Auction Details
Letter from Greg Rohan
<b>President, Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.</b>
Dear Bidders,
Welcome to one of the most amazing auctions that Heritage has had the privilege to present. As you peruse the listings – whether in the printed catalog or as one of our 84,000+ web clients – you will find a wonderful selection of important and high grade coins. Indeed, finding coins that would make your collection proud are easily located – the only ‘trouble’ will be narrowing down your choices! Combining the Signature and Bullet auctions, Heritage will be selling more than 10,000 lots of numismatic treasure, from more than 450 consignors. What an incredible numismatic auction! We are proud to have a part in this history-making event, and we thank our consignors and bidders for making it possible. We have many anchor consignors in this sale, and I hope that you enjoy getting to know their stories.
<b>The Gil Clark Collection</b>
Mr. Clark, over many years of patient collecting, has assembled an exceptional collection of U.S. type coins, from Half Cents through Silver Dollars. The eye appeal of these coins is unmistakable, and we anticipate very spirited bidding from collectors (and dealers) who value originality. The Clark Collection includes such important coins as an impressively pedigreed 1802 Cent, MS66 Red and Brown PCGS, S-235 (plated in Newcomb, Sheldon, and Noyes); a noteworthy 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dime, MS64 PCGS, V-2, LM-2; and the extremely scarce Gem Uncirculated 1807 Draped Bust Quarter, MS65 PCGS, B-2a.
<b>The John Dabbert Collection, Part II</b>
Mr. Dabbert was born in Michigan City in 1921. "I began collecting coins at the tender age of five, when my Mother first showed me a Quarter Eagle given to me by an aunt at my birth." Even then, realizing the need to protect the beauty and value of coins, he wrapped his prize in cotton and carefully stored it in an old cigarette case. Another aunt, a Postmistress, also whetted his numismatic appetite by giving him old and odd coins that crossed her counter during the 1920s. His interest in rare coins continued for many decades, and he became very active after the late 1960s.
Mr. Dabbert attended Princeton University and the University of Illinois, and was a practicing architect until his retirement in 1986. During WWII, he served in the U.S. Army in England, Belgium, and France. He married his lovely wife Evelyn in 1942, and they now live on a 16-acre Christmas tree farm in Parma, Michigan. Part I of the Dabbert Collection was offered in our June 2003 Long Beach Signature Sale; Part II features better date Morgan Dollars, Carson City Double Eagles, and Trade Dollars.
<b>The V.A. Everest Collection</b>
The V.A. Everest Collection is a tribute to what can be accomplished when a collector with a discerning eye is guided by a professional numismatist. Over more than two decades, a journey that began as "simple investment advice" grew into one of "profound appreciation for numismatic quality and rarity." Perhaps such developing passion shouldn’t be entirely surprising, as this West Coast collector previously had a strong appreciation for jewelry, and the eye appealing aspects of both hobby-investments grew together over time.
<b>The Frank O. Fredericks Collection, Part II</b>
Born in New York City, Mr. Fredericks graduated from New York University in 1940 and entered Columbia Law School. In October 1941, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, he was sent to an anti-aircraft battery unit in the Panama Canal Zone. Late in 1942 he was admitted to Officer Candidates School and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. His first assignment as an officer was an anti-aircraft battery in New Jersey. Later, he was sent to the Philippines for the projected invasion of Japan, just before the atomic bombs ended the war. After discharge from the service, Mr. Fredericks graduated from Columbia Law School in 1947, and joined his uncle in a corporate law firm where he represented such clients as Banco de Roma, Buitoni Foods, and the Roquefort cheese industry. He retired in the late 1980s.
Mr. Fredericks has been an ardent collector of coins for more than three decades, actively pursuing patterns from the 1970s through the early 1990s. The dealers with whom he traded read like a ‘Who’s Who’ of numismatics, including Steve Ivy, Jim Halperin, Dave Bowers, Julian Leidman, Robert Hughes, Stack’s, Don Kagin, and many others. His taste for both quality and rarity was satisfied by assembling one of the largest and most important collections of pattern Half Dollars and Dollars of the last century. Mr. Fredericks’ dedication to his country, its principles, its legal system, and its numismatic heritage are all reflected in this wonderful collection. Mr. Fredericks has been married to his lovely wife Phyllis for more than 40 years, and together they enjoy their home, their travel, and their Duplicate Bridge partnership. As a sideline, Mr. Fredericks owned and raced harness horses for forty years, having champions such as Fulla Napoleon and Fly Fly Byrd. Part I of the Fredericks Collection, focusing on pattern Dollars, appeared in our Central States 2003 Signature catalog. Part II includes Seated Dollars in Mint State and Proof, and exceptional pattern Half Dollars.
<b>The Robert Fry Collection of Matte Proof Lincolns</b>
Robert "Hap" Fry is a divorce and child custody attorney practicing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His avocation is rare coins, and it took more than 25 years for Mr. Fry to complete his nine-piece collection of Matte Proof Lincoln Cents, 1909-1916, in Red Matte Proof 65 condition. This is an accomplishment whose difficulty can only be understood by the many numismatists who have unsuccessfully attempted to complete the same series in this high grade – and only such a collector could understand the euphoria experienced when the last hole (the 1912 Proof 65 Red) was filled. The coins are all lovely examples with matching eye appeal, and are sure to be a major draw for Lincoln specialists. Mr. Fry is now looking forward to his next numismatic challenge: improving his extensive collection of early Half Dimes. He hopes the new owners enjoy his Matte Proof Lincolns as much as he did.
<b>The Brian Loncar Collection, Part II</b>
Brian Loncar was born in Newton, Iowa and moved all over the Midwest. Mr. Loncar became interested in coins at the age of nine, and began attending coin shows and shops throughout northern Indiana. Even as a teenager, he recognized the importance of a numismatic education, and amassed a solid book collection. In 1981, he moved to Dallas, his ultimate home. After graduating from DePauw University in 1983, Mr. Loncar attended Law School at Texas Tech University, graduating in 1987. He worked his way through school as a waiter and a contractor, buying coins when he could.
After six months in a general-practice law firm, Mr. Loncar sold his entire coin collection to finance his own law practice. Starting in an executive suite with only a phone and a card table as a desk, he built his firm into a large practice involving 17 attorneys and 110 employees in 4 states and 10 different cities. He specializes in personal injury law including car accidents, asbestos, and mass torts. His success allowed him to pursue coins more passionately. Mr. Loncar has six children and now lives in the Highland Park area of Dallas. He is selling parts of his collection so he can concentrate on specific series, with the ultimate goal of having the finest Registry sets in the world.
<b>The Mark Mauer Collection, featuring Toned Morgan Dollars</b>
Professional numismatist Mark Mauer was introduced to rare coins while serving in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Newfoundland. A visitor to the office was showing off a Newfoundland $2 gold coin one day, and Mr. Mauer was so mesmerized that he bought it on the spot! He initially focused on these Provincial issues, and then expanded his expertise to U.S. coins. Returning to the States after his tour of duty, he attended the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, graduating with a degree in Psychology in 1983. Following college, he joined many coin clubs, ultimately serving as President of the Minnesota Organization of Numismatists state club.
Mr. Mauer ultimately decided to devote his professional life to the pursuit of these fascinating pieces of history. Over more than two decades, he has put aside the most exceptional toned Dollars that he encountered. He admits that these coins are his personal passion in numismatics; the best explanation he offers is that "color just fascinates me." He has always admired Silver Dollars for their size, history, and artistry, "but it’s the toning that really makes each coin unique." His favorite toned dollar is the 1880-CC Dollar in GSA holder, featuring most of the hues of the rainbow. Mr. Mauer enjoys outdoor sports, including hunting, and works extensively with the Boy Scouts of America; he can be reached at Classic Coin Cellars in Minneapolis.
<b>The McCormick Ranch Collection</b>
The McCormick Ranch Collection was started in the early 1990s. While especially strong in Indian Quarter Eagles and Liberty Double Eagles, it also includes an interesting selection of other numismatic items. A sparkling, lustrous MS64 Confederate Scott Restrike Half Dollar, graded MS64, will be hotly pursued by specialists of nineteenth century American coinages. The McCormick Collection also includes three specimens of the "1855" Kellogg & Co. Fifty Dollar Restrikes struck on September 3, 2001, each containing nearly 2.5 ounces of gold from the large ingots recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. Collectors of the smaller, historically important ingots from that shipwreck will also want to carefully consider the pieces offered herewith.
<b>The James L. Moore Collection</b>
Mr. Moore was born and grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. He worked on United States Naval Nuclear Submarines, both as an inspector and also as a Naval Sea Systems Command engineer in Washington. He later started his own business supplying obsolete electrical parts to the U.S. Navy and commercial ships, which successfully continues to this day. Mr. Moore started collecting U.S. coins in 1959, but he soon "hit the ‘stone wall’ — I can't afford to buy what I want." He then fell in love with Mexican coinage, a passion that continues to this day. Along the way, Mr. Moore continued to upgrade his U.S. type set: "I always tried to pick out the nicest looking coins with the best eye appeal, but that's hard to do when everyone else is attempting to do the same." After auctioning his U.S. coins, Mr. Moore will continue working on his "Mexican collection, which will never be complete."
<b>The I.S. Memorial Collection</b>
The I. S. Memorial collection was assembled by the consignor to honor the memory of his devoted father, a hard working immigrant who was not a numismatist but supported his son’s fascination for collecting coins. As a young man, the consignor completed a set of Lincoln cents, obtained from his father’s pocket change and from rolls kindly set aside by a bank teller. He soon discovered proof coins and "began frequenting the many small coin shops in New York City that, sadly, are no longer in business."
Early in his collecting, the consignor was advised to buy the best that he could afford. He took this advice to heart in assembling this impressive collection of proof Lincoln cents. Much of this collection was obtained from major auction firms and dealers who shared the consignor’s enthusiasm for collecting the very best. "I turned down many more coins than I bought," said the consignor. "My father would have been very pleased. It’s now time to let someone else enjoy these coins."
<b>The Morris Silverman Collection, Part II</b>
Morris Silverman’s "tossing the odd coin into a cigar box" grew to become one of the finest collections of American Dollars ever assembled, much of which we sold in our Central States 2002 Signature Sale. Mr. Silverman has now decided to part with more of his favorite high grade, better date Morgan Dollars.
Mr. Silverman’s passion grew during the great silver boom of 1979/1980 as he searched through bulk purchases of coins, finding 10,000 coins of value, some 500 of which held numismatic interest. These "finds" precipitated his decision to become a serious collector in the early 1980s, and also to specialize in only one denomination so he could develop real expertise instead of being a "bit player in the entire numismatic market." Mr. Silverman selected Dollars as his specialty, and as his expertise grew, so did his collection. He constantly upgraded as finer coins came on the market, so quality has been a key part of his incredible achievement. In addition to enjoying his hobbies of history, Mr. Silverman also enjoys golf and boating.
<b>The Steve & Dianne Stokely Collection of Full Band Mercury Dimes</b>
Mr. Stokely has collected coins for more than three decades, and he would describe himself as a "general collector for most of that time." As his experience and knowledge in numismatics grew, so did his focus, both on specific series and on high grade coins. His strategy became buying the absolute best he could afford, and upgrading whenever possible. Heritage had the honor of selling his set of Washington Proof Silver Quarters, #1 on the current PCGS Registry, in our Central States Signature sale.
Around 1995, Mr. Stokely began work on a complete set of Mercury Dimes in Full Band condition. He liked the design, and recognized that achieving a complete set in Full Bands was possible. He started with the most common issues, simultaneously doing extensive reading that convinced him of the absolute importance of the Full Band designation. He completed the coins of the 1940s, and then began to work on earlier dates and upgrades. He accelerated his efforts after 1998, searching for eye appealing examples of the "top pop" coins. Thanks to several major collections that were auctioned by Heritage during this time, he was able to complete his set in the quality he desired – virtually every coin is MS65 or better. Mr. Stokely’s Collection is ranked #4 on the current PCGS Registry. Proceeds from this sale will support his new collecting interests: classic numismatic rarities from the nineteenth century; Standing Liberty Quarters; Walking Liberty Halves; and silver Commemoratives.
<b>The Mark Van Deusen Collection, Part II</b>
Mr. Van Deusen, who previously sold his complete set of high grade Indian Head Cents with Heritage, is now offering a wonderful selection of type coins from his extensive holdings. He started collecting at the age of eight, looking through rolls of Cents with his coin-collecting father. He supported his early efforts with what must be the most original method for a youngster to raise funds – he gathered empty clothes hangers from his neighbors (in baskets mounted on his bicycle), and sold them back to local cleaners, ten for a Cent. With his hard-won proceeds, he bought Cent rolls, pursuing his goal to complete his Lincoln cents out of circulation. He ultimately found all except the ‘09-S V.D.B., which he finally bought on layaway during college for $300; it took him eighteen months to complete payment for this, his first coin purchase. He also found many Indian cents during his early roll searches, which inspired his adult interest in completing that series.
Five decades later, Mr. Van Deusen still loves coins. His interest in colonials and early Federal issues continues, as "these represent such an important period of American history." He strongly believes that "we just hold our rare coins in trust for the next generation, so it is natural to ultimately sell them." Reflecting on a lifetime of rewards from his hobby of history, he wishes more kids were involved today.
<b>The Gary Walker Collection</b>
The Gary Walker Collection features an eclectic mix of Half Cents, Proof Indian and early Lincoln Cents, Bust Half Dollars, and Proof Seated Half Dollars. Mr. Walker started collecting coins at the age of 13, was seriously drawn back to the hobby about ten years ago, and began to buy strongly five years ago. He was initially drawn to Proof Indian Cents, which was his first specialized interest as a teen, and which he fondly remembers buying in top condition for "substantially less than a dollar." He decided to specialize in other specific series, although the selection criteria was informal. Half Cents were appealing because they were such a different coin. The early Lincoln Proofs seemed like an excellent investment. After running across a few Bust Half Dollars, Mr. Walker began to collect them strictly for aesthetic reasons. Proof Seated Halves were chosen after his interest was piqued though an initial purchase of a particularly eye appealing example. After more than four decades as a numismatist, Mr. Walker’s favorite memories involve the many interesting characters that he has met – and by "met" he includes many dozens of Internet friends that he has never encountered in person.
<b>The Zerbe Collection</b>
Mr. Zerbe’s collection comes to Baltimore after two decades of effort from this Midwestern collector. These coins were assembled through a search for examples that combined rarity and high grade. The collection, as might be expected, includes two 1921 Zerbe Proof Morgan Dollars. Mr. Zerbe’s recent focus has been on the highest-quality silver issues of the twentieth century, especially those that are also low-pop. He is now focusing on "completing highest-grade sets from several different years." Mr. Zerbe purchases coins wherever he can find quality – from his local dealer, on the nationwide show circuit, through the Internet, and, naturally, at Heritage’s auctions.
Baltimore – what an opportunity for the collector with quality in mind. What an amazing array of numismatics can be found in the ten thousand lots that Heritage will present to you.
Even though this auction is a history-making event, it is but one in a long series of such auctions that Heritage has been pleased to offer to the worldwide numismatic community. I was reminded of this while perusing the Permanent Auction Archives on the Heritage website, www.HeritageCoin.com. Now featuring more than 425,000 auction items, this is a numismatic resource like none other on the Web. Whether you are doing research for your purchasing consideration, or for the next specialized book, you will find much information of value here. And the full-color photographs are second to none. If you are in that lonely minority that hasn’t yet joined the Internet generation, this is your single best reason to get on board. That, and as consignor Gary Walker pointed out, you can make the nicest friends on e-mail.
A special "Thank You" goes to our 84,000+ registered Internet bidder/members of our online community. The number grows every day, and we are gratified by the trust shown in Heritage that so many collectors are willing to make us part of their daily routine. In return, Heritage is committed to making our website better and more useful at every opportunity. This is all made possible by your enthusiastic support of our auctions.
I hope to see you in Baltimore, both at the Heritage auctions and at the ANA, where we will have a full complement of staff available to serve your every numismatic need. If you just cannot make it to these important events, we welcome your participation through the Internet, mail, telephone, TeleBid, or I-Collector. Good luck with your bidding!
Greg Rohan
President, Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.