One of the top highlights crossing the block in Bowers and Merena Auctions? Baltimore sale Nov. 14-17 is an 1854-O Liberty head double eagle.
The gold $20 has been graded AU-50 by Professional Coin Grading Service.
?The 1854-O is considered to be one of the most important rarities in U.S. numismatics, an issue that has always been in great demand with very few representatives available, especially at this level of quality,? said Steve Deeds, B&M president. ?This example stands out for its exceptional eye appeal and general overall brilliance and bold delineation of design elements.?
B&M will serve as the official auctioneer of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center. The auction includes more than 3,000 coin lots and 1,000 paper money lots and will be conducted over four sessions.
?We can already say this auction is one for the record books, based on sheer size alone,? said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena. ?We?ve never offered this many lots in an auction before and we are thrilled to finish our 2007 Baltimore auctions with the largest auction in Bowers and Merena history.?
Another top lot is a 1916 Buffalo nickel with doubled-die obverse graded PCGS MS-64, one of only an estimated 10 or fewer coins that exist at all levels of Mint State preservation, according to catalogers, who add that this one is the finest example ever handled by Bowers and Merena numismatists.
Also notable is an 1879 Flowing Hair $4 gold ?Stella,? Judd-1635, Pollock-1833, in PCGS Proof-64 DCAM, one of only 18 in all PCGS grades with a Deep Cameo finish, catalogers said.
Among currency highlights is an uncut sheet of four Kimball, W. Va., $5 1902 Plain Back National Bank Notes from the First National Bank of Kimball, charter 11502, graded very fine. This is the first known uncut sheet of Nationals from this bank.
Other currency highlights include a 1902 Red Seal $10 from the First National Bank of Globe, Territory of Arizona, charter 6579, in very good; and an 1882 $10 Brown Back from the Prescott National Bank, located in Prescott, Territory of Arizona, charter 4851, in very fine.
All lots and images in the Bowers and Merena Official Auction of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention can be viewed online at www.bowersandmerena.com. Printed catalogs are available upon request by calling (800) 458-4646.
Pre-auction bids are now being accepted at www.bowersandmerena.com and by e-mail to auction@bowersandmerena.com; by phone at (800) 458-4646; by fax at (949) 253-4091; and by postal mail addressed to Bowers and Merena, Baltimore Auction November 2007, 18061 Fitch, Irvine, CA 92614.
Bowers and Merena will continue to serve as official auctioneer of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention in 2008, with the next auction scheduled for Feb. 27-March 2, 2008.
