Listed in the auction catalog as 1907 Judd-1903 (Judd-1775), Pollock-1997, Rarity-5, Rolled Edge, it is described as “a bright, satiny piece” with a strike that is “characteristic of the issue, meaning that it is bold-to-sharp elsewhere yet noticeably soft in the center of the obverse.” The example boasts a Condition Census MS-67 Grade from NGC with a combined PCGS and NGC Population of just 6, 0 finer.

“This is one of only 42 potential examples to have survived the melting of the issue at the Philadelphia Mint, and three of these survivors are known to be in the Smithsonian Institution,” said Steve Deeds, President of Bowers and Merena (www.bowersandmerena.com). “It is very infrequent for any of these remaining specimens to appear at auction, so we fully appreciate how special it is to be able to present coin this coin to our bidding audience.”

The unique specimen striking of the 1854 Kellogg & Co. $20 Gold coin is graded PCGS Specimen-69 and is described in the auction catalog as “possessed of awe-inspiring eye appeal” with a strike that “is 100 percent complete over all the elements of the design.”

“This is the single most important twenty-dollar gold piece issued by Kellogg & Co.,” said Deeds. “It was struck on February 9, 1854, and given by John Glover Kellogg to Augustus Humbert, his friend and future business partner. It later was a highlight of the legendary Garrett Collection at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore for decades.”

The auction also includes other rare or even unique United States proof and pattern coins with impressive numismatic pedigrees. (more…)

[ Editors Note: For an in depth profile on the 1870-S Half Dime, Read Greg Reynold’s Article in CoinLink’s Coin Guide ]

“The collections are known as ‘The Law Collections,’ named after the anonymous ‘Law Collector,’ a New Jersey hobbyist who sold the coins to us for $2.2 million,” said Laura Sperber, President and Founder of Legend.

“We then sold both sets intact to a Western states collector who told me he would like to exhibit the 1870-S and other coins from his extensive collection, perhaps at an ANA convention next year.”

“The buyer is especially excited about the mint state Liberty Seated half dimes because they will compliment his collection of proof half dimes,” Sperber explained.

The Law Collections of half dimes comprised a total of six different categories that are each ranked number one in the PCGS Set Registry:

* Capped Bust Half Dimes Basic Set, Circ. Strikes, 1829-1837 (with a weighted grade point average of 67.20);
* Capped Bust Half Dimes with Varieties, Circulation Strikes, 1829-1837 (66.091 GPA);
* Liberty Seated Half Dimes Date Set, Circulation Strikes, 1837-1873 (66.06 GPA);
* Liberty Seated Half Dimes Basic Set, Circulation Strikes, 1837-1873 (65.03 GPA);
* Liberty Seated Half Dimes with Varieties, Circulation Strikes, 1837-1873 (65.07 GPA); and
* Liberty Seated Half Dimes with Varieties & 1870-S, Circulation Strikes, 1837-1873 (65.03 GPA).

This is the only complete set of Liberty Seated half dimes possible since it includes the unique 1870-S, the only coin not in the legendary Eliasberg Collection.

Baltimore banker Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. assembled virtually one example of everything struck by the United States before his death in 1976. The 1870 San Francisco Mint half dime was not discovered until 1978 when it was reported to the hobby by Rare Coin Company of America (Rarcoa) in Chicago.

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Up to now, CAC membership has been open only to dealers, and collectors wishing to submit their coins to the company have had to do so through member dealers.

The change reflects growing awareness throughout the hobby of CAC’s role in the marketplace, according to John Albanese, founder and president of the New Jersey-based company. It also is intended to simplify the submission process for collectors who might have found it difficult to make arrangements through dealers.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to submit their coins to us,” Albanese said. “At the same time, we don’t want them making costly mistakes, so we want to be sure they fully understand the submission process before they send us their coins.

“In particular, we want to be sure that they’re thoroughly familiar with how to send coins, including how to ship them through private carriers.”

CAC experts examine coins previously certified by either the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America (NGC). CAC then affixes a distinctive green sticker to the holder of each coin which, in its judgment, fully merits the grade that was assigned. Each sticker incorporates a tamper-resistant hologram.

The authenticity of CAC-stickered coins can be confirmed by going to the company’s Internet Web site, www.caccoin.com, and entering each coin’s serial number in the Verification Search form as directed. (more…)

The Barber Dimes: a representation of maturity that is often overlooked in the ever-changing rare coin market of the 21st century. The market is sorely in need of this reference that provides a study of all the critical aspects of this series.

Many collectors and investors have eagerly awaited a publication on Barber Dimes. To help expand numismatic knowledge and increase the understanding and appreciation for this series Jeff Ambio wrote his book Collecting & Investing Strategies for Barber Dimes.

Jeff Ambio is a widely read numismatic author. His writings and articles are credited with groundbreaking work in the field and have appeared in numerous publications. Collecting & Investing Strategies for Barber Dimes is the first comprehensive book published on this important series in nearly 10 years.

“My latest addition to this series, dedicated to Barber Dimes, examines each proof and business strike issue in exhaustive detail. It is the definitive reference on this series and is applicable whether you are searching for a single example to add to a type set or desire to assemble the finest Barber Dime set that money can buy.” –Jeff Ambio

Including mintage figures, rarity rankings, important varieties, a detailed physical analysis of each coin, and significant examples, this new release will enhance the numismatic industry by updating and informing collectors on the Barber Dime series.

Collecting & Investing Strategies for Barber Dimes is scheduled for release August 2009. Please call if you wish to request additional information. His book will be available online at www.amazon.com and www.zyruspress.com.
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“This show promises to be the most spectacular numismatic event you’ll ever see,” said ANA President Barry Stuppler. “The exhibits will be the ANA’s best ever, the educational programs and events offer something for everyone, the dealer activity will be high, and the host city ensures great attendance and an exciting atmosphere.”

The Museum Showcase makes its inaugural appearance in Los Angeles, and will be a centerpiece of the convention. Among the rarities on display will be 20 coins from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collection, including the first (1849 pattern) and last (1933) double eagles ever produced, as well as a 1907 Saint-Gaudens ultra high relief pattern that President Theodore Roosevelt gave his daughter Ethel as a Christmas gift in 1907.

Also featured from the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum and private collections are the finest known – and possibly first minted – 1794 silver dollar; America’s first gold coin, the EB-on-breast Brasher Doubloon; an 1879 gold pattern four dollar “Stella”; four of the five known world-famous Liberty Head nickels; and a rare, 490-year-old original copy of the first illustrated, printed numismatic book, Illustrium Imagines (”Images of the Illustrious”). (more…)

Key works from this magnificent library will be sold at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City in conjunction with the New York International Numismatic Convention this coming January. The profusely illustrated catalogue will be arranged in two parts: rare and classic works on American coins, medals, and tokens, and key works on ancient, medieval, and modern numismatics. Copies of the catalogue may be reserved by sending $35.00 to George Frederick Kolbe, P. O. Drawer 3100, Crestline, CA 92325. Telephone: (909) 338-6527; Fax: (909) 338-6980; Email: GFK@numislit.com. The catalogue will also be accessible free of charge several weeks before the sale at the firm’s web site: www.numislit.com. (more…)

It was Richard Martineit’s good fortune to be at that auction in October, 2007, where more than 1500 lots were sold in two days. One that caught his eye was lot 1597, a group of 13 coins in a box labeled “Roman & Ancient pieces.” It contained a variety of silver and base metal coins issued from the 3rd Century B.C. to the 11th Century A.D. Highlights included a Roman silver denarius of 41 B.C. with the portraits of warlords Marc Antony and Octavian, and three coins struck by Greek and Roman rulers of Egypt.

Seeking proper identifications and grading, Martineit sent his coins to NGC Ancients, a branch of the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) dedicated to coins of the ancient world. On his submission form, the last three coins were described by the submitter as issues of the Byzantine Empire. Each had an image of Christ on the obverse and an inscription on the reverse. It was soon discovered that only two of them were Byzantine, and one in fact was Armenian.

The prize coin was an Armenian bronze follis of “Kiurike the Kouropalates” from the 10th or 11th Century A.D. Modeled after contemporary coins of the Byzantine Empire, it belongs to the first coinage with Armenian inscriptions. Martineit’s example is perhaps the finest of the 19 known, and its inscription has an unusual arrangement that until now may not have been documented.

“Even through I owned that box lot for 15 months I never looked at the three coins I identified as Byzantine until I mailed them to NGC,” Martineit says. “In fact, I bought the lot for the other coins and I was not going to send in those three coins until I realized I could never find a value for them until I knew what they were. So I added them to the submission at the last minute.”

As it turns out, one of these three coins was a hidden treasure. (more…)

The standout highlight of the auction was lot 757, an 1876-CC Twenty-Cent Piece in PCGS AU-58 with a fascinating history, which realized $207,000. Believed to be one of perhaps just 12 to 20 examples known, this specimen was acquired in Virginia City, Nev., by Gold Rush “Forty-Niner” John Seagraves Pick and has been kept in the Pick/Jurgensen family for the last 133 years. As a PCGS AU-58, this important piece is the only circulated 1876-CC Twenty-Cent piece known to PCGS and NGC. It was also previously certified AU-58 by ANACS from a submission that dates to the early 1990s.

“We are very pleased with the results of the auction. We offered some exceptional coin and currency rarities, and presenting the 1876-CC Pick/Jurgensen Twenty-Cent Piece to the numismatic community for the first time ever was a memorable and historic highlight that I am very proud of,” said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena. “Whitman Expos put on an outstanding convention that was well attended by serious coin collectors, and it was our pleasure to be the official Baltimore auctioneer once again. And as we continue as the official Baltimore auctioneer, I am very excited to announce that with our next Baltimore auction in November, we will present a full day of world coin and currency sessions that will be presented by our world division, Ponterio & Associates.” (more…)

The ANA is a Congressionally-chartered, 32,000-member nonprofit association, and is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating and encouraging people to study and collect money and related items.

CFC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc., which conducts Spectrum Group International’s trading operations, provides loans to dealers, collectors and traders in the rare coin and bullion market. These loans, which are offered on monthly, six-month or one-year terms with an origination fee, are secured by the coin and bullion assets of the borrower, whether part of the investor’s collection or in the dealer’s inventory. CFC also provides loans against coins that are in the process of being independently certified for authenticity and grade by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). CFC offers final loan amounts – ranging from $25,000 to over $5 million – of up to 70 percent of the collateral value of coin assets, and 90 percent of the collateral value of bullion assets, based on its in-house expert valuations of the collateral.

Greg Roberts, President and CEO of Spectrum Group International, Inc., commented, “The price volatility of precious metals continues to fuel greater interest in rare-coin collecting and bullion trading. With our experience in collateral lending, we formed CFC to meet the growing demand for capital to fund the investment in rare coins and bullion.”

Mr. Roberts continued, “Currently, CFC offers competitive lending rates to dealers and traders, and we have expanded these lending services to individual collectors through our dealer relationships and our renewed relationship with the ANA.” (more…)

One of the many highlights is an 1870 $100 Gold National Bank Note, San Francisco Charter #1741, The First National Gold Bank (Fr. 1162), graded PMG Fine 12 Net (restorations).

“This classic rarity is one of only eight notes of this type in private hands, and one of three of this Friedberg number. Those others are in strong hands and not likely to become available in the foreseeable future. In fact, only three examples have been offered for public sale in the last decade and the latest example, nearly identical to this one, sold for $258,700 in 2007,” said Steve Deeds, President of Bowers and Merena (www.BowersandMerena.com).

“With collectors holding tightly to the others, we’re not sure when there will be another opportunity to acquire such a rare and elusive note.”

Three other 1870 National Gold Bank Charter #1741 notes are also being offered, $5 (Fr. 1136) PMG VF 30, $10 (Fr. 1142) PCGS Apparent VF 30, and $20 (Fr. 1172) PMG Very Good 10 Net. (more…)