News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #6

A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds

Herein, I discuss an assortment of rarities ‘in the news,’ the NGC graded “MS-64” 1794 dollar, a newly re-emergent 1795 Reeded Edge Cent, an 1882 $20 gold coin, 1865 $2½ coins, and 1865 quarters. The 1795 Reeded Edge Cent is certainly much rarer than most collectors realize and many have forgotten that the finest known Holmes-Naftzger 1795 Reeded Edge set an auction record for a copper coin or pattern, and is the only copper to sell for more than $1 million at auction. Another representative of this issue was just encapsulated by the NGC.

Today’s primary item is the ‘news’ that the Boyd-Cardinal 1794 dollar has been consigned to the B&M pre-ANA Boston auction. Additionally, I will discuss a few coins that will be sold as part of an upcoming Heritage auction, which will be held in conjunction with the Summer FUN Convention in Orlando, July 8th to 10th. Though it would make far more sense to hold it in Fort Lauderdale or in West Palm Beach, where it has been since its inception in 2007, I expect the Summer FUN Convention to be a success.

My comments about a handful of coins are not meant to constitute an analysis of this sizeable Heritage auction, which includes desirable U.S. coins of almost all types. The offerings are particularly strong in so-called small denomination coins, Indian Cents, Lincoln Cents, Two Cent pieces, Three Cent Silvers, Three Cent Nickels, and Five Cent Nickels. Further, this auction contains a large number of early 20th century gold commemoratives. Additionally, there are numerous better-date gold coins of several denominations. Also, the Kallenberg collection of Proof Washington Quarters is the first “All-time Finest” in the PCGS registry in the category of a “Basic Set” that covers Proofs from 1936 to the present.

II. Boyd-Cardinal 1794 Silver Dollar

I have been informed by Martin Logies that the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation has consigned the Boyd-Cardinal 1794 dollar to the B&M August auction. This coin is graded “MS-64” by the NGC. When it was last auctioned, on June 30, 2005, it was so graded. This coin is widely regarded as the fourth or fifth finest 1794 silver dollar.

Logies is the director of the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation. Recently, in May, he was prominent ‘in the news’ when this foundation acquired the finest known 1794 dollar from Steve Contursi for a reported price of “$7,850,000”! The Carter-Contursi-Cardinal 1794 is certified as Specimen-66 by the PCGS. It was specially prepared. (more…)

Bowers and Merena will be offering Lot 3410 in their Baltimore Coin and Currency Auction next week. One item, possibly unique, is a 5 coin 1871 Standard Silver Pattern Proof Set.

Five-piece pattern proof sets of this type were distributed by the Mint to contemporary collectors. The number of such sets produced is unknown, but survivors are very rare with probably no more than six examples of each denomination known to exist. The specimens we offer here could represent an original set, inasmuch as the coins all trace their pedigree to the Harold P. Newlin and Garrett collections.

What is interesting, however, is that the coins were offered individually when Bowers and Ruddy conducted its first two installments of the Garrett Collection Sales in 1979 and 1980. Whether the coins comprise an original set or have been united to form an assembled set makes little difference–this lot represents what is almost certainly the only intact set of these pattern types in numismatic hands.

The obverse design of all examples is the same and features Chief Engraver James Barton Longacre’s Indian Princess motif with no stars around the borders. Liberty is seated left wearing a Native American headdress, her left hand resting atop a globe inscribed LIBERTY and her right hand supporting a liberty pole. Two flags are behind the portrait, and the date 1871 is below.

The reverse designs are identical with the exception of the denomination, which is centered within a wreath of corn and cotton. The word STANDARD is inscribed along the upper border. Struck in silver with either a reeded or plain edge. (more…)

Bowers and Merena Auctions will again present the Official Auction of the June 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. More than 200 impressive currency lots will join a magnificent array of nearly 3,500 coin lots in the auction that will be held June 16-20, 2010.

Ponterio & Associates, a division of Bowers and Merena, will present the world and ancients auction of coins and paper money, more than 2,300 lots, including over 1,500 lots of Ancient and foreign coins and 828 lots of world paper money.

Prior to the auction, lot viewing opportunities for U.S. currency lots will include a special viewing at the Memphis International Paper Money Show on Thursday, June 17, from noon to 5 p.m. CT, when the notes will then travel to Baltimore for the live auction and viewing at the Expo.

Matt Quinn, director of currency auctions, is enthusiastic about the impressive highlights that will cross the auction block. “We have two magnificent sheets of currency to offer, with the first being a tremendous uncut sheet of Rhode Island Colonials. The Catalog numbers range from RI-282 to 289, with two of each denomination seen, seldom seen in such a large format. The other significant uncut grouping of notes is one of the finest sheets of Silver Certificates we have come across. The sheet is an Uncut Sheet of 12 Fr. 1654 1934D Five Dollar notes encapsulated in a Superb Gem 68PPQ holder by PCGS Currency. This stunning sheet of notes is flawless to the naked eye.”

Some important National Banknotes in the catalog start with a highly scarce large size 1902 Five Dollar Plain Back with the second bank name for charter 9745. This County National Bank of Santa Cruz note retains nice appeal and is likely missing from even comprehensive California collections. The second notable National comes from Muscogee, Indian Territory with the Charter number of 4385. “Territorial notes are ever popular pieces which always command a premium,” Quinn said, “as mostly all in the National Banknote section of the hobby aspire to own one.”

The type collectors will also be fortunate to participate in the sale with a few notable high grade large size pieces available. Quinn added, “One of the most pleasing examples we have seen in some time for Friedberg number 21 will be presented to the collecting community bearing the challenging series ‘A,’ in a robust PCGS Extremely Fine 45PPQ holder. Next a wonderful Fr. 116 1901 $10 Bison note will cross the block encapsulated in a PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 66EPQ grade which really wrings out all the detail the design could offer. A tasteful selection of high grade Gold Certificates will be the staple in the end of the large size type selection with many outstanding Gem notes seen.” (more…)