Stack’s April 22-23, 2009 Rosemont, Illinois Sale

Stack’s is proud to present the Firth of Clyde Collection of Scottish Coins for public auction on April 23, 2009 in Rosemont, Illinois. This extensive collection provides a fascinating cross section of Scottish history that spans the 13th through the 18th centuries, with a nicely balanced selection of both gold and silver issues.

The 15th and 16th century coinage offered here provides a particularly exciting opportunity, with some of the most historic and beautiful pieces of the collection hailing from this time period. To describe this collection as merely significant is to vastly understate its importance—the Firth of Clyde Collection represents a unique opportunity to acquire high quality examples from the rarest series in the Scottish numismatic legacy.

This collection is studded with formidable rarities from every significant time period, beginning with William I, “the Lion,” and his reign from 1165 to 1214. Laden with early issues from the 13th and 14th centuries, the offering includes a scarce Halfpenny of John Baliol, an important historical figure whose demise helped to inspire the famous William Wallace.

This Halfpenny, choice for the series, is a rare variety within this scarce type and features a solid portrait. Issues of Robert III, the son of Robert II who founded the Stuart dynasty that would retain a solid hold on power until the death of Anne in 1714, feature a pair of historic Gold Lions. The first is an attractive About Very Fine example from the heavy coinage period, and the second, a lovely example from the light coinage period, is also in About Very Fine condition. (more…)

While browsing the upcoming Stacks  Saint Ludovico and Firth of Clyde Collections  auction catalog set to commence on April 22-23rd at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago in Rosemont , Ill., we cam across a most unusual and unique item we wanted to highlight on CoinLink.

Occasionally numismatic items appear that few have ever seen, and actual production dies are one of these, however a die used to strike ancient coins is an even rarer item.

Below is some background on  unique example of an ancient coin die used to strike  a Tribute Penny – Denarius of the mint of Lugdunum, and perhaps the first known evidence of early coin brockage.

We hope you find this as interesting as we have.

The Stacks Catelog states the following:

“A Unique Die for a Tribute Penny – Denarius of the mint of Lugdunum. An official die with the obverse of a denarius stuck on the top. Laureate head r.; TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS. 161.16 grams. Height: 36.8mm, circumference: 31.4mm at its widest.

In Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain, Tiberius- Nero (Paris, 1988), Jean-Baptiste Giard listed 12 known dies, 11 of which having been found in the Lugdunum (Lyon) area (an area of 200km).

Four were found in 1863 at Paray-le-Monial (Saone-et-Loire) and are now in museums. Six were unearthed in Auxerre (Yonne) in 1799, four of which are now at he Cabinet des Médailles de la BnF; the other two reside at the Musee monétaire de la Monnaie de Paris. And one was found at Vertault (Côte d’or).

This die come from an old collection in Poule-les-Echarmaux (Rhône), which is in the same area. (more…)

Last week, Stack’s concluded its three-day sale of the Entlich, White Oak, Gross, and St. Andre Collections in Baltimore. This extensive, almost 4,000 lot sale took place over March 23-25, and touched on many aspects of the numismatic field. From coins and medals to tokens, paper money, and printing plates, this sale generated significant realizations in each and every category.

Session One covered U.S. coinage from Colonial and Early American issues up through half dollars, as well as commemoratives and error coins. A nice run of early Massachusetts silver coins led the way, with a lovely 1652 Oak Tree shilling in an AU-55 (PCGS) (CAC) holder getting the ball rolling at $12,650. Some one hundred lots later found bidders vying for a wonderful 1787 Massachusetts Horned Eagle cent graded MS-64 BN, which eventually clocked in at an impressive $17,250.

United States minor coinage boasted many important rarities, such as the Gem Matte Proof 1909 V.D.B. cent, certified as Proof-65 RB by NGC, which climbed to a stunning $25,300 before its closing. A marvelous selection of Buffalo nickels was highlighted by the nearly Uncirculated 1916 Doubled Die Obverse example. This rarity, a true prize for the nickel specialist, was graded AU-55 by PCGS and was eventually awarded to a lucky phone bidder for $51,750. Other Buffalo nickels were “hot tickets” to the extreme—action all over the place! Quarter dollars were another important section of this sale, and claimed one of the highest realizations of the entire auction. The gorgeous 1927-S, graded an astounding MS-66 FH by PCGS and tied for the finest graded, sold for an incredible $149,500 when all was said and done. For this and many other items, the record books will have to be rewritten! (more…)