A nearly forgotten piece of history from the early United States space program returns to the fore with the recent consignment to auction of a rare American coin that traveled in space! The coin, a rare 1793 one-cent piece, also happens to have been made the first year that the United States Mint produced coins in large numbers for general circulation, so it is a particularly historic piece.
Stacks Bowers Galleries and Sothebys are pleased to announce the consignment of the finest certified 1907 Ultra High Relief double eagle, arguably the most beautiful coin design ever struck by the U.S. Mint. Graded and encapsulated by the Professional Coin Grading Service as Proof-69, this example last sold in the June 2012 Stacks Bowers Baltimore sale for $2,760,000.
Thousands of coins, medals, and banknotes crossed the block during the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo in Baltimore, March 26 and 27. The offering, presented in three catalogs, featured some of the most noteworthy colonial era numismatic items ever offered and one of the most extensive offerings of small-sized, large denomination notes to cross the block. Bidding participation came from all sources, including from the floor, where sometimes there was a standing-room-only crowd. When all was said and done, nearly $18.7 million crossed the auction block, one of the largest Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo auctions to date!
The Stacks Bowers Galleries official currency auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo came to a close on Monday with the conclusion of the live Internet only session. In all the March currency auction realized $4.69 million in sales with the 17.5% buyers premium included. Director of Currency Auctions Peter Treglia stated: We were very happy with the results of the sale. I thought that prices were strong in categories across the board and that bidders were eager for the material that we had to offer.
On Friday, February 6, 2015, Stack's Bowers Galleries sold The Stephen Winthrop Collection at its New York Americana Sale, raising over $1.3 million to support ALS research at Harvard University.