Nickel, silver and gold appear in Stack’s sale

On Jan. 2, Stack?s, of New York City, will conduct an auction in Orlando, Fla., a few days prior to the opening of the Florida United Numismatists convention. While the Eliasberg 1913 Liberty Head nickel is the star of the event, many high-quality U.S. coins of all denominations will come on the block.
The Eliasberg 1913 Liberty Head nickel above is sure to be the star of the Stack's auction in Orlando.

The 1918/7-D Buffalo nickel is a favorite among many collectors. One that is graded MS-63 by Numismatic Guaranty Corp. is in this sale. An overdate that has only recently become famous is the 1893/2 Barber dime. In this sale, there is a NGC certified Proof-64 example, certainly one of the finest known.
There will be offered a brief run of high-grade Bust quarters, many with pleasing natural toning. Soon afterwards, a NGC Proof-64 quarter, pedigreed to the John J. Pittman collection, will be sold.
1871-CC quarters are rarities. One that grades AU-50 deserves notice. The Professional Coin Grading Service-graded 1871-CC in this sale has terrific natural toning and no problems. It would be difficult to find a better example.
Another great quarter to be auctioned is an NGC MS-66 1894-S Barber. It is technically strong, mildly brilliant and has very attractive toning.
An 1822 half, PCGS MS-65, is from the Eliasberg collection and will appeal to Bust Half nuts, type coin collectors and connoisseurs. An 1834 half, with small date and small letters, NGC MS-66, was also earlier owned by Louis Eliasberg. He had the best collection of all time.
This sale includes two 1901-S half dollars, PCGS MS-65 and MS-67. The latter is one of only two that PCGS has graded MS-67, and none are graded higher. It will surely attract those who are compiling or considering a Registry Set of Barber halves.
There are many silver dollars in the sale, dating from the 1790s to the 1930s. Indeed, there are two 1794 dollars, four Gobrecht dollars, two 1872-CC dollars, five 1879-CC dollars (including different varieties) and four key 1889-CC dollars.
The most unusual silver dollar in this auction grades only 25. Rather than being called very fine, however, it is PCGS certified Proof-25, for it is a proof with wear. While several proof Morgans are known to have circulated after people spent them, this is a 1922 Peace dollar.
The lot description may imply that there is not unanimous agreement that it is a proof. I examined it for a couple of minutes, and I think that it definitely is a proof. It is much different from a 1921-style business strike. The detail, sloping fields, surface texture and borders are those of a proof. Although naturally dirt colored, the coin has a fascinating look with startling attributes. While choice proof Peace dollars are obviously distinctive, the special characteristics of this coin pop out in slow motion.
This auction contains a sizeable and remarkable selection of territorial gold coins, including Bechtlers, Kellogs, Moffats, Wass-Molitors and Clark-Grubers. An Oregon $5 coin, NGC VF-30, is categorically rare as a type, though some high-grade pieces of the issuers just mentioned may be bring higher prices.
This auction is strong in pre-1865 half eagles. Two early overdates are noteworthy, a very rare 1796/5, NGC AU-58, and an 1802/1, PCGS MS-63. There are four 1811 half eagles to choose from, three of which grade AU-58.
An 1844-D, graded NGC MS-63, may be in the condition census for the date. An 1851, NGC MS-65, is very likely to be in the condition census.
The Harry Bass 1852 half eagle was graded MS-64 by PCGS in 1999, and has since been graded NGC MS-65. No matter how you figure it, it is one of the top examples of this date. Also in this sale, there are 18 Charlotte Mint half eagles that have been certified by PCGS or NGC as grading AU-55 or higher.
Two proof 1881 double eagles will be offered, both designated as Ultra Cameo by NGC, the first is graded 65 and the second is graded 63. These proofs have a special draw in that this date is very rare in business strike format.
The last lot in the sale is one of the most valuable coins in all of numismatics. It was the first coin ever to sell at auction for more than $1 million, when Jay Parrino bought it in 1996 for $1.485 million at the second of three Eliasberg sales. Since 1996, many coins have sold for more than $1 million, and a few have been auctioned for more than $2 million.
It has been more than five years since a 1913 Liberty Head nickel has been sold at auction. This Eliasberg piece, PCGS graded Proof-66, is the finest of the five struck. Only three, including this one, are privately owned. It is thus much rarer than an 1804 dollar.