From the Crimson Collection comes an 1879 Flowing Hair Stella that promises to be the belle of Stack?s March 7-9 auction ball.
A number of collections of ancient, world and U.S. coins in all metals are included in the sale, which features three auction sessions.
Full of rare U.S. gold pieces, in addition to type coins in silver and base metals, the Crimson Collection is one of the highlighted groups. It is scheduled to go up for auction March 7-8 and includes the Stella piece, graded gem brilliant proof by the cataloger.
It has an interesting past. According to the cataloger, numismatist Sigmund K. Harzfeld once said that Washington D.C. ?ladies of the night? wore them as jewelry, leaving respectable collectors without them in their collections.
?Both Congress and contemporary collectors were fascinated by the Stella, but it was never adopted for circulation,? writes the cataloger. ?The present example is an exceptional specimen boasting glorious mirror-gleaming fields and delightfully sharp reliefs.?
Other catalogs for the sale include the Northern Bay Collection. Highlights include an 1837 cent, graded Gem Proof-65 by the cataloger. Of it, the cataloger writes, ?The present coin has claims to be one of the finest of this extremely rare issue.? Another featured item is an 1838 cent, in Proof-65 condition according to the cataloger, that?s ?Nearly full red.?
All lots are available for viewing online at www.stacks.com.
Online bidding is also available for all auctions. Printed catalogs for the March 2006 auctions are $25 each or $80 for all four.
For more information, call (212) 582-2580, send a fax to (212) 245-5018 or (212) 582-1946, or write to: Stack?s, 123 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019-2280.
