Bowers and Merena Auction Showcases Extraordinary Collections in Baltimore

Bowers and Merena Auctions makes its first trip to Baltimore in 2009 for the Official Auction of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention, set for March 24-28. The auction will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center and begins with lot viewing Tuesday, March 24, to Friday, March 27, followed by the three-session auction on Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m. EDT, and Friday, March 27, at noon and again at 6 p.m. EDT.

The auction is highlighted by some standout, multi-million-dollar collections. The Southerly Collection offers a variety of distinguished coins, including a top-notch Choice AU 1870 CC Double Eagle as lot 3909. This 1870 CC Winter 1-A is graded AU 55 by NGC and is the single highest-graded example of this famous frontier-era rarity known to PCGS and NGC. Also raising the bar in the Southerly Collection is a highly elusive 1797 Small Eagle Ten. At lot 3786, this 1797 Capped Bust Right Eagle, Small Eagle, BD-1, HBCC-3175, Taraszka-7, Rarity-5, is graded MS 61 by NGC and represents the rarest of only three issues in the Small Eagle Capped Bust Right Ten-Dollar gold series. NGC Census reports just six, with a mere four finer through MS 63. Lot 3785 is a very rare 1796 Capped Bust Right Eagle, BD-1, HBCC-3174, Taraszka-6, the only known dies, Rarity-4, in NGC MS 61, boasting a population of just nine with just six finer through MS 63.

"We are very pleased to present these two incredible collections in Baltimore, along with more than 3,100 great coin and currency lots," said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena. "Each collection offers a long list of impressive highlights that have already been drawing attention at shows where they have been on display. We are looking forward to some very spirited bidding throughout this auction."

Auction highlights include:

Lot 107	1793 Chain Cent. S-4. Rarity-3+. AMERICA. Periods. EF-45 BN (NGC).
Lot 110	1793 Wreath Cent. S-8. Rarity-3-. Vine and Bars Edge. MS 62 BN (NGC).
Lot 173	1864 Indian Cent. L on Ribbon. Snow PR-1. Proof-66 BN (NGC).
Lot 3353	1895 Morgan Silver Dollar. Proof-65 Cameo (NGC).
Lot 3641	1915 Indian Quarter Eagle. Proof-67 (NGC).
Lot 3690	1887 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. MS 67 (NGC).
Lot 3707	1821 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. BD-1, HBCC-3143, Miller-144. Rarity-6+. AU 55 (NGC).
Lot 3785	1796 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, HBCC-3174, Taraszka-6, the only known dies. Rarity-4. MS 61 (NGC).
Lot 3786	1797 Capped Bust Right Eagle. Small Eagle. BD-1, HBCC-3175, Taraszka-7. Rarity-5. MS 61 (NGC).
Lot 3897	1861-S Liberty Double Eagle. A.C. Paquet Reverse. AU 50 (NGC).
Lot 3909	1870-CC Liberty Double Eagle. Winter 1-A. AU 55 (NGC).
Lot 3911	1871-CC Liberty Double Eagle. Winter 1-A, the only known dies. MS 60 (NGC).
Lot 3939	1876-S Liberty Double Eagle. MS 65 (NGC).
Lot 3978	1892-S Liberty Double Eagle. MS 66 (NGC).
Lot 3979	1893 Liberty Double Eagle. MS 67 (NGC).
Lot 4013	MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Wire Rim. Proof-67 * (NGC).

All lots and images in the Bowers and Merena Official Auction of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention can be viewed online, and printed catalogs are available upon request by calling 800-458-4646. Bidding is open now and pre-auction bids are welcome on the site; by e-mail; by phone at 800-458-4646; by fax at 949-253-4091; and by postal mail addressed to Bowers and Merena, Baltimore March 2009, 18061 Fitch, Irvine, CA, 92614. Interested bidders are also encouraged to view lots in Baltimore March 24-27, 2009, and to bid in-person at the live auction March 26-27, or live online through the Bowers and Merena Web site. A complete auction and lot viewing schedule is available online or call 800-458-4646.

This is a guest article from Bowers and Merena Auctions. The thoughts and opinions in the piece are those of their author and are not necessarily the thoughts of the Certified Collectibles Group.