(Newport Beach, California) - Canadian coins will be accepted in the popular Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) Set RegistryTM program beginning in January. The first Canadian coins to be registered will be the famed, "one-of-everything" Belzberg Collection that includes the only complete set of 1862 British Columbia gold and silver $10 and $20 denomination coins.
PCGS (www.pcgs.com), the world's largest rare coin authentication and certification company, is a division of Collectors Universe (NASDAQ: CLCT).
The interactive Set Registry was launched on the PCGS web site in February 2001 as an online forum for collectors to list and build their collections. It ranks sets in order of grade point average, completion, and overall rating.
"There now are more than 4,300 sets registered encompassing every major U.S. coin series. The PCGS Set Registry has become extremely popular with collectors and has had a major impact on coin market trends and prices. Until now, the Set Registry has only listed United States coins," said Richard Montgomery, PCGS President.
The official launch of the PCGS Canadian Set Registry will take place at the New York International Numismatic Convention, January 17 - 19, 2003, with the listing of the historic Belzberg Collection.
"The PCGS Set Registry consists of the finest collections of United States coins. Collectors certainly enjoy friendly competition for the top spots. Now, we are expanding these services to Canadian coins, and it is appropriate that the first ones listed will be from the Belzberg Collection; the finest and most complete collection of Canadian coins ever assembled," said Montgomery.
"The Belzbergs proudly put together the finest and most complete Canadian coin collection ever assembled; a national treasure! These coins now have been graded by PCGS and will be the first Canadian items entered in our popular Set Registry program. We hope the inclusion of Canadian coins in the PCGS Set Registry will help the Canadian coin market as much as it has helped the U.S. market," Montgomery explained.
The remarkable collection was assembled by Toronto collectors, Sid and Alicia Belzberg. They are the founders of Belzberg Technologies, Inc., a provider of electronic trading systems coupled with order execution brokerage systems.
"This collection is one of the greatest achievements in the history of world numismatics. The Belzbergs have assembled the most complete collection of Canadian coins in Canadian numismatic history. I personally looked at every coin and I was in awe of the rarity and extraordinary condition of these coins, and the work that must have went into building this incredible collection," said David Hall, President of Collectors Universe.
The multi-million dollar Belzberg Collection will be auctioned at a public sale to be conducted in New York City, January 13, by Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc. of Dallas (www.HeritageCoin.com).
The unique set of $10 and $20 1862 British Columbia gold specimen coins are graded SP62 and SP60 by PCGS. Other highlights and mint state grades of the incredible 700+-piece collection include:
- 1873-H Newfoundland 5¢, PCGS MS64
- 1875-H 5¢, Large Date, PCGS SP65
- 1875-H 5¢, Small Date, PCGS SP66
- 1884 5¢, PCGS SP65, PCGS SP65
- 1921 5¢, PCGS MS66
- 1875-H 10¢, PCGS MS64
- 1889 10¢, PCGS MS63
- 1875-H 25¢, PCGS SP68
- 1885 25¢, PCGS MS64
- 1870 50¢, Newfoundland plain edge, PCGS SP66
- 1870 50¢, Newfoundland reeded edge, PCGS SP63
- 1870 50c Pattern (DC-4), PCGS SP64
- 1871 50¢, PCGS MS63
- 1872-H 50¢, PCGS SP65
- 1874 Newfoundland 50c, PCGS SP66
- 1881-H 50¢, PCGS SP65
- 1885 Newfoundland 50¢, PCGS SP65
- 1892 50¢, PCGS MS65
- 1894 50¢, PCGS MS64
- 1921 50¢, PCGS MS65
- 1932 50¢, PCGS SP65
- 1934 50¢, PCGS SP69
- 1872 Newfoundland $2, PCGS SP65
- 1916-C Sovereign, PCGS MS63
For additional information about the PCGS Set Registry, contact PCGS, P.O. Box 9458, Newport Beach, California 92658. Phone: (800) 447-8848 or (949) 833-0600. Web: www.pcgs.com.
For additional information about the Belzberg Collection, contact Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc., Highland Park Village, Second Floor, Dallas, Texas 75205. Phone: (800) 872-6467 or (214) 252-4216. Web: www.HeritageCoin.com.
About Collectors Universe:
Collectors Universe, Inc. is the leading provider of products and essential services to the high-end collectibles market. The Collectors Universe brands are among the strongest and best known in their respective markets. The company grades and authenticates collectible coins, sports cards, stamps, and autographs. The company engages in collectibles commerce, selling coins, currency, sportscards and sports memorabilia, and entertainment memorabilia through direct sales, auctions, catalogs, and the Internet. The company also compiles and publishes authoritative information about collectible sportscards and sports memorabilia, United States and world coins, and entertainment memorabilia. Its divisions include Bowers and Merena Galleries; David Hall Rare Coins; Lyn Knight Currency Auctions; Odyssey Publications; Professional Coin Grading Service; Professional Stamp Experts; Professional Sports Authenticator; and Superior Sports. This information is accessible to collectors and dealers at the company's web site, www.collectors.com, and is also published in print.
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