Bowers and Merena Auction Features Amazing Large Cents and Territorial Gold

The Paul S. Mory, Sr. Collection, presented by Bowers and Merena, featuring a wide selection copper, silver, gold, territorials, currency, tokens, medals and more will be crossing the auction block next week.

Internet bidding closes Sunday, June 18th. The auction continues with a two-day live floor auction commencing on June 22nd in Chicago in conjunction with the MidAmerica Coin Expo. For more information, call Bowers and Merena at 800-458-4646.

The following are just some of the fabulous items being offered in the sale:

Lot #129
Amazing 1801 Three Errors Reverse Cent, Second Finest Known
S-218. Rarity-5+. Three Errors. Net VF-20; sharpness of VF-30
Very light porosity. Dark steel brown intermingled with lighter golden tan. There are no individual defects that stand out, with this example having delightful aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, this is the second finest known for the variety, and the finest available to collectors, with the only finer coin in the ANS Collection. This is one of several delightful surprises from the Paul S. Mory, Sr. Collection. This amazing cent resided in the collection as an example of the very popular Three Errors Reverse, well known to casual large cent collectors and specialists alike. Not recognized, however, was the unusual characteristic of the obverse, with LIBERTY farther to the right than normal. As such its identity is Sheldon-218, a high Rarity-5 variety with only 30 to 40 examples known. Bid Now!

Lot #191
Phenomenal 1813 Large Cent, Finest Known Sheldon-293, Considerable Mint Red
1813 S-293. MS-65 RB
This is arguably the most important large cent discovery in recent times. Brilliant mint red over approximately 50% of obverse and reverse, blended with light brown. Full "cartwheel” lustre is present. Ever so slightly off-center with weak obverse border at 1:30 and opposite point of reverse. This is a superb gem example with a tiny planchet flaw over star 8, and a small spot on the wreath below first A in AMERICA. Other than these two imperfections, one of which was mint made and still shows original red lustre within the flaw, this cent could be called perfect. Prior to the discover of this cent in the Paul S. Mory, Sr. Collection, the finest 1813 large cent known was graded just MS-61 by Del Bland. This gem cent will receive a MS-65 grade, even by conservation EAC standards. At the recent EAC convention held in Florida this past April, many heads turned and necks strained to get a look a this gem which was on display. Bid Now!

Lot #1049
Impressive 1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. $50 gold
Round. K-9. Rarity-5. Small Head. VF-30 (PCGS). Reeded edge
Lustrous honey gold surfaces show a scattering of tiny marks, the most noticeable of these in the field before Liberty’s face. A pleasing example overall of the only round $50 gold coinage of the era to circulate to any extent. The fame of this variety is long lasting, and for decades the 1855 Wass, Molitor $5 has been recognized as a classic. The small portrait, intended for the $20 denomination, gives this coin a cameolike effect, but not as startling as on the earlier-offered $20, for on the present coin the stars are very large and occupy much of the field. That such pieces remained in circulation or in banking channels for a few years is evident not only from the grade offered here and certain of its contemporaries, but from the finding of a single example in the wreck of the S.S. Central America, which contained gold shipped from San Francisco in August 1857. Bid Now!

Lot #1053
Famous 1855 Kellogg & Co. $50 "King of Territorial Gold"
K-4. Rarity-7. Proof-62 (PCGS)
Bright orange-gold with strong lustre and highly reflective surfaces. Nicely struck in nearly all areas. An impressive example of one of the most famous and highly prized issues in the California gold series. Indeed, this is one of the most famous of all issues because of its large denomination, the unusual round shape (having a counterpart in the more plentiful 1855 Wass, Molitor coin), its availability in Proof finish, and its great rarity. Over a long period of years, much attention has been paid to it, deservedly so. Often, when a piece is included in a fine cabinet of private and territorial gold coins, this particular variety is given front row center position. Not only is the present piece desirable for its quality and historical importance, but its pedigree to the Amon Carter Collection adds a further appeal. It is believed that only 11 different specimens exist of this famous rarity. Most of these have been known for a long time and were probably originally made as presentation pieces for directors, shareholders, and other interested parties (but not as numismatic specimens). It represents the capstone of the Kellogg coinage, indeed a fitting and dramatic end in 1855 to the widespread productions of privately minted California gold coins. A classic rarity that will certainly grace the cabinet of its new owner. Bid Now!

Lot #1067
Desirable 1860 Clark, Gruber & Co. $10 gold. K-3. Rarity-5. Pikes Peak Gold. EF-40 (PCGS). Reeded edge
Rich honey gold with warm orange iridescence. A few scattered marks do little to impinge upon the aesthetic appeal of the coin. A popular issue from high in the Rocky Mountains, depicting what an eastern engraver thought Pikes Peak looked like. A classic in territorial gold coinage, for this motif was used only on the 1860 $10 and $20 (the latter not offered in the present sale). Bid Now!