Stack's Sept. 18 auction of U.S. coinage features a top-grade 1838 quarter.
At that grade it is the finest certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corp., said sale catalogers. The piece was once part of the Jimmy Hayes collection sold by Stack's in 1985 and is accompanied by a letter from Mr. Hayes to a later owner of the piece.
Another top-graded piece to be offered is an 1853-C gold $5, certified as MS-64 by Professional Coin Grading Service. Catalogers cite the PCGS population report of one 1853-C $5 seen in this condition and none finer.
An 1874 Trade dollar, PCGS MS-66 with only one other graded higher by PCGS, will attract specialists. Catalogers write, "What truly makes the present coin so special is the quality of the surfaces, with just a few microscopic nicks in the fields this is much, much finer than usually encountered."
The sale runs the gamut of U.S. type coinage and price ranges. Selections come from the Thomas A. Bergin collection, the Henry Leon collection and the Waccabuc collection, among others.
The Waccabuc selections this time out are a group of duplicates from a type PCGS Registry Set. The front line pieces from this set are expected to be offered in a November Stack's sale.
Among other sale highlights are a pair of 1793 Chain cents, two 1794 half dimes and a pair original bronze Libertas Americana medals.
An 1856-D gold dollar graded PCGS AU-53 has pedigree to the Harry Bass collection.
Other gold includes an 1827 $2.50 in PCGS MS-64, two 1854-O $3s, an 1806 $5 in NGC MS-64 and a half dozen early $10s 1797-1803 ranging in grade from AU-50 to MS-63. Double eagles feature four 1907 High Relief examples.
An 1892 Columbian Expo half dollar in proof, with toning, is among seldom-seen items. A offering of original Panama-Pacific Expo frame boxes is also in the sale.
Rolls of cents through dollars appear near the end of the auction. Stack's single-session sale will start at 1 p.m. and take place in the Estrela Penthouse of Le Parker-Meridien Hotel, 118 W. 57th St., New York City.
For more information, see Stack's Web site at www.stacks.com, where the catalog is available for viewing. Or contact the firm at Stack's, 123 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019; telephone (800) 566-2580.
