Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ November Baltimore official currency auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Winter Expo has opened online for bidding and the auction catalogs have been mailed. Bidders will find a varied offering of 839 lots across multiple categories of U.S. currency. Continue reading
Welcome to Baltimore!
Welcome to our November sale with the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo—a numismatic tradition that dates back into the last century. Three times a year—in March, June, and November—collectors, dealers, and others converge on Baltimore for several days of numismatic immersion and fun. For many years Baltimore has been voted by dealers as America’s favorite coin convention city. This honor is justly deserved. The Baltimore-Washington International Airport is modern and is more hassle-free than most. It is just a half hour ride from downtown, where the Convention Center and Inner Harbor district beckon. Fine hotels (all the leading marques are there) and fine dining also await you.
The Stack’s Bowers Galleries staff will have our famous (and figurative) red carpet rolled out for you! Can we help with any aspect of our auction? Answer questions? Assist in any other way? We’re here for you.
Front Row, Center in the Sale
The Expo will be the site for the annual convention of the Colonial Coin Collectors Club—a fine organization that is leading edge in research, news of current finds, sponsoring the publication of books, and more. A large section of our sale will include fine early American coins and medals that are among this club’s specialties.
Early American medals, including Betts medals, from the John W. Adams Collection will attract wide attention and will be forever remembered. John is a very familiar face with us. Over a long period of years dating back to our 1982 catalog of his incomparable collection of large cents of the year 1794, he has been a friend, consignor, and client. Coming up in January the American Numismatic Society will fete him at its annual Gala held at the Waldorf-Astoria. Check with the Society for details. We’ll be there!
This November in Baltimore at our official world paper money auction at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo, we are featuring a special Andorra note from the Spanish Civil War. This bright change note with solid margins is graded a spectacular 66 EPQ by PMG, and is one of only nine examples known to that grading service.
Andorra is small principality wedged between Spain and France in the Pyrenees mountains. As a tax haven status that promotes duty-free shopping, and ski resorts, Andorra is a very popular tourist attraction. Between 1936 and 1945 (encompassing the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War) Andorra maintained strict neutrality, and gave shelter to continually arriving political refugees and immigrants.
The back of the note has a long text that translates:
Present vouchers are guaranteed tickets to the National Bank of Spain and under the responsibility of the General Council of Andorra’s valley. Present vouchers divide banknotes of the Bank of Spain in value of twenty-five pesetas and higher – the tickets found already in circulation on that date remain with the same fluctuations that supported the notes mentioned by Spaniards. Vouchers will be refunded a month later, on December 31, 1938.
View and bid on all lots in the November 2015 Baltimore Auction online at StacksBowers.com
By Aris Maragoudakis, Currency Specialist
Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ upcoming official currency auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Winter Expo will feature an extremely rare 1864 $500 Interest-Bearing Note. The note, dated August 15, 1864, is unique for the catalog number, both in government institutions and in private hands. Interest-Bearing notes of denominations from $50 to $5,000 were printed as early as 1861. The $500 Interest Bearing Treasury notes bore interest at the rate of 7.3% per year, for three years, and were a result of financial instability in the country caused by the Civil War. The design features Alexander Hamilton at center, and a standing figure of Washington at the lower right. Signatures of Colby and Spinner and the Treasury serial numbers are printed in red.
The $500 note was authorized by the Act of June 30,1864, which allowed owners to transfer these bonds to other individuals. The light pink stamp on the reverse reads “…Of the Treasury For Redemption Vermilye & Co.” We cannot quite make out the top line, however. Vermilye were primarily bankers, brokers, and dealers in government loans, stocks and bonds. While we do not know the original payee, we do know because of this stamp, the note was transferred to another owner at one time. Read More
View and bid on all lots in the November 2015 Baltimore Auction online at StacksBowers.com
By Brad Ciociola, Currency Specialist
The Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo has a great number of numismatic treasures, including today’s preview coin, a rare Philip II 4 Reales from the very beginning of Spanish colonial coinage for Peru. Lima, sometimes considered the most aristocratic colonial capital, was the site of a new mint authorized in 1565, producing the first series of coinage in 1568. The mint in Lima operated sporadically, with sometimes decades in between mintages.
The Pillar side design (as with most Spanish Colonial issues of the time) depicts the famous “Pillars of Hercules” which marked the Strait of Gibraltar separating the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. According to Greek mythology these served as a barrier to the outer – and then unknown — sea, and were inscribed “Non plus ultra” or ‘nothing further beyond.’ These Pillars were adopted by Carlos I as the supporters for his coat of arms, but with a modified motto of “Plus Ultra” or ‘further beyond.’ This was an encouragement to go past the defined borders of the world, and to establish the gateway to a new Spanish controlled empire beyond the Pillars. The actual design on this coin shows two pillars surmounted by crowns in the center of the coin, with text stretching across; “PL – VS V – LT(RA)” (which is one form of shorthand for the motto). The large numeral 4 below the motto represents the denomination of 4 Reales. The entire central design is bordered by a beaded circle, with the outer legend just beyond. The outer legend of “: NIARVM . ET INDIARUM . REX.” Read More
View and bid on all lots in the November 2015 Baltimore Auction online at StacksBowers.com
By Chris Chatigny, Numismatist & Cataloger
The 1926 Peace dollar bridges the gap between the popular, yet abundant, early Philadelphia issues and the scarcer, lower-mintage strikings that finish out the series. Its production figure of 1,939,000 coins is the second lowest up until that date, edged out by only the inaugural High Relief 1921 mintage of 1,006,473. While these numbers might seem large when compared to other series, they should be viewed in context of the 51,737,000 dollars coined at the Philadelphia Mint in 1922 and the 30,800,000 pieces struck there in 1923. The popularity of nearly all early 20th century U.S. Mint series, including the Peace dollar, ensures that the demand is always strong.
Mint State coins are readily available and are usually found sharp, lustrous and with strong eye appeal. While a considerable quantity escaped circulation, these retained pieces often exhibit extensive bag marks from periodic movement and prolonged storage in Treasury vaults. Consequentially, while Choice and near-Gem examples are abundant, true Gems, like the present example, are comparatively limited; the finest coins certified by PCGS were graded MS-66+.
This particular jewel from the Thomas P. Warfield Collection offers a lustrous obverse with radiant, prismatic patina. In stark contrast to the glut of toned Morgan dollars, a Peace dollar exhibiting much beyond a mediocre russet or champagne hue represents an important opportunity for toning enthusiasts.
The gentle amber hues at the central obverse slowly progress to lavender and then yellow, magenta and emerald iridescence at the borders. These tones blanket silken underlying surfaces that continue onto the frosty, olive-gold reverse. This fully struck piece will be sure to draw considerable excitement for both its aesthetic and technical merit.
View this and the rest of the numismatic treasures from the Thomas P. Warfield Collection to be offered in our November 2015 Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo at StacksBowers.com. For more information or to reserve your copy of the catalog, please visit StacksBowers.com or call our offices at 1-800-458-4646.
View and bid on all lots in the November 2015 Baltimore Auction online at StacksBowers.com
By James McCartney, Numismatist & Cataloger
Stack’s Bowers Galleries presents the only Official Auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo. We invite you to join us for another outstanding auction featuring U.S., ancient, world coins and paper money.
Are you looking to add a crowning achievement to your coin collection? The Stack’s Bowers Galleries official auction of the Whitman Baltimore Expo in November will include a Premium Gem Flowing Hair Stella.
This November 2015 in Baltimore at our Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo we will offer a large size 1942 1000 Franc Specimen from French Guiana. The note is graded PMG 66 EPQ, displays fantastic margins and appears exceptional for the grade. Continue reading
The Stack’s Bowers Official Auction of the Whitman Baltimore Winter Expo will include the finest certified example of a very impressive world gold coin: the 4 Escudos from the long reign of Spanish King Philip V, issued for Mexico.