Important Collections and Rarities Crossing the Block in Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Spring 2025 Showcase Auctions

The sale features a number of important collections, many of which have been off the market for years.

Specialized collections of medals and other numismatic Americana are featured in Session 1, comprising more than 500 lots. This large and diverse offering is anchored by the Joe Foster, Richard August, and Scott Miller collections and spans the panorama of medallic art from colonial times to the modern era. Leading off the sale is the Historical Medals Collection of Joe Foster, a pioneering student of the medals of Nouvelle France. This cabinet will be appreciated by advanced specialists in this series, not only for the rare and beautiful objects it contains, but also for the systemic approach Foster took in studying and ordering them. The Richard August Collection provides one of the most important and extensive collections of early American medals to ever cross the auction blook. Mr. August was a fixture at many shows and auctions over many decades of collecting, and his expertise and connoisseurship are clearly evident in the exceptional pieces found in this sale. The Richard August Collection, including outstanding offerings of Betts medals and Washingtoniana, features a gold Washington Funeral medal, Libertas Americana medals in silver and bronze, a silver John Eager Howard at Cowpens medal (new to the census) the Kittanning medal from the Garrett Collection, and many others. Included elsewhere in the sale are robust offerings of federal coins and exceptional paper money from the Richard August Collection. Well known numismatic author Scott H. Miller consigned his collection of medallic art commorating historical events produced by the American Numismatic Society. Miller wrote the authoritative reference on this extensive series, and we are proud to offer this important cabinet of this once somewhat obscure series that, thanks to Scott’s scholarship, is now becoming less so.

“The authoritative descriptions and narratives for these incredibly historic items bring them to life. It is an area that I am proud to say Stack’s Bowers Galleries is known for,” said the firm’s president Brian Kendrella. “The greatest collections of medals and other ‘numismatic Americana’ pass through our sales because of our team’s dedication to bringing this once niche area into the mainstream.”

The Spring 2025 Rarities Night session, taking place on Tuesday, April 1, presents an extraordinary array of important coins from the earliest days of the federal mint to modern issues. Featuring coins from a number of fantastic collections, the sale is anchored by coins from the Richard August, Barbaro Acres, Dr. Solomon, and Fritz collections. Many of the coins in these important holdings have been off the market for many years, in some cases decades. Highlights among the more than 250 Rarities Night lots include:

Lot 3003. 1793 Chain Cent. S-2. Rarity-4+. AMERICA, Without Periods. EF-40 (PCGS) CAC. A classic early type.
Lot 3010. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent. Proof-65+ (PCGS) CAC. CMQ. Eagle Eye Photo Seal. A historic and popular rarity.
Lot 3040. 1825/4/2 Capped Bust Quarter. B-3. Rarity-3. MS-62 (PCGS) GOLD CAC. CMQ-X. Only Gold CAC example.
Lot 3042. 1848 Liberty Seated Quarter. Proof-65 (NGC). Extremely rare.
Lot 3065. 1946-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar. MS-67+ (PCGS) CAC. CMQ. Among the finest certified.
Lot 3071. 1796 Draped Bust Dollar. BB-62. Rarity-7+. Small Eagle, Small Date. AU-55 (PCGS) CAC. Newly discovered, finest of just four known.
Lot 3103. 1884 Trade Dollar. PCGS Proof-63 (PCGS). CMQ. The Farouk-Norweb Example.
Lot 3111. 1796 Quarter Eagle. No Stars. BD-2. AU-58 (NGC). Important first year type.
Lot 3118. 1862 Quarter Eagle. PCGS-65 Deep Cameo (PCGS) CAC. Ex Ullmer-Trumpeter. Among the finest known.
Lot 3142. 1827 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-5+. MS-64+ (PCGS). Extensively pedigreed to 1955.
Lot 3179. 1930-S Indian Head Eagle. MS-64 (PCGS). CMQ. Beautifully toned.
Lot 3205. 1898 Liberty Head Double Eagle. Proof-65 Deep Cameo (PCGS). A stunning Gem.
Lot 3218. 1913 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. Proof-66 (PCGS). Tied for finest graded at PCGS.

Sessions 2 and 4 feature colonial and federal coins, and there are many lovely coins throughout these sessions. Great collector coins from the Richard August Collection are complemented by coins from the Barbaro Acres, Veasal, Dr. Solomon, and Fritz collections, which include high grade issues in many different series. This selection from our continuing offerings of the old-time Barbaro Acres Collection features two cent, three cent, and three dollar gold pieces. The Veasal Collection is a small but spectacular selection of nickels, while the Dr. Solomon Collection contains a broad selection of silver dollars and double eagles, including many absolute and conditional rarities throughout. The Fritz Collection also contains a number of important gold coins.

“As always, our world class team of numismatic and consignment specialists has done an exceptional job building and presenting this important auction. It is a numismatic event that will long be remembered for its incredible offerings,” Mr. Kendrella concluded.

Lot viewing opportunities are available in the firm’s Costa Mesa, CA headquarters, New York City Gallery, and at the Baltimore Convention Center March 25-28 during the Whitman Expo. Complete information can be found at www.stacksbowers.com.