IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, launched 2009 with two outstanding auctions. The Orlando Rarities Sale held on January 4 prior to the Orlando FUN Convention realized $4,745,806, followed by the Ponterio & Associates, Inc., N.Y.I.N.C. ’09 Auction on January 9 and 10 which realized $1,648,460.
The Orlando spotlight was on Lot 225, a fully complete, exceptionally high-grade set of Business Strike Three-Cent Nickels, PCGS-certified and bearing the CAC designation, which realized $304,750. Comprised exclusively of top-of-the-pop coins, many of which are pop 1/0, this complete set is ranked at the top of the Current-Finest PCGS Registry in the category of Three-Cent Nickels, Circulation Strikes (1865-1889) – a top-ranked Registry Set acquired with a single purchase.
Also garnering attention was Lot 1387, a 1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle from the Mises Institute Collection, graded MS-63 by PCGS, that realized $287,500; and Lot 1280, a 1799 Capped Bust Right Eagle, BD-7, HBCC-3188, Taraszka-19, Rarity-3, Small Stars Obverse, graded MS-64 by PCGS and also bearing the CAC designation, which realized $132,250.
"We are very pleased with the results of our Orlando Rarities Sale," said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena. "There were some in the industry who expressed concern about the economy and were unsure what this first major show of the year would bring, but overall attendance was positive and we were happy to present a strong selection of fine rarities that were very well received by our bidders."
Just days after the Orlando sale, Ponterio & Associates, Inc., presented its first auction since becoming a division of Bowers and Merena in early December 2008, held at the New York International Numismatist Convention. At the top of the highlights list is Lot 945, PERU, 8 Escudos, 1712-M, Fr-7; KM-38.2, ex: "1715 Plate Fleet," which was recovered on July 31, 1992, by Captain Stephen Shouppe off the coast of Florida near a small cluster of cannons in about 15 feet of water. It realized $32,200, more than double the low estimate, and is considered to be one of the finest known Lima 8 Escudo cobs.
Also noteworthy in the Ponterio N.Y.I.N.C. auction is Lot 802, MEXICO, 8 Escudos, 1714-J, with denomination “VIII” punched over “IIIV,” Fr-6; KM-57.3; Cal-143 that realized $23,000; and Lot 503, BRAZIL, 12,800 Reis (Dobra), 1731/0-R. Joao V, 1706-50, Fr-40; KM-140 with unlisted overdate, Gomes-138.09; LDMB-197A, that realized $18,975.
"Ponterio & Associates is pleased to be part of Bowers and Merena and we were very happy with the enhancements they brought to the auction block that made for an even better auction experience for our clients, like live online bidding," said Rick Ponterio, vice president. "We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with our longstanding Ponterio clients, and also bringing world and ancient coins and paper money to the Bowers and Merena clients in our upcoming auctions."
Orlando Rarities Sale highlights include:
Lot 225 A Fully Complete, Exceptionally High-Grade Set of Business Strike Three-Cent Nickels. PCGS-Certified. CAC. $304,750
Lot 316 1914-S Buffalo Nickel. MS-67 * (NGC). $39,100
Lot 427 1834 Capped Bust Dime. JR-1. Rarity-1. Large 4. MS-68 (NGC). $46,000
Lot 459 1916-D Mercury Dime. MS-65 FB (PCGS). $36,225
Lot 709 1897 Barber Half Dollar. Proof-69 Ultra Cameo (NGC). $50,600
Lot 927 1895 Morgan Silver Dollar. Proof-67 Ultra Cameo (NGC). $83,950
Lot 1056 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition $50. Round. MS-65 (NGC). $103,500
Lot 1094 Undated (Circa 1921-1922) August Bechtler. Restrike $5 Gold. K-30. Rarity-7+. Proof-66 (NGC). $44,275
Lot 1146 1868 Liberty Quarter Eagle. Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS). $43,700
Lot 1149 1898 Liberty Quarter Eagle. Proof-68 Ultra Cameo (NGC). $46,001
Lot 1205 1862 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. Proof-66 Ultra Cameo (NGC). $69,000
Lot 1212 1876 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. Proof-64 Cameo (NGC). $48,875
Lot 1280 1799 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-7, HBCC-3188, Taraszka-19. Rarity-3. Small Stars Obverse. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC. $132,250
Lot 1285 1804 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, HBCC-3201, Taraszka-31. Rarity-4+. Crosslet 4. MS-63 (NGC). $126,500
Lot 1286 1804 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, HBCC-3201, Taraszka-31. Rarity-4+. Crosslet 4. MS-61 (PCGS). $80,500
Lot 1327 1861 Liberty Double Eagle. MS-65 (PCGS). $29,900
Lot 1359 MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Flat Edge. MS-66 (PCGS). CAC. $78,200
Lot 1361 MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Wire Rim. MS-65 (PCGS). $36,800
Lot 1387 1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-63 (PCGS). $287,500
Lot 1394 1925-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-66 (NGC). $120,750
Lot 1397 1931 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-65 (PCGS). $80,500
Ponterio N.Y.I.N.C. ’09 Auction highlights include:
Lot 502 BRAZIL. 12,800 Reis (Dobra), 1729/8-R. Joao V, 1706-50. Fr-40; KM-140 (unlisted overdate); Gomes-138.05; LDMB-195(unlisted overdate). $10,638
Lot 503 BRAZIL. 12,800 Reis (Dobra), 1731/0-R. Joao V, 1706-50. Fr-40; KM-140 (unlisted overdate); Gomes-138.09; LDMB-197A. $18,975
Lot 543 BRAZIL. 10,000 Reis, 1838. Pedro II, 1831-89. Fr-117; KM-451; LDMB-619. RARE. Mintage of only 482 pieces. ALMOST UNCIRCULATED. $9,775
Lot 544 BRAZIL. 10,000 Reis, 1848/7. Pedro II, 1831-89. Fr-118; KM-457; LDMB-628. RARE type ALMOST UNCIRCULATED. $8,913
Lot 667 GUATEMALA. 4 Escudos, 1783-P. Fr-11; KM-39. EXTREMELY RARE three year type. NGC certified. $12,650
Lot 801 MEXICO. 8 Escudos, 1713-J (oXMJ-VIII). Philip V. Fr-6; KM-57.1. EX: "1715 Plate Fleet." $8,913
Lot 802 MEXICO. 8 Escudos, 1714-J. Denomination "VIII" punched over "IIIV." Fr-6; KM-57.3; Cal-143; La Onza-396(plate coin). EX: "1715 Plate Fleet". EX: Schulman 11/72 "Spanish Galleon Treasure" auction. $23,000
Lot 803 MEXICO. 8 Escudos, 1714-J (oMJ-VIII). Fr-6; KM-57.2. EX: "1715 Plate Fleet". $12,650
Lot 811 MEXICO. 8 Escudos, 1747-MF. Fr-13; KM-149. VERY RARE one year type. EX: "Besalu" collection; Heritage sale, 5/08, lot #5233 where it hammered $28,000. NGC certified & graded AU-55. $18,400
Lot 944 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1710-H. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: "1715 Plate Fleet" recovered from Corrigan’s wreck. $17,250
Lot 945 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1712-M. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: "1715 Plate Fleet", recovered July 31, 1992, by Captain Stephen Shouppe. $32,200
Lot 946 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1712-M. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: "1715 Plate Fleet." $16,100
Lot 947 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1712-M. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: "1715 Plate Fleet". $9,775
Lot 948 PERU. 8 Escudos, 1713/2-M. Fr-7; KM-38.2. EX: "1715 Plate Fleet". $13,800
Lot 1192 BOLIVIA. 8 Soles, 1827-M. KM-unlisted; El-unlisted. $12,075
Lot 2145 STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 5 Cents, 1920. KM-31. NGC certified & graded MS-65. $14,375
Prices realized for all lots in the Bowers and Merena Orlando Rarities Sale and the Ponterio N.Y.I.N.C. ’09 Auction are available online at www.bowersandmerena.com. Bowers and Merena’s next auction is the Official Auction of the ANA National Money Show™ in Portland, Ore., March 11-13, and the Official Auction of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention, March 24-28. Ponterio & Associates will present the Official Auction of the Chicago International Coin Fair, April 24-25. Complete lot viewing and auction schedules are available at www.bowersandmerena.com and catalogs will be available in print and online approximately three to four weeks prior to each auction.
About Bowers and Merena Auctions
Bowers and Merena Auctions was founded in 1983 and has grown to become the world’s preeminent numismatic auctioneer with more than half a billion dollars in rare coin and currency sales. They have been awarded the prestigious honor of Official Auctioneer for the 2009 American Numismatic Association Conventions in Portland and Los Angeles, in addition to their continued service as Official Auctioneer of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Conventions three times every year. Bowers and Merena has handled four of the five most valuable United States coin collections ever sold, including the Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. Collection, the Harry W. Bass Jr. Collection, the Garrett Collection for The Johns Hopkins University, and the Norweb Collection.
Ponterio & Associates, Inc., was founded in 1982 by renowned specialist in world and ancient numismatics, Richard Ponterio. The company was acquired by Bowers and Merena Auctions in 2008, creating an auction powerhouse that covers the collecting interests of U.S. and international coin and currency enthusiasts. Annual Ponterio auctions include the Official Auction of the Chicago International Coin Fair and the New York International Numismatic Convention.
For more information about Bowers and Merena’s Orlando Rarities Sale and the Ponterio & Associates N.Y.I.N.C. ’09 sale in January, call 800.458.4646. For media inquiries, ask for President Steve Deeds. Complete prices realized for all past auctions are available at www.bowersandmerena.com.
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