Last week, Stack’s concluded its three-day sale of the Entlich, White Oak, Gross, and St. Andre Collections in Baltimore. This extensive, almost 4,000 lot sale took place over March 23-25, and touched on many aspects of the numismatic field. From coins and medals to tokens, paper money, and printing plates, this sale generated significant realizations in each and every category.

Session One covered U.S. coinage from Colonial and Early American issues up through half dollars, as well as commemoratives and error coins. A nice run of early Massachusetts silver coins led the way, with a lovely 1652 Oak Tree shilling in an AU-55 (PCGS) (CAC) holder getting the ball rolling at $12,650. Some one hundred lots later found bidders vying for a wonderful 1787 Massachusetts Horned Eagle cent graded MS-64 BN, which eventually clocked in at an impressive $17,250.

United States minor coinage boasted many important rarities, such as the Gem Matte Proof 1909 V.D.B. cent, certified as Proof-65 RB by NGC, which climbed to a stunning $25,300 before its closing. A marvelous selection of Buffalo nickels was highlighted by the nearly Uncirculated 1916 Doubled Die Obverse example. This rarity, a true prize for the nickel specialist, was graded AU-55 by PCGS and was eventually awarded to a lucky phone bidder for $51,750. Other Buffalo nickels were “hot tickets” to the extreme—action all over the place! Quarter dollars were another important section of this sale, and claimed one of the highest realizations of the entire auction. The gorgeous 1927-S, graded an astounding MS-66 FH by PCGS and tied for the finest graded, sold for an incredible $149,500 when all was said and done. For this and many other items, the record books will have to be rewritten!

Session Two encompassed American. medals, Washington pieces, so-called dollars, silver dollars, patterns, territorials, and gold coins. A beautiful presentation of Betts medals, many of them pedigreed to the sale of the Norweb Collection by Stack’s, paved the way. The room was afire when Admiral Vernon medals crossed the block, with starting bids being doubled, tripled, and quadrupled in many instances! Who would have ever thought such a thing? This goes to prove that collectors are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and that for solid numismatic material in many specialized categories, the market is stronger than ever. Indian Peace medals were up next, highlighted by a splendid large size silver Lincoln piece in almost Extremely Fine condition that realized $29,900.

Silver dollars encompassed an amazing 300+ lots, with over 100 examples of Flowing Hair and Draped Bust types! The first example, the famous 1794 rarity, was certainly the highlight of this section. The Hall-Walton specimen and the Collins plate coin, this coin in 1945 for $1,200; last week, it took $41,400 to buy it! Other early dollar rarities included the splendid 1803 Large 3 Draped Bust example in AU-58 (PCGS), which brought a pleasing $20,010.

American gold coins performed exceptionally well in this auction sale, with both the extreme rarities and the more generic issues realizing strong prices across the board. The 1795 Bass-Dannreuther-3 half eagle was one such rarity that we were pleased to offer in this sale. Graded MS-63* by NGC and designated with a green CAC sticker, this stunning and important first year of issue half eagle soared to a lofty perch of $166,750 before being awarded to its new owner.

American gold eagles were also big players, showcasing a lovely 1838 $10 in AU-58 (PCGS) that brought $54,625. Later issues boasted a wonderfully satiny 1907 With Periods, Wire Rim Indian Head example graded MS-65 (PCGS) that realized $57,500. Double eagles also featured their share of important coins, all of which were well received and actively bid upon. The rare 1860-O in AU-55 (NGC) garnered a good deal of support and sold for a final price of $51,750. Later rarities such as the 1920-S in AU-55 (PCGS) also performed well, with this particular piece selling for $29,900.

Session Three featured United States Obsolete Currency Proofs, a choice selection of rare notes from several important collections. The notes performed solidly, with heavy Internet participation in addition to the bidders present in the auction room. Again, the atmosphere was positively electric! A definitive highlight was an exceptional set of Brooklyn, New York proofs from the Atlantic Bank. The set included the $11, $12, $13, and $14 notes, all well-pedigreed and in excellent condition. The notes realized from $3,450 to $4,887.50 each after prolonged bidding.

Soon afterward a rare Morrisania Bank “Unit,” the incredibly rare and enigmatic proof printed by Waterman Lily Ormsby, was up for bidding. This rarely traded note saw fierce bidding before it was knocked down for $8,050. New York City notes proved to be immensely popular, as demonstrated by a Manhattan Company note, described as a “potentially legendary New York City proof,” that raised eyebrows as it crossed the block for $4,025. Concluding this session were a few lots of printing plates, featuring beautiful face and tint plates for a four subject sheet from the Planters and Mechanics Bank of South Carolina, that sold for $6,900.

Session Four, the final session of Stack’s mammoth auction sale, encompassed a wide range of paper money, and included obsolete currency and scrip, Hard Times advertising notes, early American and Continental Congress notes, the York Collection of Continental Currency, and federal currency. Noteworthy items included the New York City Nassau Bank issued $10 note with the Battery Park vignette in About Extremely Fine condition that sold for $4,025. The colorful Bank of New York $1 note that appeared two lots later was another significant sale, also realizing $4,025.

New York City scrip boasted the exceedingly rare Lindenmuller 10 Cent scrip note, formerly part of the John J. Ford, Jr. collection. This note, issued by an important Civil War token issuer, sold for $4,025 to a New England bidder. Colonial and Continental Congress currency made up a significant portion of this session. The York Collection, featured in a separate catalogue, represented one of the finest collections of Continental Currency to be offered at auction. Federal notes also offered gems to enthusiatic bidders, such as the Uncirculated 1896 $5 Educational Note that brought $8,625, or the 1928 $1000 Gold Certificate that was graded VF-25 (PMG) and sold for $10,637.50.

At the conclusion of this three-day numismatic bonanza, over $6,000,000 worth of coins, medals, and paper money changed hands. For further information on participating in or consigning to an upcoming Stack’s auction, contact Stack’s at 123 W 57th Street, NY, NY 10019 or Stack’s at Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH, 03894. By phone please use 800-566-1580 or 866-811-1804. Full sales results from The Entlich, White Oak, Gross, & St. Andre Collections, as well as full photos and text from previous sales, are available online at www.stacks.com.

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