More than 500 U.S. and world bank notes will be offered in the Official Auction of the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money® conducted by Bowers and Merena Auctions at the Los Angeles Convention Center and online, August 2 – 8, 2009.

One of the many highlights is an 1870 $100 Gold National Bank Note, San Francisco Charter #1741, The First National Gold Bank (Fr. 1162), graded PMG Fine 12 Net (restorations).

“This classic rarity is one of only eight notes of this type in private hands, and one of three of this Friedberg number. Those others are in strong hands and not likely to become available in the foreseeable future. In fact, only three examples have been offered for public sale in the last decade and the latest example, nearly identical to this one, sold for $258,700 in 2007,” said Steve Deeds, President of Bowers and Merena (www.BowersandMerena.com).

“With collectors holding tightly to the others, we’re not sure when there will be another opportunity to acquire such a rare and elusive note.”

Three other 1870 National Gold Bank Charter #1741 notes are also being offered, $5 (Fr. 1136) PMG VF 30, $10 (Fr. 1142) PCGS Apparent VF 30, and $20 (Fr. 1172) PMG Very Good 10 Net. (more…)

Extraordinary Panama 50 Pesos Note Realizes Over $37,000

IRVINE, Calif. – Ponterio & Associates, Inc., a division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, returned to Chicago to present the Official Auction of the Chicago International Coin Fair (C.I.C.F.), April 23-25, 2009, at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill. The auction realized a total of $1,510,300 offering close to 3,000 lots of coins and currency from around the world, including lots from Russia, China, Mexico, Cuba, Australia, Latin America, and more.

The spotlight was surely on lot 438, PANAMA, Banco de Panama, 50 Pesos, (ND) circa 1869, P-S725, which realized $37,375. Listed as Very Fine with a catalog estimate of $3,000 to $4,000, this lot realized well above that as a result of spirited floor bidding from some enthusiastic collectors. One of a handful of important Panama-related items in the auction, this rare 50 Pesos note with a very low serial number of “0010” is one that few collectors will ever have the opportunity to see.

Clearly one of the most distinct items in the auction was lot 3044, a large Korean wedding ceremonial chatelaine, circa 1800s, with 17 attached strings containing amulets and coins with silk and cloth stringers. Chatelaines were given to brides on their wedding day, adorned with amulets for protection and coins for good luck. The strings contain 129 pieces total consisting of amulets, 1 Mun coins, 5 Mun coins and 100 Mun coins, some of which are seed coins. The item is very rare and in a very nice state of preservation. Spirited bidding brought well above the $500 to $1,000 catalog estimate, realizing an impressive $23,000 from a Korean buyer who intends to return the chatelaine to its home country. (more…)

The 34th Chicago International Coin Fair gets underway this week at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont Ill. April 23-26, 2009.

Ponterio & Associates, Inc., a division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, will offer almost 3000 lots featuring an exceptional selection of world coins and currency hailing from Russia, China, Mexico, Cuba, Australia, Latin America and more.

The auction is highlighted by two standout banknote collections. The J.S. Morgan Collection of Early Russian Banknotes covers approximately 100 years and features early 19th to early 20th century banknotes. Of special interest is lot 1056, Russia/Imperial, 25 Rubles, 1843, P-A38, Specimen. State Credit Note, Original Documentation Included, About Uncirculated, Extremely Fine. This 25 Rubles note is an unlisted item in the SCWPM and finding another example at a public offering will likely be far too long for any collector to wait. This piece shows with a distinctive appeal exhibiting the vertical format, which highlights the long specimen overprint.

Already a spotlight collection for Bowers and Merena Auctions, The East Bay Collection of International Banknotes is sure to draw the interest of banknote enthusiasts worldwide. The East Bay Collection is believed to be the largest collection of international banknotes ever to come to market. Assembled over the course of 40 years by a private collector in Northern California, it originally consisted of more than 30,000 notes representative of over 150 countries. The collection debuted in Bowers and Merena’s October 2008 New York auction with Chinese and related Asian banknotes and Russian and European banknotes. A special highlight in this CICF auction is lot 39, Australia, 5 Pounds, 1913, P-5a, Commonwealth of Australia, Fine. The note is signed Collins and Allen and is an early issue that is hard to obtain in any grade.

Find complete details including a schedule of events and list of Bourse table holders at cicfshow.com.