The discovery of the long-lost S.S. New York and the sale of gold and silver coins from the wreck made headline news last year. Since then, further explorations on the wreck have yielded more coins, including some amazing American gold rarities. These include high-grade Philadelphia and New Orleans coins from the 1830s and 1840s, some of which are among the finest known!

A book detailing the loss and recovery, The Treasure Ship S.S. New York, by Q. David Bowers, tells the exciting story (available from Stack’s for $29.95 postpaid). The sidewheel steamer, 160.5 feet in length, was launched in New York City in 1837, and under the direction of Charles Morgan and others put into the coastwise run from New York City to Charleston. There she remained for but a short time, and was sent to New Orleans. The Republic of Texas, formed in 1836, beckoned immigrants from foreign countries, American citizens, and others to settle the vast territory. In 1845, Texas joined the Union. The S.S. New York was in service from New Orleans to Galveston, the latter being the largest city in Texas at the time.

Departing Galveston on September 5, 1846, with several dozen passengers and crew aboard plus light cargo, the ship headed toward New Orleans. It was foggy and the wind was light, but there was no indication of any problem. Unexpectedly, stiff winds and high seas arose, and within a few hours the ship anchored about 50 miles off the coast, to weather out the storm. This did not happen. A hurricane developed, the ship foundered, and despite heroic efforts of the passengers and crew to save it, the New York went to the bottom of the sea with a loss of 18 lives and an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 in money. (more…)

On September 7th 2009, Stack’s Rare Coins of New York City will join Ira and Larry Goldberg Coins and Collectibles in auctioning an incredible old-time collection of Hawaiian coins, medals, and currency, certainly to be the most outstanding offering in our generation. The two firms will present and publicize this remarkable offering, and staff from both companies will conduct the auction at the Crowne Plaza in Beverly Hills, California.

It is not the first time the Goldberg’s and Stack’s have conducted a joint auction. “We worked with Stack’s for the Apostrophe Sales from 1979 through 1990, as well as the Charles Kramer Collection Sale in 1988. All were highly successful sales,” says Larry Goldberg. Christine Karstedt, president of Stack’s, commented “This is one of the most significant specialty sales to be held in American numismatics. The depth and breadth of the offering will provide opportunities for the most advanced specialist as well as to those with a beginning interest.”

The consignor spent many years assembling 50 examples of each coin, where possible, including even the key 1928 commemorative Hawaiian half dollar. He also assembled over 350 Hawaiian notes, comprising large and small size, and obsolete.

There are numerous Hawaiian Proofs in silver, and several of each in copper, most of which are very rare and some of which are incredibly so. In total, there are close to 1000 Hawaiian items in this collection. Some of them have not appeared on the market for many years, creating multiple once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for bidders. Q. David Bowers will introduce as well as catalogue the collection, working with staff experts, which will be presented in a single catalogue, available through both auction firms. The collection will be listed on both companies’ websites for live bidding, and will be listed on I-Collector.com as well.

The Goldbergs and Stack’s look forward to once again working together to auction this fine Hawaii collection.

More information, including online catalogues, will be found on www.goldbergcoins.com and www.stacks.com. The collection will be on display at the ANA Convention in Los Angeles. The collection itself will be on exhibit in New York City and in Beverly Hills at times to be announced. A fine printed catalogue may also be ordered from either firm in the upcoming months.

The Schaumburg Sale, presented by Stack’s as the official auctioneer of the Mid-America Coin Expo showcases many interesting items as well as the traditional offering of U.S. coinage. The auction starts June 25, 2009 in the Nirvana Room of the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Part I of the Michael K. Ringo Collection of Latin-American Circulating Counterfeit Coinage appears early on, and offers coins from two workhorse genres: the gold coins of the Spanish dominions and their two reales counterparts. Many of these coins are exceedingly rare, and some are simply unique. Highlights here will undoubtedly include the gold alloy 1740 Lima-style contemporary imitation 8 Escudos, and the important 1807 Colombia 8 Escudos counterfeit that was struck over a U.S. Classic Head large cent. Among the selection of two reales counterfeits and imitations is the Quasimodo Head example, so called for its fascinatingly ugly portrait. This specimen is the only one known to Kleeberg, and should sell for a strong sum, so bid accordingly!

Among U.S. coinage, half cents proffer an impressive double struck 1795 C-4 example in the enticing grade of EF-40 BN (PCGS). U.S. cents boast an exceptional 1855 Proof, an N-10, Rarity-5 coin graded Proof-64 RB (PCGS) (CAC), which is immediately followed by a near gem example of the key 1856 Flying Eagle in Proof-64 (PCGS). U.S. minor coinage continues with several nice Proof nickel three cents and a fabulous 1924 Buffalo nickel graded MS-67* by NGC.

One of the most significant pieces offered for sale here is the 1792 half disme. Once part of the Jung Collection, this example of the formidably rare issue is certified as AU-58 by PCGS. Richly toned with a fully complete strike, this coin represents an important opportunity to own one of the most sought-after early coins struck by the United States. It is believed that only 1,500 of these coins were produced in 1792, so examples of these are rare no matter what condition they are in; the present example is all the more attractive for its excellent state of preservation. (more…)