Highlights of Bowers and Merena’s Baltimore Rarities Sale, which is prior to ANA World’s Fair of Money, include extraordinary 1866-S No Motto Liberty Double Eagle in NGC MS-60 and elusive 1808 Capped Bust Left Quarter Eagle in NGC MS-61
IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin auction house, will host their Baltimore Rarities Sale in July at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, just prior to the ANA World’s Fair of Money. The auction of nearly 1,300 lots will be presented on Saturday, July 26, with lot viewing scheduled for Thursday to Saturday, July 24-26, and lot pick-up on Sunday, July 27. The catalog includes approximately 1,100 coin and 200 currency lots.
At the top of the highlights list is an impressive 1866-S No Motto Liberty Double Eagle graded MS-60 by NGC. It is described as a High Condition Census example, one of only three Mint State examples known to PCGS and NGC, and the type of Mint State rarity that is not often available to collectors for purchase.
Although Winter and Crum were unaware of any Mint State examples of the 1866-S No Motto in numismatic circles, PCGS and NGC have since certified a few coins at that level. The total is limited to just three pieces, however, the finest of which grades only MS-61. Clearly a very rare coin from both absolute and condition standpoints, the BU example that Bowers and Merena is offering represents a fleeting bidding opportunity for the advanced collector of 19th century U.S. gold coinage.
Additional highlights of note include an 1808 Capped Bust Left Quarter Eagle, BD-1, HBCC-3017, the only known dies, Rarity-4, graded MS-61 by NGC. This is an elusive and significant One-Year Type, one of no more than 150 Capped Bust Left Quarter Eagles that are estimated to remain to meet the demand of both early gold specialists and type collectors, the latter group, in particular, representing an ever-growing segment of the numismatic market.
Also, notable is a lovely prooflike 1795 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle, Small Eagle, BD-8, HBCC-3041, Miller-10, Rarity-5+, graded MS-63 PL by NGC, a nice coin, and a rarer die pairing of this historically significant and extremely popular federal gold issue.
"Bowers and Merena just returned from a very successful June auction in Baltimore where we realized over $6.2 million, and there was already a lot of talk and enthusiasm among attendees to return to Baltimore in July," said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena.
"We have a fantastic selection of very special coin and currency lots and we are looking forward to presenting an exceptional rarities auction that serious collectors will really appreciate."
Additional coin highlights include
- 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel. FS-016.5. MS-64 (PCGS).
- 1796 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle. BD-2, HBCC-3002. Rarity-4. No Stars. AU-53 (NGC).
- 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar. BB-1, B-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. F-15 (PCGS).
- 1931-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-64 (PCGS).
- 1882 Haiku Plantation One Real Token. TE-15. MS-66 RB (PCGS).
- 1915 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. Proof-66 (NGC).
- 1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter. FS-008.5. MS-65 (NGC).
- 1912 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Proof-66 (NGC)
- 1892-S Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-63 (PCGS).
- 1920-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-62 (PCGS).
- 1885 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. Proof-66 Cameo (PCGS). CAC.
- 1818 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. BD-3, HBCC-3131, Miller-125. Rarity-5. 5D Over 50. MS-64 (NGC).
- 1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. $50 Gold. K-9. Rarity-5. AU-50 (PCGS).
- 1937-D Buffalo Nickel. FS-020.2. 3-Legged. MS-66 (NGC).
- 1797 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-72, B-2. Rarity-4. Stars 9×7, Small Letters. AU-50 (PCGS).
- 1798 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle. BD-2, HBCC-3006. Rarity-5. Wide Date. AU-58 (NGC).
- 1860 Clark, Gruber & Co. $10 Gold. K-3. Rarity-5. MS-61 (PCGS).
- 1859 Seated Liberty Silver Dollar. Proof-67 * (NGC).
- 1867 Shield Nickel. Rays. Proof-64 (PCGS). OGH (Old Green Holder).
- 1799 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-10, HBCC-3191, Taraszka-22. Rarity-3. Large Stars Obverse. MS-62 (PCGS).
- 1854 Gold Dollar. Type II. MS-65 (PCGS). OGH (Old Green Holder).
- 1825/’1′ Capped Head Left Half Eagle. BD-1, HBCC-3147, Miller-149. Rarity-5+. AU-58 (NGC).
- 1839 Gobrecht Silver Dollar. Name Omitted. Judd-104 Restrike, Pollock-116. Rarity-3. Proof-63 (NGC). Silver. Die Alignment IV.
- 1921-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar. MS-64 (NGC).
Currency highlights include
- Fr. 2407 1928 $500 Gold Certificate. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65EPQ.
- Fr. 1177. 1882 $20 Gold Certificate. PCGS Extremely Fine 40.
- Marquette, MI. $20 1902 Red Seal. The FNB. Charter #(M)390. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66EPQ.
- Fr. 753. 1918 $2 Federal Reserve Bank Note. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 67EPQ.
- Fr. 364. 1891 $5 Treasury Note. PCGS Superb Gem New 67PPQ.
- Carrollton, IL. $5 1875. Fr. 404. The Greene County NB. Charter #2390. PMG About Uncirculated 55
All lots and images in the Bowers and Merena Baltimore Rarities Sale will be viewable online by early-July at www.bowersandmerena.com, and printed catalogs are available upon request by calling 800.458.4646.
Pre-auction bids are welcome at www.bowersandmerena.com; by e-mail at auction@bowersandmerena.com; by phone at 800.458.4646; by fax at 949.253.4091; and by postal mail addressed to Bowers and Merena, Baltimore Rarities July 2008, 18061 Fitch, Irvine, CA, 92614.
Interested bidders are also encouraged to bid in-person at the live auction on Saturday, July 26, 2008, or live online through the Bowers and Merena website. A complete auction and lot viewing schedule is available at www.bowersandmerena.com or by calling 800.458.4646.
About Bowers and Merena Auctions
Bowers and Merena Auctions was founded in 1983 and has grown to become the world’s preeminent numismatic auctioneer with more than half a billion dollars in rare coin and currency sales. Bowers and Merena has handled four of the five most valuable United States coin collections ever sold, including the Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. Collection, the Harry W. Bass Jr. Collection, the Garrett Collection for The Johns Hopkins University, and the Norweb Collection.
For more information about Bowers and Merena and the Baltimore Rarities Sale in July, call 800.458.4646. For media inquiries, ask for president Steve Deeds. Complete prices realized for all past auctions are available at www.bowersandmerena.com.
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