An 1870-CC Liberty Head double eagle will highlight the official Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention Auction that will be conducted Nov. 18-22 by Bowers and Merena Auctions.
The double eagle, which is Lot 4723, has been graded EF-45 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corp.
The firm notes that federal records show that 3,789 double eagles were struck in the Carson City Mint during 1870, and virtually all of those coins have since been lost, making it the rarest CC gold.
“This is really a very appealing example of the issue and a coin that is destined for inclusion in the finest collection of CC-mint and/or Liberty gold coinage,” said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena.
“The surfaces are among the most appealing that we have ever seen for a ’70-CC $20, very impressive,” he explained.
NGC Census is 7, with five finer through AU-55; the corresponding Professional Coin Grading Service population is 11 with five finer through AU-53, it was noted.
Deeds is excited by a discovery coin featured in the auction. It is Lot 1143, an exceedingly rare 1795 S-79 Reeded Edge Liberty Cap large cent. It is one of just six pieces known to exist and the only example certified by PCGS or NGC.
This 1795 S-79, Rarity-7+, Reeded Edge is graded Good-4 by PCGS and is mounted in a special PCGS holder that allows easy viewing of the edge.
“This is really a unique opportunity to acquire one of the rarest large cents ever minted,” Deeds said.
One of the two highest-graded 1802 $2.50 gold pieces, Lot 4309, an 1802/’1’ Capped Bust Right quarter eagle, BD-3, HBCC-3009, Rarity-5, in MS-65 by NGC is called visually impressive.
An 1882 Trade dollar going on the block is called Proof-67 Ultra Cameo by NGC.
Another highlight coin lot is a 1920-D Buffalo nickel that grades MS-67* by NGC.
A full-head 1916 Standing Liberty quarter that grades MS-65 by PCGS will also be sold.
The auction includes 800 lots of U.S. paper money and a number of lots of world coinage. Overall, the sale features 4,300 lots and will be conducted in five sessions.
Bidding will open in early November. Pre-auction bids may be placed at www.bowersandmerena.com; by e-mail at auction@bowersandmerena.com; by phone at (800) 458-4646; by fax at (949) 253-4091; or by mail at Bowers and Merena, Baltimore Auction November 2008, 18061 Fitch, Irvine, CA, 92614.
