early American pieces, with the 1737 3 Hammers Higley copper undoubtedly at the fore. There are perhaps six to twelve examples known in all grades, making this coin so rare that most advanced specialists cannot boast a specimen of their own!

After this auspicious beginning, the sale continues with solid offerings of minor coinage, including an attractive (and affordable!) 1804 quarter dollar. An 1823/2 quarter also commands attention, while the 1835 proof quarter (the Eliasberg specimen) combines great beauty with a great pedigree. A 1916 Standing Liberty quarter in AU-58 (NGC) represents a good opportunity to acquire a relatively affordable example of this scarce issue. Moving into the half dollars, a beautiful 1795 Overton-114 example in MS-64 (NGC) (finest known) steals the limelight, and is followed in turn by a number of attractive Draped Bust half dollars and, later, an excellent 1861 Scott restrike Confederate half dollar. (more…)

The Husky Collection, a title designated by the consignor, brings to the auction block one of the most remarkable offerings of our generation. With rarity after rarity, this relatively small offering in terms of numbers, might be likened to the numismatic equivalent of a gallery of Rembrandt paintings. Not often in numismatics have so many incredible coins been offered in a single catalogue.

The sale will be held at 7PM  on June 25th at Stack’s Auction Gallery 110 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 (800) 566-2580

Emphasis is on different design types, this in combination with aspects of history, art, romance, or other special significance. For example, Colonial coins, an extensive series, are represented by what might be deemed as the “poster example” from that era-the famous 1776 Continental dollar, the present piece being in remarkable Gem preservation. Cents and half cents overlook the usually seen issues and concentrate on the classics of the year 1793. Then comes the Flying Eagle cent type of 1856 to 1858, illustrated, as you might expect in reading this so far, not by a regular issue, but by the classic 1856. When one thinks of Lincoln cents, the 1909-S V.D.B. comes to mind. You will find a superb Gem here, but no others of the type!

The 1792 half disme, a coin of legend and lore, is represented by a Mint State example, one of the finest we have ever sold, quickly followed in the catalogue by a lustrous Mint State 1795 of the same denomination, after which will be found dimes representing a Mint State coin of the first year (1796) and the most famous of 20th century rarities (the 1916-D).

Quarter dollars begin with 1796, the first year of issue and the only one of its design type, and continue immediately to a remarkable Gem 1916 Standing Liberty rarity. Half dollars follow a similar thread-emphasis on rarity, quality, and classic nature. We will leave it to readers to go elsewhere to fill in the gaps of ordinary coinage! A 1794 half dollar leads the way, quickly followed by the seldom seen 1796, the equally rare 1797, a remarkable Proof 1836 Reeded Edge, and, for good measure, concluding with one of the rarest of all American coin types in Mint State-the 1839 Liberty Seated half dollar Without Drapery at the elbow. (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…)

On May 21-22, 2008, Stack’s eagerly invites you to join us in the event inaugurating our brand new, custom-designed auction gallery located at 110 W 57th Street in New York City. The sale of the Minot Collection and other important properties, to take place over two sessions from May 21-22, is sure to be an outstanding way to launch what will surely be a new and lasting tradition.

The Minot Collection offers astounding diversity and superb quality. With large offerings of colonial coins, U.S. medals, coins, and paper money, this sale represents a veritable panorama of American numismatics. Opportunity abounds, as there are significant rarities offered in every section of the sale.

Opening the sale is a recently discovered Sommer Islands twopence. The exceptional rarity of these specimens means that examples appear for sale very infrequently, making this an important opportunity. An excellent medley of colonial coinage follows, with a great selection of Massachusetts silver, including an MS-61 (NGC) Oak Tree shilling. The very rare ca. 1659 Lord Baltimore shilling will certainly attract attention, as will the stunning 1766 Pitt halfpenny token and one of the finest known 1786 Baby Head Vermont coppers. A nice run of New Jersey coppers is capped off by a Condition Census Mint State 1787 Maris 15-T. A delightful run of Washington pieces is sure to please, as is the probable Condition Census Newman 3-D 1787 Club Rays Fugio cent.

The section of the sale devoted to U.S. medals offers a goodly amount of interesting and affordable pieces mixed in with many serious rarities. The unique 1781 Libertas Americana reverse cliché and the 1787 Columbia and Washington copper medal are two of these fantastic rarities. The rare small size silver 1801 Jefferson Indian Peace Medal will certainly command attention, and an intriguing privately issued and intricately hand-engraved Louisiana Confederate Veteran Cross will certainly catch the eye of any Confederate or Civil War collector. The section of Presidential medals is highlighted by the rare (only four struck!) Jimmy Carter Inaugural Presentation Gold Medal. The historic and exciting silver Tammany Society Badge offered in this sale is one of just a few pieces extant of this little known piece.

The regular United States series begins with early coppers and features the elusive key date 1796 half cent and a lovely Proof 1856 large cent in Proof-64 RB (PCGS). A wonderful Proof 1857 Flying Eagle cent, one of the finest known, is sure to be a major attraction, as will a lovely 1918/7-D Buffalo nickel and a Mint State 1794 half dime. A beautiful Gem 1807 dime, two Mint State 1916-D Mercury dimes, several Gem 1942/1’s, and a Gem 1942/1-D quickly follow.

We are excited to offer two of Hermon MacNeil’s original bronze casts of the 1916 and 1917 Standing Liberty quarter designs. The first is a cast of MacNeil’s approved obverse design for the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter, and the second is his alternate reverse design for the 1917 Type II quarter. These large, possibly unique casts were intended for the preparation of dies and represent two great chances to acquire a fascinating piece of numismatic history. These wonderful casts are followed by three exceptional 1916 Standing Liberty quarters, one in MS-65 and two in MS-64. (more…)

Stack’s sale of the Michael S. Tallent and the Alicia and Sid Belzberg Collections took place last Thursday, April 24 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. With standing room only, this jam-packed auction room witnessed the extraordinary sale of $6,592,516 worth of world coins and medals.

Lawrence R. Stack noted, “In speaking to the three highlighted consignors from this sale, Michael Tallent, Alicia and Sid Belzberg, and the owner of the Chinese kilo coins, everyone was very happy with the overall results, which goes to show that specialized collections bring out the crowds as well as financial rewards.”

The auction began with the Tallent Collection, starting with English Hammered coinage, and took off at an exciting pace, with the two Henry VIII Sovereigns fetching $37,375 and $29,900 respectively. A majestic Mary Tudor Fine Sovereign weighed in at $25,300 and a stunning Elizabeth I Pound brought $23,000, bolstering the House of Tudor’s legacy as one of the most famous (or infamous!) English royal families.

The highly specialized collection Charles I silver coins saw serious bidding (both live and via telephone) and fierce competition. The sheer quantity of types and high end quality of the coins made this dramatic collection a rare opportunity for collectors. A gorgeous Type 5 Tower Mint Crown was highly sought after and fetched $20,700, while soon after, a fabulously pedigreed 1643 Triple Unite sold for $29,900. Only minutes after that, a tremendous 1643 Oxford Mint Crown surpassed all expectations when it sold for $20,700. The seven lots of siege coinage were also the focus of intense bidding, with the Octagonal Shilling of Pontefract climbing to $14,950.

The dozen or so examples of Ormonde coinage were also well received, exceeding estimates on all fronts.

The Alicia and Sid Belzberg Collection opened with a stunning group of select Polish rarities, and their performance indicated that the robust Polish coin market is in no present danger. The epic Battle of Chocim 1621 Gold 50 Ducat commemorating the Polish victory finally weighed in at a whopping $431,250, the highest realization in the sale, after intense bidding. Excitement abounded when, minutes later, the exceedingly rare 1614 Gold 5 Ducat soared to $115,000 and the 1624 Gold 5 Ducat made its way to $63,250. All paddles were in the air when the magnificent and extremely rare 1617 Silver Double Talary crossed the block, topping out at $184,000. Polish patterns also performed brilliantly, with the breathtaking 1766 Pattern Talar encountering aggressive bidding and culminating in a winning bid of $138,000. The unique 1925 Gold Pattern 5 Z?otych opened at $36,000 and climbed to an astounding $218,500. (more…)