The November 2023 Official U.S. Currency Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo, hosted by Stack’s Bowers Galleries, has concluded with remarkable success, boasting total sales exceeding $2.8 million.
Featuring a diverse array of rarities spanning from colonial paper money to small-size ultra-high denomination notes, the auction witnessed spirited bidding and impressive results across the board.
All prices mentioned herein include the buyer’s fee.
The auction commenced with fervent bidding on rare Colonial and Continental issues, highlighted by an exceptionally rare CC-9 Continental $20 note.
Graded Choice About Uncirculated 58* EPQ by PMG, this remarkable piece, printed on marbled paper supplied by none other than Benjamin Franklin himself and featuring motifs drawn from his own hand, far surpassed its estimate, ultimately fetching an astounding $156,000.
Among other notable sales in this category was a PA-45 Pennsylvania note dating back to August 10, 1739, which realized $55,200 with a PMG grade of VF-35.
The strong demand for rare Colonial/Continental type notes was further evidenced by the sale of a Fr. 1132-L 1918 $500 Federal Reserve Note from San Francisco.
Graded Choice Uncirculated 64 by PMG and one of just two uncirculated examples known, it achieved a remarkable $150,000.
Additionally, an Fr. 1218f 1882 $1000 Gold Certificate, graded Very Fine 25 by PMG and one of only ten notes of its Friedberg number available to collectors, fetched $204,000 following intense bidding.
Among the standout National Bank Notes was a rare 1902 $10 Red Seal from the First National Bank of Carmen, originating from Alfalfa County, Oklahoma.
Bearing serial number 1, this piece realized $57,600. Another highlight was an exceedingly rare Fr. 1186 1906 $20 Gold Certificate graded Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ by PMG, which achieved $31,200.
An iconic 1899 $5 “Chief” Fr. 281m Silver Certificate, graded Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 by PMG and considered the finest known example, surpassed expectations by fetching $36,000.
The auction also featured small-size ultra-high denomination rarities, including a Fr. 2231-C 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note pedigreed to poker legend Johnny Chan. Graded Choice Extremely Fine 45, this note realized an impressive $180,000.
Similarly, a Fr. 2221-G 1934 $5000 Federal Reserve Note, also graded Choice Extremely Fine 45 by PMG, achieved the same result.
Complete prices realized from the Stack’s Bowers Galleries November 2023 Official Whitman Expo Auction are available.
Consignments are now being accepted for the Official Auction of the Whitman Spring 2024 Expo, as well as the firm’s summer Global Showcase Auction, in collaboration with the ANA World’s Fair of Money.
For more information or to consign coins to future auctions, interested parties can contact Stack’s Bowers Galleries.