By Bruce Roland Hagen, Senior Research Numismatist
Without a doubt, the August ANA World’s Fair of Money is the numismatic event of the year and is eagerly awaited by all. The gathering resonates with immense enthusiasm by all participants. Often, this is the annual one stop convention destination for many dedicated collectors who recognize the opportunity to obtain elusive treasures and participate in club meetings and forums to advance their knowledge. The Official ANA auction is the most important sale of the year and Stack’s Bowers Galleries is once again honored to conduct this venue at both the pre-show and main event in Philadelphia. These auctions will contain the widest variety of material possible, in all price ranges, and from all numismatic genres — United States coins and medals, ancient and world coin coinage, and of course paper money.
Last year’s paper money session was truly a special evening for all who witnessed it. We sold nearly $6 million of important American paper currencies from colonial times until our present era Federal Reserve Notes. Truly memorable was the Bass Foundation collection of Educational Notes and Proofs sold at that session. The Unique set of Serial Number 1 Educational Note uncut sheets realized $1,265,000, setting a public auction record for a United States paper money lot. The Benjamin Franklin signed and created loan certificate reached $218,500 in frenzied bidding during the Poor Richard’s Collection section, over two times high estimate and also a record for this historic piece. All areas of paper money were strong as the demand for high quality collectible material continued to surge. That demand continues this year as well.
This year’s paper money session promises great excitement as well, with several important properties committed to us for this great auction. Colonial currency was prominently placed in last year’s sale and this year will be no exception. The Tremont Collection of Massachusetts Colonial Currency features some of the most exciting notes cataloged since the Ford sales. Perhaps the two finest Revere “Sword in Hand” notes known will be sold along with extremely rare Pre-1750 notes, formerly from the Boyd collection. Obsolete Currency, long an auction tradition here, will include great rarities issued in Philadelphia from the Kensington Collection. Also consigned are stellar proofs with exceptional pedigrees. Chester L. Krause has consigned further exceptional Postage Envelopes issued during the Civil War.
It is important to plan your consignment early as space for this premier venue auction and particularly the paper money session is extremely limited. The consignment deadline of June 8, 2012 approaches rapidly. Please call toll-free, Matt Quinn in the Irvine office at 1-800-458-4646 or Bruce Hagen in New York at 1-800-566-2580 to discuss placing your important notes or featured collection into this stellar paper money auction session.
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