Stack’s sale of The Haverford Collection, is an auction event that has been rightly called a “boutique” sale. This sale, sold in conjunction with the CoinFest show in Stamford, Connecticut, may be of modest size, but presents a respectable, high quality spread of numismatic material. Two significant collections of U.S. paper money are joined by a healthy dose of U.S. coinage to form this excellent auction sale; opportunities abound, so be on the lookout for your chance to add something new to your collection!

Obsolete currency, a rapidly growing field of interest in numismatic circles, is up first. The sale’s namesake, the Haverford Collection, leads off the sale and is composed of a wonderful offering of obsolete currency proofs. One such item is an Uncirculated State Phoenix Bank $10 proof note from the 1830s. Printed on India paper and with the appearance of a fabulous gem proof, this note is of an earlier style, but with a later imprint, an interesting anomaly. Another important opportunity presents itself in the form of the very rare State Bank of Washington proof $20 note. With only a few proofs known to exist from this quintessential Washington title, this is an excellent chance to acquire one such note from one of Washington’s oldest banks.

From obsolete currency, we move into the Thomas F.X. O’Mara collection, an impressive gathering of postage and fractional currency-related scrip, mimics and look-alikes, and advertising notes. Notables include an historic John Ridell New Orleans one cent scrip that once graced the John J. Ford, Jr. collection and a rare Lahr’s Exchange House, St. Paul, Minnesota Fourth Issue look-alike 25¢ scrip.

Continental and colonial currency also presents several enticing pieces, including a beautiful May 10, 1775 marbled border $20 note that is graded Extremely Fine and has undergone some expert restoration, and a fantastic June 1765 Faneuil Hall lottery ticket signed by John Hancock in Extremely Fine condition. A rare State of Vermont 1781 One Shilling and Three Pence note is certain to attract attention when it comes up for sale, as it is believed that there are less than 200 of these notes in existence. This particular example is well printed and in superior condition, exhibiting, as do nearly all Vermont state bills, some light conservation.

After these wonderful collections of U.S. paper money, we proudly offer a notable selection of U.S. coins for your bidding pleasure. A stunning 1724 Wood’s Hibernia halfpenny takes center stage, and justifiably so at the impressive MS-65 BN (NGC) level. Appearing not long after is a superb 1863 three cent silver graded an incredible MS-67 by NGC.

Small denominations of U.S. coinage continue to proffer exciting lots, like the 1916 doubled die obverse nickel graded AU-55 (PCGS) (CAC) and an exceptional 1856 half dime in Proof-65 Cameo (NGC). A gorgeous 1808 O-102a half dollar graded MS-64 by PCGS and awarded a CAC sticker will surely attract plenty of interest, as high quality examples of these early date Capped Bust half dollars seldom appear on the market.

A nice selection of silver dollars reveals some pleasing rarities mixed in with a solid base of more mainstream coins, and commemorative issues boast several serious specimens. Among these is a lovely 1892 Columbian in Proof-65 (PCGS), one of just eleven Proofs of this date at this grade level or higher. Only a few lots later appears the rare 1925 Norse American medal struck in gold. Commemorating the arrival of the first group of Norwegian immigrants to the United States, the net mintage for gold issues is a scant 47 pieces. This piece is graded Proof-65 Matte by NGC.

A small group of pattern coins follows the silver, with a striking 1858 pattern cent in copper-nickel (Judd-193) that is graded Proof-65 (PCGS) (CAC). Boldly struck and reflective, there is only a single specimen that has been graded finer than this one by either PCGS or NGC. A second highlight from this section of patterns is a premium quality 1884 Judd-1721 “holey” cent in Proof-66 CAM (PCGS), a coin of distinctive and unorthodox design that is essential to any complete pattern or type set.

U.S. gold issues range from gold dollar to double eagle, and boast two fine examples of $3 coins. The first is the low mintage 1865 graded AU-58 by NGC, a lovely orange gold coin that retains a wealth of excellent mint frost. The second is the highly elusive 1881 example, one of just 500 struck, graded AU-55 (NGC). A coin that seldom makes an auction appearance, this example exhibits a significant degree of reflectivity and affords the collector the chance to own a very scarce issue.

A few lots of California fractional gold, Hawaiian coinage, so-called dollars, and world coins signal the conclusion of the Haverford Collection. The final fifteen lots of the sale are mineral specimens, and include both minerals and gemstones. The sale takes place in Stamford, Connecticut on November 7, 2008; the sale will begin at 6:30pm in the Glen II room of the Hilton Stamford Hotel and Executive Center.

If you cannot attend in person, be sure to send your bids by U.S. mail or fax, or place your bids on Stack’s website, either before the sale or by bidding online during the sessions. You can find Stack’s at 123 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019 or at Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH 03894. To contact Stack’s by phone, please use 800-566-2580 (NY) or 866-811-1804 (NH), or send us an email instead.

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