Washingtonia and exonumia from the Emery May Norweb collection, Saint-Gaudens double eagles, territorial gold and a unique 1849 congressional gold medal presented to Zachary Taylor will cross the block in Stack?s Nov. 7-8 auction.
Taylor was awarded the gold medal, his third congressional gold medal, in recognition of his victory in the 1847 Mexican War battle of Buena Vista. He was Gen. Taylor in 1848 but was in the first six months of his Presidency by the time the medal was presented in July 1849. Taylor died in 1850.
This is the only example of this medal known struck in gold, the actual piece given to Taylor. Stack?s catalogers graded it Choice Mint State and said it is the largest congressional gold medal in private hands, at 89.5mm in diameter, 6.7mm thick at the rim, weight 621 grams. One other congressional gold medal, given to Gen. Winfield Scott, is the same size, and one given to U.S. Grant is larger, but those two are held in the Smithsonian Institution.
The Taylor medal is housed in an engraved silver clamshell case, 96.6mm in diameter.
George Washington medals from the Norweb collection include a 1799 (1800) Washington Skull and Crossbones funeral medal, Baker-165, Fuld Dies 1.-A.1, graded Mint State by catalogers.
Also to be offered are a choice proof example of the 1792 ?Roman Head? cent; the rare (1792) Washington Born Virginia/Eagle With Stars copper, Breen-1236, one of just three known and only two in private hands, according to catalogers; a 112 mm 1889 medal by Augustus Saint-Gaudens to commemorate the centennial of Washington?s inauguration, one of two known in gold, both made from 18-karat gold shells; and several patterns featuring Washington.
Other notable patterns include aluminum 1869 Seated Liberty patterns.
Pioneer gold from the Archangel Collection includes privately struck gold pieces from the Georgia-Carolina, California and Colorado gold rushes.
The sale opens with a $2.50 piece struck by the first of the private coiners, Templeton Reid. This Choice About Uncirculated-55 piece is one of possibly 20 known today, catalogers said.
Nine Bechtler gold coins will go under the hammer, and from California is an Augustus Humbert 1851 octagonal $50, a lettered edge piece stamped 880 THOUS graded Choice About Uncirculated-55 by catalogers. Two more Humbert $50 slugs offered are a target reverse, lettered edge coin and a reeded edge .880 THOUS in Choice About Uncirculated-58.
Other issuers represented are the Miners Bank; Moffatt & Co.; Norris, Gregg & Norris; Wass, Molitor and Co.; Oregon Trading Co.; Clark, Gruber & Co.; as well as Mormon gold.
Among U.S. coins, The El Dorado Collection?s run of Saint-Gaudens $20s is complete except for the 1927-D and 1907 high relief. This is a collection put together by the grandfather of the consignor who worked at the Denver Mint. The silver dollar section also holds several attractive pieces.
A selection of material from the American Bank Note Company archives will be offered, including printing plates and related items. The focus is on Presidents and items depicting George Washington.
Paper money in the sale runs the gamut from Confederate Currency to obsolete notes to National Bank Notes and federal type notes. Highlights include a June 30, 1864, $50 Interest Bearing Note with coupon, graded Very Fine-30 by Paper Money Guaranty, and an 1882 $500 Gold Certificate graded PMG Choice AU-58.
For additional information, contact Stack?s, 123 W. 57th St. New York, NY 10019; phone (212) 582-2580; fax (212) 245-5018 ? or P.O. Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH 03894; phone (603) 569-0823; fax (603) 569-3875; e-mail auction@stacks.com.
Online bidding is available at www.stacks.com.
