Category Archives: Baltimore Expo

Whitman Coin Expo in Baltimore Showcases Rare Collectibles and Key Numismatic Pieces

Whitman Coin Expo, one of the nation’s leading coin and collectible shows, returns to the Baltimore Convention Center November 9-11, 2023, offering attendees unparalleled access to more than 1,000 expert dealers and the chance to explore the world of coin collecting or numismatics.

Open to the public at no cost with a valid photo ID, Whitman Expo is the definitive space for buying, selling, and trading treasured paper money and coins. Independent dealers will guide visitors, helping them understand the value of their paper money, coins, and collectibles.

This year’s expo will feature an appearance by the Honorable Ventris C. Gibson, 40th Director of the United States Mint (Mint), who will be taking part in the opening ceremonies and will be available at the Mint booth on November 9. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to purchase Mint products, view designs for the 2024 American Women Quarters™ Program, and learn more about the 2024 Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program and the 2024 Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Program, providing a sneak peek into future numismatic releases from the Mint.

With a special focus on nurturing the next generation of collectors, the Whitman Expo includes a Kid’s Korner. Children between the ages of 6 to 12 can dive into fun-filled activities like ‘Fill Your Album,’ embark on a ‘Coin Grab’ challenge, and showcase their artistic side with ‘Coin Coloring.’ Plus, every participating child will receive a goodie bag with select collectibles.

“We’re thrilled to bring the magic of numismatics to Baltimore once again,” says Lori Kraft, general manager of Whitman Expos. “The Whitman Coin Expo is more than just a convention. It’s a bridge that connects history, art, and community. We invite everyone, from curious beginners to seasoned collectors, to come and explore this fascinating world with us.”

Partnering with the esteemed auction house Stack’s Bowers Galleries, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Winter Expo will feature an exclusive rarities auction.

Among the highlights are rare coins from the collection of famed Baltimorean Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., once known as the ‘King of Coins.’ These incredibly rare and high-quality United States and World coins were retained or reacquired by the family as personal favorites when most of the collection crossed the block in several different auction events decades ago. They include:

  • Undated (ca. 1616) Sommer Islands Sixpence with Large Portholes (EF-45, PCGS): Of the 19 known examples of this variety, the majority are secured in institutional collections, making this exceptional piece a singular attraction for private collectors.
  • 1853-O Liberty Seated, No Arrows Half Dollar (Fine-12, PCGS): As the second finest of just four known examples, this rarity’s lineage can be traced back to its discovery by a Chicago trolley car conductor in 1909. It has since passed through the esteemed collections of various numismatists, including Baltimore banker Louis Eliasberg, Sr.
  • 1855 Kellogg & Co. $50 (Proof-63 Cameo, PCGS) CMQ-X: Known as the “King of Territorial Gold,” this Gold Rush era specimen has a storied pedigree dating back to Augustus Humbert. With only 14 known examples today, this item is a centerpiece of numismatic excellence.
  • 1860 Clark, Gruber & Co. “Mountain $20” (AU-55, PCGS) CMQ-X: This Choice AU specimen, representing one of the finest of this rare type, features a distinctive image of Pikes Peak, making it a must-see for collectors.
  • 1907 Baker City, Oregon Two-Ounce Gold Ingot (PCGS Genuine holder): With an estimated mintage of only 100 and likely only five or six traceable examples today, this piece stands as a testament to the rarity and allure of numismatics.

We’ll Be In Baltimore!

Save the dates for BALTIMORE in 2024!

The Whitman Baltimore Expo will be hitting the town: March 21-23, 2024, June 13-15, 2024 and November 14-16, 2024 in the usual halls of the Baltimore Convention Center.

Bitcoins and Physical Cryptocurrency Featured in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Spring 2023 Auction

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to announce the Physical Cryptocurrency Session of their Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring Expo. This is Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ first crypto offering since their historic Cryptocurrency Anniversary sale in November 2022, an event that pushed the firm’s total prices realized in this category above $2 million . The Spring 2023 sale is currently available for viewing and pre-sale bidding at StacksBowers.com; live bidding for the Cryptocurrency session will begin on March 24 at 2PM PDT / 5PM EDT. Winning bidders may pay their invoices with Bitcoin via BitPay for a 1% fee after authorization by Stack’s Bowers Galleries prior to the sale.

This crypto session marks the largest ever live auction offering in this category, with 302 lots including 168 Loaded with cryptocurrency and 134 Non-Loaded . These coins span the Bitcoin , Litecoin , Monero , Dogecoin , ViaCoin , and BitCore cryptocurrencies and encompass the most popular series including Casascius , Lealana , BTCC , Alpen Coin , Bitcoin Penny Co. , Crypto Imperator , Denarium , 1HoDLCLUB , Microsoul , MoonBits , NastyFans , Satori , Titan Mint , and many others.

Of particular note is a pair of special Pattern, or Prototype, sets offered from the Lealana Archives . Included is a matched six-coin set of Pattern 2013 Lealana Bitcoins and a five-coin set of Pattern 2013 Lealana Litecoins , all marked with Serial Number 155. These sets showcase a variety of experimental finishes and features that did not appear on official production coinage until recent years.

Additional offerings from the Lealana series include several very rare varieties of the silver 0.1 BTC , 0.25 BTC , and 0.5 BTC denominations, an incredible array of Litecoins , and a selection of the 2021 and 2022 “Bitcoin Cent” 0.01 BTC coins that have never before been offered in a live auction.

Casascius coins will always be prized as the foundational coins of this category and the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Spring 2023 auction features an impressive selection. Presented are several of the historic 2011 “CASACIUS ERROR” 1 BTC in Brass including an exceptional MS-66 (ANACS) example. Also featured are several Brass 0.5 BTC as well as an exceptional 0.1 BTC in silver graded MS-68 PL (ICG) .

Also offered is an exciting assortment of BTCC coins ranging from the popular 1K Bits “Poker Chips,” a stunning 500K Bits in Titanium , and a Proof-66 Deep Cameo (PCGS) 1 BTC in silver that marks the first of its type to appear at public auction.

The Non-Loaded category features several incredible rarities across the Unfunded, Redeemed, and Crypto-Themed types. It is important to note that many of the Unfunded pieces have intact security holograms and published Public Addresses, which makes them desirable as functional cold wallets for securely storing cryptocurrency offline. Among the rarities in the Non-Loaded category is a selection of Unfunded 2016 Lealana “ King Kam” 2 oz silver coins with special finishes, an Unfunded Titan Mint 1 BTC struck in 1oz of gold , rarities from the Bitcoin Penny Company series struck in gold, platinum and silver, and a pair of 2014 Casascius “St. Petersburg Bowl” Bitcoin-Themed silver medals, among many others.

For questions on the Spring 2023 Cryptocurrency Session or to consign your coins to a future auction, contact specialist James McCartney at JMcCartney@StacksBowers.com . Additional offerings of physical crypto will be presented in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries June 2023 and August 2023 auctions.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries to Sell the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of 1795 to 1804 $10 Gold Eagles

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce the sale of the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of 1795 to 1804 $10 Gold Eagles. Mr. Jacobson is only the third collector known to have completed this set by die marriage, joining the august company of Anthony J. Taraszka and the owner of the Tyrant Collection. Continue reading →

Stack’s Bowers Galleries Announces Part II of the Sydney F. Martin Collection Sale To Be Held Live in Baltimore at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo

Stack’s Bowers Galleries will present the second installment in the sale of the vast Sydney F. Martin Collection of early American coins, tokens, medals, and paper money in its October/November 2022 Showcase Auction, the official auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo and the C4 (Colonial Coin Collectors Club) Annual Convention. Continue reading →

Expanded Red Book, 76th Edition, Will Debut at the 2022 Whitman Baltimore Expo

Visitors to the March 31–April 2, 2022, Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo in Baltimore will have early access to the 2023 (76th) edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins (known to collectors as the “Red Book”). After its Expo debut this newest edition of the hobby’s best-selling reference will be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide. In the meantime, it can be preordered, including at Whitman.com and other online bookstores.

The 76th edition has been expanded to 472 pages. It prices nearly 8,000 entries in up to 9 grades each, with more than 32,000 retail valuations in total. It includes many new features and updated research, plus additions to the book’s 1,900-plus color photographs.

Senior Editor Jeff Garrett said, “Today’s rare-coin market is dominated by collectors, with an emphasis on quality. Auction records continue to be set for outstanding coins and ultra-rarities. Renewed interest in collectibles, financially flush consumers, and fear of inflation have all combined to spark demand across the board for most United States coinage. The 76th edition of the Red Book has more price increases than any in recent years.”

Screen Shot 2022-02-24 at 10.46.13 AMEditor Emeritus Kenneth Bressett has worked on the Red Book since 1959. He wrote about the first 75 years of its history in his memoir A Penny Saved: R.S. Yeoman and His Remarkable Red Book. “I pity anyone looking for auction bargains today!” Bressett said about the current coin market. “Choice coins seem to be high on everyone’s wish list. Condition and rarity prompt the most active bidding, and shocking prices. The stimulated activity has also caused price increases in many lower-grade pieces. Are prices too high? Probably not, even though the expanded competition might not last forever. Markets and collector interests have a habit of changing over the years, but seemingly always in an upward direction over any reasonable period of time. The old adage ‘The time to buy is when the piece you want becomes available’ is as true today as it has ever been. I see nothing but good times ahead.”

Research Editor Q. David Bowers calls the Red Book “the most useful single-volume reference a coin collector can add to their library.”

“Our print runs for the Red Book have sold out faster than normal in recent years,” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. “We see this increased demand as a measure of the hobby’s growth. The 25 millionth copy of the Red Book was sold in 2021, and strong demand continues in 2022.”

The 76th edition, with a cover date of 2023, will be available in formats including the classic red hardcover; the convenient spiralbound softcover that lies flat when opened; and the easy-to-read Large Print Edition.

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About the Guide Book of United States Coins

A Guide Book of United States Coins is the world’s most popular annual retail price guide for U.S. coins, tokens, and other numismatic items. More than 25 million copies have been purchased since 1946, making it one of the best-selling nonfiction titles in the history of U.S. book publishing.

For the 76th edition, more than 120 professional coin dealers, scholars, and other numismatic experts contributed their knowledge under the direction of Senior Editor Jeff Garrett, Research Editor Q. David Bowers, and Editor Emeritus Kenneth Bressett.

The 76th edition of the Red Book is available online and at bookstores and hobby shops nationwide. Whitman Publishing offers a Large Print Edition and two formats of the regular edition (hardcover and spiralbound softcover). Details about the eighth edition of the 1,504-page expanded Deluxe Edition, popularly known as MEGA RED™, will be available soon. For more information and to order, visit Whitman Publishing at www.Whitman.com.

Consign with Stack’s-Bowers for the Whitman Baltimore Spring Expo

Stack’s-Bowers Galleries’ Spring 2022 Showcase Auction, held in conjunction with the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo in Baltimore, will be marked by an incredible array of rarities across all categories.

An astounding collection of three-dollar gold pieces from the Huberman Collection serves as a major highlight, offered alongside Capped Bust and Liberty Seated half dollars from the Abigail Collection, Part II, an exciting selection of physical cryptocurrency, an exceptional group of Liberty Head and Carson City gold coinage, and much more.

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For questions about these rarities or to consign your numismatic items to this sale, please contact Stack’s Bowers Galleries at 800-566-2580 or email Consign@StacksBowers.com

Expo Lot Viewing: March 29-April 2, 2022 • Baltimore, MD

Auction Dates: April 5-8, 2022 • Costa Mesa, CA

CONSIGNMENT DEADLINE – U.S. Coins: February 11, 2022

Contact Us for More Information
949.253.0916 California
212.582.2580 New York
Consign@StacksBowers.com