Dallas, TX. The Official Auction of the February 2008 Long Beach Coin Expo has been posted by Heritage Auction Galleries on their HA.com website. Combining the lots in the Signature, Husak, and Final Session catalogs of U.S. coins, more than 5,500 lots will be available for viewing and bidding in Long Beach. The Auction dates are February 14-16, 2008, and the auction will be held at the Long Beach (CA) Convention Center.
"This Long Beach has three stars," commented Heritage President Greg Rohan, "one coin and two collections! The first star is an absolutely classic numismatic rarity. The 1838-O half dollar is one of the most celebrated properties in America's numismatic history, and mystery surrounds its rich history. The generally accepted mintage figure is 20 coins, based upon a handwritten note that accompanied the 1838-O half dollar sold in June 1894 by Edouard Frossard: "The enclosed specimen coin of the U.S. branch mint at New Orleans is presented to Pres. Bache by Rufus Tyler the coiner. It may be proper to state that not more than 20 pieces were struck with the half dollar dies of 1838." Eleven examples have been traced, most with significant pedigrees including Boyd, Empire, Hawn, Norweb, Boyd, Green, Anderson-Dupont, Parmalee, Eliasberg, Newcomer, and Atwater (this coin). This may also be the finest known survivor."
Lot 600: 1838-O 50C PR63 Branch Mint PCGS. CAC. JR-1, R.7.
"The second star of Long Beach," continued Rohan, "is the Husak Collection of Early U.S. Large Cents, which may well be the greatest ever formed. It includes virtually every Sheldon number in the 1793 to 1814 series (a remarkable 299 of the 302 Sheldon-numbered varieties and sub-varieties), and the grades are remarkable. Included are many Mint State pieces, numerous Condition Census examples, and several are the finest known. Mr. Husak started collecting with two goals: 1) the acquisition of coins that were attractive and pleasant, preferably in the Condition Census; 2) the acquisition of coins with exceptional pedigrees. Despite the serious challenges implicit in goal goals, Mr. Husak has succeeded brilliantly! Visit HA.com to see what all the excitement is about."
"The third star in Long Beach," continued Rohan, "is the Southwest Collection - a truly great offering of gem-quality rare coins that are simply amazing. Valued at more than four million dollars, these eye-appealing coins combine rarity with eye-appeal. The quality of virtually every coin places it among the finest known, and their eye-appeal continues throughout the collection of Mint State and Proof coins. In many case, the consignor chose better dates - note the 1916-D Mercury Dime graded MS65 Full Bands, or his 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter in MS66 Full Head for those types! The Southwest Collection was meticulously assembled by a connoisseur of cultural artifacts of many types. This serious collector has demonstrated an ability to procure the best in all his diverse collecting interests which typically demonstrated his willingness to 'pay the price' to obtain the best. A prominent and successful executive, the same dedication that he brought to his business endeavors is evident in his collecting successes."
"With the interest in these coins that we have already seen" concluded Rohan, "we are expecting to give our new Heritage Live online bidding system its most strenuous workout yet! We expect more Internet bidders to participate in Long Beach - and to win more lots as well!"
Long Beach anchor consignments include: The Harold C. Ayres VMD Collection; The Al Blythe Collection of Half Dimes; The Jimmy G. PCGS Registry Collection of Morgan Dollars with Varieties; The Walter J. Husak Collection; The Liberty Collection of United States Colonial Coinage, Part Two; The Scheppman Collection, #4 PCGS Registry of Full Band Mercury Dimes; The Southwest Collection; and The John J. Stimson, Sr. Collection, Part Two.
Additional highlights from Heritage's Feb. 2008 Long Beach:
Lot 341: 1806/5 B-1 Overdate Quarter, B-1, R.3. MS64 PCGS. CAC.
The 1806/5 overdate quarter is one of the prominent, "naked eye" overdates that are so popular with collectors today. Ex: Randall Collection; Garrett Collection; Johns Hopkins University. From The Southwest Collection.
Lot 394: 1896-S Quarter, MS65 PCGS. CAC.
The 1896-S, despite a mintage over four times that of the 1913-S, is far more elusive than the later issue in Mint State grades. From The Southwest Collection.
Lot 452: 1913-S Quarter, MS66 PCGS. CAC.
The 1913-S is third behind the 1896-S and 1901-S Barber quarters for rarity within the series, with these dates forming the "Big Three" of the Barber quarter series. From The Southwest Collection.
Lot 827: 1794 $1, XF45 PCGS. B-1, BB-1, R.4.
This, the Eliasberg 1794 Silver Dollar, is far finer than the usual strike, with every digit, star, and letter on the obverse completely outlined. Ex: Charles P. Britton Collection; S.H. & H. Chapman; E.S. Norris Collection; J.M. Clapp; John H. Clapp; Clapp Estate; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.
Lot 1046: 1915-S Panama-Pacific $50 Octagonal, MS65 PCGS. CAC.
A truly splendid example of this classic American commemorative coin, and one that deserves the attention and commands the respect of any serious numismatist. From The Southwest Collection.
Lot 1285: 1888-O Doubled Die Obverse Dollar, AU55 PCGS.
VAM 4, the so-called 'Hot Lips' variety, is a "Top 100" Morgan variety. From The Jimmy G. PCGS Registry Collection of Morgan Dollars with Varieties.
Lot 1427: 1895-O $1, MS63 PCGS
1895 is perhaps the most legendary year in the entire Morgan dollar series, and the low mintage 1895-O and 1895-S are key issues that raise eyebrows in all Mint State grades. From The Jimmy G. PCGS Registry Collection of Morgan Dollars with Varieties.
Lot 1588: 2000-P Sacagawea $1, "Cheerios" MS67 PCGS.
The 2000 promotion that put new cents and Sacagawea dollars in boxes of Cheerios cereal was a newsworthy coin awareness campaign, but when eagle-eyed collectors discovered that the dies used to strike the 5,500 dollars differed from those used to coin the rest of the production run, they became instant rarities. This example comes with its original packaging.
Lot 1662: An Important Group of Lincoln-Related Items From the Estate of Charles Eliot Norton
Lot 2301: 1792 Disme, Judd-11, Pollock-12, R.8, Genuine PCGS.
This coin is possibly a presentation piece of the Plain Edge 1792 disme and that the coin possesses cancellation marks.
Lot 2412: 1854-O $3, AU58 PCGS
The current coin is sure to garner the attention of experienced numismatists, as the eye appeal and technical aspects seem to beckon to a higher grade.
Lot 2460: 1807 $5 Bust Left MS64 PCGS. Breen-6453, BD-8, R.2.
This die pairing is easily distinguished by the lone 1807 Capped Bust Left obverse combined with a reverse where the tip of the feather points to the tip of the flag of the 5.
Lot 2536: 1857-O $5, MS63 PCGS.
Ex: Ashland City, this is the Finest Known by two points.
Lot 2591: 1909-O $5, MS62 PCGS
The 1909-O half eagle is the premier star in the series, the only New Orleans gold coin to feature the attractive and popular Indian Head design, and a key-date issue with only 34,200 minted.
Lot 2784: 1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim MS66 PCGS
In his award-winning book Renaissance of American Coinage, 1905-1908, Roger Burdette gives praise to the unsung heroes of the Mint who made coins such as the High Relief possible!
Lot 2788: 1907 $20 Arabic Numerals MS67 PCGS
By June 20, 1907, Saint-Gaudens and Roosevelt had agreed that the double eagle should be struck in low relief and with the date in European digits.
Lot 2989: 1793 Washington Ship Halfpenny, Copper, Plain Edge XF45 PCGS. Breen-1226, R.8.
An extremely rare item, with only two or three known.
Lot 3002: 1793 Chain Cent, AMERICA, XF45 PCGS. CAC. S-3, B-3, R.3.
The obverse is easily identified by the straight bust line, and the large R in LIBERTY, while the reverse is the only die with AMERICA spelled out in its entirety. From The Southwest Collection.
Lot 3009: 1794 Cent, Head of 1794, AG3 PCGS. S-33, B-19, R.6.
The famous Wheelspoke Variety is named for the radial die cracks that extend inward from the reverse border.
Highlights from the Walt Husak Collection of Early U.S. Large Cents. Follow the links for incredibly detailed lot descriptions and images:
Lot 2000: 1793 Chain 1C AMERI. AU53 PCGS. S-1, B-1, R.4. Bland XF40; tied for CC-11. Noyes VF35; CC-12. Photo #33333. Our EAC Grade XF40.
Lot 2002: 1793 Chain 1C AMERICA MS62 Brown PCGS. S-3, B-4, Low R.3. Bland AU55; tied for CC-3. Noyes AU50; CC-5. Photo #32066. Our EAC Grade AU50.
Lot 2003: 1793 Chain 1C Periods AU50 PCGS. S-4, B-5, R.3. Bland XF40; tied for CC-7. Noyes VF35; tied for CC-8. Photo #31155. Our EAC Grade XF45.
Lot 2004: 1793 1C Wreath, Vine and Bars Edge. MS62 Brown PCGS. S-5, B-6, R.4. Bland AU50; tied for CC-6. Noyes AU50; tied for CC-7. Photo #59278. Our EAC Grade AU50.
Lot 2005: 1793 1C Wreath, Vine and Bars Edge. XF45 PCGS. S-6, B-7, R.3. Noyes VF30; CC-15. Photo #39173. Our EAC Grade VF30.
Lot 2006: 1793 1C Wreath, Vine and Bars Edge. Very Good 10 PCGS. S-7, B-8, Low R.6. Bland Very Good 7; tied for CC-12. Noyes Very Good 7; tied for CC-9. Photo #24052. Our EAC Grade Very Good 7.
Lot 2007: 1793 1C Wreath, Vine and Bars Edge. MS62 Brown PCGS. S-8, B-13, R.3. Bland AU50; tied for CC-10. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2008: 1793 1C Wreath, Vine and Bars Edge. AU50 PCGS. S-9, B-12, R.2. Noyes VF20; tied for CC-21. Photo #36165. Our EAC Grade VF25.
Lot 2009: 1793 1C Wreath, Vine and Bars Edge. AU50 PCGS. S-10, B-10, R.4. Bland VF35; tied for CC-12. Noyes VF35; tied for CC-9. Photo #36661. Our EAC Grade VF30.
Lot 2010: 1793 1C Wreath, Vine and Bars Edge. AU50 PCGS. S-11a, B-16a, High R.4. Noyes VF30; tied for CC-8. Photo #59257. Our EAC Grade VF30.
Lot 2011: 1793 1C Wreath, Lettered Edge. VF30 PCGS. S-11b, B-16b, R.4. Bland VF20; tied for CC-15. Noyes Fine 12; tied for CC-17. Photo #28134. Our EAC Grade Fine 15.
Lot 2012: 1793 1C Wreath, Lettered Edge. AU58 PCGS. S-11c, B-16c, R.3. Bland XF45; tied for CC-6. Noyes XF45; tied for CC-6. Photo #31019. Our EAC Grade XF45.
Lot 2013: 1793 1C Liberty Cap. VF35 PCGS. S-12, B-21, Low R.6. Bland VF20; tied for CC-2. Noyes VF25; tied for CC-2. Photo #20424. Our EAC Grade VF20.
Lot 2014: 1793 1C Liberty Cap. AU55 PCGS. S-13, B-20, Low R.4. Bland AU50; tied for CC-2. Noyes AU50; tied for CC-2. Photo #20425. Our EAC Grade AU50.
Lot 2015: 1793 1C Liberty Cap. XF45 PCGS. S-14, B-17, Low R.5. Bland VF35; tied for CC-5. Noyes VF35; tied for CC-4. Photo #25008. Our EAC Grade VF35.
Lot 2016: 1793 1C Liberty Cap. Very Good 10 PCGS. S-16, B-19, R.6. Bland Very Good 7; tied for CC-6. Noyes Very Good 8; tied for CC-4. Photo #26755. Our EAC Grade Very Good 8.
Lot 2017: 1794 1C Head of '93. XF45 PCGS. S-17a, B-1a, Low R.5. Bland VF30; tied for CC-3. Noyes VF30; tied for CC-3. Photo #20003. Our EAC Grade VF30.
Lot 2018: 1794 1C Head of '93. VF20 PCGS. S-18a, B-2a, R.6. Bland Fine 12; tied for CC-3. Noyes Fine 12; CC-3. Photo #32992. Our EAC Grade Fine 12.
Lot 2019: 1794 1C Head of '93. MS63 Brown PCGS. S-18b, B-2b, R.4. Bland AU55; tied for CC-4. Noyes AU55; CC-4. Photo #20098. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2021: 1794 1C Head of '93. AU50 PCGS. S-19b, B-3b, R.4. Bland VF25; tied for CC-8. Noyes VF25; tied for CC-9. Photo #20159. Our EAC Grade VF25.
Lot 2022: 1794 1C Head of '93. XF45 PCGS. "S-20b," B-4b, High R.4. Bland VF25; tied for CC-4. Noyes VF30; tied for CC-2. Photo #22590. Our EAC Grade VF25.
Lot 2023: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS64 Brown PCGS. S-21, B-5, R.3. Bland MS60; CC-2. Noyes MS60; CC-2. Photo #21541. Our EAC Grade MS60.
Lot 2024: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS63 Brown PCGS. S-22, B-6, R.1. Bland AU55; tied for CC-1. Noyes AU55; CC-3. Photo #20379. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2025: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS63 Brown PCGS. S-23, B-7, High R.4. Bland AU55; tied for CC-1. Noyes AU55; tied for CC-1. Photo #21756. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2026: 1794 1C Head of '94. AU50 PCGS. S-24, B-8, R.1. Noyes VF25; tied for CC-23. Photo #37541. Our EAC Grade VF35.
Lot 2027: 1794 1C Head of '94. AU58 PCGS. S-25, B-15, R.3. Bland AU55; CC-2. Noyes AU55; CC-2. Photo #22717. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2028: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS65 Brown PCGS. S-26, B-16, R.2. Bland MS60; tied for CC-3. Noyes MS60; CC-4. Photo #22506. Our EAC Grade MS60.
Lot 2029: 1794 1C Head of '94. AU50 PCGS. S-27, B-9, R.5. Bland XF40; CC-2. Noyes VF30; tied for CC-3. Photo #21237. Our EAC Grade VF35.
Lot 2030: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS63 Brown PCGS. S-28, B-10, R.2. Bland MS60; tied for CC-1. Noyes AU55; CC-4. Photo #34001. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2031: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS65 Brown PCGS. S-29, B-11, R.2. Bland MS60; CC-3. Noyes MS60; tied for CC-1. Photo #22675. Our EAC Grade MS60.
Lot 2032: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS64 Brown PCGS. S-30, B-12, R.1. Bland MS60; tied for CC-1. Noyes MS65; CC-1. Photo #20145. Our EAC Grade MS60.
Lot 2033: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS64 Brown PCGS. S-31, B-13, R.1. Bland MS60; tied for CC-4. Noyes MS65; tied for CC-1. Photo #22632. Our EAC Grade MS60.
Lot 2034: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS64 Brown PCGS. S-32, B-18, R.2. Bland MS60; CC-2. Noyes MS63; CC-2. Photo #22633. Our EAC Grade MS60.
Lot 2035: 1794 1C Head of '94. VF35 PCGS. S-33, B-19, R.6. Bland VF25; CC-1. Noyes VF25; CC-1. Photo #21888. Our EAC Grade VF25.
Lot 2036: 1794 1C Head of '94. XF45 PCGS. S-34, B-20, High R.5. Bland VF30; CC-2. Noyes VF30; CC-2. Photo #39970. Our EAC Grade VF30.
Lot 2039: 1794 1C Head of '94. XF45 PCGS. S-37, B-24, High R.6. Bland VF30; CC-2. Noyes VF30; CC-2. Photo #32007. Our EAC Grade VF30.
Lot 2040: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS63 Brown PCGS. S-38, B-25, R.5. Bland AU55; tied for CC-1. Noyes AU55; CC-1. Photo #21540. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2041: 1794 1C Head of '94. AU55 PCGS. S-39, B-27, R.6. Bland XF40; tied for CC-2. Noyes XF45; CC-2. Photo #39969. Our EAC Grade XF45.
Lot 2042: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS63 Brown PCGS. S-40, B-28, High R.5. Bland MS61; CC-1. Noyes MS60; CC-1. Photo #21136. Our EAC Grade MS60.
Lot 2047: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS65 Red and Brown PCGS. S-45, B-35, High R.5. Bland MS64; CC-1. Noyes MS65; CC-1. Photo #21754. Our EAC Grade MS63.
Lot 2050: 1794 1C Starred Reverse. AU50 PCGS. S-48, B-38, R.5. Bland XF40; CC-1. Noyes XF40; CC-1. Photo #21666. Our EAC Grade XF40.
Lot 2058: 1794 1C Head of '94. MS62 Brown PCGS. S-56, B-48, R.3. Bland AU55; CC-2. Noyes AU55; CC-2. Photo #22507. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2059: The St. Oswald 1794 S-57 Large Cent, Head of '94. MS65 Red and Brown PCGS. S-57, B-55, R.1. Bland MS64; CC-1. Noyes MS65; tied for CC-1. Photo #21180. Our EAC Grade MS64.
Lot 2060: 1794 1C Head of '94. XF45 PCGS. S-58, B-56, R.3. Bland VF30; tied for CC-10. Noyes VF35; CC-6. Photo #35436. Our EAC Grade VF35.
Lot 2066: 1794 1C Missing Fraction Bar. MS65 Brown PCGS. S-64, B-50, Low R.5. Bland MS67; CC-1. Noyes MS62; CC-1. Photo #21405. Our EAC Grade MS60+.
Lot 2067: 1794 1C Head of '94. AU53 PCGS. S-65, B-51, R.1. Bland XF45; tied for CC-6. Noyes XF45; CC-6. Photo #31897. Our EAC Grade XF40.
Lot 2068: 1794 1C Head of '94. VF35 PCGS. S-66, B-58, High R.5. Bland VF25; CC-1. Noyes VF25; tied for CC-1. Photo #21046. Our EAC Grade VF25.
Lot 2069: 1794 1C Head of '95. MS67 Red and Brown PCGS. S-67, B-59, R.3. Bland MS68; CC-1. Noyes MS67; CC-1. Photo #21315. Our EAC Grade MS65.
Lot 2070: 1794 1C Head of '95. AU58 PCGS. S-68, B-60, R.5. Bland AU55; CC-1. Noyes MS60; CC-1. Photo #21047. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2071: The St. Oswald 1794 S-69 Cent, Head of '95. MS65 Brown PCGS. S-69, B-61, R.3. Bland MS66; CC-1. Noyes MS67; CC-1. Photo #21048. Our EAC Grade MS64.
Lot 2072: 1794 1C Head of '95. MS62 Brown PCGS. S-70, B-62, R.2. Bland MS60; tied for CC-1. Noyes AU55; CC-2. Photo #20782. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2073: St. Oswald 1794 S-71 Cent, Head of '95. MS65 Red and Brown PCGS. S-71, B-63, R.2. Bland MS68; CC-1. Noyes MS67; CC-1. Photo #20519. Our EAC Grade MS65.
Lot 2076: 1795 1C Lettered Edge. MS65 Red and Brown PCGS. S-74, B-2, Low R.4. Bland MS65; tied for CC-1. Noyes MS65; CC-1. Photo #21409. Our EAC Grade MS65.
Lot 2082: 1796 1C Liberty Cap. MS63 Brown PCGS. S-81, B-2, R.3. Bland MS60; CC-1. Noyes AU50; tied for CC-3. Photo #34824. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2093: 1796 1C Draped Bust, Reverse of 1795. AU55 PCGS. S-92, B-28, R.3. Bland XF45; tied for CC-6. Noyes VF35; tied for CC-11. Photo #25467. Our EAC Grade XF45.
Lot 2094: 1796 1C Draped Bust, Reverse of 1795. MS65 Red and Brown PCGS. S-93, B-34, R.3. Bland MS65; CC-1. Noyes MS65; CC-1. Photo #20187. Our EAC Grade MS63.
Lot 2151: 1798 1C First Hair. MS63 Brown PCGS. S-148, B-11, R.2. Bland MS60; CC-3. Noyes MS62; CC-2. Photo #23021. Our EAC Grade MS60.
Lot 2192: 1799 1C Normal Date XF45 PCGS. S-189, B-3, High R.2. Bland VF25; tied for CC-6. Noyes VF30; tied for CC-2. Photo #35050. Our EAC Grade VF25.
Lot 2199: 1800 1C Overdate, Second Hair. AU55 PCGS. S-196, B-10, R.1. Bland XF45; tied for CC-3. Noyes XF45; tied for CC-3. Photo #21807. Our EAC Grade XF45.
Lot 2220: 1801 1C AU58 PCGS. S-217, B-7, High R.6. Bland AU50; CC-1. Noyes XF40; CC-2. Photo #21891. Our EAC Grade XF45.
Lot 2223: 1801 1C 1/000. XF40 PCGS. S-220, B-12, R.3. Bland VF30; tied for CC-6. Noyes VF30; CC-5. Photo #25166. Our EAC Grade VF30.
Lot 2254: 1803 1C Small Date, Small Fraction. MS63 Brown PCGS. S-251, B-8, R.2. Bland MS60; tied for CC-3. Noyes AU55; tied for CC-4. Photo #28534. Our EAC Grade AU55.
Lot 2277: 1807 1C Small 7 over 6. AU55 PCGS. S-272, B-2, High R.4. Bland AU50; CC-1. Noyes AU50; CC-1. Photo #20999. Our EAC Grade AU50.
To discuss consigning coins or currency to an upcoming auction, please call the Heritage Consignor Hotlines at 800-872-6467 ext. 1000 (Coins); or ext. 1001 (Currency).
For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.