Thousands of coins, medals, and banknotes crossed the block during the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo in Baltimore, March 26 and 27. The offering, presented in three catalogs, featured some of the most noteworthy colonial era numismatic items ever offered and one of the most extensive offerings of small-sized, large denomination notes to cross the block. Bidding participation came from all sources, including from the floor, where sometimes there was a standing-room-only crowd. When all was said and done, nearly $18.7 million crossed the auction block, one of the largest Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo auctions to date!
After garnering international press coverage before selling, the Bushnell-Parmelee-Jenks-Green-Kendall Foundation example of the 1792 Birch Cent pattern realized the top bid of the sale at $1,175,000. Another 1792 pattern, the historically important Silver Center cent, graded AU-53 by PCGS, brought nearly a half million dollars at $499,375, the fourth highest realization for the Baltimore sale. “Participation was strong during the Kendall Collection session, with multiple bidders competing for rarities that have been long off the market,” said Lawrence R. Stack. “The wide range of quality colonial and early American issues will long be remembered, and our expertly composed catalog will join the Garrett, Taylor, Roper, Picker, Norweb, and Ford sales as a standard reference to the colonial series.”
U.S. coins from the Q. David Bowers, Highland, Dr. Gutfreund, Desh Family, and other important collections were well received. A lovely 1884-S Morgan dollar, a classic condition rarity, offered in a PCGS MS-63+ holder and bearing the coveted CAC sticker, realized $99,875. A gem 1795 half dime in a green-label MS-65 PCGS holder, also verified by CAC, realized $58,750. A popular 1851 Humbert $50 “slug,” graded AU-50 by NGC and CAC stickered, sold for a robust $55,812.50.
Brian Kendrella, president of Stack’s Bowers, commented: “The market seems to be healthy coming into the spring, and we anticipate that it will continue to strengthen as we enter into the second quarter of 2015.” “Fresh coins, quality examples of rarities, and other important collector coins sold well here,” Brian continued. “This has been the trend, and we will continue to see interest in coins that have been long off the market, especially high quality examples.”
The paper money sessions were anchored by the Peter Mayer Collection and the Holecek Family Foundation Collection, and prices did not disappoint. Top price in the paper money sale was $258,500 for a PMG Choice New-64 EPQ 1934 $5,000 note. Close behind was a 1934 $10,000 note in like grade that sold for a strong $223,250. “The notes in this sale, the largest by lot count we have offered, brought in many serious bidders – whether they bid in person, on the phone, or over the web – and the prices realized reflect this,” said Peter Treglia, director of currency for Stack’s Bowers. “A robust overall market and high quality material led to a successful sale for all parties involved.”
“With the current state of the market for coins and banknotes, we are excited for the next Stack’s Bowers sale, D. Brent Pogue Collection Part I, being held in conjunction with Sotheby’s. Coins are receiving worldwide press coverage with our sale of the Birch Cent from the Kendall Foundation Collection, as well as pre-sale coverage of the Pogue Collection,” said Christine Karstedt, executive vice president.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries is now accepting consignments for our next Baltimore sale, being held in conjunction with the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo in July, and for our official auction of the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money convention in August. Both sales are exciting venues, and we invite you to contact one of our consignment specialists to discuss your cabinet of rare coins or banknotes.
Additional highlights from the March 2015 Baltimore Auction include:
- Lot 2307. Undated (1652) NE Sixpence. Noe 1-A, Salmon 1-A. Rarity-7. EF-40 (PCGS). Secure Holder. CAC. From the Henry P. Kendall Foundation Collection. Realized: $411,250.
- Lot 2314. 1652 Willow Tree Threepence. Noe 1-A, Salmon 1-A. Rarity-8. AU-50 (PCGS). Secure Holder. CAC. From the Henry P. Kendall Foundation Collection. Realized: $587,500.
- Lot 2583. 1861 Confederate Half Dollar. Original. Breen-8000. Proof-40 (NGC). From the Henry P. Kendall Foundation Collection. Realized: $646,250.
- Lot 4446. Fr. 2221-E. 1934 $5000 Federal Reserve Note. Richmond. PMG Choice Uncirculated 63. From the Holecek Family Foundation Collection. Realized: $176,250.
- Lot 4489. Fr. 1890-G*. 1929 $100 Federal Reserve Bank Note Star. Chicago. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. Realized: $58,750.
- Lot 5055. 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commemorative Medal. Gold. 57.2 mm. 159.1 grams (5.1157 Troy ounces). By Adolph Alexander Weinman. Baxter-108. Choice Mint State. Realized: $28,200.
- Lot 6096. 1929 Indian Half Eagle. MS-64 (PCGS). Realized: $49,937.50.
- Lot 6099. 1877 Liberty Eagle. MS-61 (PCGS). CAC. Realized: $64,625.
- Lot 6109. 1885-CC Liberty Double Eagle. MS-62 (PCGS). Realized: $61,687.50.
- Lot 7205. 1889-CC Morgan Silver Dollar. Unc Details–Cleaning (PCGS). From the Donald Gutfreund Collection. Realized: $44,062.50.
- For a complete list of prices realized, please visit www.stacksbowers.com.
About Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducts live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company’s 80-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block — The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, The Guia Collection, The Thos. H. Law Collection, and The Robert O. Ebert Collection.
Topping off this amazing numismatic history is the inclusion of the world record for the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar graded Specimen-66 (PCGS) that realized over $10 million, part of their sale of the famed Cardinal Collection. The company is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is an Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Professional Numismatists Guild New York Invitational, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and its April and August Hong Kong Auctions.