(Santa Ana, California) – A hoard of Indian Head $5 gold pieces found in an unclaimed bank safe deposit box in Florida has been certified by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Nearly half of the 262 coins graded mint state, including dozens of rare date 1911-S and 1916-S Half Eagles.

"This is an incredible discovery. They came completely out of the woodwork," said Lexington, Kentucky and Sarasota, Florida dealer, Jeff Garrett, who jointly purchased the coins with dealer Marc Earle of Saint Petersburg, Florida from a government sale of unclaimed items. They then sold all of them to Bill Gale of New York Mint in Edina, Minnesota.

"This is one of the more unusual hoards I’ve seen in my career," stated PCGS Founder, David Hall. "There was a group of 1910-D $5 Indians that appeared in the 1970s, but that was over 30 years ago. This is the only large group of mint state San Francisco Mint $5 Indians I’ve ever heard of. By far, the S-mint issue are the rarest $5 Indians to find in mint state."

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(New Orleans, Louisiana) – The 1844-O proof Eagle, a one-of-a-kind gold coin struck at the New Orleans Mint 164 years ago, has returned "home" to the Louisiana State Museum – Old U.S. Mint with the help of New Orleans coin dealer, Paul Hollis. 

The unique, $10 denomination gold piece apparently was specially struck as a presentation piece, and over the decades it’s been in the famous coin collections of a former U.S. Treasury Secretary and an early 20th century Chicago beer baron.

It is certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as Proof-65 Ultra Cameo, and now insured for $2.5 million for an upcoming exhibition.

"This coin is certainly among the most important Southern gold coins ever struck, combining rarity, beauty, technical quality and a fascinating story," said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman. 

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Duvall 4-E Variety is Just the Second Reported Specimen

Virginia Beach, VA. DLRC Auctions is proud to offer this week the second known example of the rare Duvall 4-E variety of the Lafayette dollar. This variety was thought to be unique until the discovery of this coin, which has been graded AU58 Cleaned by Dominion Grading Service (DGS).

According to John Feigenbaum, President of David Lawrence Rare Coins, the coin has "the initial appearance of a mint state coin but the luster is almost too nice and lacks the frosty surfaces of a true mint state.

The coin has virtually no wear and has been very lightly cleaned to show evidence of wipe lines upon close examination in proper lighting. The only significant mark on either side of the coin is a 3 mm scratch on Washington’s cheek. Without the mishandling, this coin might have otherwise graded MS63."

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Over 315 DGS‐graded Coins Available for Bidding

Virginia Beach, VA – The numismatic staff of DLRC Auctions is excited to announce the current sale of the Block Island Collection – an assembly of 432 certified coins and paper money items from a life‐long collector.

317 of the coins were submitted to Dominion Grading Service (DGS) prior to their sale in this auction as part of the new campaign by DLRC and DGS to give customers the full service experience when the time comes to sell their collections.

According to Win Callender, DLRC Vice President, who handled this consignment,

"the Block Island Coin and Currency Collection hails from a long-time client who began collecting as a child and represents an assemblage 60 years in the making. As a young boy, he saw a 1901‐S quarter in a strong XF grade and wondered why the retail price, $40, was so much higher than the others.

That experience helped launch a lifetime of interest in numismatics. There are many wonderful collector coins in this collection that seldom come to market. For example, two 1901‐S quarters, great runs of Liberty Seated halves and Barbers and loads of key dates. He also amassed a wonderful collection of currency, all graded by CGA or PMG, ranging from large size type, to nationals, to small size silver certificates. There are over 90 fresh notes and are all reserved at great prices."

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IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, hosted their Beverly Hills Rarities Sale on Saturday, September 13, 2008, at The Tower Beverly Hills. The 933-lot auction of high-end rarities realized a total of $3,317,135.

The spotlight of the auction was on the new discovery 1851 Augustus Humbert $50 Gold piece of the Reeded Edge, 880 THOUS (K-5, Rarity-5) variety graded MS-65 * by NGC that realized $460,000 after an excited round of bidding. Prior to the auction, NGC chairman Mark Salzburg called it "the most memorable coin I have graded all year."

It is the only Humbert gold coin of any denomination with an NGC grade of MS-65 *, and no Humbert gold coins of any denomination or variety have been graded finer than MS-65 at either PCGS or NGC.

"A new discovery piece the caliber of this Humbert is so special and rare that I can think of only a very few in this league that I have come across in my 40-year span in the business," said Steve Deeds, president.

"It is very exciting to be able to present a coin like this to the world of collectors who will appreciate it for its history and value to the numismatic community. This is a showcase piece for its new owner and one that will be remembered for years to come."

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A 1873-CC Seated Liberty silver dollar may have saved a couple in Parma, Ohio from losing their home. According to WKYC-TV, the couple brought the extremely rare coin to Jim Matiach for an appraisal.

Matiach, President of Coin and Jewelry Buyers of America, had good news.

"We sat down and we were able to negotiate a price and he walked away with enough money to pay off some of his bills and hopefully be able to keep his house," says Matiach.

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Dallas, TX. Heritage’s weekly Internet Coin Auctions have recently recorded sales of significant rarities.

“What a great week for wonderful coins for our Internet bidders,” enthused Heritage President Greg Rohan. “Our Tuesday Weekly Internet Coin Auction ending 8/19 included several significant coins, including:

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Dallas, TX. An O-101 1796 15 Stars half dollar (Lot 2018), certified AU58 by PCGS is joined by many other gold and silver rarities in Heritage’s Long Beach Signature® Auction, being held Sept 17-21, 2008.

Heritage is also holding auctions featuring U.S. Currency, Ancient & World Coins, World Currency, and Tokens and Medals. The auctions are now posted by Heritage Auction Galleries on their HA.com website, and all lots are available for inspection and bidding.

“Among the great rarities included in the Long Beach auction,” commented Heritage President Greg Rohan, “are several unusual pairs: A pair of 1879 $4 stellas (Judd-1635, Pollock-1833) with Flowing Hair, and certified by NGC (Lot 3570 is PR64 Star Cameo, and Lot 3571 is PR65 Cameo). A pair of early $5s from The Laredo Collection is also significant: Lot 3575 is a 1795 $5 Small Eagle (BD-1), certified MS62 NGC, and Lot 3587 is an 1805 $5 Close Date (BD-2). A pair of 1839-O Capped Bust, Reeded Edge Proof half dollars will keep seasoned numismatists talking for decades.

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Highlights Include Extraordinary Gem 1851 Augustus Humbert $50 Gold Piece, the Only Humbert Gold Coin of Any Denomination or Variety Graded MS-65 * by NGC

IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, will host their Beverly Hills Rarities Sale on Saturday, September 13, 2008, at The Tower Beverly Hills, prior to the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectible Expo.

Lot viewing for the entire auction is scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, September 11-13. The catalog includes more than 900 exceptional coin rarities

Topping the list of highlights is a very special new discovery, Lot 681, an August Humbert $50 Gold piece of the Reeded Edge, 880 THOUS (K-5, Rarity-5) variety graded MS-65 * by NGC. It is the only Humbert gold coin of any denomination with an NGC grade of MS-65 *.

No Humbert gold coins of any denomination or variety have been graded finer than MS-65 at either PCGS or NGC.

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The Highest Graded Mint State Humbert Gold Coin of Any Denomination or Variety Graded MS-65 * by NGC

IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, will auction an extremely rare and exceptional 1851 Augustus Humbert $50 Gold Piece at their Beverly Hills Rarities Sale on Saturday, September 13, 2008, at The Tower Beverly Hills, prior to the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectible Expo.

Lot viewing for the entire auction is scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, September 11-13.

The coin, cataloged as August Humbert. $50 Gold. Reeded Edge. K-5. Rarity-5. 880 THOUS. MS-65 * (NGC), boasts a combined PCGS and NGC Population (1851 $50 Reeded Edge, 880 THOUS variety only) of just 1; 0 finer.

"This coin is a new discovery that has never been available for sale to our knowledge," said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena.

"The rarity, the quality, the history – it all adds up to make this one spectacular coin of the caliber that even the most experienced numismatists only see a few times in a lifetime.

This coin is one of the high points of the year at Bowers and Merena and we know it is going to a cause a big buzz for our September Beverly Hills Rarities Sale."

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