When you visit our website, you’ll find a host of useful features. You’ll find all the latest auction news, like our upcoming Stack’s-Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. You’ll find exciting opportunities to consign your rare coins and currency with us, such as for the Stack’s-Bowers and Ponterio Official Auction of the New York International Numismatic Convention, one of the most prestigious events in the numismatic world. And if you can’t join us in-person for these and other auctions, we offer live online bidding from the comfort of your home or wherever else you might happen to be.

In addition to auction news, there’s so much more for you to do and discover. You’ll find a host of numismatic rarities for sale, including one of the most important American treasures ever found: a unique gold ingot from the S.S. Central America. You can read about Stack’s-Bowers in the news, with fascinating reports from top-dollar auctions such as the official auction of the ANA World’s Fair of Money in which we realized more than $40 million!

Our blog offers tremendous observations into the world of numismatics, with features from numismatic leaders like Q. David Bowers, interesting trivia tidbits, and insights into upcoming auctions. You can also watch informative and entertaining videos here, giving you an insider’s look into our auctions and access to expert opinion about the state of numismatics.

Finally, when you create a free account on Stack’s-Bowers.com, you’ll not only be able to bid on Stack’s-Bowers Galleries coin and currency auctions, you’ll also gain access to H.R. Harmer Fine Stamp Auctions, John Bull Stamp Auctions and Spectrum Wine Auctions.

For all these features and more, visit StacksBowers.com today!

Things have been busy around here as usual. This week we wrapped up our AMAZING collection of Baltimore auction catalogs, where we are the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Expo. We have just sent three different catalogs off to the printer, a World, a Currency and a Coin catalog. You can expect to find these in your mailbox the second week in March. The auction should be posted online by the end of next week at stacksbowers.com.

Thinking of selling? The next auction we are accepting consignments for is our May Coin Galleries sale. The deadline for consignments is March 15th, which is right around the corner. Our summer auction calendar is stellar, in June we’re the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Expo in Baltimore and in August we are the Official Pre Show and Official Convention Auction of the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money, this year held in Chicago. Have your coins showcased at the biggest numismatic event of the year. Give me a call with anything you might want to sell and we can recommend the perfect venue for you collection.

Have something you want to sell and are in the New York area? Our store is open Monday through Friday from 10am-5pm EST, and on Saturday’s from 10am-3pm. You don’t need an appointment, just bring your collection down and Andrew or Eric will be happy to help you. Give them a call anytime at 800-566-2580 for competitive prices.

The coin market continues to be very active, for which we can all be thankful. Collecting has not gone out of style. Indeed, if anything, the pervasive reach of the Internet has made the hobby/industry truly universal. Scarcely a day goes by without our receiving an order, consignment, or inquiry from Indonesia, Iceland, Argentina, Hong Kong, or somewhere else. Ten years ago this happened as well, but communication was much slower. Now it is instant.

If your plans include coming to Baltimore to attend the Whitman Expo, be sure to participate in our auction, of course—now conveniently scheduled so that the sessions are in the evening, not overlapping with the dynamic bourse. I invite you to track me down personally, at the auction or in the bourse. In the meantime, enjoy the week and enjoy numismatics. All good wishes.

Dave Bowers

A Guide Book of Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars. By Rick Tomaska
History • Rarity • Values • Grading • Varieties

A Guide Book of Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars is the 15th entry in Whitman’s bestselling Bowers Series of numismatic reference books. Franklin and Kennedy half dollars are affordable favorites of collectors. Lavishly illustrated in full color, this book features high-resolution enlargements for important overdates and other varieties. Mintages, specifications, market values in multiple grades (including Full Bell Lines for Franklin halves), inside information on set registries, and buying tips add to the book’s importance as a standard reference. A Guide Book of Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars will deepen your appreciation and make you a smarter buyer and collector of these popular U.S. coins. 304 Pages, Full-Color, Softcover, $19.95

Immerse yourself in the romance and beauty of nearly 150 years of American currency. It all comes alive in the updated, revised third edition of Arthur and Ira Friedberg’s Guide Book of United States Paper Money, one of Whitman’s most popular sellers. An engaging history book and a comprehensive price catalog rolled into one, the book covers all federal series issued from the Civil War to the present day. Whether you’re new to the hobby or a long-time collector, you’ll benefit from the data provided for each currency series. Fascinating history, full-color images, the hobby-standard Friedberg numbering system, values in multiple grades, quantities printed, all federal series, plus Fractional Currency, War of 1812 notes, encased postage stamps, and error notes. By Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg. Softcover, 416 pages, 6 x 9 inches, heavily illustrated in full color. $24.95

A Collector’s Guide to Modern Federal Reserve Notes. Series 1963-2009 By Robert Azpiazu

Well-known numismatic researcher and paper-money dealer Robert Azpiazu explores modern Federal Reserve Notes of the $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations in this new guidebook from Whitman Publishing. Drawing on his own expertise, as well as assistance from a distinguished panel of contributors, Azpiazu presents a detailed and reader-friendly study targeted at FRN collectors – the largest segment of the U.S. paper-money market. Coverage also includes BEP products not made for general circulation and not currently covered in the hobby’s standard references. By Robert Azpiazu, foreword by Arthur L. Friedberg. 448 Pages, Full Color, Spiralbound Softcover. $29.95

The text centers about some of the most interesting medals related to the Americas, specifically the revival of British Flore, it was said, by Admiral Vernon, who took Porto Bello with six ships only, on November 22, 1739, capturing a Spanish stronghold. The victory against Spain was widely acclaimed, and thousands of cheap medals were struck to celebrate the occasion. These became highly coveted souvenirs. As to whether Vernon was a hero, as to whether all the events actually happened, and other matters were subject to wide historical interpretation. In this masterful book the authors discuss the military engagement in detail, give both sides of the stories, and offer the subtitle, Medals Sometimes Lie, which gives a hint at the mystery and adventure awaiting the reader. In 240 pages and with hundreds of illustrations, the medals are described in detail, as are their issuance, varieties, and other characteristics, with a rich numismatic background. The volume itself is a production of high elegance, created with the assistance of famous numismatic antiquarian bookseller George Kolbe, hardbound with a beautiful dust jacket, with full color plates, and with high quality paper. The book will be a good read for a weekend and, if you are prompted to investigate the medals and collect them, will be an indispensable guide. List price: $95.00. Special Price $76.00

Shipping is $7 for the first book, $3 each additional book.

Time was when a number of different rare coin dealerships in America issued magazines with things for sale, news, and the like. Today in 2011, these have all but disappeared, replaced by the Internet perhaps. The magazines that are published tend to be more like brochures soliciting business, rather than containing news. I hope to be able to tell you soon when the next issue of our magazine will be ready.

In reviewing a recent auction consignment of Proof dimes hailing from the Dr. Christian A. Allenburger Collection, sold by B. Max Mehl in 1948, I could not help but think how rare it is today that coins keep their pedigrees. This particular consignment is very well pedigreed, mostly to the Allenburger Collection, but also to others, including Will W. Neil. It would be nice if purchasers kept track of the sales and the lot numbers from generations ago, as these add quite a bit of interest.

It is not the general practice to keep pedigrees for Liberty Seated silver coins, but, in contrast, collectors of Early American cents, 1793 to 1814 in particular, are very enthusiastic about this. An important coin lacking a pedigree—say a 1793 Chain AMERI. in EF grade, is a rallying call for anyone seeing the photograph to pore through old catalogues and listings and try to identify it. When pedigree chains are formed, they are subject to tweaking and alteration.

In our sale of the Eliasberg Collection, 1996, the famous Abbey 1799 cent was pedigreed back through many owners. No sooner did that listing appear, than corrections were made to it. Similarly, 20 or so years ago, Carl W.A. Carlson tracked the pedigrees of a number of important rarities, a pioneering effort, but since then many gaps have been filled in, and certain of his conclusions have been changed. One difficulty with tracing pedigrees is that for a long time, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s, some leading firms, including Coin Gallery and B. Max Mehl, used “stock” pictures, which are of no use in attributions. In any event, pedigrees, when they can be found, certainly add interest in my opinion.

The deadline is nearing for consignments for our auction to be held next month in connection with the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo in Baltimore. If you have some choice single coins, sets, or your entire collection, we’d be happy to showcase it. Just call 800-566-2580 (New York) or 800-458-4646 (California) and speak to our consignment specialists about how to include your material. Baltimore has always been a dynamic venue—one of the most active convention cities in the United States.

Here in New Hampshire, where I write these words, we have had more than our share of snow lately—this past week bringing more than two feet, on top of a generous supply already on hand. Ski resorts are delighted, of course, and the rest of us are as well, for the most part. That is, once the roads and highways are cleared. If you are reading this in the sunny South, you can appreciate more than ever the palm trees and sand.
Here’s wishing you the best until next time.

Sincerely,

Dave Bowers

1878-CC F-12 (PCGS). 
Golden gray color typical of circulated Morgans and a scarce date. $100

1879-CC F-15 (PCGS). 
Attractive silver-gray toning on the devices, slightly deeper gray fields. One of the rarities from the series and most popular of the Carson City dates. $165

1880-CC VF-25 (ANACS). 
Pale golden gray toning with decent surfaces for the amount of circulation. $220

1880-CC 8/7 Reverse of 1878 G-6 (PCGS). 
Medium gray fields with lighter devices. Nice surfaces for the amount of circulation, and a tough date to obtain. $165

1881-CC F-12 (ANACS). 
A few nicks and toned gray-rose on the obverse and reverse. Scarce in all grades. $360

1881-CC VG-10 (ANACS). 
Smooth wear with pleasing light silver devices, medium gray fields and a couple of minor nicks from circulation. $360

1881-CC VG-8 (PCGS). 
Smooth wear and decent surfaces with a couple of minor marks as expected. Light gray fields with silver devices on this elusive issue. $370

1882-CC VF-20 (PCGS). 
Moderate wear, average surfaces and toned in gray and russet. $110

1889-CC VF-20 (ANACS). 
A key date to the series, light gray fields, silver devices from moderate circulation.
$1,250

1890-CC VG-8 (PCGS). 
Light silver-gray with smooth wear and another scarce date that is seldom found wholesome after a fair amount of circulation. $95

1891-CC G-6 (PCGS). 
Worn but with nearly full and clean surfaces despite considerable circulation. $95

1892-CC VF-25 (ANACS). 
Moderate circulation with a couple of nicks and scrapes, as expected for this key date from the Carson City Mint. $300

1893-CC VG-10 (PCGS). 
Gray with russet traces around the edge on this key date and mint. $255

For the month of February with every commemorative coin you purchase from our eShop you’ll receive a free autographed copy of A Guide Book of United States Commemorative Coins by Q. David Bowers. Q. David Bowers brings history to life by connecting America’s commemorative coinage to the people, places, and events they honored, and to the artists, promoters, and politicians who brought them from raw concept to finished coin.

A Guide Book of United States Commemorative Coins explains how to build a collection of commemoratives, determining authenticity, analyzing strike and eye appeal, being a smart buyer, realities of the marketplace, comparative rarities, full details, certification, establishing fair market prices, and more. In addition buy three commemoratives or more out of our eShop and we’ll give you a 5% discount on your total order! Call Melissa Karstedt or Andrew Bowers at 866-811-1804 to start your collection today!

The half dime denomination had its origins in 1794, with the Liberty Seated design type starting in 1837, that year without obverse stars. In 1838, stars were added to the obverse, and in 1860 the stars were swapped for UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. In 1866, the advent of the copper-nickel Shield five-cent nickel design spelled the beginning of the end for the silver half dime series, as the silver five-cent piece was now redundant. The nickel issues won out, and after 1873, the final year of half dime production, the silver half dimes of yesteryear were a thing of the past. The gorgeous selection of 1873-S half dimes offered here are a link to this historic era and represent a great value at the listed prices. Why not add a beautiful example to your growing coin collection?

1873-S MS-65 (PCGS) (CAC). 
Frosty, lustrous, and boldly struck. A dusting of pale champagne iridescence completes the charming picture $875

1873-S MS-65 (PCGS) (CAC). 
A frosty and lustrous Gem with full mint brilliance and impressive eye appeal. $875

1873-S MS-65 (PCGS) (CAC). 
Fully brilliant, intensely lustrous, and boldly struck—all you could ever hope for in a Gem Liberty Seated half dime. $875

1873-S MS-64+ (PCGS) (CAC). 
Pale champagne highlights on reflective fields and frosty motifs. The PCGS “+” and the CAC sticker are well-earned here! $595

A few post-auction buys remain available, including this majestic gem 1807 1C S-271. Rarity-1. Comet. MS-65 RB (PCGS) (CAC). There is no other example graded higher. Precious few Draped Bust large cents retain more than a hint of mint color, and this one is boasts considerable mint red with the natural mellowing tan hues intermixed.

Click here for a complete list of the remarkable items from which you can choose.

But don’t wait too long. These exceptional items are only available for a limited time.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL AVAILABLE LOTS