NGC Certifies Part Two of the Eric P. Newman Collection

The 1,827 coin group includes a number of exceptional high grade rarities, many of which rank as the finest known, along with several rare varieties.

NGC had previously been chosen by the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society (EPNNES) to certify part one of the Newman Collection. EPNNES selected NGC to grade part two of the collection after the successful multi-million dollar sale of the NGC-certified Newman Part I by Heritage Auctions on April 25, 2013.

The selections that comprise Newman Part II are primarily his US two cent pieces through silver dollars, as well as his commemorative coins. Many of the coins were purchased by Newman directly from the estate of famed collector “Colonel” E.H.R. Green in the early 1940s. Newman, now 102, began collecting and researching coins in the 1920s and continues to be active in numismatic scholarship.

“We are honored that EPNNES again chose NGC to certify selections from the Newman Collection,” said Mark Salzberg, chairman of NGC. “Newman Part Two is nothing short of extraordinary. Many of these coins have achieved previously unimaginable grades, and the sale of these specimens by Heritage Auctions in November will undoubtedly be a milestone event for numismatics.”

Many of the most impressive coins in Newman Part Two are pedigreed to “Colonel” Green. Certainly the most significant are the quarter dollars, of which the first-year 1796 is the highlight. Graded NGC MS 67, it is the finest known example of this popular low mintage issue. Newman’s 1815 Quarter is also graded MS 67 by NGC and is believed to be the finest known. Another important Capped Bust Quarter is the 1828 25/50, which at NGC MS 67 is by far the finest known example of this popular variety and a full four points higher than the second best NGC-certified specimen.

The Seated Liberty Quarters are anchored by an exceptional run of high grade No Motto pieces. The 1852 and 1857 are both graded a remarkable MS 68 by NGC. These are followed by the 1851 and 1855 With Arrows in NGC MS 67 and the 1848, 1854 With Arrows and 1858 in NGC MS 67. An 1853 No Arrows Quarter graded MS 67 by NGC is notable as well.

Newman’s half dollars are also magnificent and include a number of high grade coins not seen on the market in nearly a century. Both varieties of the rare 1796 Half Dollar are represented: O-101, the 15-star variant, is graded NGC MS 62, while O-102, identified by the 16 obverse stars, is graded an astonishing MS 63 by NGC.

The 1813 Half Dollar, attributed as O-107a, is a standout condition rarity and with a grade of NGC MS 67 it is easily the finest certified of this date. The NGC MS 65 New Orleans 1840 Half Dollar with no mintmark is among the best preserved examples of this popular type, and the 1866-S No Motto Half Dollar graded NGC MS 67 is yet another finest known.

Several high grade pieces headline Newman’s silver dollars. The 1799 BB-157, B-5 Dollar graded NGC MS 67 is tied with just one other coin as the finest Early Dollar to be certified by NGC. An NGC MS 65 1846 Dollar is the highest example ever graded of this issue, and Newman’s 1795 BB-51, B-14 Draped Bust Dollar graded NGC MS 66 is nothing short of exceptional.

Other highlights from Newman Part II that are either the finest known or the finest certified include an 1833 LM-1 Half Dime graded NGC MS 67, a 1798/7 JR-1 16 Stars Reverse Dime graded NGC MS 65, an 1827 JR-12 Dime graded NGC MS 66 and an exceedingly rare 1841 No Drapery Dime graded NGC PF 67. The selections also boasted Newman’s second example of the extremely rare 1915 No S Judd-1961 Panama-Pacific Pattern Half Dollar, which was graded PF 64 by NGC.

Newman Part II will be sold by Heritage Auctions at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion in New York City on November 15 and 16, 2013. Prominent dealer Stuart Levine of Marblehead, Massachusetts, serves as a numismatic advisor for EPNNES. Images and descriptions for the consignment will be available at the Heritage Auctions website, in September.

EPNNES Foundation Statement Items being sold are from the extensive collection of Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society (a Missouri not-for-profit corporation) and have been assembled over a period of 90 years. Proceeds of the sale of all items will be used exclusively for supplementing the Society’s museum operations and scholarly numismatic research efforts and for the benefit of other not-for-profit institutions selected by Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society for public purposes.