Please join us at 1:00pm sharp on August 8th in the Terrace Room of the Boston Park Plaza Hotel as we auction the Johnson-Blue Collection and other important properties. The sale will feature U.S. coins, and includes everything from colonial coins to territorial gold, half cents to double eagles, and patterns to commemoratives. The title consignment, the Johnson-Blue Collection, offers bidders the chance to acquire “fresh” material—choice, interesting, and rare coins that have been off the market for many years, along with a marvelous cabinet of $10 gold eagles from the first year of issue, 1795, onward, to which selected other rarities have been added.

Colonial and Early American coins begin our sale, and the 1652 Massachusetts Pine Tree sixpence, the Noe-32, Rarity-6+ Spiny Tree variety is at the fore. This ex Ford and Boyd specimen exhibits the sharpness of an EF piece and retains excellent eye appeal. Other Colonial issues include an 1815-1820 Washington Double Head cent, a Breen-1204 example graded MS-63 BN by NGC that is very choice for the assigned grade. Over 120 lots of Conder tokens follow, a nice collection of high grade tokens, nearly all of which are graded by NGC.

Federal U.S. coins commence here, and leading the half cent category are two very exciting lots. The first is a 1793 C-2, B-2 example graded EF-45 (PCGS), an important first year issue with wonderfully smooth surfaces and a great strike. The second lot in this section is a 1796 C-1, B-1 No Pole half cent, a formidable rarity graded Fine-12 by PCGS. Today about 20 of these survive in all grades, a few as nice as Mint State, a small number around this grade level, and several lower grade examples. Of that minuscule number, the present coin is likely in the top dozen. This will represent the first auction appearance of a PCGS or NGC certified example of this rarity in a considerable time.

Large cents lead off in a similar fashion, and up first is a 1793 Chain cent in an AU-50 Details (ANACS) holder. This S-2, Rarity-4+ large cent is an important early type coin and scarce variety for a specialist. Immediately following this lot is a fantastic 1793 Wreath cent displaying the Vine and Bars edge in the amazing grade of MS-61 BN (NGC). Certainly among the top dozen of those known to survive, Wreath cents of this extraordinary quality do not cross the block often, so be prepared to bid liberally. An appealing 1795 S-76b large cent will also be popular, as this coin is graded MS-63 BN by ANACS and is splendid frosty brown with an exceptionally even tone. Coronet large cents boast a pleasing 1839 N-3 example in MS-66 BN (PCGS) (CAC), a coin that is among the five finest graded by PCGS.

Among small cents is an 1857 Flying Eagle Proof cent, a very rare coin in any grade. This particular example is graded Proof-60 by NGC, making it a compelling example for collectors who have been looking to fill that difficult spot. Indian Head examples are highlighted by a spectacular 1892 graded Proof-67 RD (NGC), tied for the finest certified by that service. Lincoln cents feature a lovely 1914-D, one of the keys to the series, graded an impressive MS-65 RD by PCGS. Modern rarities are beautifully represented by a 1990 No S Proof Lincoln cent graded Proof-67 Deep Cameo by PCGS, a spectacular fully red coin that is one of just 3,555 pieces struck.

U.S. nickels comprise about 90 lots. Notables here include a 1920-S in MS-65 (NGC) (one of the finest survivors of the date) that exhibits an excellent strike and beautiful rose and russet toning. The famous 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo nickel makes two appearances in this sale, the first is an MS-65 (PCGS) example, an incredible Gem that is one of the finest graded by PCGS. The second example is graded MS-64 by NGC, a lovely specimen toned with light russet and hints of teal.

Half dimes lead off with an MS-62 (NGC) example of the popular 1796 LIKERTY variety, a lustrous example of this rare variety that displays dappled blue and pink toning. Seated Liberty half dimes include a frosty MS-66 (NGC) 1849-O, an important condition rarity that is tied for finest certified by NGC.

Early dimes feature a 1796 JR-2 example in MS-61 (NGC), a Rarity-4 variety that is fairly scarce and represents only about 5-10% of the population of 1796 dimes. Other early issues include a high grade 1803 JR-4 Draped Bust dime, a Rarity-5 coin graded AU-50 (PCGS). The 1803 dime is very scarce in high grades, and the present coin is one of the top half dozen known. Mercury dimes offer a brilliant white and virtually mark-free 1918-D graded an incredible MS-66 FB (NGC), the only coin certified at that level, with none certified as finer with the Full Bands distinction. Rounding out the dimes section is a fantastic 1942/41 weighing in at MS-66 (NGC), placing it among the finest known examples of this popular overdate.

Following the trend of impressive early issues, U.S. quarters follow suit with a 1796 B-2 in a Genuine (PCGS) holder and an 1806 B-8, Rarity-6+ graded Fine-15 by PCGS, making it Condition Census for this rare die pairing. Later quarter dollar issues include an impressive 1873 Arrows and Rays Proof example, a fiery Proof-65 (NGC) coin that is a survivor from a Proof mintage of just 540 pieces.

If you cannot attend in person, be sure to send us your bids by U.S. mail or fax, or place your bids on our website, either before the sale or by bidding online during the sessions. If you have yet to do so, take a moment to familiarize yourself with our new Stack’s Live™ program, an improved online bidding experience which allows bidders to watch and participate in the auction in real time through a live audio and video feed. You can find us at 123 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019 or at Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH 03894. To contact us by phone, please use 800-566-2580, or email us.