The E-Sylum:  Volume 11, Number 3, January 20, 2008, Article 12

STACK'S JANUARY 2008 AMERICANA SALE REVIEW

Regarding this week's Stack's Americana sale, Ray Williams
writes: "From the point of view of someone who was trying
to obtain several specific notes, the colonial paper seemed
to go for a strong price.  The French Colonials were vast
and varied.  There were many affordable pieces along with
some great rarities.  Bidding on the French colonials was
dominated by one specialist in the field, but all who wanted
to obtain some economical examples (myself included) were
able to easily do so.

"There was then a short run of colonial type coins where the
nice pieces brought a good sum.  The two Higley Coppers both
went to the book, the first for the opening bid of $90K and
the second for $135K (opened at $115K).  The Continental
Dollar sold for $30K to the floor.  Then came the section
I most anticipated - The Lorenzo collection of NJ Coppers.
I was anxiously awaiting the catalog where I thought I'd be
seeing about 95 varieties but the collection had 86.  There
were still several varieties I needed and I was able to
pick up one.

"The cataloging of NJs was very unusual in that after the
lot description by the Stack's cataloger, there were often
notes by the consignor which were taken from the flips.  I
can see both positive and negative aspects to this type of
cataloging, but I haven't come to any personal conclusions
about it yet.

"The highlight of the Sale for many of those present was
the Mike Ringo Collection of counterfeit British and Irish
Halfpennies.  There was a wonderful two page introduction
written by Vicken Yegparian and over 250 lots beautifully
cataloged by John Kraljevich.  This is only the first part
to be auctioned of a rather large collection Ringo assembled
over the years.  Mike Ringo was well respected and liked
within the colonial collecting community.  He'll be sorely
missed by all.

"This is the first daytime auction I've attended by Stack's.
My past experiences were all evening auctions.  The auction
moved along smoothly and efficiently.  There were refreshments
before, during and after the auction, and "refreshments" might
be an understatement.  Telephone and computer bidding did
slow things down a little, but I didn't mind the occasional
delay - it gave a chance to breathe.  Although Stack's rotated
the auctioneers, the bidders didn't get a break.  I was in
the room from 12:15 until after 7:00.  I had an interest in
everything except the French Jetons, so I used that time
period to check the hotel plumbing.  It was just long enough
for me to make it back when that first Massachusetts Silver
piece was hammered.

"This auction was like a mini-convention of the Colonial Coin
Collector's Club.  Many of those present were also in attendance
at the C4 Convention in Boston this past December.  It's always
a fun time when collectors of like interest get together, talk
coins and compete at auction.  That's friendly competition for
the moment...  If (or when) the Anton or Groves collections
come to auction, I believe history will be made through "full
contact" floor bidding.  I need to start working out now!"

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor 
at this address: whomren@coinlibrary.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum