Baltimore was the venue, and all eyes were on the offering of the Amherst & Waccabuc Collections as they crossed the block on November 13th and 14th. “Action was fast paced, nonstop from beginning to end,” commented Larry Stack, CEO of the firm. “Many records were broken, consignors were thrilled, and market watchers were pleased that once again there was great strength for quality material,” echoed Chris Karstedt, President.
When all was said and done, $10,339,148 worth of coins, tokens, medals, and paper money changed hands.
Colonial coins, always popular, but especially so in recent times (the Stack’s sale of the Ford Collection is partly responsible), were capped by a 1776 Continental dollar in MS-64 grade that was bid up to a record $189,750, with competition coming from all over the floor, plus the telephone, plus thousands of bidders tied in through the Internet. A Chalmers shilling in EF grade took $11,500 to buy, and the curious Bar cent with USA monogram certified as AU-55, caused raised eyebrows at $11,500.
Among minor denominations, a lovely MS-64 1803 cent, Sheldon-254, went through the roof at over $66,000, amidst fierce competition. A seldom seen 1842 Proof cent, Newcomb-1, certified as 64 BN, fetched $18,400. Not long afterward a particularly choice 1858 Small Letters Flying Eagle cent, certified as MS-66, broke records at $24,150.
Among early silver coins in the Stack’s sale, an MS-62 1796 dime fetched $34,500, a splendid MS-63 1898 JR-4 dime soared to $40,250, and action was intense in all other pieces offered. Graded MS-67, an 1837 Liberty Seated dime Without Stars went to a breathtaking $63,250, followed soon afterward by an 1876-CC coin of the same denomination, MS-66, at $40,000. A world’s record of $287,500 was registered by a 1794 half dollar in AU-58 grade. An F-15 1797 half dollar, one of the most popular of all “type” coins surprised at $57,500.
Silver dollars were another attraction at the Stack’s event. Early issues did well, a Gem Proof 1839 Gobrecht went for $103,500, and action was intense for later dates. Among the latter, the Amherst Collection, carefully formed over a period of time by a leading connoisseur, caused even the most dedicated specialist in Morgan dollars to sit up and take notice. Record after record fell by the wayside. Highlights included the 1889-CC in MS-64 grade at $80,500, 1892-S in MS-63 at $86,250, a superb Gem Proof-67 1895 at $92,000, an MS-63 1895-O for $66,125, and an MS-64 1901 at $48,300.
Gold coins were the focus of exciting bidding. Few expected that the 1796 No Stars quarter eagle, AU-58, would fly to $212,750, but it did! A 1795 Small Eagle $5 in AU-55 grade soaring to $103,500, a 1796 $10 in like preservation at $138,000, and the scarce 1804 $10 in AU-58 at $115,000.
A special section of the sale was devoted to paper money, again with lots of activity. If there is a recession going on in America, those attending the Baltimore event were not aware of it at all! A 1709 Colonial New York 25 Shillings note, in EF grade fetched $25,300. A highlight among paper money was an 1875 Legal Tender $50 Note, Friedberg-153, in Fine-12 grade generated a ferocious fight among floor, Internet, and telephone bidders, before selling for a remarkable $275,000.
“Stack’s has been a magnet for consignors of high quality coins,” noted Harvey Stack, Co-Chairman of the firm. “We are very gratified with the results of the Baltimore sale, this being part of one of the finest auction programs in the seventy-two year history of our firm. Coming up in January are enough sales for virtually the entire season—leading off with a spectacular auction in Orlando, then sales in New York City of Americana, United States, foreign issues, and ancient coins, certainly one of the greatest presentations ever.”
For further information on participating in or consigning to an upcoming Stack’s auction, contact Stack’s at 123 W 57th Street, NY, NY 10019 or Stack’s at Box 1804, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, 03894. By phone please use 800-566-1580 or 866-811-1804. The Stack’s website, including full photos and text from previous sales, is available online at www.stacks.com.