Silver center cent highlights auction

Coins and paper money results recorded by Stack’s Bowers Galleries at its Whitman Coins and Collectibles Winter Expo auction Nov. 8-14 in Baltimore totaled $15.4 million. At Rarities Night, a…

This Mint State 1792 silver center cent sold for $900,000 on Rarities Night during Stack’s Bowers Galleries' recent auction in Baltimore.

Coins and paper money results recorded by Stack’s Bowers Galleries at its Whitman Coins and Collectibles Winter Expo auction Nov. 8-14 in Baltimore totaled $15.4 million.

At Rarities Night, a Mint State 1792 silver center cent brought $900,000.

The piece comes from the Cardinal Collection and has an earlier provenance to the 1905 Chapman Brothers’ sale of the Charles Morris Collection.

This price and all others include a 10 percent buyer’s fee.

Also from the Cardinal collection, an AU-58+ (Professional Coin Grading Service) 1794 Flowing Hair half dollar sold for $252,000. The only Mint State 1797 BB-72 Draped Bust silver dollar fetched $264,000.

Stack’s Bowers said the gold coins offered in the Rarities Night session included a parade of jewels from the Murray Hill Collection.

First of these was a PCGS AU-53 1796 No Stars quarter eagle that earned $150,000.

Next was an incredible Numismatic Guaranty Corporation MS-63* (star) 1796 Stars on Obverse gold quarter eagle. Before it became part of the Murray Hill Collection, it had been owned by John Whitney Walter. This rare gold sold for $324,000.

A Mint State 1808 Capped Bust Left quarter eagle sold for $144,000. A PCGS Proof-66 Cameo 1879 Flowing Hair Stella recorded a price of $240,000.

Larger denominations in the Murray Hill Collection also saw aggressive bidding, with a PCGS Proof-63 Deep Cameo 1873 Liberty Head double eagle selling for $105,000 and an NGC Proof-65 Ultra Cameo 1889 Liberty Head double eagle reaching $90,000.

Sunken treasure continues to appeal. Among other double eagles in the sale, the finest certified 1858-O double eagle that was recovered from the S.S. Republic shipwreck and graded NGC MS-63 sold for $156,000.

An NGC Proof-66+* (star) Ultra Cameo 1886 double eagle that is one of just 20 to 25 remaining brought $228,000.

An NGC Proof-65* Ultra Cameo 1889 double eagle went for $156,000.

A Washington Born Virginia copper from the Cardinal Collection was certified PCGS MS-66+ BN CAC. The cataloger said it is likely the finest known. It realized $114,000.

The auction was among the most dynamic and successful Baltimore events in recent memory, the firm said.

E-mail info@StacksBowers.com for more information.

This article was originally printed in Numismatic News Express. >> Subscribe today

More Collecting Resources

• The Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700 is your guide to images, prices and information on coins from so long ago.

• With nearly 24,000 listings and over 14,000 illustrations, the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern Issues is your go-to guide for modern bank notes.