By Stack’s Bowers ……
The Stack’s Bowers December Collectors Choice sale is now online – check out StacksBowers.com to view over 450 lots of U.S. Coins and Currency. As a special holiday promotion, we are offering you FREE SHIPPING within the United States on all orders totaling $500 or more before shipping or taxes. This offer only applies to our December 2018 Collectors Choice Sale.
The auction features nearly $450,000 of material and 89% of the sale is unreserved. The auction closes live with an auctioneer on our website and mobile app on December 19, beginning with our U.S. Currency Session at 9 AM PDT, followed by our U.S. Coin Session at 11 AM PDT.
Lot viewing is available by appointment only in our California offices, December 17-18, 2018.
Currency highlights include:
- 90004 T-64. Confederate Currency. 1864 $500. PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58.
- 90024 Fr. 1700. 1933 $10 Silver Certificate. PCGS Currency Very Fine 25.
- 90034 Fr. 2211-B. 1934 LGS $1,000 Federal Reserve Note. New York. PCGS Currency New 62.
- 90035 Fr. 2211-Ilgs. 1934 $1000 Federal Reserve Note. Minneapolis. PMG Choice Uncirculated 63.
- 90047 Fr. 2083-F. 1996 $20 Federal Reserve Note. Atlanta. PCGS Currency Very Choice New 64 PPQ. Pre-Face Print Foldover.
- 90059 Riverside, California. $5 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 600. The NB. Charter #8377. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ.
Featured coin highlights include:
- 91012 1796 Draped Bust Cent. Reverse of 1797. MS-64 BN (PCGS). CAC.
- 91046 1955 Lincoln Cent. Doubled Die Obverse. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.
- 91075 1883 Liberty Head Nickel. With CENTS. MS-66+ (PCGS). CAC.
- 91149 1875-S Twenty-Cent Piece. MS-65 (PCGS). Gold Shield Holder.
- 91157 1936-D Washington Quarter. MS-63 (NGC).
- 91161 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. Two Leaves. EF-40 (PCGS).
- 91170 1838 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Reeded Edge. HALF DOL. MS-64 (PCGS).
- 91211 1841 Liberty Seated Silver Dollar. MS-61 (NGC).
- 91218 1880 Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-66+ (PCGS). CAC.
- 91286 1873 Gold Dollar. Close 3. MS-64 (NGC).
- 91289 1846-O Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. AU-55 (NGC).
- 91302 1854-O Three-Dollar Gold Piece. EF-40 (NGC).
- 91331 1856-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-62 (PCGS).
- 91335 1875-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-62+ (PCGS). CAC. Gold Shield Holder.
- 91340 MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Wire Rim. MS-63 (PCGS).
- 91353 1936-S Columbia, South Carolina Sesquicentennial. MS-67 (NGC). CAC.
Choice AU 1848-D $5 Liberty Head
The 1848-D Liberty Head half eagle has one the lowest mintages of the denomination at the Dahlonega Mint in the 1840s. Just 47,465 examples were struck, amounting to nearly 17,000 fewer half eagles than were produced the year before. Though it was once considered to be somewhat common in the context of Dahlonega issues, modern research and population reports have identified the 1848-D $5 as a truly important coin. Series specialist Doug Winter calls the issue “scarce and undervalued” and “one of the most difficult half eagles to locate with good eye appeal.” Only about 180 examples are known, and the majority of these are in grades of Extremely Fine and below. It becomes a considerable condition rarity in Choice AU and Mint State, with just about 10 Uncirculated coins known through MS-63.
Our December 2019 Collectors Choice Online Auction will feature a significant AU-55 (NGC) example from this desirable Dahlonega mintage, ranking in the top 25 examples certified by NGC. It displays exceptional eye appeal and outstanding surface quality. It is free from distracting blemishes and harbors considerable luster. The center is dominated by rich yellow-gold coloration and is accented by deep honey hues in the peripheries. It is a beautiful and choice example that will draw serious attention from half eagle and Dahlonega specialists alike.
Proof-67+ Cam (PCGS) CAC 1950 Franklin Half Dollar
The Proof 1950 Franklin half dollar represents a significant challenge for advanced specialists of the series. This issue marks the first time the Mint had struck Proof half dollars since 1942, a mintage of 51,386, which would remain the smallest Proof mintage of the series. Many problems plagued the production of Proof halves that year, resulting in overall low quality. Dies were employed long past their ideal striking capacity and many coins display shallow mirrors, incomplete frosting, and soft definition. Additionally, storage for extended periods in Mint-issued packaging often resulted in stained or damaged surfaces.
As a result, well struck, high-grade Proof 1950 Franklin half dollar are remarkably elusive. The example featured in lot 91190 of our December Collectors Choice Online auction is an incredible rarity among survivors, certified Proof-67+ Cameo (PCGS) and approved by CAC. It is tied with just two other examples as the finest certified in this category. Series specialist Rick Tomaska calls examples in this grade “excessively rare” and notes that finding one with superior surfaces “has proven to be almost an impossibility.” Serious collectors will surely realize the immense opportunity offered by this coin.
We hope you participate in our last auction of 2018. Thank you to all who have consigned and bid with us throughout the year. We look forward to an exciting 2019 auction season.
