Historic printing press plates used in the process of producing multi-subject 19th century “obsolete” paper money for ten different banks will be offered in a public auction conducted on July 27 and 28, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland by Stack’s (www.Stacks.com) of New York City and Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The unique, intricately engraved plates are from the legendary archives of the American Bank Note Company.

The number of subjects per plate range from two to eight, and the denominations range from five cents to $100. They are consigned to the auction by Archival Collectibles of Far Hills, New Jersey, which acquired the huge American Bank Note Company archives in 2005.

“We recently discovered these particular multi-subject, obsolete bank note plates among the thousands of one-of-kind, engravings in the archives. One plate was still in its original wax-sealed wrappers, apparently unseen for 149 years,” said Steve Blum, president of Archival Collectibles.

“It’s exciting to look at these original pieces of numismatic history that were so skillfully handcrafted more than a century ago.”

The plates and the denominations of the notes in the upcoming Stack’s auction are:

The Uncas Bank in Norwich, Connecticut, $3 and $10;

The Commercial Bank of Kentucky in Paducah, Kentucky, $5, $5, $10 and $20; (more…)

Quality United States coins from Colonials to Patterns will be highlighted in Stack’s July 10, 2008 sale of the Vincent Collection, held at the Schaumburg Renaissance hotel, Schaumburg, Illinois in conjunction with the MidAmerica Coin Expo. Among the 385 lots are such early copper rarities as an 1804 Sheldon 266c Large Cent in Fine-12 (PCGS); Lincoln Cents include the 1914-D in MS-66 BR (NGC) that is tied for the finest graded by NGC.

Silver Half Dimes feature an 1840 No Drapery in MS-67 (NGC, CAC); among popular Mercury Dimes is a 1921 in MS-67 (NGC) that is among the finest extant examples. Sure to attract bidder attention if a Cameo Proof 1910 Barber Quarter in PF-68* Cameo (NGC); Barber Half Dollars are highlighted by the John J. Pittman example of the 1907=-D in MS-68 (CAC, NGC); Liberty Seated Silver Dollars include n 1854 in Proof-64 (NGC).

Morgan Dollar collectors will note an 1880 in Proof-68 CAMEO (NGC) and n 1880-S in MS-69 (NGC) toed for finest certified by that leading service; the second-finest Deep Mirror Prooflike 1893-O appears in MS-64 DMPL (NGC); later dates feature an 1896 in Proof-68* ULTRA CAMEO (NGC). Proof Gold includes an 1899 Quarter Eagle in Proof-65 DCAM (CAC, PCGS. Among outstanding Gold $3 is an 1880 in MS-65 (NGC); early Half Eagles include 1802/1, Bass-Dannreuther 8 in MS-62 (CAC, PCGS); early Eagles are led by a 1798 BD-10 in MS-63 (CAC, PCGS); Saint Gaudens Double Eagles include a Gem 1915 in MS-65 (NGC), tied for finest known.

The Vincent Sale is very well represented by rare and choice American paper from the Colonial era to modern times. A brief, but attractive, selection of Continental Currency and Colonial American notes is followed by a fine selection of United States Obsolete Currency from the outstanding Q. David Bowers Reference Collection. The initial offering of obsolete notes from the Bowers Collection was an important event last October in Atlanta. The great interest in rare, historic and artistic obsolete notes was further flattered in our recent May Minot Sale where several notes broke the five-figure mark, an achievement considered next to impossible less than three decades ago. (more…)

On June 25, 2008 Stacks will host a spectacular one-day sale of a truly remarkable collection. The new auction facilities were inaugurated last month with the sale of The Minot Collection. The auction will begin at 12:30pm sharp with the sale of the Glenn E. Bergstrom Collection and other important properties.

Kicking off the sale will be a small offering of colonial and early American pieces, with the 1737 3 Hammers Higley copper undoubtedly at the fore. There are perhaps six to twelve examples known in all grades, making this coin so rare that most advanced specialists cannot boast a specimen of their own!

After this auspicious beginning, the sale continues with solid offerings of minor coinage, including an attractive (and affordable!) 1804 quarter dollar. An 1823/2 quarter also commands attention, while the 1835 proof quarter (the Eliasberg specimen) combines great beauty with a great pedigree. A 1916 Standing Liberty quarter in AU-58 (NGC) represents a good opportunity to acquire a relatively affordable example of this scarce issue. Moving into the half dollars, a beautiful 1795 Overton-114 example in MS-64 (NGC) (finest known) steals the limelight, and is followed in turn by a number of attractive Draped Bust half dollars and, later, an excellent 1861 Scott restrike Confederate half dollar. (more…)

The Husky Collection, a title designated by the consignor, brings to the auction block one of the most remarkable offerings of our generation. With rarity after rarity, this relatively small offering in terms of numbers, might be likened to the numismatic equivalent of a gallery of Rembrandt paintings. Not often in numismatics have so many incredible coins been offered in a single catalogue.

The sale will be held at 7PM  on June 25th at Stack’s Auction Gallery 110 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 (800) 566-2580

Emphasis is on different design types, this in combination with aspects of history, art, romance, or other special significance. For example, Colonial coins, an extensive series, are represented by what might be deemed as the “poster example” from that era-the famous 1776 Continental dollar, the present piece being in remarkable Gem preservation. Cents and half cents overlook the usually seen issues and concentrate on the classics of the year 1793. Then comes the Flying Eagle cent type of 1856 to 1858, illustrated, as you might expect in reading this so far, not by a regular issue, but by the classic 1856. When one thinks of Lincoln cents, the 1909-S V.D.B. comes to mind. You will find a superb Gem here, but no others of the type!

The 1792 half disme, a coin of legend and lore, is represented by a Mint State example, one of the finest we have ever sold, quickly followed in the catalogue by a lustrous Mint State 1795 of the same denomination, after which will be found dimes representing a Mint State coin of the first year (1796) and the most famous of 20th century rarities (the 1916-D).

Quarter dollars begin with 1796, the first year of issue and the only one of its design type, and continue immediately to a remarkable Gem 1916 Standing Liberty rarity. Half dollars follow a similar thread-emphasis on rarity, quality, and classic nature. We will leave it to readers to go elsewhere to fill in the gaps of ordinary coinage! A 1794 half dollar leads the way, quickly followed by the seldom seen 1796, the equally rare 1797, a remarkable Proof 1836 Reeded Edge, and, for good measure, concluding with one of the rarest of all American coin types in Mint State-the 1839 Liberty Seated half dollar Without Drapery at the elbow. (more…)