The Eliasberg 1913 Liberty Nickel to be auction at the Philadelphia ANA by Stacks
dbldie55
Posts: 7,739 ✭✭✭✭✭
I just saw this posted. Guess I can add another catalog to my 1913 Liberty nickel auction catalog collection.
Santa Ana, CA. (April 25, 2018) – Stack's Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce the sale of the finest known 1913 Liberty Head nickel graded Proof 66 by PCGS and pedigreed to the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection. In 1996 this specimen was the first coin in the world to cross the million-dollar threshold.
Today in 2018, Stack's Bowers Galleries is honored to again present the Eliasberg 1913 Liberty Head nickel at public auction. It comes from the family of Dr. William Morton-Smith, an old-time collector whose numismatic interests were spurred by a remarkable discovery.
Dr. Morton-Smith (Bill) hailed from an old-time Boston family whose passion for collecting goes back generations. As in any family, certain heirlooms pass down through the generations and in this particular circumstance, a beautiful antique Colonial desk was inherited by Bill. As he was combing through the desk discovering its many features, he came across a compartment that housed a coin collection consisting of colonial coins, half cents, large cents, a complete set of Proof Liberty Head nickels and much more. These had once belonged to his great grandfather. Bill was amazed that the coins had been in the desk all this time. He determined to learn all he could about them and add to the collection. He spent decades adding important rarities to this prized cabinet started generations before.
The Morton-Smith family has chosen Stack's Bowers Galleries to once again showcase a legendary rarity from their holdings. It will be a highlight in the firm's August 2018 Official Auction of the ANA World's Fair of Money in Philadelphia. This is not the first time Stack's Bowers Galleries has worked with the family; previously they were selected to bring to market Bill's 1804 dollar, pedigreed to the Berg and Garrett collections, and his 1794 dollar, the Lord St. Oswald/Norweb specimen.
The Dr. William Morton-Smith/Eliasberg 1913 Liberty Head nickel will be on display at the Stack's Bowers Galleries table at the upcoming Central States Numismatic Convention April 25-28 in Schaumburg, Illinois, the Long Beach Convention June 14-16, the Whitman Coin Expo in Baltimore June 21-24 and other major shows between now and August. Private viewings are also available by appointment. To schedule a viewing please contact company president, Brian Kendrella at 800-458-4646.
The sale will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, on the evening of Wednesday, August 15. Bidders can participate in person, or by Internet, mail, or telephone (by previous arrangement). For more information call 800-458-4646 or visit StacksBowers.com.
To consign your coins, tokens, medals or paper money alongside this historic coin, contact a Stack's Bowers Galleries consignment specialist at 800-458-4646 (West Coast) or 800-566-2580 (East Coast).
About Stack's Bowers Galleries
Stack's Bowers Galleries conducts live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company's 80-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block — The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, The Guia Collection, The Thos. H. Law Collection, and The Robert O. Ebert Collection.
Topping off this amazing numismatic history is the inclusion of the world record for the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar graded Specimen-66 (PCGS) that realized over $10 million, part of their sale of the famed Cardinal Collection. The company is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack's Bowers Galleries is an Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and its April and August Hong Kong Auctions.
Comments
Great coin
I'm in, assuming my GoFundMe campaign takes off..
Does Hansen need this coin? I wonder if he knows it's up for auction.
Later, Paul.
Maybe the current owner of Eric P. Newman's coin holder will put it back in place.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
I think Legend was the owner of this coin at one time and sold it for something like $5,000,000.00
how much do we think this will sell for?
I was the owner and yes it sold for $5M
Do I sense an incipient clusterfuck pre-sale debacle?
While I'd bet against any future contestant for this prize being able to sabotage its sale effectively here, I'd love to see us defer marshalling our ignorance until after we see if a reserve is posted.
Before that I'll only gossip via PM.
Geez, can I just be a fly on the wall of your collection room?
Dr Morton-Smith was a super gentleman and a passionate coin collector. At the time he wanted to make sure this coin had a good home. It certainly did with him.
I'm bringing a new date and bidding 2 million.
Wow, "amazing" !!!
I think this coin is beyond being "sabotaged". Yes--most coins it can be bad form debating its worth before it sells at auction. This coin is in a different league.
This is why I love these forums.......where plankton like me can swim with the whales without being eaten
Steve
That was a great story of inheritance, especially the desk with a collection hidden in it! I will have to settle for the images of this coin.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
I'd assume the true classic rarities hold their value no matter what, but selling in such a down market has it's perils. There must be enough deep pocketed potential where it's current owner found a reason.
Cool coin under every circumstance.
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thanks for posting. i do enjoy following these and other high-dollar rarities.
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thats always fun to watch and see where it end up price wise.
This should be interesting to watch.... Though the market may be down - though recent show reports seem to indicate recovery - a coin such as this is really not affected by market dynamics. Well, in a down economy, the only effect might be fewer bidders, however, deep pockets will prevail and normally produce excellent results. Cheers, RickO
I'm so bored that I'm trying to decide if I want to go back to sleep or get up and make some Coffee. At any rate I want this Auction Catalog - how do I get a Copy?
And I'm rooting for this Coin to break $12 Million. Go baby Go !
Love the backstory.
My War Nickels https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/nickels/jefferson-nickels-specialty-sets/jefferson-nickels-fs-basic-war-set-circulation-strikes-1942-1945/publishedset/94452
Private viewings are also available by appointment.
I would like a moment alone, if you please.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
An overrated coin. A fantasy coin made illegally by a crooked U.S. Mint emploee who marketed it about a decade later.
I could not believe it when the third edition of "100 Greatest U.S. Coins" rated this at number as #1.
_A fantasy coin made illegally by a crooked U.S. Mint employee _
Objection - Pure conjecture. Fact is no one knows the exact circumstances surrounding their manufacture...and there was a legal window during which they could have been made legally for Mint business
TDN-clearly Bill Jones was there in 1913!
Guess he won't be bidding on it-how shocking!
What’s funny is that under pretty much the same circumstances, he protests that the Langbord’s didn’t receive justice as the Government didn’t prove how the coins left the Mint. (I happen to agree with him). Yet he has Brown tried and hung with little to no more information.
That’s consistency for you...
Well it's like this. I don't advocate having the government coming after collectors to confiscate their holdings when the exact circumstances of how an item left the mint are murky. I sure as heck don't want to be part of a movement to encourage the government to come after the owners of 1913 Liberty Nickels. That's why I have been careful about the legality issue.
Even if Samuel Brown did nothing underhanded, how did he become "the chosen one" who received the five nickels? It certainly begs a question.
As a confirmed statist, I am surprised that you would be on the Langbord's side ...
But that's consistency for you.
I don’t know how he got them. Neither do you. That’s a far cry from your statement that I quoted above
As for the Langbord’s....it was a travesty of justice. The Government should have had to prove the coins were stolen. We all know that they weren’t.
Is this one of those threads that’s useless without pictures?
It's always been my favorite coin, bar none !
I wonder why Mr. Hansen didn't but it by private treaty?
LIBERTY SEATED DIMES WITH MAJOR VARIETIES CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891) digital album
I doubt that he was given that opportunity and even if he was, maybe he'd rather take his chances in an auction.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
I saw it today. Stellar. A real treat
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
The 1st coin auction I ever attended was Eliasberg.
There was a guy in a Hawaiian shirt sitting right in front of me, not participating much.
He (Jay Parrino) finally bid on the 1913 5c making it the 1st million dollar coin.
It made for great entertainment. Cool coin/history.
I'm with Bill on this one. The idea that PRC's 1795 $10 would sell for less than this coin is just crazy to me.
I find the coin annoying.
The trophy hunters will be out in force.
1913 Liberty 5c is the King of Shenanigan coins.
I've collected a few other mint employee made errors due to the acceptance of 1913 V Cents existence.
If I had a ton of money I'd love to own a 1913 Liberty.
Due to restricted funds I had to settle on a limited edition 1914 Liberty 5c from Daniel Carr.
;^)
Lindy
I'll be placing a bid.......
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
When Dr Morton-Smith took possession of the coin, he had a touching speech written out on a piece of paper. Only 4 of us heard it. it still brings a tear to my eye thinking about it. That was passion I'd had never seen (and never saw again from any one).
This man was a 100% collector. He loved his coins and loved everything about them and numismatics. He would on occasion even bring a few rarities to LB to show us (imagine someone pulling a near GEM 1794 $1 or an original 25C 1827 out of their pocket). I really question if the "good home" he wanted to give the 1913 5C could ever be matched. I know I am going to try place it in his memory (his family turned down a multi million dollar offer from me a few months ago).
Special man, special coin.
I can say that if I had unlimited funds, the 1913 5 Cent would not excite me. I would rather try to buy the 1794 SP 66 Dollar, the 1792 patterns and maybe even pioneer gold + early proof gold.
I personally dont get so excited about a date, thats includes too the 1822 5 USD. Now you might say the 1794 Dollar is a date too, that might be true, but its also a very special made coin and it looks a bit different to than the 1795 + its the first year of all dollars made.
I live in Philly but somehow I don't think I'm gonna be able to finagle a seat in that auction just to watch the action.
Saw the coin on Thursday, very nice coin!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Back from CAC today.
The holder looks bad. It will look much better in a new Hansen holder.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
"In the late 1980s, William Morton-Smith, a Santa Barbara, Calif.-based doctor, was rummaging through a garage that contained some of his deceased parents’ belongings. He opened the drawer of an old desk, and “there was a bunch of loose coins,” says Morton-Smith’s son, Tim.
Most people, when confronted with a pile of change, would simply put the coins in their pocket and forget about it. But “luckily,” Morton Smith says, “my dad had some wits about him, enough to realize they could be worth something.”
To be fair, Morton-Smith had a tip-off: The desk had belonged to his grandfather William Spaulding, the scion of a Boston Brahmin family whose wealth came primarily from sugar refineries. Together with his brother John, Spaulding was one of the wealthiest men in New England."
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-19/how-a-few-nickels-grew-into-a-multi-million-dollar-coin-collection
Nice article
The language used in the last clause of your post eerily parallels that of the Langbord 1933 saints except their coins were known to be legally struck and the legal window was for when the coins could have been legally released. With this coin, we have no information about release and only a legal window of when the coins might feasibly have been struck with legal authorization. That sounds worse from a legal stand point. If I owned this piece, I would constantly be concerned that I might be next on the Mint's numismatic hit list. Why these have been ignored so far is a true mystery given the ridiculous lengths the Mint has gone to target owners of other controversial coins.
Congress really needs to act to protect coin collectors and legitimate a lot of the rare pieces like the aluminum cents from the 70s, any existing 1964-D Peace Dollars, the 1933 saints, the 1913 liberty nickels and similar coins. I hope the Mint will stop seizing rare coins.