Costa Mesa, CA (April 29, 2022) – The incredible Dr. Paul and Rosalie Zito Collection sold for nearly $4.3 million in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Spring 2022 Showcase Auction, contributing to nearly $37 million in overall prices realized for the sale—a 60% increase above the pre-sale estimate. The Zito Collection was formed through private transactions that began in September 1995 and ended in August 2003. During those eight years, the Zitos assembled a formidable cabinet of world-class rarities that rivals some of the greatest built in the modern era. It comprised 92 individual coins offered across 88 lots, resulting in an average lot value of nearly $49,000. The collection was presented by Stack’s Bowers Galleries on the evening of Tuesday April 5th, immediately following their Rarities Night session. Throughout the night, dozens of new price records were set for the grade or overall issue across every category. Even the most affordable coin in the collection set a new price record and this trend continued through the million dollar threshold.
The Zito Collection was highlighted by an incredible pair of “pattern” 1907 Indian $10 eagles including a 1907 Wire Rim that sold for $840,000 and a 1907 Rolled Rim that earned $1.1 million, both prices nearly double the prior auction record. An incredible Specimen-65 (PCGS) 1795 Draped Bust, Centered Bust dollar also set a new record as the most valuable example of the variety at $780,000.
Early Capped Bust coinage was represented by a bold AU-50 (PCGS) 1795 Small Eagle half eagle that set a new grade record at $43,200, while a MS-62 (PCGS) CAC OGH 1818 half eagle almost doubled the prior grade record at $50,400. Among Liberty Head coinage, a prooflike MS-64 (PCGS) 1872 eagle realized twice the prior all-time record at $96,000 and a MS-64 (NGC) CAC 1860 double eagle nearly doubled the prior record for the grade at $120,000.
The session was concluded by a nicely matched five-piece 1886 gold Proof set offered in individual lots, highlighted by a Proof 67 Cameo (NGC) 1886 eagle that doubled the previous all-time record at $120,000 and a Proof-66 Cameo (NGC) CAC three-dollar gold piece that set a new category record at $50,400.
With nearly $4.3 million in prices realized, the Dr. Paul and Rosalie Zito Collection will be remembered as a historic offering of world-class rarities. Continuing this momentum, Stack’s Bowers Galleries is now preparing the catalog for their June 2022 Showcase Auction of U.S. Coins, which is scheduled to be posted online by May 13. The firm is also accepting consignments to their August 2022 Global Showcase Auction that will present items across every numismatic area including U.S. coins and paper money, Numismatic Americana, World and Ancient coins and paper money, and physical cryptocurrency. This event will feature lot viewing at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois. In addition, the firm offers monthly Collectors Choice Online Auctions in every category, providing a convenient venue for the quickest sale and the quickest payment at the strongest prices. To consign your collection to an upcoming auction, contact Stack’s Bowers Galleries today at Consign@StacksBowers.com or 800-458-4646.
About Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducts live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company’s nearly 90-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block — The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Joel R. Anderson Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Pinnacle Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, and The Thos. H. Law Collection.
The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, with offices in New York, Philadelphia, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries hosts an annual Global Showcase in August featuring United States coins and currency, ancient coins and World coins and currency in its Costa Mesa auction gallery. They are also the Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic events, including the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and Spring and Fall Hong Kong shows.
