Once again, Stack’s Bowers Galleries exceeded expectations with a tremendous showing at the 2016 Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo March 30 through April 6. When all was said and done, the total prices realized topped $13.5 million, well above presale estimates.
Part II of the Twin Leaf Collection of Middle and Late Date large cents opened the sale, and eager collectors bid with vigor in the auction gallery, on the telephone, and over the Internet. The Twin Leaf Collection was masterfully assembled over the course of several years and included numerous gem coppers of 1816-1857, with pedigrees in many instances that dated back to the 19th century. Among the highlights of the Twin Leaf Collection was lot 10192, a popular 1839/6 overdate graded by PCGS as AU-53 that brought $23,500.
On Thursday morning, a small but important grouping of exonumia was sold, with numerous scarce Assay Commission medals, rare Hard Times tokens, and a pair of desirable Indian Peace medals crossing the block. Lot 12012, an 1857 James Buchanan Indian Peace medal, large size in silver, realized $19,975.
Thursday evening brought the Rarities Night Session to the stage, in which a seemingly endless run of world-class coins delighted the audience. Several lots exceeded the six-figure mark, among them, the finest known 1799 eagle, a PCGS-graded MS-66 approved by CAC that was new to the auction marketplace. The bids were strong and the coin sold for a resounding $493,500.
The auction sessions on Friday, April 1 were also jam-packed with high-quality offerings. The highlight of the day was lot 17395, a significant Mint State 1884-S Morgan silver dollar condition rarity, graded MS-62 by PCGS that sold for $17,625.
Innumerable collector-quality coins abounded in the company’s Internet-only sessions that were sold April 4-6, with strong hammer prices being the rule, rather than the exception.
Other highlights of the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo include:
Lot 12011 1837 Martin Van Buren Indian Peace Medal. Second Size. Silver. Very Fine. Part of a sizable offering of Indian Peace medals in the auction, this elusive awarded example displayed attractive, even wear and sold for $18,800.
Lot 12052 1945 U.S. Assay Commission medal. Bronze. MS-66 (NGC). With 30 Assay Commission medals offered in the sale, results were expected to be strong and excitement was evident in the auction room. One of the most attractive issues in the Assay Commission series had tremendous action from the opening bid until the final hammer fell realizing a resounding $11,162.50.
Lot 13035 1926-S Buffalo nickel. MS-65+ (NGC). This beautiful example of the rarest Buffalo nickel in Mint State, with exquisite satin luster and gorgeous iridescent toning realized $41,125.
Lot 13053 1825/4/(2) Capped Bust quarter. MS-66+ (NGC). This piece, among the finest known of this popular overdate, exceeded expectations at $30,550.
Lot 13085 1895-O Barber half dollar. Specimen-66 (NGC). This enigmatic piece from the Fossil Creek Collection offered a unique look and exceptionally defined devices. Collectors were enthusiastic in their bidding and the dust finally settled at $32,900.
Lot 13092 1795 Draped Bust silver dollar. MS-63+ (PCGS). This immensely popular type coin featured Choice Mint State quality and undeniably beautiful toning. It certainly didn’t disappoint when it crossed the block at $117,500.
Lot 13099 1802 Draped Bust silver dollar. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC. This early dollar had an illustrious pedigree that included Edgar H. Adams, “Colonel” E.H.R. Green, and F.C.C. Boyd. Indisputably original, collectors showed their approval, driving it to a final price of $64,625.
Lot 13156 1808 Capped Head Left quarter eagle. MS-61 (PCGS). This example of a classic U.S. type coin attracted plenty of attention. When the hammer finally dropped, everyone was surprised at the final price – $233,250 – nearly double the presale estimate.
Lot 13170 1915 Indian quarter eagle. Proof-67 (PCGS). Sandblast Proofs are always in demand, particularly at the Gem level and above, and this coin sold for a strong $50,525.
Lot 13234 1876-S Liberty double eagle. MS-65 (NGC). From the centennial year of the U.S. this impressive Type II double eagle is among only a small group of known Gems for the issue. Its rarity was not lost on bidders who ensured it commanded an impressive $94,000.
All lot descriptions and images for the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore March Expo can be viewed online on the firm’s website, StacksBowers.com or in the printed catalog. For more information call (949) 253-0916 or email [email protected].
