Thursday, November 8, 2012

United States Money of the Week: Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Baltimore Currency Auction Enticing!

By Bruce Roland Hagen, Senior Research Numismatist

We are rapidly approach another enticing currency auction November 15, 2012 at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo, commencing at 6:00 P.M. in the Charles Street VIP Room at the Baltimore Convention Center. The sale is replete with classic American currency rarities and diverse collector caliber notes. The sale is a culmination of an extraordinary year for us auctioning the finest paper money from all collecting genres. Bidders from across the nation and around the world -- Internet bidders, telephone buyers and in-person attendees -- will vie for many extraordinary notes from many collecting disciplines.

Several excellent collections have been consigned to this always popular auction venue.  An elite collection of War of 1812 Treasury Notes (lots 4345 to 4354) is showcased in this sale. The ten rarities represented are not often offered for sale, publicly or privately. Listed at the front of the Friedberg catalog, these notes are historic, beautiful and essential for a well-defined and comprehensive collection of United States paper money. Several excellent collections of Federal Large and Small Size type notes are featured with many superlative grade examples. One collection features many type notes purchased in the 1960s and 1970s from famous dealers such as Bill Donlon and Morey Perlmutter. Such notes exemplify excellent paper originality and eye appeal. Lot 4491 is a beautiful Fr.334 1891 $50 Silver Certificate graded AU-58 by PMG. This stunner was purchased decades ago for $350 and will meet much enthusiasm when it crosses the auction block. An excellent selection of National Banknotes features a superb Serial Number 1 Ch.3482 St. Albans, Vermont $5 Brown Back (lot 4805) which is newly discovered.

Colonial American notes from the Hoadley Collection, formed mostly in the 19th century, are being sold at the request of the Connecticut Historical Society. Many diverse collections and individual notes are offered, including a bold Continental Currency May 10, 1775 “Marbled Border” $20 note (lot 4081). Obsolete notes, represented in a compact section, feature several stunning proofs and issued notes. Lot 4162 is one of the more interesting title/portrait combination bills we have encountered, with Stephen A. Douglas, the 1860 Presidential candidate, seen on this note bearing his name title issued from Metropolis, Illinois. This great rarity was last sold in the Schingoethe Sales. Gorgeous color proofs from Uxbridge, Massachusetts (lot 4188) and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (lot 4250) are certain to elicit strong competition. A unique archive of items from the State Bank at Camden, New Jersey, highlighted by an extraordinary ledger (lot 4216) with 19 genuine notes from the bank will be sold. Rare Civil War scrip and cardboards from the Stephen L. Tanenbaum collection (lots 4292-4320) tie their history with Civil War tokens into a unique offering and exemplify the superb collecting acumen of this great collector.

This public session, next Thursday November 15, 2012 at 6:00 P.M Eastern, should once again contain something for everyone’s collecting tastes from Colonial and Continental, Obsolete Notes, Treasury Notes, Large and Small Type, Errors, and related items. Also, don’t miss nearly 300 Internet Only lots (21011-21283) closing Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 3:00 Pacific Time.

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