ANA: Koessl Collection of Matte Proof Gold on Display at GreatCollections ANA Table

blu62vette

For anyone attending the ANA in August, GreatCollections will have the Koessl Collection of Matte Proof Gold on display at their table. Talk about an impressive set! Average grade above 67! And 100% CAC'd.

The All-Time #1 Koessl Matte Proof Gold Set
On Display at ANA World’s Fair of Money

GreatCollections purchases the undisputed finest set ever formed

(Irvine, California) July 25, 2022 – For the past 40 years, an advanced collector attended hundreds of major coin shows and spent countless hours on the phone with dealers trying to acquire the very best Proof Gold coins issued for just eight years in the early part of the 20th century. He was meticulous and demanded the very best quality, and in the process, he became the leading expert in the coin series.

That hard work paid off recently, when Mr. Koessl sold his collection intact through John Albanese of CAC for an all-time record price, taking advantage of the increase in coin values over the past few years.

They are considered “Matte Proof Gold” due to the coins having a matte-like finish, except for 1909 and 1910, which feature a Satin finish. These gold proof coins were issued only from 1908 through 1915 in four denominations: Quarter Eagle ($2.50), Half Eagle ($5) - both designed by Bela Lyon Pratt, and the higher denominations, Eagle ($10) and Double Eagle ($20), which were both designed by renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Mr. Koessl said, “This collection was my passion; my life-long pursuit. It was a very tough decision to sell, but I am very grateful to John (Albanese) and Ian (Russell) for their high level of professionalism in the smooth transaction and for ensuring it was purchased by a passionate collector who valued it as a complete set as much as I did over the years. My hope is the set will remain intact so future generations will appreciate the desirability and rarity of original Matte Proof Gold.”

Koessl added “I would like to thank all of the dealers and collectors throughout the numismatic industry that assisted me in forming this set during my relentless pursuit of the finest known specimens. Of special note, David Hall and Van Simmons - they both helped me as far back as the early 1980s. Without their wise counsel and advice, I could not have acquired some of the finest coins in my collection and Andy Lustig, who arranged a special visit for me to view the Smithsonian Collection of Matte Proof Gold.”

The collection will be displayed at the ANA’s World Fair of Money

For the first time, the Koessl Collection of Matte Proof Gold will be on display at the ANA World’s Fair of Money, in a special display by GreatCollections Coin Auctions, the official auctioneer of the ANA. Mr. Koessl has kindly agreed to meet at the GreatCollections table #1105 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the major coin show to discuss the collection and individual coins (Wed/Thurs at 2 p.m., Friday at 12 noon). Collectors and dealers are welcome to bring their own Matte Proof Gold to compare and ask for Mr. Koessl’s opinion. Accompanying the coin display will be ephemera relating to the coins, including an original Treasury Department (U.S. Mint Philadelphia) envelope that contained a complete 1911 Proof Gold Set, likely the only in existence.

GreatCollections is also producing a hardcover book on the Koessl Collection, with historical information about each coin, high quality images and commentary from Koessl and others.

The Record Transaction

Mr. Koessl contacted John Albanese of CAC to handle the sale on his behalf.

John Albanese, president of CAC said, “I have observed Tom for decades, scouring the bourse floor for the ultimate coins for his collection. And I’ve even offered him about a half dozen examples over the years, but can’t recall him ever making a purchase. I’m known as a tough grader but this guy Tom Koessl! Impossible to please, actually a pain in the you-know-what! As he would walk away after rejecting my prized matte proof gold coin, I often wondered, ‘does this guy ever buy anything?’ He also stated a valid reason: he claimed that his piece was superior.”

Years went by and then he saw Koessl’s coins…

Albanese continued, “No doubt a highlight in my 40+ year career was when Tom made a visit to my office and placed his prized collection on my conference room table. It took me about 30 seconds and it hit me - now I get it! This guy’s the real deal! He knew more about the coins than I did, and was being 100% honest when he said he was trying to find better examples all those years ago. In reviewing each coin, every single coin held up technically and even more importantly, they were original uncleaned virgin coins. When this set is viewed by experts at this year’s ANA, I am sure it will be unanimous, all will agree this couldn’t be duplicated even if a collector had unlimited time and money. Heck, this couldn’t be duplicated in the next 20 years at a point lower. Now that the transaction has been concluded I can say to Tom, a perfect gentleman, ‘on the record’ that I would have actually paid him a commission to be involved in this once in a lifetime event!”

Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections said, “Chills - from the first moment I saw them in John’s conference room, and again when they arrived at our headquarters in Irvine - that’s probably the best way to explain it. The quality is so far above anything in Matte Proof gold we have ever seen, and I don’t think we will ever see anything like this in the future. Aside from an average grade above Proof-67 and 100% CAC approval (with five gold CAC stickers), the coins exude absolute originality, exactly how they were struck. The collection is far superior to the National Numismatic Collection inurned at the Smithsonian Institute, which is likely the second finest set known.”

Russell added “We knew instantly that the collection could not be split up to different collectors; it had to be sold intact. Thankfully, the first client we called understood the importance of keeping it together as a collection, and was equally as impressed with the superb quality, realizing this was a once-in-a-generation opportunity. For me personally, it ranks in the top two or three deals I’ve been involved in; a definite career highlight.”

The Koessl Collection of Matte Proof Gold

Indian Gold Quarter Eagles
1908 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67+ CAC
1909 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-68 CAC
1910 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67+ CAC
1911 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-68 CAC
1912 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC (Gold CAC)
1913 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1914 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1915 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC

Indian Gold Half Eagles
1908 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67+ CAC
1909 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-68 CAC
1910 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67+ CAC
1911 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-68 CAC
1912 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC (Gold CAC)
1913 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1914 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1915 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC

Indian Gold Eagles
1908 Indian Gold Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1909 Indian Gold Eagle PCGS Proof-66+ CAC (Gold CAC)
1910 Indian Gold Eagle PCGS Proof-66+ CAC
1911 Indian Gold Eagle PCGS Proof-67+ CAC
1912 Indian Gold Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1913 Indian Gold Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1914 Indian Gold Eagle PCGS Proof-66+ CAC (Gold CAC)
1915 Indian Gold Eagle PCGS Proof-66 CAC

Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagles
1908 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1909 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle PCGS Proof-67+ CAC
1910 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1911 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle PCGS Proof-67+ CAC
1912 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle PCGS Proof-67 CAC
1913 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle PCGS Proof-66 CAC
1914 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle PCGS Proof-66+ CAC (Gold CAC)
1915 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle PCGS Proof-65+ CAC

Aside from being on view at the ANA’s World Fair of Money in August, GreatCollections is planning to create a special website displaying the collection at www.greatcollections.com.

FlyingAl

Excellent, I look forward to seeing the website display of the collection. Any of these coins are dream coins for a lot of collectors I think!

MrEureka

Every dealer and any collector who might ever want to buy a piece of matte proof gold should be sure to check out this exhibit. It's the only chance most of us will ever have to see a completely original, unmessed with set of these coins. Which is tremendously important if you care about originality and aren't quite sure what the right look is for each of these coins. And for those who don't realize it, the as-issued color and texture varies significantly from year to year, so you really do need to see them all to know what you're doing.

Zoins

Congrats to Tom Koessl, @ianrussell, @MrEureka, @homerunhall, JA, and PCGS!

Great coins with nice slabs and a nice, classy insert.

https://www.greatcollections.com/kb/The-All-Time-1-Koessl-Matte-Proof-Gold-Set-On-Display-at-ANA-World226-128-153-s-Fair-of-Money-t479-4.html

Love the kudos to @homerunhall and @MrEureka:

Tom Koessl said:
I would like to thank all of the dealers and collectors throughout the numismatic industry that assisted me in forming this set during my relentless pursuit of the finest known specimens. Of special note, David Hall and Van Simmons – they both helped me as far back as the early 1980s. Without their wise counsel and advice, I could not have acquired some of the finest coins in my collection and Andy Lustig, who arranged a special visit for me to view the Smithsonian Collection of Matte Proof Gold.

Here's some TrueViews.

Check out the cert numbers and colors! Nice note from Andy on the varying colors.

@MrEureka said:
Every dealer and any collector who might ever want to buy a piece of matte proof gold should be sure to check out this exhibit. It's the only chance most of us will ever have to see a completely original, unmessed with set of these coins. Which is tremendously important if you care about originality and aren't quite sure what the right look is for each of these coins. And for those who don't realize it, the as-issued color and texture varies significantly from year to year, so you really do need to see them all to know what you're doing.

1911 Double Eagle

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/00201911

1911 Eagle

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/00101911

1911 Half Eagle

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/00051911

pcgscacgold

Thanks for posting this thread @blu62vette

I will make it a point to stop by the GC table to see these in 3 short weeks from today.

pcgscacgold

@Zoins said:
Congrats to Tom Koessl, @ianrussell, @MrEureka, @homerunhall, JA, and PCGS!

Great coins with nice slabs and a nice, classy insert.

https://www.greatcollections.com/kb/The-All-Time-1-Koessl-Matte-Proof-Gold-Set-On-Display-at-ANA-World226-128-153-s-Fair-of-Money-t479-4.html

Love the kudos to @homerunhall and @MrEureka:

Tom Koessl said:
I would like to thank all of the dealers and collectors throughout the numismatic industry that assisted me in forming this set during my relentless pursuit of the finest known specimens. Of special note, David Hall and Van Simmons – they both helped me as far back as the early 1980s. Without their wise counsel and advice, I could not have acquired some of the finest coins in my collection and Andy Lustig, who arranged a special visit for me to view the Smithsonian Collection of Matte Proof Gold.

Here's some TrueViews.

Check out the cert numbers and colors! Nice note from Andy on the varying colors.

@MrEureka said:
Every dealer and any collector who might ever want to buy a piece of matte proof gold should be sure to check out this exhibit. It's the only chance most of us will ever have to see a completely original, unmessed with set of these coins. Which is tremendously important if you care about originality and aren't quite sure what the right look is for each of these coins. And for those who don't realize it, the as-issued color and texture varies significantly from year to year, so you really do need to see them all to know what you're doing.

1911 Double Eagle

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/00201911

1911 Eagle

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/00101911

1911 Half Eagle

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/00051911

Looks like they created special cert #'s for these coins. It's the denomination and date of the coin. I wonder how those numbers happened to be available? Pretty cool.

Zoins

@pcgscacgold said:

@Zoins said:
Congrats to Tom Koessl, @ianrussell, @MrEureka, @homerunhall, JA, and PCGS!

Great coins with nice slabs and a nice, classy insert.

https://www.greatcollections.com/kb/The-All-Time-1-Koessl-Matte-Proof-Gold-Set-On-Display-at-ANA-World226-128-153-s-Fair-of-Money-t479-4.html

Love the kudos to @homerunhall and @MrEureka:

Tom Koessl said:
I would like to thank all of the dealers and collectors throughout the numismatic industry that assisted me in forming this set during my relentless pursuit of the finest known specimens. Of special note, David Hall and Van Simmons – they both helped me as far back as the early 1980s. Without their wise counsel and advice, I could not have acquired some of the finest coins in my collection and Andy Lustig, who arranged a special visit for me to view the Smithsonian Collection of Matte Proof Gold.

Here's some TrueViews.

Check out the cert numbers and colors! Nice note from Andy on the varying colors.

@MrEureka said:
Every dealer and any collector who might ever want to buy a piece of matte proof gold should be sure to check out this exhibit. It's the only chance most of us will ever have to see a completely original, unmessed with set of these coins. Which is tremendously important if you care about originality and aren't quite sure what the right look is for each of these coins. And for those who don't realize it, the as-issued color and texture varies significantly from year to year, so you really do need to see them all to know what you're doing.

1911 Double Eagle

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/00201911

1911 Eagle

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/00101911

1911 Half Eagle

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/00051911

Looks like they created special cert #'s for these coins. It's the denomination and date of the coin. I wonder how those numbers happened to be available? Pretty cool.

Yes, those PCGS cert numbers are cool.

I'm guessing PCGS reserved numbers starting with 00.

Here's another special cert number:

pcgscacgold

@Zoins The strange part is putting the cert #'s in verification part on the PCGS site does not work. At least not for me. I have to use the links you provided and then change the numbers.

ricko

Viewing those gold coins... just in the pictures, leaves me lacking in adequate descriptive terms. What a collection.... Sure would love to see them up close. Cheers, RickO

Gazes

Love hearing stories about collections like this built under the radar and exceeding all expectations!

retirednow

Wish I could be there to look at the set ... will be nice to see the publications when available

Zoins

@pcgscacgold said:
@Zoins The strange part is putting the cert #'s in verification part on the PCGS site does not work. At least not for me. I have to use the links you provided and then change the numbers.

That is strange. I can click those directly and have the cert verification pages come up.

Zoins

@Gazes said:
Love hearing stories about collections like this built under the radar and exceeding all expectations!

Imagine the competition if it wasn't built under the radar?

jom

I'd love to view these....quite a collection.

jom

messydesk

Wow! Looking forward to seeing this collection.

golden

I will make a point to take some time to check out the collection.

MrEureka

I hope that when these coins are exhibited they are arranged chronologically, not by denomination. It will make it so much more obvious how different the color and finishes are from year to year, and make it easier for people to learn.

ianrussell

@MrEureka said:
I hope that when these coins are exhibited they are arranged chronologically, not by denomination. It will make it so much more obvious how different the color and finishes are from year to year, and make it easier for people to learn.

Hi Andy,

We had intended to display each year set next to each other, is that what you mean?

• Ian

MrEureka

@ianrussell said:

@MrEureka said:
I hope that when these coins are exhibited they are arranged chronologically, not by denomination. It will make it so much more obvious how different the color and finishes are from year to year, and make it easier for people to learn.

Hi Andy,

We had intended to display each year set next to each other, is that what you mean?

• Ian

Yes. Thanks!

BTW, I'm in Australia at the moment and everyone here says they miss you!

Kliao

Wow. Can't wait to see this collection in person.

ianrussell

@MrEureka said:

@ianrussell said:

@MrEureka said:
I hope that when these coins are exhibited they are arranged chronologically, not by denomination. It will make it so much more obvious how different the color and finishes are from year to year, and make it easier for people to learn.

Hi Andy,

We had intended to display each year set next to each other, is that what you mean?

• Ian

Yes. Thanks!

BTW, I'm in Australia at the moment and everyone here says they miss you!

You get around Andy!!!!!