Dallas, TX – The Official Auctions of the FUN 2009 Convention in Orlando began on Wednesday, Jan. 7, and spectacular results have already been posted in Heritage’s first Pattern Night session featuring The Lemus Collection – Queller Family Collection Part Two.

Containing 465 different Patterns, the collection was so extensive that it warranted a special catalog, and posted prices realized totaling $8,361,219. The Lemus Patterns were followed by a further session of patterns from the holdings of more than 600 consignors participating in Heritage’s FUN auctions, which brought in an additional $650,000. As additional sessions take place in Heritage’s $50 million, 15,000+ lot auction, results will be posted on its Web site (www.HA.com).

"We expected FUN 2009 to be amazing," said Heritage President Greg Rohan, "and so far we’re thrilled. We’re just incredibly excited about the coins and notes we’re bringing to the eager buyers in Orlando.

FUN started just days after we presented our $7 million auction of Ancient and World Coins at the New York International Numismatic Convention. FUN is the world’s largest coin show, and Heritage is the world’s largest numismatic auctioneer; these events are always exciting!"

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(Orlando, Florida) – The unique 1793 Wreath U.S. large cent variety (Sheldon NC-5, Crosby 10-F) in the collection of the American Numismatic Society (ANS) has been authenticated and graded by Professional Coin Grading Service as PCGS AU-58. The coin has a distinguished pedigree dating back to 1881, but this was the first time it has been formally certified by a third-party grading service.

"PCGS experts examined this amazing coin and encapsulated it at the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) convention in Orlando, Florida, on dealer set-up day, January 7, 2009.  It was truly awe-inspiring to see it in person," said Don Willis, President of PCGS, a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT).

After certification by PCGS, the coin was placed on display at the FUN convention booth of early American copper specialists, Chris McCawley and Bob Grellman, alongside selected highlights from the large cent collection of Daniel W. Holmes, Jr., an ANS Trustee.  It was the first time the coin has been publicly seen outside New York City since it was donated to ANS 63 years ago. Read the rest of this entry »

The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) will display Sunnywood’s "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" set of exquisitely toned Morgan silver dollars and PCGS Co-Founder David Hall will participate in an important educational forum at the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) annual convention in Orlando, January 8 - 11, 2009. 

Hall will be a featured expert in the FUN seminar, "2009 or 1929? You Can Survive and Thrive During the Economic Crisis," at 1:15 p.m., Saturday, January 10.

"The Sunnywood’s collection is a 100 percent complete, basic set of circulation strike Morgan dollars (1878 – 1921) with spectacular natural toning.  The set is ranked number six in the PCGS Set Registry with a weighted grade point average and set rating of 64.611," said BJ Searls, Set Registry Manager.

"The collection was assembled by attorney Douglas Kurz who will be on hand at FUN to discuss the composition of the set. One of the main attractions is an 1881-S graded PCGS MS68 with vivid rainbow toning that’s considered by many Morgan dollar enthusiasts to be the ultimate, finest-toned Morgan known."

Other highlights of the 97-coin set include: Read the rest of this entry »