Last week, Stack’s celebrated its 75th Anniversary by holding a fabulous auction that realized nearly $4.5 million! The sale took place in Baltimore, Maryland on November 2nd and 3rd, in the days leading up to the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. The sale comprised U.S. Coins, Tokens, Medals, and Paper Money and included some truly stupendous realizations. The sale highlighted the W.L. Carson Collection of U.S. Proof Sets, a wonderfully fresh collection of U.S. coins that has been off the market for decades.

Bidding was frenzied as collectors seized the opportunity to acquire these beautiful coins. The sale also featured selections from the Tim Benford Collection, the Roy Bonjour Collection of Vermont Coppers and Colonial Type Coins, Part II of the Richard E. Feinberg Collection, the Ferrari Collection, the Collection of Louis Villalpando, a Private Collection of New Hampshire Obsolete Currency, and other important properties.

Session One covered U.S. half cents through trade dollars, and included patterns, Hawaiian coins, errors, and mixed groups as well. Half cents featured a beautiful 1833 graded MS-66 RB (PCGS) (CAC), the solo finest RB certified by PCGS, that sold for $12,650. Among large cents was a gorgeous 1812 S-291 Small Date example graded AU-58 by PCGS. Previously from the DuPont and Norweb Collections, this enticing coin brought an exciting $11,500. Coronet large cents offered a superb 1852 N-8 example in MS-66 RD (PCGS) that went for $9,775.

Small cents included a lovely 1877 Proof graded Proof-65 RB Cameo (NGC) (CAC). Nearing the top of the census, this pretty coin sold for $6,325. U.S. quarters highlighted an attractive MS-65 (PCGS) 1932-D example that brought $9,775. Half dollars provided a nice selection of early issues, well represented by the classic 1796 issue. This O-102, Rarity-5+, 16 Stars example is graded VG-8 by PCGS and achieved a price of $46,000. Seated half dollars featured the Norweb 1878-CC example in MS-64 (PCGS) (CAC). Rare in any grade, but especially hard to find in Mint State, this pleasing coin sold for $32,200.

Silver dollars provided over 200 lots to choose from. Later issues featured a satiny MS-62 (PCGS) 1851 dollar, an Original High Date variety that is boldly struck and attractive—this classic rarity reached $46,000! Ever popular Morgan dollars offered an impressive 1881 Proof-66 Cameo (PCGS) example, a beautiful and choice coin that sold for $8,338, as well as a lustrous 1893-CC graded MS-65 by NTC that brought $8,050.

Pattern coins followed the silver dollars, and included many extremely rare pieces, like the 1870 Indian Princess pattern $1, a Judd-1014, Rarity-7- silver pattern in Proof-63 (NGC) that achieved $13,225. Other rarities included an 1873 pattern trade dollar, a Judd-1301, Rarity-8 example in copper graded Proof-60 RB (PCGS) that went for $13,800. Perhaps the most impressive realization among pattern coins was a 1942 pattern cent struck in plastic! This Judd-2059, Rarity-7- pattern, graded MS-61 by NGC, is one of maybe nine to 12 known, and created quite a stir when the price soared to an astonishing $27,600!

Session Two took place on Tuesday evening and featured the W.L. Carson Collection of U.S. Proof Sets. Formed over the course of many years several decades ago, this collection encompassed Proof coinage from 1837 through the 1960s. Mr. Carson stored each year’s coins in Capital-type plastic holders, and lovingly exhibited his collection at coin clubs and coin shows, where he won countless awards for his beautiful coins. The coins were wonderfully received, and bidding on the auction floor was fierce. Prices were strong throughout the entire session, and highlights were numerous.

The first coin offered was an extremely rare 1837 Proof large cent. A Rarity-7+ piece as a Proof, the coin is housed in a Genuine (PCGS) Proof holder and sold for an impressive $23,000. The 1856 set included the ever popular Flying Eagle cent, a Snow-9 example in a Genuine (PCGS) Proof holder that sold for $10,350, as well as a choice 1856 silver dollar in Proof-63 (PCGS) that reached $12,075. The 1857 Flying Eagle cent was a stellar Proof-64 (PCGS) (CAC) example that went for $13,800. The 1858 set included both the Large Letters and the Small Letters variety of the Flying Eagle cent, both in Proof-64 (PCGS), the Small Letters coin with a green CAC sticker. These beautiful survivors sold for $10,925 and $12,650 respectively.

The 1864 Proof set showcased a lovely example of the incredibly rare 1864 two cents with Small Motto, one of just 12 to 15 struck in Proof. Graded Proof-64 RB (PCGS) (CAC), the coin shows no spots or carbon flecks, and is a wonderful example of this historically rare coin. This exceptional rarity soared to an incredibly strong realization of $63,250! The 1888 set contained coins from cent through double eagle, with the gold coins stealing the show. The glittering quarter eagle was graded Proof-65+ Cameo (PCGS) (CAC) and sold for $27,600. The three dollar gold coin was housed in a Genuine (PCGS) Proof holder and brought $9,775, while the important half eagle was graded Proof-64 Cameo (PCGS) (CAC) and sold for $19,550. The exemplary 1888 eagle is one of the very finest graded, an amazing Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS) (CAC) that sold for a very healthy $54,625. The double eagle was graded Proof-64 Cameo (PCGS) (CAC), an extraordinary rarity in this impressive grade. This splendid cameo coin sold for $69,000!

The 1891 set boasted a sparkling silver dollar graded a tremendous Proof-67 Cameo (PCGS) (CAC), making it arguably one of the finest Proof survivors of the date. This blazing white coin retains spectacular eye appeal, and sold for an impossibly strong $20,700. The “King of the Morgans,” the famed 1895 Morgan dollar, made an appearance in this sale in the grade of Proof-62 (PCGS) (CAC). The key to the series, this impressive coin sold for a whopping $43,700.

The 1906 set included the gold issues, highlighted by the monumental Proof 1906 double eagle. In the lofty grade of Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS) (CAC), this coin is an exceptional condition rarity and simply a delightful coin to behold. This important opportunity was not missed by bidders, and the lot finally closed for a winning bid of $86,250.

The 1913 set also included the gold issues, and these beautiful Indian Head pieces performed admirably. The quarter eagle, an outstanding Sandblast Proof graded Proof-65+ (PCGS) (CAC), sold for $34,500, and the majestic half eagle in the same grade garnered an amazing $43,125. The 1913 eagle offered here is without a doubt one of the absolute finest in existence. A truly lovely coin from a mintage of just 71 pieces, the coin is graded Proof-66 (PCGS) (CAC) and sold for a remarkable $80,500. Finishing out this set was a phenomenal Matte Proof double eagle, graded Proof-65 by PCGS and awarded a gold CAC sticker. Virtually perfect with rich khaki gold color, the bidding on this magnificent coin just kept going and going—finally topping out at $103,500! The W.L. Carson Collection continued with Proof sets up until 1964, and prices were strong on all fronts.

Session Three took place on Wednesday afternoon, and began with U.S. Currency. Obsolete notes featured a distinguished collection of New Hampshire notes, highlighted by a pleasing White Mountain Bank, Lancaster Two Dollars note featuring a classic Santa Claus vignette. Above average in grade, this note exceeded expectations when it brought $4,428. Portsmouth notes included a Five Dollars note on the Mechanics & Traders Bank, a Rarity-7 note in Very Good that blew past its estimate when it closed for $4,025.

Large-size Federal currency presented a superb Martha Washington Ace, a marvelous and beautiful note graded Superb Gem Uncirculated-67 EPQ (PMG) that sold for $6,325. Among National Bank Notes was a Sussex National Bank of Newton, New Jersey $10 Red Seal rarity from the W.L. Carson Collection graded Very Fine that brought $7,475. National Bank Notes also included a second offering from a comprehensive collection of New York National notes, the second such offering in just two months. Notable items included a Choice Fine $10 on the Manufacturers National Bank of Mechanicville that brought $3,220 and a highly important First National Bank of South Glens Falls 1902 Plain Back $20 in Choice Fine that sold for $4,600.

Colonial and Early American coins followed the U.S. paper money, and a 1652 Massachusetts Pine Tree threepence was a pleasing item. A Noe-36, Without Pellets variety graded EF-45 (NGC), this coin clocked in at $4,025. French colonial issues offered a Choice Uncirculated 1710-AA Mousquetaire graded MS-63 by PCGS—making it the finest graded by that firm—that brought in $6,325, as well as a high grade 1721-H 9 deniers graded AU-58 (PCGS), one of the finest graded by PCGS, that sold for $9,200.

Featured among this section of colonial coins was the Roy Bonjour Collection of Vermont Coppers, a nice collection offering 82 lots of high quality coppers. The first lot offered was an appealing 1785 Ryder-1 example with the Immune Columbia reverse. Graded VG-10 and far nicer than most Ryder-1s encountered, this pleasing example sold for $9,200. The high point of the collection was undoubtedly the magnificent 1788 Ryder-36 example. In VF-20, the coin is nearly perfect for its grade, with smooth and glossy surfaces that are utterly free of any problems—it may be the choicest Ryder-36 out there. Bidders agreed, and the competition was quite strong. This impressive lot sold for an unbelievable $18,400. Other important colonial coin lots included a splendid 1788 Massachusetts half cent, a Ryder 1-B example in MS-64 RB (PCGS). Sharply struck and lustrous, this attractive beauty sold for $10,925.

A neat collection of circulating contemporary counterfeit 8 and 4 reales joined a healthy dose of Conder tokens to round out this section. U.S. commemorative half dollars were up next, highlighted by a lustrous 1928 Hawaiian in MS-65+ (NGC) (CAC) that sold for $4,600 and a 1938-PDS set of Texas half dollars, all graded MS-67 (NGC), that brought $6,325. Gold commemoratives included an MS-65 (PCGS) 1905 Lewis and Clark gold dollar that sold for $9,775. Territorial issues offered an AU-55 (NGC) C. Bechtler $5 that brought $14,375, and a lustrous and pleasing 1849 Norris, Gregg & Norris $5 in MS-60 (NGC) that sold for $19,550. Also of note here was the 1860 Mormon Deseret Assay Office $5 graded AU-50 by NGC. This rarity was once part of the Eliasberg Collection, and joined a new one for a price of $55,200.

U.S. gold coins concluded this session, a substantial offering of coins from every denomination, save the $4 Stella. Gold dollars included an impressive 1880 graded an incredible MS-68« by NGC—essentially flawless and alive with bright honey gold lustre, this pretty coin sold for $10,350.

Quarter eagles showcased a rare high grade 1838-C example graded AU-55 by NGC that sold for $10,350. Coronet types included a sparkling 1860-C in MS-61 (NGC) that brought $13,800. Proof issues included a bold gem 1897 in Proof-66 Cameo (NGC), a gorgeous high grade survivor that climbed to $25,300. A few lots later appeared a fantastic Proof 1901 coin, a pinnacle example in the outstanding grade of Proof-69 Ultra Cameo (NGC). Tied as finest certified by NGC with just one other coin, this dramatically appealing coin sold for $87,975! Indian Head issues offered a frosty 1908 in MS-66 (PCGS) that brought $11,500.

Half eagles opened with a desirable orange-gold 1795 Small Eagle example. Housed in an AU Details (NGC) holder due to a past cleaning, the coin retains excellent details and a technical grade that approached Mint State. Sharply struck, this scarcer BD-3 variety sold for $32,200. Liberty Head half eagles featured a rare 1853-D Large D example in MS-62 (PCGS) (CAC) that sold for $10,350, as well as a frosty 1857-C in the same grade that brought $13,800. Later dates included a splendid 1907 in MS-68 (NGC) that brought $51,750, and the greatly prized 1909-O rarity in MS-62 (NGC) that sold for $46,000.

U.S. eagles were led off by a rare MS-61 (PCGS) (CAC) example of the 1799 BD-6 Small Stars Obverse issue. Bright gold with peach and olive highlights, this boldly defined coin ran up to $34,500. Indian Head eagles were punctuated with beautiful pieces like the 1910-D in MS-66 (NGC), an exceptionally lovely coin that sold for $12,650, and a fabulously original 1912 graded MS-65 (PCGS) (CAC) that went for $15,525.

Double eagles began with an 1851-O example graded AU-58 (PCGS) (CAC) that exhibits deep yellow gold lustre and excellent eye appeal. This undeniably choice coin sold for $17,250. Branch mint issues were at the fore here, boasting lots like the 1877-CC in MS-61 (PCGS) (CAC) that brought $25,300, or the following lot, a highly lustrous 1878-CC in MS-61 (PCGS) that sold for $43,125. Also offered was a lovely 1890-S in MS-64 (NGC) (CAC) that topped out at $13,800. An MS-63 (NGC) 1892-CC tied for finest certified by NGC sold for $28,750, an MS-62 (PCGS) example of the same date brought $18,400, and an 1893-CC in MS-62 (PCGS) sold for $12,650.

MCMVII (1907) High Relief double eagles made an appearance in this sale, the highlight being a Gem Uncirculated example of the Flat Rim variety graded MS-65 by PCGS. Choice, lustrous, and bright, this pretty coin sold for a satisfying $63,250. A Wire Rim variety in a Genuine (PCGS) holder brought in $10,350 a few lots later. Later Saint-Gaudens double eagles offered an exemplary 1913 graded MS-65 by PCGS and awarded a green CAC sticker. A top condition rarity with rich orange-gold lustre, this beauty sold for $63,250.

For further information on participating in or consigning to an upcoming Stack’s auction, contact Stack’s at 123 West 57th Street, NY, NY 10019 or at Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH, 03894. By phone please use 800-566-2580. Full sales results from the 75th Anniversary sale, as well as full photos and text from previous sales, are available online at our website.