IRVINE, Calif. — Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, presented the Official Pre-show Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Philadelphia Expo on September 22, 2009. The two-session auction realized $2,520,460.
"Philadelphia was a wonderful choice for this Whitman show and Bowers and Merena’s pre-show auction," said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena.
"The city is so rich in American history which lends itself to the real nature of what we do in numismatics, and we were very fortunate to be able to present an extensive selection of rare Colonial and Early Federal Era coinage that was very much in keeping with this historic theme. The turnout was great and we are very pleased with our results."
A highpoint of the day came early with lot 15, an undated (circa 1659) Lord Baltimore Shilling graded MS-61 by PCGS, the Eliasberg Specimen, which realized an impressive $57,500. A definite highlight of the extensive Colonial-era coinage that Bowers and Merena offered in the sale, this Lord Baltimore Shilling is the highest graded by PCGS and may very well be the finest-known example of the type.
Additional auction highlights include
| Lot 12 | 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony Pine Tree Shilling. Large Planchet. W-740, Noe-8, Crosby 1b-D. URS-9.Monogrammed NE in Legend. MS-64 (PCGS). | $43,700 |
| Lot 15 | Undated (Circa 1659) Lord Baltimore Shilling. W-1080, Hodder -1A, Breen-64. URS-6. Large Portrait, MARIAE. MS-61 (PCGS). | $57,500 |
| Lot 23 | 1787 Immune Columbia Copper Pattern. W-5680, Breen-1137. URS-8. IMMUNIS COLUMBIA, Large Eagle Reverse, Plain Edge, Narrow Planchet. MS-64 BN (PCGS). | $25,300 |
| Lot 40 | 1818 New Spain (Texas) Jola. W-8542, Breen-1082. URS-6. Large Planchet. AU-58 (PCGS). | $28,750 |
| Lot 41 | 1820 North West Company Token. W-9250, Breen-1083. URS-9. Brass. VF-25 (PCGS). | $8,050 |
| Lot 135 | 1922 No D Lincoln Cent. FS-401 (FS-013.2), Die Pair II. Strong Reverse. MS-64 BN (NGC). | $30,018 |
| Lot 611 | Fr. 304. 1908 $10 Silver Certificate. PCGS Superb Gem New 67PPQ. | $17,710 |
| Lot 1709 | 1926-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-65 (PCGS). | $25,300 |
Prices realized for all lots in the Bowers and Merena Official Pre-show Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Philadelphia Expo are available online at www.bowersandmerena.com.
Bowers and Merena’s next auction will be the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo held November 10-14, 2009, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Complete lot viewing and auction schedules will be posted at www.bowersandmerena.com, and U.S. and World catalogs will be available in print and online by late October.
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. They have been awarded the prestigious honor of Official Auctioneer for the 2009 American Numismatic Association Conventions in Portland and Los Angeles, in addition to their continued service as Official Auctioneer of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Conventions three times every year.
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. In 2008, Bowers and Merena Auctions acquired Ponterio & Associates, Inc., which now serves as Bowers and Merena’s auction division for world and ancient coins and currency. Bowers and Merena Rare Coin Galleries offers direct buying and selling of exceptional quality gold and silver rare coins.
For more information about Bowers and Merena’s Official Pre-show Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Philadelphia Expo in September, 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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