Highlights Include Sale of Exceptional 1801 Capped Bust Right Eagle in PCGS MS-64 and Fr. 114 1901 $10 Legal Tender Note S/N 1, PCGS Very Fine 30PPQ

IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin auction house, posted another highly successful outing in Baltimore as Official Auctioneer of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention. More than 3,000 lots crossed the block in three sessions June 5-6, 2008, realizing $6,258,873.

“The June Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention is the kick-off to the summer show season and we were very pleased with the attendance at the show and our three sessions of live bidding. Bidding was very active for coins as well as currency and we are happy with the results,” said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena. “All three sessions were very busy and we were glad to see many bidders join us for their very first auctions, alongside our regular bidders that we look forward to seeing each time we come to Baltimore. The atmosphere in the auction room and on the bourse floor was lively and enthusiastic and I am looking forward to what the rest of the summer season brings.”

Highlights from the June Baltimore auction include the sale of Lot 3733, an 1801 Capped Bust Right Eagle, BD-2, HBCC-3194, Taraszka-25, Rarity-2 in PCGS MS-64 that realized $111,550, an impressive near-Gem considered a glorious representative of the Large Eagle Capped Bust Right Ten.

Another extraordinary highlight came from the currency session, Lot 2537, a Fr. 114, 1901 $10 Legal Tender Note S/N 1, PCGS Very Fine 30PPQ, that realized a remarkable $80,500. The historical importance of this note goes without saying, as it is the first 1901 $10 Legal Tender Note to have ever been printed, and it is the first of the nine Friedberg numbers assigned to this design type. (more…)

By Bank Note Reporter

Bowers and Merena Auctions‘ June 4-7 auction at the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention includes more than 500 lots of U.S. paper money, featured among them a high-grade “Porthole” $5 Silver Certificate star note and a serial No. 1 $10 “Bison” Legal Tender Note.

The No. 1 Bison note is Friedberg 114, the first of the nine Friedberg varieties of the type. PCGS Currency graded it Very Fine-30 PPQ.

Sale catalogers wrote that “this example is absolutely free of any problems and its light circulation actually gives the note a bit more character behind its historical significance. The colors are bright, the paper is fully original and the eye appeal is extremely pleasing. Because the top and bottom margins are incredibly uneven but remain full, we feel this note might have been hand cut and presented possibly to dignitaries.” B&M has assigned a pre-sale estimate of $75,000-$125,000.

The “Porthole” Series 1923 $5 Silver Certificate star note, Fr. 282, is graded PCGS Currency Superb Gem New-67 PPQ. “With huge boardwalk margins, superb inks and paper quality and enough embossing to please even the pickiest of collectors, we actually question whether or not this note would qualify for a slightly higher grade,” catalogers wrote, estimating it to bring $30,000-$50,000.

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OFFICIAL AUCTIONEER OF THE BALTIMORE COIN AND CURRENCY CONVENTION

Highlights Include Exceptional 1854 Type II Gold Dollar in NGC MS-68 and 1920-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle in NGC MS-63

[UPDATED] IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin auction house, returns as Official Auctioneer of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention, with the next auction scheduled for June 4-7, 2008, at the Baltimore Convention Center. This is the second of three official Baltimore auctions by Bowers and Merena in 2008, continuing their longstanding and ongoing association with the convention.

The auction boasts more than 3,000 coin and currency lots and an impressive list of highlights. Topping the list is Lot 3544, a captivating 1854 Type II Gold Dollar rarity certified MS-68 by NGC that is tied with only one other NGC MS-68 as the finest-known 1854 Type II Gold Dollar. This particular specimen possesses razor sharp detail throughout and is perfectly complemented by exceptionally smooth, virtually pristine surfaces. Also worthy of note are Lot 3980, a choice uncirculated 1920-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle certified MS-63 by NGC, considered to be a legendary condition rarity in the Saint-Gaudens Series; and Lot 3733, a beautiful near-gem 1801 Capped Bust Right Eagle, BD-2, HBCC-3194, Taraszka-25, Rarity-2, certified MS-64 by PCGS.

Leading the list of extraordinary currency highlights are Lot 2537, a Fr. 114. 1901 $10 Legal Tender Note. PCGS Very Fine 30PPQ. S/N 1; and Lot 2630, a Fr. 282. 1923 $5 Silver Certificate Star Note. PCGS Superb Gem New 67PPQ.

“Every trip to Baltimore is a much-anticipated event for us at Bowers and Merena,” said Steve Deeds, president. “There is such a strong contingent of coin and currency enthusiasts at every show and we go to great lengths to bring the best selection possible for our auctions. This June auction is no exception, very strong across the board with a wide variety of quality pieces for all interests and all levels of collecting.”

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COLORADO SPRINGS – The American Numismatic Association has signed a definitive agreement for Bowers and Merena Auctions to act as the official auctioneer for the two 2009 ANA shows, the Los Angeles World’s Fair of Money® and the Portland National Money Show™, Executive Director Larry Shepherd announced today. Details of the agreement include sales incentives as well as a guarantee to sign up 2,000 new ANA members.

In consideration for the exclusive right to conduct the auctions and be designated as the official auctioneer, Bowers and Merena, which was selected by the ANA Board of Governors in March, has agreed to pay the ANA a base fee for both shows, plus two percent of the total sale price for all auction sales over $20 million (for Los Angeles) and $12 million (for Portland). In addition, Teletrade, an affiliate company of Bowers and Merena, will conduct a sanctioned Internet auction immediately preceding each convention.

Bowers and Merena has also guaranteed that it will sign up 2,000 new members to join the ANA from Sept. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2009.

We are very pleased with this contract because it provides incentives for both parties to work together to ensure that the auctions are as successful as possible,” said Shepherd. “In addition, we are extraordinarily pleased with Bowers and Merena’s commitment to help the Association build its membership.”

“This is an exceptional opportunity for Bowers and Merena to further secure our leadership role in this industry, and most certainly is a win-win for both parties involved,” said Greg Roberts, Chief Executive Officer for Escala Group, Inc., parent company of Bowers and Merena Auctions. “We appreciate the confidence that the ANA has placed in Bowers and Merena to conduct successful auctions at their shows and to help build the quality membership of their organization.” (more…)