The finest known 1907 Ultra High Relief Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin will be the centerpiece of a multi-million dollar exhibit, “100 Greatest U.S. Coins,” during the first three days of the Santa Clara, California Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo, November 13 – 16, 2008. The show will be held in the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, where free parking is available.

“The Ultra High Relief is graded PCGS Proof-69 and will be the focal point of an exhibit based on the popular book, ‘100 Greatest U.S. Coins.’ This outstanding display is courtesy of Certified Assets Management of Wilmington, Delaware, which values the Ultra High Relief at $5 million,” said Ronald J. Gillio, Expo General Chairman.

“This famous coin was designed by renowned sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, at the personal request of President Theodore Roosevelt. It was struck seven times to bring up all the beautiful features in the design. There are less than 20 known surviving examples, and this is the finest,” said Don Ketterling, Executive Vice President of Certified Assets Management.

. “This magnificent piece could establish itself as ‘the Holy Grail’ of American numismatics.”

Another highlight of the exhibit will be an 1879 $4 “Flowing Hair” Stella gold coin graded NGC Proof-68 Ultra Cameo, the finest known of its type.

Other coins in the featured display are an assortment of selected examples of major rarities ranked in the award-winning book, “100 Greatest U.S. Coins” (2008, third edition, Whitman Publishing) authored by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth. (more…)

By Doug Winter - RareGoldCoins.com

After a probable absence of over a century, perhaps the most important New Orleans gold coin in existence is coming back to its ancestral home. My friend Paul Hollis, a coin dealer from Metairie (a suburb of New Orleans), has arranged for the unique Proof 1844-O eagle to be placed on exhibit at the New Orleans mint. This coin, with an estimated value of $2.5 million, goes on public display November 1 and will also be taken around Louisiana on tour by Hollis.

The New Orleans Mint began producing coins in 1838. The very first issue struck by this mint was a group of 20 half dollars to inaugurate coinage and a small group of Proof half dollars were made in 1839 (plus at least one Dime dated 1839-O is known that has been designated a “Specimen” by NGC). So, we know that the New Orleans mint had experience with making Proof coins and that the quality of these was comparable to that seen at the Philadelphia mint.

In 1844, the New Orleans mint produced at least one example of a Proof half eagle and eagle. Remarkably, both still exist and, even more remarkably, both are superbly preserved. Why were they produced and who were they struck for?

Unfortunately, contemporary documentation does not exist that gives the definitive answer to these questions, so we have to make some assumptions. I think it’s safe to say that the Proof 1844-O gold set was struck in commemoration of either a special event or, more likely, a visit to the Mint by some special VIP or dignitary. My guess would be that they were made for personal presentation to President John Tyler.

What is interesting about these 1844-O Proofs is that there were no other Proof gold issues produced at the branch mints until 1854 when San Francisco struck a double eagle in this format. But in the case of the 1854-S double eagle, the reason for producing the coin is obvious as it was made to commemorate the opening of the new mint. One would think that if New Orleans were to have made gold Proofs, they would have struck a small number of Proof quarter eagles in 1839 or half eagles in 1840. But if these were ever made, they have disappeared without a trace. (more…)

Mike Ellis brings over 20 Years Experience in Research, Grading & Teaching

Management at Dominion Grading Service (DGS) formally announced this week the hiring of Michael Ellis as a senior grader and variety specialist. Mr. Ellis has over 20 years experience in professional numismatics with a rich resume spanning everything from President of CONECA, to 12 years of teaching at ANA Summer Seminars.

According to DGS President, John Feigenbaum, “Mike comes to us at the ideal time for Dominion [Grading Service]. We’ve been officially grading coins since April and the number of submissions has gradually increased with each month, to the point that we could no longer keep up with the pace. Collectors are really starting to embrace our services and we see DGS as a trend setter in the future of coin grading. DGS can make a real difference with specialty offerings like variety designations and the grading of error coins. Mike is one of the strongest attributors in the country and we’re extremely fortunate to have him aboard.

About Mike Ellis

A coin collector since 1968, Mike comes to DGS with over 20 years experience as a professional numismatist and numismatic educator. He served 12 years as a board member and officer of CONECA; including 4 terms as President of the organization. He has been an instructor for ANA Summer Seminars since 1996, has given several Numismatic Theater presentations at ANA Anniversary Conventions and made many educational appearances at other shows and club meetings across the country.

Ellis first became a consultant to ICG in 1998 serving in that capacity until April of 2006 when he became a full time grader with ANACS, moving to ICG in January of this year when ANACS was sold. Ellis is also an accomplished numismatic writer having penned a column for “Numismatic News,” served as editor of “Errorscope” and “Cherrypickers’ News,” edited “Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties, 4th Edition, Volume I” for which he received an NLG Award, penned numerous articles for several numismatic publications, contributed to dozens of numismatic publications and either wrote or contributed to many numismatic auction catalogs. (more…)

The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) will conduct its inaugural “PNG Dealer’s Deal” in December in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the first in a planned series of “new concept” shows.

“There will be both PNG and non-PNG dealers attending, a limited number of collector-guests who will be personally invited by participating dealers, and members of the general public who want to attend,” said Gary Adkins, PNG President.

“This first show will have about three dozen dealers and on-site grading services by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.”

The PNG Dealer’s Deal will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 10 and 11, 2008, at Wynn Las Vegas, a luxury hotel and casino on the famous “Strip.”

“This is a new concept for us. It’s an opportunity for dealers to casually conduct business between each other and with some collectors in a facility with excellent security and surroundings, but yet without the constant commotion and hustle ‘n’ bustle you find at large shows and conventions,” explained Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director.

“We anticipate there eventually will be two to four PNG Dealer’s Deal shows held each year in Vegas and perhaps other cities.”

For additional information about the Professional Numismatists Guild and the PNG Dealer’s Deal shows, call (760) 728-1300 or e-mail info@PNGdealers.com. Online: www.PNGdealers.com.