IRVINE, Calif. (May 23, 2012) – Stack’s Bowers Galleries, leading auctioneer and retailer of premium collectible coins, currency and precious metals, announces the offering of a sophisticated collection of United States Federally Issued banknotes pedigreed as the Watermelon Collection. This advanced assortment covers nearly all genres of the large size type issuance and will be a featured collection in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of MoneySM this August in Philadelphia. 

The Watermelon Collection owes its name to the featured Fr. 377 1890 $100 Treasury Note, a particular favorite of the owner. Graded by PCGS Currency as Fine 15, the note has original paper, sharp inks and even circulation, a classic which always stands as a pillar in any collection of United States banknotes. The collection was formed decades ago, prior the advent of collectible currency third party grading, and has since been encapsulated in its entirety by PCGS Currency. 

“The size and scope of the collection is terrific. The material included is certainly going to appeal to collectors as these banknotes have not been on the market for a lengthy amount of time,” stated Matthew Quinn, director of currency at Stacks Bowers Galleries, adding, “The First Charter Period high denomination National Banknotes are some of my favorite pieces within the collection.” 

Of those particular types include a Fr. 463 1875 $100 note from Zanesville, Ohio, in a PCGS Very Fine 30 PPQ state. Another, an Original Series Fr. 442 $50 note from the Government National Bank of Pottsville, Pa., in a problem-free PCGS Very Fine 25 grade. The highlight of these early National Banknote-era higher denominations is a PCGS Extremely Fine 45, Fr. 444 $50 1875 note from the Farmers National Bank of Reading, Pa. The aforementioned radiates appeal with a precise impression of the design, highlighted by a brilliant and rare-for-the-type right-center blue tint. 

“With nearly all areas covered from Demand notes to Gold Certificates, certainly the attendance will be high and bidding demand strong when this incredible cabinet crosses the auction block at the premier ANA auction paper money session,” Quinn said. 

Highlights from the Watermelon Collection include:

• Fr. 167a. 1863 $100 Legal Tender Note. PCGS Apparent Very Fine 25. Minor Restorations.

• Fr. 292. 1886 $10 Silver Certificate. PCGS Choice About New 58 PPQ. PCGS Pop. 1/None Finer.

• Fr. 314. 1886 $20 Silver Certificate. PCGS Very Fine 35 PPQ.

• Fr. 343. 1891 $100 Silver Certificate. PCGS Apparent Very Fine 30. Minor Restorations.

• Fr. 377. 1890 $100 Treasury Note. PCGS Fine 15.

• Fr. 953b. 1914 $20 Federal Reserve Note. Red Seal. PCGS Superb Gem New 67 PPQ.

• Fr. 1012b 1914 $50 Federal Reserve Note. Red Seal. PCGS Choice About New 55. PCGS Pop. 1/None Finer.

• Fr. 1133b. 1918 $1000 Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Extremely Fine 45. 

• Bayside, New York. 1902 $20. Red Seal. Bayside NB. Fr. 640. CH#7939. PCGS Choice About New 58 PPQ. S/N “1.”

• Zanesville, Ohio. 1875 $100. Citizens NB. Fr. 463. CH#2529. PCGS Very Fine 30 PPQ. Pottsville, Pennsylvania. 

• Original 1865 $50. Government NB. Fr. 442. CH#1152. PCGS Very Fine 25.

• Reading, Pennsylvania. 1875 $50. Farmers NB. Fr. 444. CH#696. PCGS Extremely Fine 45.

Anyone interested in consigning to the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auctions of the ANA World’s Fair of Money and ANA/PNG Pre-Show in August 2012 is encouraged to contact Stack’s Bowers Galleries by calling the West Coast office at 800.458.4646 or the East Coast office at 800.566.2580, or by email at info@stacksbowers.com. Catalogs will be available in July. More information about Stack’s Bowers Galleries can be found online at www.stacksbowers.com. 

About Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Stack’s Bowers Galleries, a division of Fortune 500 Company Spectrum Group International Inc. (SPGZ.PK), was launched in January 2011, combining the extraordinary histories of Stack’s, the oldest rare coin auction and retail company in America, with Bowers and Merena Auctions, one of the world’s pre-eminent auctioneers of rare coins and paper money. The two companies unite to share a combined legacy that spans more than 100 years, and includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable collections to ever cross an auction block – the John. J. Ford, Jr. and Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., collections, the Harry W. Bass, Jr., Collection, and the Norweb Collection, to name just a few. Topping off this amazing numismatic history is the inclusion of the world record for the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin, the legendary 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle that realized an astounding $7.59 million (sold in partnership with Sotheby’s). The company is headquartered in Irvine, California, with offices in New York, New Hampshire and Hong Kong. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is the Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including the ANA World’s Fair of Money and ANA/PNG Pre-Show auctions, and the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expos in Baltimore, three times yearly, and also Philadelphia.