Stack’s Bowers Pogue Collection Visit

CaptainBlunt

This past week I visited the Irvine office of
Stack’s Bowers and spent an hour
looking at coins from part VII of the Pogue
Collection. I had to be there , where else could one hold an 1854 s half eagle, (the finest of
less than a handful known) and the finest
known 1854 s quarter eagle. Ditto the late
Mr. Pogue’s example of an 1857 s Double Eagle recovered from the wreck of the
S.S. Central America.

While I have seen a number of these Double Eagles before, Mr. Pogue’s was one of the finest salvaged from the wreck. I wrote an
article for CW years ago on the 1854 s coins and had done a significant amount of research on the treasure recovered from the SSCA . Thus I had to see these pieces up close.

I also looked at the late Mr. Pogue’ s example of the 1841 proof only “Little Princess” quarter eagle. In addition I loved the feel of the weight
of his two 1915 Pan PAC Expo’s fifty dollar
gold pieces. These big Pan PAC pieces are hands down in my opinion the most beautiful commemoratives.

It was neat to see the pedigree on some of his
gold coins. I recognized names like Eliasberg
Bass and Dukor. I had also written down
the lot numbers of specific silver coins
I wanted to view including two high grade
1916 D Mercury dimes , a coin I had always
fantasized about receiving in change as
a kid. Plus I saw the finest known 1901 s Barber Quarter and 1916 and 1918/7
Standing Liberty quarters in gem condition.

As a side note, HRH walked into the room to view some coins. As he sat down he stated that his grandparents had run a grocery store.

His grandmother liked to collect
interesting coins that she would pull from the
register or obtain from their customers.

His grandfather didn’t mind as long as the exchange was equal, I.e. five cents for five
cents . His grandfather would tell her only
a fool would pay ten cents for a nickel. HRH
then stated what about the 1913 Liberty
Head nickel before I could blurt it out

All of the coins I viewed were PCGS
graded and slabbed

Good luck to all who bid in this sale

ricko

Some truly rare and beautiful coins in that collection.... and you were clearly (and rightfully) impressed. I agree with you on the beauty of the PanPac gold pieces.... my dream coins....Cheers, RickO