On July 27-28, 2008, Stack’s conducted the sale of the Samuel J. Berngard and the Treasure Coins of the S.S. New York in a crowded auction room in the Pier 5 Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. Everyone present, bidders and consignors alike, agreed that the sale was an unqualified success, with more than $20 million worth of coins, tokens, and other numismatic items crossing the auction block.

Colonial issues got the sale up and running, with a stunning 1776 Continental dollar graded MS-63 by NGC weighing in at $126,500 and setting the bar for the rest of what was sure to be an incredible event. Early federal issues were strongly represented by a lovely selection of half cents and large cents. Highlights included a magnificent 1796 With Pole half cent graded MS-63 BN by PCGS, which realized $253,000, and a spectacular 1793 Chain AMERICA cent in MS-64 BN (NGC) (pedigreed all the way back to 1866!) that sold for a whopping $207,000. Only minutes later, a near-Gem 1793 Wreath cent graded MS-64 BN (PCGS) climbed its way to $149,500 before the hammer fell.

A diverse selection of minor coinage made up the balance of the first session of this spectacular sale. The popular Copper Restrike 1861 CSA cent in Proof-63 BN (PCGS) brought $26,450 and the rare 1914-D Lincoln cent graded MS-65 RB (PCGS) realized $10,350, as did the finest graded 1872 two cents in MS-66 (NGC). An awesome MS-65 (NGC) 1796 dime made waves when it sold for $92,000 after competitive bidding. The quarter dollars boasted several dazzling rarities. A gorgeously toned 1804 MS-64 (PCGS) quarter dollar found its way to $253,000 before finding a new home, an 1855-S Arrows graded MS-64 by PCGS brought $46,000, and a truly exceptional 1903 Proof-68 Ultra Cameo (NGC) sparkled all the way up to $23,000 before bidding ceased. The end of the first session was capped off by a wonderful 1911 gold type set. This four-piece set was graded from Proof-65 to Proof-67 by NGC, and realized an impressive $207,000 when the last paddle was in the air.

Session Two of this star-studded event began with an astounding selection of 177 coins recovered from the wreck of the S.S. New York. Encapsulated by NGC, many of the coins were designated with the term “Shipwreck Effect” to indicate the degree of surface disturbance observed from extended exposure to saltwater. One of the most spectacular recoveries from the wreck was the landmark 1845-D quarter eagle. A significant rarity in its own right, this jewel that was recovered from the deep sea is likely the finest known example! Graded MS-64 by NGC, this lot saw highly active bidding and climbed its way to $63,250 before closing.

Other fantastic finds included the 1844-D half eagle graded MS-63* (NGC) that topped out at $43,125 and the extraordinary 1844-O eagle in MS-63 (NGC), which is among the finest known, that culminated in a winning bid of $63,250. The majority of the coins offered from the wreck were U.S. gold denominations, but this amazing section also included many lots of U.S copper and silver, as well as world gold and silver coins all of which received enthusiastic bidding.

The second part of Session Two witnessed the sale of the Samuel J. Berngard collection, a superb selection of Pioneer and Territorial gold coins. Replete with rarity after rarity, this advanced collection assembled over the past 25 years represented a significant opportunity to any territorial or gold specialist. It is difficult to say when a collection like this will avail itself again, if at all!

Off to the races we went, with the first lot, an 1830 Templeton Reid $2.50 in VF-35 (PCGS), hammering for $103,500. A diverse offering of Carolina gold was actively sought and exceeded estimates on all fronts. The rare and popular Moffat & Co. $16 gold ingot sold for $138,000, and minutes later the 1852 Moffat & Co. $10 gold hammered in at $63,250 after active bidding on the floor. The highly important 1851 Schultz & Co. $5 offered in this sale is the Eliasberg specimen, and the finest graded by PCGS at AU-53; it joined the top ranks when it hammered for $166,750. The rest of this section was filled with truly rare pieces, including Clark Gruber and Mormon pieces, territorial patterns, die trials, and other seriously high-powered coins.

The balance of the session was made up of U.S. gold coins and included many six-figure realizations. Early gold issues reigned, and made up the top echelon of gold coins. The truly superb 1796 $2.50 graded MS-62 by PCGS trumpeted its way to $488,750, one of the top four realizations of the entire sale. The 1795 half eagle graded MS-64 (NGC) held its own among a sea of bidders and topped out at $322,000, another one of the top four prices realized. Three lots later, an 1808 half eagle in MS-62 (PCGS) sold for $109,250. An 1898 Proof-67 Ultra Cameo half eagle represented later gold issues well when it went for $83,375.

The landmark 1795 eagle graded MS-64 by PCGS brought an astounding $565,250 to the amazement of all those present, and the important 1864 Proof-64 DCAM (PCGS) saw enthusiastic bidding and eventually sold to a phone bidder for $115,000. A plentiful selection of Liberty Head and Saint-Gaudens double eagles was highlighted by the 1898 Proof-67 Ultra Cameo (NGC) that sold for $218,500, and a wonderful 1907 High Relief in MS-67 (NGC) that brought $161,000.

Day Two of this rarity-laden auction sale began with a truly unprecedented event, the sale of the Collections of James E. Dice and M. Lamar Hicks, the most diverse and high quality collection of Hard Times, Merchants, and Later Tokens ever to be sold at auction. With any luck, you were among the lucky bidders who took home one of these fascinating pieces of history.

The sale of this collection was uniformly strong, with highly active bidding both in the auction room and via the telephone and internet. The extremely rare 1837 Not One Cent (Low-43A), part of the Bushnell Series, sold for $17,250 amid general excitement. Other highlights included the Low-85 J. Hall Walker & Walton New Orleans token that hammered for $43,125, the finer of only two confirmed pieces struck in Brass. Less than ten lots later, bidders witnessed the sale of the legendary Huckel, Burrows & Jennings token, the only St. Louis, Missouri token in the Hard Times series; it took $80,500 for the winning bidder to acquire that lot. The finest known Low-166 Small Head Jackson token took a determined successful bidder up to $25,300 before the lot was sold.

New York tokens also took center stage in the Dice-Hicks sale. The Low-335 Deveau token, the finest of the four known to us, sold for $34,500, and the NY924 Trested Card, one of the great American Store Card rarities, weighed in at $20,700. When all was said and done, 509 lots of U.S. tokens were sold from the James E. Dice and M. Lamar Hicks collection.

Session Three resumed with a small offering of tokens and medals, and was followed by a substantial section of paper money. A nice selection of Continental and Colonial currency offered many an opportunity. Two August 15, 1775 Seven Shillings and Six Pence notes (Paul Revere Engraved Sword in Hand issues) climbed to $48,875 and $13,800 respectively before they were awarded to their new owners. A neat selection of 1837 Hard Times Era Satirical Notes preceded the Obsolete currency and offered several Choice notes. As for the Federal issues, an outstanding 1890 $1 Treasury note was sold for $14,950 and the prized $10,000 Federal Reserve note was the source of enthusiastic bidding and culminated in a winning bid of $89,700.

Session Four began with another selection of nearly 150 lots of items from the archives of the American Bank Note Company. Items of particular focus included two 4-subject currency plates for the Commercial Bank of Kentucky and the Minnesota Valley Bank; both plates realized $10,350.

Following the selections from the American Bank Note Company was a dazzling assemblage of U.S. Pattern coins, many of the pieces being unique, and all of them very rare. Starting off the section was a fantastic 1792 half disme in MS-64 (NGC), one of the finest certified, and clocked in at a whopping $373,750. Soon after this auspicious beginning, the super rare 1864 Flying Eagle/Indian cent muling (double dated!) graded Proof-62 (PCGS) soared to $115,000, and the unique Indian 1¢/Shield 5¢ muling graded Proof-64 by PCGS muscled its way to $97,750. Pattern dollars performed brilliantly, with the 1872 Amazonian in aluminum graded Proof-65 (PCGS) garnering $218,500 in bids before the hammer fell.

The famed Stellas were out in full force in this sale, with a gorgeous 1879 Flowing Hair $4 graded Proof-66 Cameo (NGC) selling for $241,500, quickly followed by a second example in Proof-64 (PCGS) that sold for $207,000. The icing on the cake came a few minutes later when the breathtaking 1879 Coiled Hair Stella in aluminum graded Proof-67 CAM (NGC) sold for $373,750. Another piece that cannot be overlooked is the unique 1907 Indian $10 With Periods in Proof-62 SATIN (NGC) that made its way to $322,000 before the lot was finally sold. Immediately following this incredible rarity was the celebrated MCMVII Extremely High Relief $20 in Proof-58 (NGC). The excitement in the auction room was palpable as it crossed the block and hammered for $690,000.

The final section of this extraordinary sale was comprised of U.S. half dollars and dollars, and contained perhaps the most exciting sale of these two days. The landmark 1797 Small Eagle, 15 Stars half dollar came up for sale amid a packed auction room. Bidders whispered to their neighbors as members of the staff squeezed onto the phone bank and scrambled to get each and every potential bidder on the line. A round of applause filled the auction room after the lot was sold to the winning bidder for $1,380,000.

As we neared the end of this two-day extravaganza, the quality of material offered never waned. An amazing 1795 Draped Bust silver dollar graded MS-64 (NGC) sold to an internet bidder for $184,000, and an impressive 1872-S silver dollar in MS-64 (PCGS) (tied for finest graded) saw spirited bidding activity and sold for $149,500. An MS-64 (NGC) 1884-S Morgan dollar was also a source of lively activity, hammering for $126,500. The rest of the Morgan dollars, Peace dollars, and Trade dollars rounded out the last segment of the sale.

When the dust finally settled, $20,177,688 worth of coins, tokens, plates, and other numismatic items changed hands over the course of two days. Showcasing some of the most advanced and impressive collections of coins and tokens, the sale of the Samuel J. Berngard and S.S. New York Collections and the James E. Dice and M. Lamar Hicks collections was an unmitigated success.

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 at Box 1804, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, 03894. By phone please use 800-566-1580 or 866-811-1804. Full sales results from the Samuel J. Berngard and Treasure Coins of the S.S. New York and the James E. Dice and M. Lamar Hicks Collections, as well as full photos and text from previous sales, are available online at www.stacks.com.

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