SELECTIONS FROM NUMISMATIC AUCTIONS SALE #58

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V18 2015 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 18, Number 48, November 29, 2015, Article 31

Just a reminder that E-Sylum advertiser Steve Davis of Numismatic Auctions LLC is holding his Rare Coin Auction Sale #58 tomorrow in Okemos, Michigan. In addition to the U.S. and World coins highlighted in the last article, there are many other items that might interest bidders. Here are some lots that caught my eye. -Editor

1/2C. Wailuku Plantation Token, 1871. Nearly VF for issue, typical weak strike. Rarely offered, popular Redbook listed token.

Who doesn't think Hawaiian tokens are cool? I've never collected these, but have always liked them. These are no different than picker's checks from farm regions anywhere, but Maryland and Delaware just aren't as exotic as Hawaii. And being listed in A Guide Book of United States Coins is a big boost in publicity for any series. -Editor

Original 44th Virginia Civil War Infantry Battle Flag Remnant. Stars & Bars remnant measures 4.5 x 6.75 inches framed with Certificate to overall size of 20.75 x 12.5 inches. This single star remnant was part of a panel of 3+ stars, which was divided for this presentation. This piece of flag belonged to Col. Norvell P. Cobb, 44th Virginia Infantry. The letter that originally accompanied the larger piece stated, “the flag was torn in pieces, before surrender at Appomattox, to ‘Prevent Federals’ from attaining it.” The letter and flag piece were authenticated by Robert Reed, Director of The Museum of the Confederacy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Director Reed directly from The Museum of the Confederacy. Ready for an office or den. A rarely encountered original artifact. Wonderful condition and display.

Far less cool than a complete original flag, but a great provenance and accompanying certificate (which I can't help but notice is bigger than the fragment itself). -Editor

General Motors Silver Anniversary Men’s Club Medal, 1933. Silvered Bronze, 28mm, by Norman Bel Geddes (MACO). No doubt a pocket piece of a high ranking executive of the time. Fine- VF. A seldom offered very rare medal in all sizes, yet more so in this small variant.

I've never seen this medal. Too bad it's worn, but it's still a nice Art Deco medal. -Editor

United Snakes of America Bryan Money, 1896. WM, 45mm, reeded edge. Sch. 352. FREE SILVER / ONE / DAM / 1896; Rx: Donkeyheaded goose facing l., POP on body; above in r field IN BRYAN WE TRUST; around UNITED SNAKES OF AMERICA. Choice EF

Bryan Money is a fascinating political collectible. These designs can be quite clever and amusing. The sale includes several examples, including a 1900 Mechanical Dollar. -Editor

Boggs, J. S. G., American artist. Brew House Rent Transactions, Suite of 6 this being No. 5 “October Rent ($500)” 1991.

Mixed Media Transaction, 20.5 x 24.5 x 3.25 inches. This large framed piece features a Boggs $500 banknote featuring his portrait of “WILLIE” with the serial numbers in green of M15069105L and R20101991B along with the change of $50.00 Federal Reserve Note Serial No. M15069105L with a drawing of a boat on the back. Framed with these two notes is the original receipt signed by the landlord, brass numeral “5”, bottle cap, Lipton tea wrapper, real estate business card, portion of the October calendar and the package for the number. Signed by the artist. This is a wonderful and early “Complete Transaction” performed by the artist. An exceptional display piece worthy of the finest collection. Complete Boggs transactions are difficult to come by, let alone one featuring a $500 Boggs Bill! Excellent condition and ready for display.

My old friend J.S.G. Boggs is quite the character. His money art got him a lot of publicity and in quite a bit of trouble. I got to know him in the time he lived and worked in Pittsburgh. At the time his live-in studio was at The Brew House on Pittsburgh's South Side, a former brewery building being transformed by its tenants into an artist's colony. This transaction represents a payment in "Boggs Bills" which was accepted by his landlord as payment for rent. Complete transactions such as this are rare and desirable, documenting both ends of his performance art. -Editor

Beard Token, 1705. B-3. Virtually EF and original, bearing the countermark of issue. Handsome and popular, some fine natural flan striations span the reverse. Ex: Randolph Zander.

Beard tokens are just plain cool. Great story. This is a very nice example with a great pedigree to Russian coinage expert Randy Zander. -Editor

British Honduras. Fantasy British Colony 6 Shillings 1 Penny, c. 1810-20. KM-1.2. Crowned script GR in a rectangular indent counterstamped on a Mexico 8 Reales of Ferdianad VII 1809-TH (KM-110). Lightly toned VF and quite attractive. Very scarce type. [Compare Roehrs 1-2 and 377-378; Byrne 1371-2. Lot 378 brought £240; John Ford Colln, 10/16/1989 Glendinings, Lot 8]. Wellknown & popular.

The sale includes several examples of fantasy countermarked coins, holey dollars and dumps, many from the Ray Byrne or John Ford collections. Great examples for a study collection. -Editor