There will be so many rarities on display at the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo Sept. 27-29 in the Long Beach Convention Center that the show might be called a treasure hunt for adults.
Unique half eagle and eagle specimen strikes will be on exhibit, as will coins, ingots, medals, tokens and scrip from the John J. Ford Jr. collection of Western Americana; portions of the Professional Coin Grading Service Grading Set; and the first display of the finest known 1907 Ultra High Relief Saint-Gaudens double eagle since its recent sale.
?The display by Monaco Rare Coin of Newport Beach features the finest known 1776 Continental dollar struck in pewter, graded NGC MS-67,? said Ronald J. Gillio, Expo general chairman.
?Highlights of the exhibit are the only known 1795 Capped Bust Heraldic Eagle $5 gold coin graded NGC SP-64, and a beautiful 1800 Capped Bust Heraldic Eagle graded NGC SP-65. The unique 1795 half eagle is the earliest-dated U.S. gold coin ever designed as a specimen or special proof strike by either Numismatic Guaranty Corporation or Professional Coin Grading Service, and the 1800 eagle is the earliest $10 denomination gold coin ever certified as a specimen strike by NGC or PCGS,? Gillio said.
Stack?s will show Ford?s Western assay ingots and assay receipts; one of only four known 1856 Blake & Co. pattern $20 gold pieces; one of only two known 1849 Cincinnati Minting and Trading Company pattern $20 gold pieces; and rare Western bank notes and merchant scrip. They will be sold in an Oct. 16 auction.
Collectors looking for grading pointers will appreciate the PCGS Grading Set. On display will be multiple examples of all grades from About Good-3 to Mint State-61 and 5 to 10 examples of MS-63 to MS-67 for most major U.S. coin series.
There also will be displays of natural and artificial toning, as well as toned coins depicting positive or negative eye appeal.
Certified Assets Management of Wilmington, Del., will show the finest known 1907 Ultra High Relief Saint-Gaudens $20 denomination gold coin graded PCGS Proof-69. It sold in August for a record price described as one that ?substantially exceeds $3 million,? according Bob Higgins, president of the company.
A children?s treasure hunt will be held Saturday; the Long Beach Stamp Club will give away free collectible stamps to youngsters, and a free gold coin door prize will be awarded each day to a lucky visitor to the show.
Public hours are Sept. 27-28 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (The show is closed on Sunday.) A complete schedule of events can be found online at www.LongBeachShow.com.
General admission is $6 (good for all three days); $4 for members of any coin or stamp club who display a valid membership card; and $3 for seniors 65 and older. Admission is free for children ages seven and younger. Discount coupons are on the Web site.
