Costa Mesa, CA Stack’s Bowers Galleries is excited to announce the Physical Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency session of their June 2026 Showcase Auction, with live bidding taking place on Thursday, June 18. Representing perhaps the most important offering of physical crypto to hit the market in recent years, the sale features more than 120 lots boasting a current intrinsic value well over half a million dollars.

This landmark session is anchored by classic, blue-chip rarities from the iconic Casascius, BTCC, and Lealana series, alongside low-mintage modern issues from MyBits, Satori, Polymerbit, 1HoDLCLUB, VIP Bitcoins, Denarium, Finite By Design, Freedom Bitcoin, Ballet, Crypto Imperator, and others. The Casascius category features a premier type set of silver and brass denominations spanning the 0.1 BTC, 0.5 BTC, and 1 BTC levels, highlighted by an extremely rare, Redeemed Casascius 10 BTC crossing the block in the second half of the session.

The offering continues through the highly sought-after BTCC series, featuring an assortment of rare Poker Chip and Titanium issues. This group is headlined by an incredible six-coin Poker Chip set in its original presentation case, hand-signed by series creator Bobby Lee. A comprehensive selection of individual BTCC Poker Chips will also be presented across all denominations, including the elusive Black 0.1 BTC and the rare Purple 0.5 BTC.

These foundational early series are capped by a powerful selection of Lealana coins. Highlights include an original, three-coin set #161 containing the 2013 0.1 BTC, 0.25 BTC, and 0.5 BTC denominations with matching Certificates of Authenticity (COAs). Additionally, a 2013 “Gold B” 1 BTC makes its first market appearance of the year as one of the most prized rarities in the entire crypto-numismatic category. Bidders will also have a historic opportunity to acquire serial number 1 of the 2025 Niue Island 0.001 BTC in silver, which is celebrated as the very first legal tender physical bitcoin ever struck.

Beyond the crypto coins and notes, the auction features a selection of important early crypto memorabilia, including the debut Issue #1 of Bitcoin Magazine, along with a consecutive run of Issues #9-15. The sale also marks the firm’s first-ever offering of crypto trading cards by Topps / Allen & Ginter, a crossover category expected to generate strong interest from traditional baseball and sports card collectors.

“We are extremely proud to present another landmark offering in this category as part of our June 2026 sale,” said James McCartney, Director of Consignments and Numismatics. “Many of these pieces have ultra-low mintages and tremendous rarity that easily rivals some of the most legendary issues in traditional numismatics.”

For questions about the Stack’s Bowers Galleries June 2026 auction or to consign to a future sale, please contact the firm at 800-458-4646 or email Info@StacksBowers.com. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is currently accepting physical cryptocurrency consignments for their Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, featuring in-person previews held alongside the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money® in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Specialists will also be available to review consignments across all categories at the upcoming Whitman Summer Expo in Baltimore (June 11-13) and the FUN Show in Orlando, Florida (July 9-11).

The post Over a Half-Million in Physical Bitcoins to be Sold in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries June 2026 Showcase Auction appeared first on Numismatic News.

Apothecaries (defined as a shop that made and sold medicines) existed as medicine resellers but also practiced patient care. America’s individualism created a society with virtually no regulation and no standard of care. The dispensing of medicines remained largely within physicians and apothecaries, who tended to both prescribe and dispense drugs and medications. This confusion encouraged the rise of the wholesale druggist as the group responsible for the manufacturing, mixing, and sale of drugs to the medical profession and, sometimes, directly to the public. They were, in general, not medically trained, and their businesses were chiefly commercial enterprises. Legal regulation at a national level did not occur until later in the 19th century and did not become comprehensive until after 1870. Before then, the mid-nineteenth-century American pharmacy was not defined by legal and professional regulation but existed within the free-market economics and laissez-faire politics of the United States. As with many businesses before the Civil War, they produced their own currency, often in the form of merchant scrip, advertisement notes, and private currency.

Part 1 of this two-part series showcases obsolete notes from drug stores, druggists, and apothecaries. In Part 2, the focus will shift to notes advertising actual drugs, medicines, bitters, and various other “medications”…many of questionable origins.

Thanks to Heritage Auctions for the photographs contained in this article. All photographs are courtesy of the author.

Pharmacy, Apothecary, and Druggist Notes

World’s Dispensary Medical Association Coupon Note

Here is a coupon note from the World’s Dispensary Medical Association. The association was created by Dr. Ray Vaughn Pierce (1840–1916). His operation was in business between 1867 and 1880, producing millions of bottles of medication annually. At the time, he was one of Buffalo’s most famous citizens. Dr. Pierce marketed heavily, as evidenced by these notes. His medications had catchy names such as “Doctor Pierce’s Favorite Prescription,” “Dr. Pierce’s Smart Weed” (over 1 million bottles of Smart Weed were sold annually), and “Dr. Pierce’s Pleasant Pellets.” Pierce made sure that the government would keep its hands off the regulatory tools. He vehemently responded to the doctors who questioned the effectiveness of his advertised medicines, though Pierce’s medicines were notorious elixirs, many containing opium. Dr. Pierce eventually became a one-term Republican congressman in 1879.

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The post 19th Century Apothecaries, Druggists, and Drug Store Currency– Part 1 appeared first on Numismatic News.

Collectors and dealers appreciate being able to purchase precious metals bullion, coins, and currency if they do not hate having to pay sales or use tax to do so. Almost every state either has no state sales tax at all (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon) or has partial or complete sales tax exemptions for such items.

The jurisdictions that do not yet have any such exemptions are Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

Many state governments are now scrambling for increased funding following the end of higher federal revenue sharing during the COVID pandemic. Therefore, existing tax credits and sales tax exemptions have received greater scrutiny for possible repeal.

In 2025, the state of Maryland (effective July 1, 2025) severely narrowed its exemption to apply to transactions of $1,000 or larger conducted only at the Baltimore Convention Center. The state of Washington completely repealed its existing exemption, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

This year, there were bills considered in the legislatures in Colorado, Nebraska, and New York to repeal existing exemptions.  The Colorado and Nebraska legislative sessions have ended without repealing the coin and bullion exemptions.  The New York legislature is scheduled to conclude this year’s session on June 10 and has not yet taken action to revoke the existing exemption (keep your fingers crossed). 

The sales tax exemption in Virginia is due to expire on June 30, 2026, unless it is extended.  The state’s House of Delegates and Senate each have approved bills that would extend the exemption, but they differ on other provisions within their bills that don’t affect this exemption.  Hopefully, this will be resolved and enacted before the end of this month.

Bills to reinstate the Maryland and Washington coin and bullion sales and use tax exemptions were introduced in their respective legislatures this year.  The Washington legislative session for 2026 ended without taking any action on that bill.  In Maryland, Senate Bill 309 was unanimously approved in both chambers and then signed into law by the governor on May 26, 2026.  It restores the prior statewide sales and use tax exemption for all transactions of $1,000 or more, effective July 1, 2026.

In early 2025, Alaska HB1 was introduced to exempt gold and silver coins and bullion from a local city or borough sales tax.  The two largest cities, Anchorage and Fairbanks, do not impose such a tax, but more than 100 other jurisdictions do.  This bill was passed by the legislature and became law on May 29, 2026, without the governor’s signature.  It becomes effective on August 28, 2026.

These efforts to gain and to retain or restore sales and use tax exemptions for precious metals bullion, coins, and currency take the effort of multiple people and funding.  There are some no-cost actions that take almost no time, where collectors and dealers (that means you!) could help increase the prospects of adding or protecting such exemptions.

For collectors (those for whom their primary source of income is not from the sale of numismatic material), they can become a member of the Concerned Collectors Coalition within the National Coin & Bullion Association (NCBA).  There are no dues, but members are asked to identify their state and federal representatives where they live and work.  Multiple times, a collector has become aware of pending legislation before NCBA staff did, alerting the organization to take action earlier than otherwise.  Also, some Coalition members might have personal relationships with one or more legislators that might become useful in the future.  When legislation was introduced in Nevada in 2025 to expand (not yet successful) the scope of the coin and bullion sales tax exemption, Coalition members in that state were notified, and some testified in support before the legislative committee that held hearings on the bill.

Dealers in states that have added or expanded bullion, coin, or currency sales tax exemptions almost always enjoy a surge in sales volume, often resulting in hiring more staff.  Further, some existing businesses in those states, such as jewelers or antique stores, have expanded into bullion and numismatics.  Lastly, there tends to be an increase in the number of coin shows and the attendance at such shows once a state adopts a sales and use tax exemption.

So, dealers in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming are asked to write a letter touting how the enactment of a sales and use tax exemption has positively impacted their business, whether it is increased sales, more staff, greater attendance at in-state coin shows, adding more locations, and the like.  One dealer who wrote such a letter mentioned two other improvements: an increase in other merchandise sold that was subject to sales taxes (such as jewelry, other collectibles, and hobby supplies), and also that he was able to sell inventory to retail customers at a slightly higher profit margin than he had formerly primarily sold wholesale.

These letters should be addressed to the National Coin & Bullion Association to add to the ammunition available to support new exemptions and defend existing exemptions that are under scrutiny.  I’m confident that if just five dealers in each of the states listed in the previous paragraph wrote such a letter, it would make gaining and protecting such exemptions almost automatic.  By working together to help dealers and collectors across the country, it also helps the dealers who write such letters.

Incidentally, an unforeseen benefit to the public of state government adopting such sales tax exemptions is a decrease in consumer price gouging, the selling of counterfeits, or fraud.  There are many people who would prefer to deal in person rather than online or by mail, or who would like to have a local expert evaluate what they have before they conduct a transaction.

The more members that join the NCBA’s Concerned Collectors Coalition and the more testimonial letters that NCBA can add to our ammunition to support new exemptions and retain existing ones, the better the prospects for success in future efforts.  Thank you for any help you can provide.  Go to www.ncbassoc.org for more information.

Note: As many of you already realize, I have personally worked on efforts to expand and retain precious metals bullion, coin, and currency sales and use tax exemptions for more than 30 years.  In various capacities, I have helped gain or expand exemptions in more than 20 states.  I am currently the unpaid volunteer Industry Issues Advisor for the NCBA, where my efforts focus on these sales and use tax exemptions.  This column is not an official NCBA document.  

Last column’s numismatic trivia question.

Last time I asked—Which person depicted on today’s U.S. currency issues was not born in what is now the United States of America?  The answer is Alexander Hamilton, depicted on the $10.00 Federal Reserve Note.  He was born in Charlestown, Nevis, in the British Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, now the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

This week’s trivia question

Here is this week’s question.  Which person depicted on U.S. paper money was born in Cadiz, Spain?  Come back next week for the answer.

Patrick A. Heller was honored as a 2019 FUN Numismatic Ambassador. He is also the recipient of the American Numismatic Association 2018 Glenn Smedley Memorial Service Award, the 2017 Exemplary Service Award, the 2012 Harry Forman National Dealer of the Year Award, and the 2008 Presidential Award. Over the years, he has also been honored by the Numismatic Literary Guild, Professional Numismatists Guild, National Coin & Bullion Association, and the Michigan State Numismatic Society. He is the communications officer of Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Michigan, and writes “Liberty’s Outlook,” a quarterly newsletter on rare coins and precious metals subjects. He now volunteers with the National Coin & Bullion Association as its Industry Issues Advisor.  Past newsletter issues can be viewed at www.libertycoinservice.com. Some of his radio commentaries, “Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So,” and “Important News You Need To Know,” can be heard at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320 AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and becomes part of the audio archives posted at www.1320wils.com).

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The spot price of gold and silver has not made many headlines recently, but they have been slowly declining from their record values several months earlier. If you are interested in coins composed of either of these metals as a long-term investment or for a coin collection you are unlikely to resell. This price decline is of little consequence to you. It may even be a buying opportunity.

Regardless of whether you are looking for a short-term investment opportunity or a long-term hold position, it is important to understand the differences between some of the gold and silver numismatic products you might encounter. “Rounds” are different from coins. Rounds have no legal tender denomination and will, in most instances, buy and sell for less than true coins. True coins may be “refinery grade,” bullion, or collectible. Recognize if you have what is popularly called junk silver only a refinery could love, bullion that will likely trade later at whatever level bullion is at, or collectible coins.

Some bullion issues are worth having professionally graded, while others are not. If I post a bullion-type coin or a modern commemorative in Mint State 65, this is an ungraded coin more likely to follow the spot price of its metal content. Be aware that even scrap silver or bullion gold is viewed differently by the purity of the metal involved. Circulation strike U.S. silver coins of the 20^th century are 90 percent silver. War nickels are 35 percent silver.

Refineries and, therefore, dealers who send such coins to refineries will offer a different discounted price for these than for a 99 percent silver coinage. Likewise, silver from other parts of the world may be 83.5 percent or sterling (92.5 percent) silver. Refineries have more difficulty melting these and pay less. So do coin dealers. Likewise, the same is true of gold coinage. Sales of some metal purities may be slower than others. All of the above impact resale value.

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My favorite is my first. While on a monumental visit to Jordan in 2004, we stopped at the tent of a Bedouin trader who had set out several tables of miscellaneous goods for sale to tourists.  We were visiting a Crusader fort just outside Petra (Shobak, as I recall). There on his table was a thaler-sized Byzantine coin, holed for use on a chain. Next to nothing in price.  $5 at the most. I bought it, brought it home, and immediately began to research whether coins such as that were available.  I didn’t know, and I had never even thought about it.

Since then, I sent a scan to a foreign coin dealer to be identified. As luck would have it, right now, I don’t even know where the darn coin is. Someday I will find it. I’m not an epic collector, starting pretty late in life, not long before retirement, when available, income is largely directed toward travel. But I love the hobby, and it brings me a lot of enjoyment.

Jim, Colorado

My Dad got me started in coin collecting. I was 9 years old, and he gave me a Flying Eagle cent. I’d never held anything so old.

Art Bernstein, Address withheld

Those who know me know that I have a passion for Elongated Coins. Of the many I have, the one I like the most is an elongated Half Dollar, depicting a gold miner washing material in his gold pan. It has a speck of real gold adhered to the pan. I was lucky enough to find, bid, and win it at an eBay auction. 

Being able to buy anything and everything, from a needle to a car, boat, and plane, on eBay, including any numismatic item you can think of, has made the world much, much smaller, bringing sellers and buyers from around the world together!

I still LOVE going to coin shops and coin shows, and seeing / feeling coins in person is a treat, but even 1,000 shops & shows couldn’t compete with the amassed selection that eBay has to offer!

Oded Paz, Arco, Idaho

My favorite coin in my collection is a 1916-D mercury dime. I got it from my late father when he gave me all of his coins about 25 years ago.  He was not a collector, as he had many odds and ends, one of which was the first page of the old Whitman mercury dime album, the kind that you could not see the reverse of the coins. Consequently, there was a 1916 dime in the 1916 P port which turned out to be a 1916-D!  Funny thing is, I did not check that coin until about 10 years ago.  

Dave Burdis, Charleroi, Pa.

My Grandmother always kept a small leather pouch in her bag, and it was filled with coins!! My Grandmother also raised me; she had to be my Mother too. Before she passed away, she gave me most of the coins that were in that leather pouch. One of those being a Morgan Silver Dollar minted in New Orleans. Since then, I only look for Morgans from New Orleans. So many times when I’m looking through a tray, the guy will tell me that there’s NO Carson City, to which I respond with Good, I wasn’t looking for those.

Anyway, that’s how it all got started. Right now I’m on a quest to find one of the earliest USA-minted coins!!

David, Address withheld

I had gotten my Buffalo silver dollar in 1oz with a 70 graded rating in 2020 off the internet from Bullion Shark (my favorite coin).

Name and Address withheld

I found my favorite 1883-CC in President Nixon box MS 64 at a farm auction in 1982 in the middle of nowhere. Beautiful coin.

TK, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

It is one of the least valuable coins in my collection, but remains my favorite – a lightly circulated, 1921 Morgan dollar, housed in a small snap-tite style holder with the insert printed “From The Million Dollar Display Booth At The Seattle World’s Fair.”

The display of one million U.S. silver dollars was reportedly the result of three Washington State numismatists pressing forward the idea and lining up participants.  They convinced Columbus, Nebraska-based Behlen Manufacturing to construct the corn crib that held the million silver dollars, as well as the exterior metal build that held the display.  Whether the actual million coins came from U.S. Mint vaults or the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank, I am not certain, having found references to both sources.  What I do know is that General Motors Corporation, through its Chevrolet division, provided two semi-tractor-trailers to transport the coins from Philadelphia to Seattle. The route took them through Nebraska on U.S. Highway 30 (remember that in 1962, the interstate system was still under construction in many parts of the country) and through Lexington, Nebraska, my hometown at the time.

One million dollars was, in 1962, an astronomical sum and a nearly unfathomable amount to a 12-year-old, but to see the trucks pass through was my goal.  And, I did stand on the sidewalk (yes, the highway passed as a street would in front of some businesses) and watched in awe as the vehicles escorted by local police and Highway Patrol came by.

I knew I would not visit the World’s Fair, much less see the display, but the enormity of the amount – tonnage, number of coins, and the huge dollar amount never left my brain.  When a dollar in the commemorative holder turned up in an accumulation offered to me during the COVID shutdown, my childhood excitement returned.  With a bit of research, I learned that after the Seattle fair closed, the dollars were offered for $1.95 each in the snap-tite commemorative holder, or one could purchase up to 5 bags of 1,000 for $1,500 per bag.

Gary Burhop, Address withheld

I stole it. Just kidding. Bought my Grant Star for $1 at an online auction.

@happablabb, via X

1996-W dime. About twenty years ago, when I was a youngster, my local coin shop parted it from an original mint set for me.

David Donahue, via Facebook

The post Poll Question: How did you acquire your favorite coin in your collection? appeared first on Numismatic News.

Costa Mesa, CA Stack’s Bowers Galleries, America’s oldest and most accomplished rare coin auction company, is proud to announce the June 2026 Showcase Auction. Held in conjunction with the Whitman Expo in Baltimore, the sale presents over 3,200 lots across seven sessions, featuring U.S. coins (colonial, pre-federal, federal, territorial, and patterns), Numismatic Americana (medals, tokens, and related), and physical cryptocurrency.

Session 1 on June 15 presents an interesting assortment of medals and pre-federal coins anchored by the Medicus Collection of Presidential Inaugural and Related Medals, the Paul Karanfilian Collection, and the John Bolger Collection (the latter two focused on colonial and related coins). Incredible rarities include an extremely rare 1921 Harding Inaugural medal in silver (fewer than 10 known) and a 1945 Franklin Roosevelt Inaugural in gold (the specimen given to Saudi Arabian King Ibn Saud by FDR in the waning days of World War II). Among the pre-federal and colonial issues, a pleasing selection of New Jersey and Vermont coppers will attract strong bidding from collectors, as will a well-rounded group of Fugio cents.

Session 2, the popular Rarities Night Session, offers a broad range of rare and high-quality federal issues. It is anchored by the world-class Young-Dakota Collection of Barber dimes, quarters, and half dollars, one of the finest sets ever assembled.

“Superlative quality abounds,” said Brian Kendrella, President of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “This Rarities Session presents fabulous opportunities to acquire some of the finest and rarest coins on the market! The coin market continues to show insatiable demand for the best pieces, and serious collectors should not miss this sale.”

Among the highlights of the Rarities Night Session are:

Lot 2002.  1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Wreath Reverse. S-6, B-7. Rarity-3. Vine and Bars Edge. AU-50 (PCGS). A lovely AU early large cent.

Lot 2018.  1921-S Buffalo Nickel. MS-65+ (PCGS). A vividly toned Gem.

Lot 2066.  1911 Barber Quarter. JD-1. Rarity-3. Proof-68 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. A stunning Superb Gem from the Young-Dakota Collection.

Lot 2077. 1898 Barber Half Dollar. JD-1. Rarity-2. Proof-68 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. Jaw-dropping quality from the Young-Dakota Collection.

Lot 2096. 1841 Liberty Seated Dime. No Drapery (Drapery Removed). JD-1, Fortin-101. Rarity-8. Proof-67+ (NGC). CAC. The finer of just two Proof 1841 No Drapery dimes, an important transitional issue from the Newman Collection.

Lot 2157. 1795 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-51, B-14. Rarity-2. Off-Center Bust. AU-58 (PCGS). A PQ near-Mint example.

Lot 2163.  1838 Gobrecht Silver Dollar. Name Removed. Cabinet Coin Restrike. Judd-84, Pollock-93, JD-2. Rarity-6. Silver. Reeded Edge. Die Alignment III. Proof-63 (PCGS). CMQ. Ex Korein Collection, being sold for the benefit of the American Numismatic Society.

Lot 2164.  1839 Gobrecht Silver Dollar. Name Removed. Cabinet Coin Restrike. Judd-104, Pollock-116. Rarity-4. Silver. Reeded Edge. Die Alignment IV. Proof-64 (NGC). A rare high grade 1839 J-104.

Lot 2165.  1839 Gobrecht Silver Dollar. Name Removed. Cabinet Coin Restrike. Judd-105 Restrike, Pollock-117. Rarity-7-. Silver. Plain Edge. Die Alignment III. Proof-65 (PCGS). CMQ. The Lohr-Miles-Blue Moon Collection coin.

Lot 2216.  1885 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-5. Proof-65 Deep Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. Phenomenal Gem quality.

Lot 2227. 1879 Four-Dollar Gold Stella. Coiled Hair. Judd-1639, Pollock-1839. Rarity-7-. Copper. Reeded Edge. Proof-64 BN (PCGS). OGH Rattler. Very rare 1879 Coiled Hair Stella in Copper.

Lot 2240.  1868 Liberty Head Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-7-. Proof-64 (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. Exceedingly rare near-Gem 1868 Proof $10.

Lot 2245. 1907 Indian Eagle. Wire Rim, Periods. Judd-1901, Pollock-1995. Rarity-3. Raised Stars on Edge. MS-65 (PCGS). A breathtaking Gem.

Lot 2262. 1857-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. Variety-20A. Spiked Shield. MS-67 (PCGS). CAC. With One Pinch of California Gold Dust. SS Central America Label. A Superb Gem Recovered from the famed S.S. Central America shipwreck.

Lot 2281. 1904 Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-67 (PCGS). Tied for finest graded.

Lot 2304.  1878 Pattern Quarter Eagle. Judd-1566, Pollock-1756. Rarity-8+. Gold. Reeded Edge. Proof-66 Cameo (CACG). The unique J-1566 with extensive provenance.

Session 3 and Session 4 feature federal coinage across all series, with many great coins in all price points. Session 3 starts with early federal copper coins (half cents and large cents) and continues through half dollars. Session 4 picks up at early silver dollars and continues through gold, commemoratives, patterns, and territorial issues.

Session 5 offers 122 lots of Physical Cryptocurrency, including many popular issues, both loaded and unloaded. Session 6 and Session 7 are the Online Only Sessions, and together feature nearly 1,900 lots, ranging from medals and tokens to double eagles and modern issues. Many fantastic, fresh-to-the-market items will cross the block, so these sessions are not to be missed.

To view these highlights and the rest of the June 2026 Showcase Auction, please visit www.stacksbowers.com. To consign to a future auction, email consign@stacksbowers.com or call your favorite consignment specialist.

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 90+ 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 D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Joel R. Anderson Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection, The Sydney F. Martin Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few.

World coin and currency collections include The Pinnacle Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Salton Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, the Augustana Collection of gold rarities from across western Europe, the Richard Margolis Collection of world coins and medals, and The Thos. H. Law Collection. Recently, the firm was awarded the privilege of bringing the most valuable world coin collection to auction – the L. E. Bruun Collection.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, which is also the location of Griffin Studios, the firm’s custom-built, broadcast-ready auction and event facility. In addition, the company has galleries in New York, Boston, Miami, and Philadelphia, as well as offices in New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Paris, and Vancouver. Stack’s Bowers Galleries hosts a Global Showcase each summer as an Event Auctioneer Partner of the ANA World’s Fair of Money, a sale that features United States coins and currency, Ancient coins and World coins and currency. They are also the Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic events, including the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Spring, Summer, and Winter Expos, the Spring and Fall Hong Kong shows, and the Maastricht Paper Money shows.

The post Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ June 2026 Showcase Auction Offers Diverse Array of Rarities appeared first on Numismatic News.

The NumisMaster team has reviewed every single coin issued by Canada over the last quarter-century, totaling some 4,100 individual lines of data.

The review process began in earnest in mid-February and continued until late April. During that time, listings were scrutinized, and specifications were added or adjusted as needed. Pricing was added to the several hundred items issued in the last few years and reviewed and adjusted for the thousands of coins released since the turn of the last century.

The precious metals boom of 2025 necessitated the adoption of pricing formulas for so many commemorative coins whose prices were dependent upon the precious metal contained therein, instead of a fixed amount that, in the majority of cases, had not stayed caught up to the market.

In the case of the 2017 silver $20 “Pysanka” coin (designated KM 2430), the price increase from $90 to $400 was unrelated to the metals spike. Rather, it reflects how the market for Canada’s “Pysanka” coins has developed over the last decade. That may have been the first change in price in the database for the commemorative coin.

Pricing analyst Eugene Freeman concentrated on coins (and token issues) of the 1800s and 1900s, while I reviewed his entries and all issues from 2001 to date. Freeman completed his work in January and February, at which time I picked up the mantle and brought the project home. All of these changes and improvements were necessary in the course of regular workflow, but they will underpin a new initiative from Active Interest Media: print-on-demand books for world coin collectors.

The first international product will focus on America’s neighbor to the north, Canada. This book will cover every issue from Canada, from the provincial days of the mid-1800s to the coins issued in 2025, geared mostly for collectors.
This is all about ensuring that the database and resulting books are accurate and user-friendly, and we remain committed to continual growth and improvement in this and every country listing.

Jeff Starck can be reached at jstarck@aimmedia.com

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Editor’s Note: Reader Thomas Bown adds to the March 2026 Coin Clinic regarding Julius Caesar on coins: “Preceding him were two Roman generals, T. Quinctius Flamininus who issued coins bearing his own image after the defeat of Philip V of Macedon in 196 B.C. and probably Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus who, after capturing the mint at New Carthage in Spain in 209 B.C. had his portrait added to Carthaginian shekels bearing the typical Punic reverse of a horse and palm tree.”

I have .999 fine and sterling .925 fine silver. If I sell, why doesn’t the sterling silver go for about 0.92 times the spot price of pure silver?

Pure silver is .999 fine, making it convenient to melt as bullion. Sterling silver may contain near pure silver, but it has foreign metals with which it is mixed. It takes additional time, cost, and recovery processes to separate the silver from whatever other metals it has been mixed with from sterling.  

Can you explain what I should look for regarding eye appeal on a cleaned coin?

Eye appeal is in the eye of the beholder and is subjective. Once a coin has been cleaned, it may re-tone differently than one that has not. The toning will be the result of having exposed the coin to various environments. A problem with cleaned coins that have been toned is that the toning is either impacted by the cleaning or is accomplished artificially. This post-cleaning toning may have been done to disguise the cleaning. If you find a coin to be attractive, that is a plus regardless of whether that coin has been cleaned or not.

Are there coins that would likely improve by being cleaned?

There are coins whose appearance might be described as ugly, many times because of environmental exposure and subsequent unattractive toning. Bronze and copper coins found in the ground, including ancient as well as modern, require restoration to make them presentable for study, collectability, or commercial sale. Coins found in an archaeological context are often cleaned by professionals to learn more about the coins, the location they were found, the issuer, the issue date, and more.  

How difficult is it to receive coins in the United States that were purchased from coin dealers in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe?

It is challenging to import coins, regardless of whether they are U.S. or from Europe, due to tariffs and the Memorandum of Understanding. A Swiss auction house recently advised that the country of origin, the specific category of the coin, and the required documentation by law must all be considered. It has been suggested that buyers purchasing coins from overseas may want to arrange for the coins to be stored or to be shipped to an alternate address outside the United States. 

How can I decide if I want to consign my coins to an auction?

The potential resale value and possible audience that will be interested in a coin must be considered when consigning to an auction. The exposure the auction house has to the appropriate market must also be considered, as well as its location. Timing can be important; however, the market may change by the time of the auction. 

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We encourage you to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns at n@aimmedia.com.

2025 BND 1 issued by the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank. P 41.

2025 BND 5 issued by the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank. P 42.

2025 BND 10 issued by the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank. P 43.

2025 BND 100 issued by the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank. P 44.

2025 BND 500 issued by the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank. P 45.

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The 2026 American Eagle one-ounce gold Uncirculated coin, to be released not long after the Proof version was made available, features Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ iconic Walking Liberty design on the obverse. To commemorate the Semiquincentennial, this year’s edition also includes a special privy mark and the dual dates 1776-2026. The reverse shows the head of an eagle.

The $50 gold coin, minted in West Point and containing the matching mint mark, will be available to purchase from the mint on May 28, 2026.

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