Heritage Auctions, the official auctioneer of the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Show, will conduct a 4800+ lot Currency Signature Auction, Jan. 7-11, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center, 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL. The Convention Center is also the site of the FUN show, as well as the location for lot viewing for the CAA auction and the other Heritage auctions at the event.

Of the 4800+ lots, 1300 will be part of the non-floor session to close online on Monday January 11, 2010 starting at 12pm CST.

The four day auction will commence on Thursday evening, Jan. 7 at 6 p.m., with an array of Colonial Currency, Obsolete Bank Notes, Confederate Currency, and Canadian and World Currency.

The Colonial Currency offering is again significant with major rarities including, a Vermont February 1781 2s6d PCGS Apparent Very Fine 30.

In Obsolete Currency, collectors will have an opportunity to bid on collections from Alabama, Arkansas, and Maryland, each the finest offerings for their respective states in many years, including a Little Rock, AR- State of Arkansas $5 Oct. 27, 1877 Cr. UNL Rothert UNL, a likely unique Cahawba, AL- State of Alabama $50 April 19, 1821 Cr. UNL Rosene UNL, and from Maryland, Cumberland, MD- Cumberland City Bank $5 G2 Shank 30.4.3P Proof.

Finally, Canadian and World currency will be highlighted by, the French text BC-4 $2 1935 PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ, a BC-11 $25 1935 PCGS Very Choice New 64PPQ, and a chartered bank note rarity, Halifax, NS- The Bank of Nova Scotia $100 1929 Ch # 550-28-40.

The Cocoa Beach Collection anchors the second session and is the largest and finest offering of Fractional Currency since the Thomas O’Mara Collection was offered by Heritage in 2005. Many of the notes have pedigrees tracing them to the O’Mara and Milt Friedberg Collections.

Of the Fractional rarities in Session Three collectors have the opportunity to bid on, a Fr. 1241 10¢ First Issue Vertical Strip of Four PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ, another uncut strip, Fr. 1280 25¢ First Issue Vertical Strip of Four PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ, Negative Essay Denomination Set in Blue Milton 2E5R.2c, 2E10R.5c, 2E25R.1b, 2E50R.1e PMG 64, 62, 64 and 65 EPQ, and a stunning Fr. 1296 25¢ Third Issue PMG Superb Gem Unc 67 EPQ stand out.

The Cocoa Beach Collection also features three beautiful shields, including a very rare and very high grade pink shield, Fractional Currency Shield, With Pink Background. This session also includes a nice sampling of Encased Postage and Military Payment Certificates. (more…)

Collectors are eagerly awaiting the first sale of rare and exceptional Coins and Banknotes to be presented by Bonhams New York. Taking place on December 3rd, the sale consists of over 400 lots ranging from 1692 to the early 21st Century.

Amongst the most coveted lots will be an exceptionally rare 1796 $10 AU50 NGC . Bright green-gold with warm honey and orange highlights, the coin’s intense mint bloom glows broadly in the fields and within the protected design areas. The obverse is of the Turban Head type with stars to both sides. The reverse motif, also used on the contemporary half eagle, depicts the national bird solidly perched on a branch of palm, holding aloft a victory wreath without any olives or berries. The die work is excellent being BD-1, Breen-6832, Bass-3174, Taraszka-6, R.4, the only known die pairing for the year. From the earliest years of the regularly issued coinage of the United States which started in 1796, this highly important and elusive issue is estimated at $65,000-75,000.

Another lot certain to lure collectors is a 1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific Round. Considered one of the most desirable of Classic Era commemorative coins, it was originally issued to be sold at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco. Due to the fact that most people could not or did not want to spend $50 for a collectible coin during the WWI period, many remained unsold. However, by the 1920s demand for the $50 pieces increased and has continued to grow. Featuring the helmeted head of Minerva on the obverse and an owl on the reverse, both sides are bathed in shimmering velvet bloom. Close examination of the surfaces yields the presence of an amazingly limited number of defects. This is the largest official coin produced by the United States Mint, and its rarity is a great accident of fate, as most of the unsold pieces were melted down. Estimated at $50,000-60,000 the rarity and importance of this issue, as well as the beautiful quality, make it an extraordinary collecting opportunity.
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The American Numismatic Association Bebee Collection of paper money, one of the finest collections of United States paper money ever assembled, is available to view in an exciting new online image gallery. The collection, consisting of more than 800 notes, was donated to the ANA by Aubrey and Adeline Bebee in 1988.

To view the Bebee Collection online gallery, go to www.money.org (select “Visit the Money Museum,” then select “The ANA Bebee Collection of U.S. Paper Money/View the Collection”) or go to www.ana-museum.org. Additional educational information, including introductions explaining the cross-referenced components of the notes, will be added in the coming months.

The gallery is the work of longtime ANA members John Nebel and Susie Nulty. The collection was scanned seven years ago using the highest quality scanner, enabling minute details to be shown. The original files have been reduced to a practical size for web viewing, but small details are shown in high resolution through pop-up windows.

The notes are cross-referenced by portraits, Friedberg numbers, date, denomination, territory or state, and vignettes. There are special sections for error notes and outstanding specimens, and an introduction by Arthur L. Friedberg, renowned paper money expert and author of A Guide to United States Paper Money.

“It’s rewarding to work on such an interesting and worthwhile project,” said Nulty. “John and I tried to design a site that is easy to navigate and includes several cross-referencing options. Our hope is that fellow ANA members enjoy the gallery and it becomes a great research tool for anyone interested in U.S. paper money.”

Aubrey (ANA Life Member 110) and Adeline (Life Member 4570) Bebee were among the most prominent numismatic collectors of the 20th century, and were ardent supporters of the ANA. Aubrey began assembling his world-class collection of U.S. paper money in 1941. The Bebees also donated an 1804 dollar (Idler/Bebee specimen) and 1913 Liberty Head nickel (McDermott/Bebee specimen) to the ANA Edward C. Rochette Money Museum, along with several other prominent pieces. The Beebes received the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award in 1988 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992; Aubrey received the Medal of Merit in 1968. Aubrey Bebee passed away in 1992 and Adeline passed away in 1998.

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