The 73rd Anniversary Sale
New York City
Our Private Auction Gallery
Welcome to our 73rd anniversary sale. It was back in autumn 1935 when brothers Joseph and Morton Stack conducted their first auction sale here in New York City. Never did they dream-or perhaps they did-that the name of Stack's would come to be recognized as the world's premier numismatic auctioneer.
In the years, indeed decades, indeed generations since then we have been privileged and honored to handle more "name" collections than any other auction firm. Along the way we have met the finest people in the world-numismatists.
The tradition continues with our 73rd Anniversary Sale. Held in our private auction gallery across the street from our offices, the event will be the latest in hundreds of sales we have conducted. The latest has many attractions, and we hope you will participate. Come early, view the items of interest, visit our staff at our office, and enjoy yourself. The red carpet will be rolled out for you.
Or, you can participate on the Internet, on the telephone (by advance arrangement), or by sending your bids by mail. Which ever way you choose, many great opportunities await you.
Highlights and Sidelights
Our 73rd Anniversary Sale commences with Massachusetts silver, including two Pine Tree shillings, probably ultimate "poster examples" of an early American coin. Other colonial issues include a Maryland groat or fourpence, a Pitt token "halfpenny," a Mint State 1776 Continental Dollar, and a remarkably high grade Chalmers threepence, and more. Washington tokens follow suit, then a Libertas Americana medal, then an especially attractive 1792 half disme. The Norweb specimen of the 1792 copper disme comes next (when is the last time you have seen one?). What a way to begin!
Half cents, large cents (including multiple examples of 1793), two of the obligatory 1856 Flying Eagle cents (it's nice if every sale has at least one, and we have two!), an exceedingly rare Proof 1857 Flying Eagle cent, interesting and worthwhile Lincoln cents, two-cent and three-cent pieces, and more, continuing into nickel five cent pieces.
Early silver half dimes will surprise and delight, with the Eliasberg 1797 with 16 obverse stars, now graded MS-66, being a particular landmark, but in good company with other notable pieces. Dimes commence with two high grade examples of the first year of issue, 1796, a lustrous Mint State 1798, and other coins that will appeal to the most advanced specialist. High grade comes to the fore with two superb Gem 1805 dimes. Quarter dollars are diverse, interesting, and punctuated by highlights such as a gem 1916. One does not often see hoards or clusters of Uncirculated Standing Liberty quarters these days, but check out what we have for 1928-S.
Half dollars start with one of the finest known examples of a scarce 1794 variety, and go onward and upward from there, including a seldom seen 1795 with the Three Leaves reverse. Capped Bust half dollars, Liberty Seated issues, Barber halves, and high grade Liberty Walking half dollars are of interest and importance. The Anderson-Dupont 1794 silver dollar, earlier from the George H. Earle Collection, begins our offering of that denomination. A very nice selection of other early dollars of the Flowing Hair and Draped Bust types will attract attention among specialists.
Gobrecht dollars are on parade with multiple opportunities. Then come Liberty Seated coins, Morgan dollars, and Peace dollars. In the order of presentation, commemoratives come next. High quality examples of the two $50 coins from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, round and octagonal format, are of commanding importance. Private and territorial gold coins follow.
Federal gold coins of regular issue commence with the A. Rockford Cummings Collection of Proof issues, from dollars to double eagles. What a magnificent selection, what a great opportunity! Superb gems, seldom seen issues, and other treasures await your perusal of this section of the catalogue.
Then follow gold dollars, beginning with a superb gem 1849. An ultra-gem 1855, a rare 1855-C, the Bass Collection 1856-D, and other notable pieces will captivate your interest. If gold dollars are your forte, this sale has many important opportunities.
Quarter eagles start with the first year and first type, 1796 No Stars, not one, but two in the offing-both sure to attract a lot of attention as they cross the block. Then follow a lustrous 1796 With Stars and other early rarities, then Classic Head highlights, Liberty Head, and Indian head quarter eagles beckon. Then come $3 coins, followed by half eagles, the latter starting with a Mint State 1795, the first year of issue.
Eagles include Mint State 1796 and 1797 issues, followed by similarly-graded other pieces from other early years, a nice selection of dates and varieties. Liberty Head and Indian Head eagles add to the sequence. Double eagles begin with the first year of issue, 1850, and continue to include interesting types as well as rare varieties and high grade pieces. Saint-Gaudens twenties include multiple examples of the beautiful and famous MCMVII as well as high grade later pieces, including a sprinkling of rarities.