Last Sunday, Stack’s proudly presented the Johnson-Blue Collection for public auction in Boston. The sale featured U.S. coins and showcased a fabulous collection of eagles, many of which brought truly outstanding prices. Other important properties were also showcased in this auction, including selections from the Q. David Bowers Collection, as well as a host of other fresh, new-to-market material.

Colonial and Early American coins were highlighted by a rare Noe-32 variety of the 1652 Pine Tree sixpence, a pleasing coin that was once part of the Ford and Boyd Collections.

The coin retains the sharpness of Extremely Fine, and though there are some light tooling marks seen under magnification, the overall appearance of the specimen is quite pleasing—obviously others agreed, as the coin sold for an impressive $17,250.

Federal U.S. coinage began with half cents, and there bidders were awed with a 1796 No Pole example in Fine-12 (PCGS), a grade that places it within the top dozen examples known of this variety. This example, one of about 20 pieces surviving today, is a pleasing deep brown with lovely smooth surfaces. This formidable rarity sold for $126,500.

Large cents led off with an intriguing 1793 Chain cent in an AU-50 Details (ANACS) holder. Noted as “corroded,” the coin does show some localized corrosion, but the date and most of the surfaces are smooth and choice. This scarce variety of an important early type coin sold for $25,300. Immediately following this lot was a glorious 1793 Wreath cent, an S-5 example in the fantastic condition census grade of MS-61 BN (NGC), which brought $40,250. Two lots later a classic 1794 Starred Reverse cent from the Q. David Bowers Collection in VF-25 (PCGS) reached $80,500 before the hammer fell.

U.S. small cents featured two examples of the 1914-D key date issue, the first an MS-65 RD (PCGS) coin that sold for $16,675, and the second in the same grade that went for $11,500. Nickels showcased a gorgeous 1883/2 example in the amazingly high grade of MS-67 (ANACS)—this coin hailed from the Q. David Bowers Collection and sold for a hefty $16,100. Buffalo nickels were epitomized by a stunning 1937-D 3-Legged example graded MS-65 by PCGS. One of the finest graded by that firm, the coin boasts pretty crimson, yellow, and rose toning, and sold for a strong $40,250.

Dimes got the ball rolling with a 1796 JR-2 example graded MS-61 by NGC, a scarcer variety of this first year of the denomination, that climbed to $18,400. Later issues boasted a frosty Gem 1942/41 Mercury dime, which, in the impressive grade of MS-66 (PCGS), is one of the finest certified. A popular overdate in exceptional condition, this lot sold for a final price of $27,600. Among U.S. quarters was a condition census 1806 B-8 example, a Rarity-6+ example graded Fine-15 (PCGS). This rarest variety of the year is tough to find in collectible condition. The present example is wholesome and attractive, and sold for $20,700.

U.S. half dollars featured a nice run of early issues, highlighted by a Mint State 1795 Flowing Hair example. This O-125, Rarity-5 coin is housed in a Genuine (PCGS) holder due to some minor reverse scratches, but the overall appearance is still quite strong. The coin was well struck and exhibits solid definition, and the final bid of $16,100 attested to the coin’s positive attributes. Walking Liberty half dollars presented an exceptional 1936 superb Gem Proof-67 (NGC) coin, one of the finest seen by that service, which sold for $12,075.

The always popular silver dollar category began with a Fine-15 (PCGS) example of the all-important 1794 dollar. A coin that defines any great collection, this example showed pleasing surfaces that are delightfully free of the heavy adjustment marks that are so often seen on these specimens. This historic rarity topped out at $92,000. Next up was a high grade 1795 Flowing Hair, Two Leaves silver dollar in AU-58 (PCGS) that sold for $27,600, and soon after that was a lovely 1795 B-14 Draped Bust example graded AU-58 (PCGS), a brilliant satiny coin that sold for $26,565.

Morgan dollars came to the fore in the form of an 1880 Proof-68 Cameo (NGC) (CAC) example—a splendid coin tied for the finest Cameo certified by NGC—that reached $37,375. A delicately toned 1889-CC Morgan graded MS-60 (ANACS) sold for $16,100, a lustrous MS-61 (NGC) 1895-O brought the same amount, and a rare 1895-S example in MS-65 (NGC) sold for $16,675.

Commemoratives and errors led the way into Pattern Coins, where there were many important realizations. First was the splendid 1806 half dollar die trial, a uniface white metal pattern graded MS-63 by PCGS. This Judd A-1806-1, Rarity-7 pattern is one of perhaps four pieces known, and sold for $25,300. Also of note was the impressive 1822 copper die trial, a uniface Rarity-7 pattern that was struck from a discarded mint die. It appears that six pieces are known, three of which are in museum collections. The present coin found a new home after a final bid of $17,250.

Private and Territorial gold coins featured a brilliant 1860 Clark, Gruber & Co. $10 from the Q. David Bowers Collection. This MS-61 (PCGS) example sold for a very strong $40,250. A selection of California Small Gold segued into federal gold issues, beginning with gold dollars. First up was an incredible Gem 1849 Open Wreath gold dollar, an MS-66 (NGC) coin that sold for $8,625.

Quarter eagles offered a flashy 1850-C graded MS-62 (PCGS) from the Harry Bass, Jr. Collection that sold for $20,700, as well as an incredible 1879 Proof example, one of just 30 pieces struck. This magnificent coin is graded Proof-65 DCAM by PCGS and awarded a green CAC sticker—it found its way into a new collection after a winning bid of $40,250.

U.S. half eagles contained many important lots, highlighted by a high grade 1795 Capped Bust example, a BD-4, Rarity-5 coin in AU-50 (PCGS). This impressive, bright orange specimen sold for $37,375. Coronet half eagles offered a frosty 1901 graded MS-65 by NGC, a sharply struck Gem tied for finest certified by NGC, that weighed in at $11,500. Two lots later appeared an impressive Proof-64 Cameo (NGC) example of the elusive 1904 issue that closed for a healthy $12,650.

U.S. eagles were spectacular, highlighted by the Johnson-Blue Collection, a marvelous cabinet of $10 gold coins, from which came 10 of the 15 lots of early examples. Leading off was a lustrous 1795 BD-2 13 Leaves example graded AU-53 by PCGS, a deep yellow gold example with frosty lustrous surfaces, that brought $57,500. The 1796 example offered was graded AU-50 (PCGS), and presented a pleasing and somewhat reflective appearance. That coin sold for $51,750.

Next up was a lustrous 1797 Small Eagle $5 graded AU-53. With only five or six dozen examples known in all grades, this coin represented a winning combination of quality and scarcity, and sold for a very strong $97,750. Continuing this amazing streak of $10 coins was an 1800 BD-1 example graded MS-62, a delightfully brilliant example with bold definition that brought $57,500 as it crossed the block. Also notable was a lovely 1804 Crosslet 4 example in AU-53 (PCGS) that topped out at $57,500.

Coronet eagles provided a healthy spread of issues, and included a frosty 1842-O in MS-61 (PCGS), among the finest graded by that service, that sold for $74,750. Also offered was the legendary 1853-O Specimen striking from the Harry Bass, Jr. Collection. A unique piece, this coin is the result of a special striking for reasons that have never been fully understood (though our researchers suggest that it was done in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase). Whatever the reason, the result was this fabulous 1853-O rarity that sold for $316,250!

Other important Coronet $10 pieces included a lustrous AU-58 (PCGS) 1862 example, a notable scarcity in any grade, that brought $25,300, and a pretty 1863 in AU-50 (PCGS), one of the 10 finest graded by that service, that sold for $27,600. The classic 1864 example appeared here in the impressive grade of AU-53 (PCGS), and sold for $23,000. Carson City issues also made an appearance in the form of an EF-45 (PCGS) 1870-CC example, the key to the Carson City series. This attractive coin, a prize in any grade, brought a strong $46,000.

Indian Head eagles began with a choice 1907 With Periods example, a remarkably smooth bright gold coin graded MS-63 by ANACS. This beautiful coin, whose design was a joint conception of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Teddy Roosevelt, sold for $37,375. A few lots later a rare Gem Proof 1909 $10, in the highly desirable grade of Proof-66 (NGC), sold for $60,375. A third important Indian Head $10 was an enigmatic 1914 Specimen. This coin was clearly struck as a Proof, as evidenced by the wire rim and razor sharp details, but it appears with a Satin style finish, as opposed to the Matte finish that is normally present of Proof eagles of this year. This curious coin, graded Specimen-64 by our experts, sold for a hefty $29,900.

U.S. double eagles finished out our sale, and included many significant items, such as the 1855-O graded EF-45 by PCGS that sold for $29,900. Proof double eagles were beautifully represented by an 1896 graded Proof-63 Cameo (PCGS) that brought $29,900. Saint-Gaudens types comprised roughly 30 lots, and included a majestic Proof 1909 example, a gorgeous coin displaying the Roman Proof finish. This fantastic Gem Proof-66 (NGC) coin, one of just 67 pieces minted in 1909, was scooped up for a winning bid of $83,375.

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 Johnson-Blue Collection, as well as full photos and text from previous sales, are available online at our website.