News Release

Jun

2023

Heritage Auctions Awarded Legendary Walter J. Husak Collection of Large Cents

Revered assemblage from renowned numismatic collector will be offered by Heritage and Early Cents Auctions during January FUN convention

Heritage Auctions will offer a significant collection of large cents when the Collection of Walter J. Husak and the Liberty Cap Foundation crosses the block January 4, 2024, as part of the FUN Convention in Orlando, Florida.

The owner of HK Aerospace, in Burbank, California, Husak began collecting coins as a teenager in the 1950s and continued until his death last year. He purchased his first large cent — a rare 1804 Draped Bust, for $600 — in 1980, and began in the 1990s what became one of the most important collections of Sheldon varieties, which Heritage sold in 2008 for more than $10 million. In 2009, he founded the Liberty Cap Foundation to benefit American coin history research and education; at about the same time, he began his second large cent collection.

The auction at FUN will be conducted by Heritage Auctions, in partnership with Chris McCawley of Early Cents Auctions. Over the 15 years since his first collection sold, Husak reacquired 35 of the coins from the original assemblage.

“Walter Husak spent most of his life collecting and becoming an unquestioned expert on large cents and Sheldon varieties,” said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. “It is only appropriate that a collection of this historical stature should be its own event.”

“In 2008, Heritage Auctions was pleased to present the first large cent collection that Walter Husak assembled,” Heritage Auctions Consignment Director Sam Foose said. “Like most collectors, ‘Walt,’ as he was known to his friends, was not finished collecting. His second collection was well on its way to completion when he passed away last year.”

Early Cents Auctions president Chris McCawley said the collection represents a clear selection of the elite examples of numerous coins.

“Early Cents Auctions is proud to partner with Heritage in the sale of the fabulous Walter Husak collection of U.S. Large Cents,” McCawley said. “The Walter Husak collection contains some of the finest early copper coins to come on the market in the last decade and a half, since the sale of Walter’s first collection in 2008, including possibly the finest set of 1794 Liberty Cap cents ever assembled, as well as many other choice rarities and finest-knowns.”

Heritage Senior Numismatist Mark Borckardt, a 50-year member of the Early American Coppers organization, wrote the first Husak Collection catalog and is working with Bob Grellman of Early American Cents on the present catalog.

“The auction will include more than 200 Sheldon variety large cents, many of which are the finest known examples,” Borckardt said. “Most of the coins have an outstanding provenance — there are even eight coins that have a continuous provenance to the 1790s, previously from William Strickland and the St. Oswald collection.”

Large cents, which are roughly the same size as half dollars that currently are in circulation, drew significant pursuit from numismatic collectors in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, and grew in popularity in part because of Sheldon’s 1949 book, Early American Cents — a survey of large cent varieties created from 1793 through 1814.

Collectors will have opportunities to study the Husak collection before heading to Florida in January. The collection will be displayed June 22-24 at the Early American Coppers Annual Convention in Portland, Oregon, and August 9-12 at the ANA Convention in Pittsburgh.

Early Cents Auctions/ECA is a team of early copper specialists consisting of Chris Victor-McCawley, Bob Grellman, Lyle Engleson, Lucas Baldridge and Travis Hollon. Together they have participated in the sale of over $100 million dollars in classic early American copper coins including the collections of Robbie Brown, Ted Naftzger, Dan Holmes and the Missouri Cabinet. Images and information about all lots in the auction can be found at HA.com/1370.

May

2023

New Cherrypickers’ Guide, Sixth Edition, Volume II, to debut at the 2023 ANA World’s Fair of Money

Whitman Publishing announces the upcoming release of the newest Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties. The sixth edition, volume II, will debut in August 2023 at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the meantime, the 320-page spiralbound-hardcover book can be preordered for $39.95 online, including at Whitman.com. After the ANA show, the Cherrypickers’ Guide will be available from booksellers nationwide.

To “cherrypick” is to examine coins that appear normal at first glance, seeking those with unusual characteristics—overdates, repunched mintmarks, doubled and tripled dies, and similar features—that reveal them to be rare and valuable. The Cherrypickers’ Guide uses close-up photographs and text descriptions to show collectors what to look for. It includes rarity ratings and retail values in multiple grades.

For the latest volume, Cherrypickers’ Guide coauthor Bill Fivaz and professional numismatist Larry Briggs coordinated edits and updates. They reached out to the hobby community for advice, recommendations, research, market analysis, and photographs. The new volume features more than 440 die varieties, including nearly 80 new additions. The book covers Capped Bust and Liberty Seated half dimes, dimes, and quarters; Barber dimes and quarters; Mercury dimes; Roosevelt dimes; twenty-cent pieces; Standing Liberty quarters; and Washington quarters, including the State, D.C., Territorial, and National Park series.

Picking up from there, volume III of the sixth edition is slated to debut in 2024. It will cover Capped Bust, Liberty Seated, and Barber half dollars, plus Liberty Walking, Franklin, and Kennedy half dollars, trade dollars, Morgan and Peace silver dollars, modern dollar coins, gold coins (dollars through double eagles), classic commemoratives, bullion, and coins struck for the Philippines under U.S. sovereignty.

Bill Fivaz, a coin collector since 1950, has earned recognition as one of the country’s most respected authorities on numismatic errors and die varieties. He is a longtime contributor to the Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”), a past governor of the American Numismatic Association, and a past member of the United States Mint’s Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. With the late J.T. Stanton he published the first Cherrypickers’ Guide in 1990, launching the modern boom in interest in die varieties.

Volume editor Larry Briggs is well-known to the hobby community as a dealer, author, and educator. He was president of the American Numismatic Association’s Authentication Committee. A student of history and archaeology, Briggs served in the U.S. Air Force and worked for Ford Motor Company before launching his own business, Larry Briggs Rare Coins, in 1978. His specialties include error coins and die varieties, Liberty Seated coinage, and early American coppers.

May

2023

Second Edition of Q. David Bowers’s Guide Book of Liberty Seated Silver Coins Released

Whitman Publishing announces the upcoming release of the second edition of A Guide Book of Liberty Seated Silver Coins, by Q. David Bowers. The 608-page book will debut at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Pittsburgh, August 8, 2023. Before then it can be preordered online (including at www.Whitman.com) and after the show it will be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide, for $29.95.

The United States minted coins with the Liberty Seated design from 1836 to 1891. The motif was used on circulating half dimes, dimes, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars, in addition to twenty-cent pieces, Gobrecht dollars, and, in modified form, U.S. trade dollars. Tens of millions of the coins were produced at the mints in Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco. They were made from the Hard Times Era through the nation’s gold and silver rushes, the Civil War and its aftermath, and well into America’s Gilded Age.

As collectibles, Liberty Seated coins have been growing in popularity for years, with many enthusiastic collectors and students. The Liberty Seated Collectors Club (www.lsccweb.org) is among the hobby’s fastest-growing specialty groups. Leonard Augsburger, president of the club, who wrote the foreword to the first edition, stated that “Q. David Bowers offers both beginning and experienced numismatists a fresh perspective on collecting these fascinating silver coins.”

Bowers gives colorful historical context for the coins, describing the American scene (and the state of the coin-collecting hobby) from 1836 to 1891. Then he covers all eight coins that carried the Liberty Seated design, with a coin-by-coin catalog of more than 750 entries. These entries include mintages, auction records, and grade-by-grade market values for every coin. Bowers discusses grading standards, offers advice for building high-quality collections, and explores other factors important to collectors and investors. He describes each coin’s availability in Mint State and in circulated grades; characteristics of striking; pattern coins for each denomination; production, release, and distribution; branch-mint coinage; Proofs; die varieties; shipwreck finds; conservation; and more. The book is illustrated with more than 1,500 images.

Appendices include a chronology of coin designer Christian Gobrecht; an overview of the mints used to strike Liberty Seated coins; Mint directors and superintendents of the era; an account of a visit to the Philadelphia Mint in 1861; chief coiner Franklin Peale’s description of die making in 1855; a study of master dies and hubs by professional numismatist John Dannreuther; a look at alternative U.S. currency formats of the 1800s (Postage Currency, Standard Silver, and goloid dollars); and a catalog of die and hub trials and splashers, based on the work of Saul Teichman.

Kenneth Bressett, editor emeritus of the Guide Book of United States Coins, has said, “Reading a Q. David Bowers book will expand your knowledge and inspire you to broaden and deepen your own studies.”

Numismatist Rich Hundertmark, in the E-Gobrecht newsletter, wrote: “One of the challenges [of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club] is to attract and maintain its membership and pass down the learnings of experienced collectors to those new to Liberty Seated coinage. In this regard, I see great value in this book as a tool that can be used by collectors of all levels, both new and advanced. . . . The book’s photography and images are generally outstanding, and a few renderings of Liberty Seated imagery that I had not previously viewed include a Liberty oil-on-cardboard design that I found quite compelling.”

Because Whitman Publishing is the Official Supplier of the American Numismatic Association, ANA members receive 10% off the book when purchasing directly from the publisher. It can also be borrowed for free as a benefit of ANA membership, through the Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library.

May

2023

Dannreuther’s United States Proof Coins Volume II: Nickel Released

United States Proof Coins Volume II: Nickel, the eagerly anticipated second in a series of four important reference books on U.S. proof coins authored by acclaimed numismatic researcher John W. Dannreuther, is now available.

The 374-page book with hundreds of full-color illustrations covers the proof varieties of Three Cent, Shield, Liberty Head (“V”), and Indian Head (Buffalo) nickels. High resolution photographs show every variety with either a full obverse and reverse image or micro close-up photographs of the date positions for the obverse dies as well as diagnostic characteristics of the reverse dies when paired with the same obverse.

The book’s foreword, written by Bernus (Bernie) Turner, states: “The world of collecting United States proof coinage has expanded with the publications authored by John Dannreuther, as these volumes contain new research and previously unpublished data on United States proof coins This latest publication expands that body of information to include nickel proof coins. I, for one, sincerely hope that many collectors start participating and share in this new enjoyable, exciting field of collecting proof coins not only by date, but also by the die varieties of the nickel coin series.”

Hardbound copies of United States Proof Coins Volume II: Nickel are available for $125 each, Postpaid. Orders can be placed online at www.orcararities.com or by email at orcararities@gmail.com. A limited edition of 150 numbered leather bound books is planned for this summer.

The nickels proof coins book follows the 2018 publication of Dannreuther’s two-part gold proof reference work in 2018. Those who bought the two-part leather bound gold books will be able to have the same limited-edition book number inscribed on their nickel book if they reserve their copy before June 30.

The next volume in the proof coin reference books by Dannreuther will focus on U.S. silver Proofs from 1794 to 1922 and will be published in late 2024 or early 2025. He also is planning a book about copper Proofs.

John W. Dannreuther was a co-founder of Professional Coin Grading Service and an honored inductee in the PCGS CoinFacts Coin Dealer Hall of Fame. He was named the 2007 Numismatist of the Year by the American Numismatic Association, and in 2022 he received the highest honor given by the Numismatic Literary Guild, the Clemy Award.

May

2023

77th-Edition Guide Book of United States Coins Released

Whitman Publishing announces the release of the 2024 (77th edition) Guide Book of United States Coins, popularly known as the “Red Book.” The newest edition of the hobby’s best-selling reference is available from bookstores and hobby shops nationwide, and from online booksellers. The 472-page book comes in several formats including the classic red hardcover, two spiralbound versions (softcover and hardcover), and Large Print.

The Red Book prices nearly 8,000 coins and coin sets in up to 9 grades each, with more than 32,000 retail valuations in total. It has many new features and updated research, plus additions to the book’s 2,000-plus color photographs, which include enlarged close-ups of rare and valuable die varieties.

Coin collectors have used the Red Book to value their collections since the 1st edition was published in 1946. Today, Senior Editor Jeff Garrett coordinates the book’s advisory network of more than 120 professional coin dealers and researchers. Q. David Bowers serves as research editor, and Kenneth Bressett, who has worked on the Red Book since the 1950s, is editor emeritus.

The book covers legal-tender United States coins from 1792 to date, from copper half cents to $20 gold double eagles, commemoratives, and bullion, plus earlier coins and tokens that circulated in colonial times. With every new edition the latest coins from the United States Mint are updated—Lincoln cents, Jefferson nickels, Roosevelt dimes, America the Beautiful quarters, Kennedy half dollars, Native American dollars, American Innovation dollars, commemorative coins, bullion coins, and government-packaged coin sets. The book also includes popular specialized collectibles such as error coins, Civil War tokens, Confederate coins, Philippine coins struck under U.S. sovereignty, private and territorial gold pieces, pattern coins, Hawaiian and Puerto Rican coinage, Alaska tokens, So-Called Dollars, and special modern gold coins.

The Red Book is the world’s most popular annual retail price guide for U.S. coins, tokens, and other numismatic items. More than 25 million copies have been purchased since 1946, making it one of the best-selling nonfiction titles in the history of U.S. book publishing.

May

2023

Liberty Coin Service Acquires U.S. Banknote With No Previously Known Survivors

At the recent Central States Numismatic Society convention near Chicago, Liberty Coin Service acquired a US Series 1918 $5.00 Federal Reserve Bank Note issued for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia as a replacement (or star) note. To date, this is this first discovered surviving specimen of this previously unknown US paper money issue.

Said Tom Coulson, Liberty Coin Service owner and general manager, “This note was brought to the show by an East Coast dealer to whom it had been consigned by the long-time owner. That dealer’s business is almost exclusively trading US coins on a wholesale basis, with whom Liberty Coin Service has transacted business for decades. They were not the optimum dealer to market this rarity. However, Liberty Coin Service has a long history of handling new discovery notes—including the 1865 $2.00 National Bank Note issued for the Second National Bank of Lansing, Michigan. When we saw this note in their showcase—and having retail customers who love collecting scarce US currency—we worked out a deal to acquire it. The note has a brand-new catalog number: Friedberg #784*. It has been authenticated and graded by Paper Money Guaranty in Fine-12 condition with stained surfaces. The note’s design features a bust of President Lincoln to the left of the front, The reverse features engravings of Columbus Discovery of Land at the left side and Landing of the Pilgrims on the right side.”

Tom continued, “As a category, US Series 1918 $5.00 Federal Reserve Bank Note replacement notes (called star notes because of the star at the end of their serial number) are all great rarities. With this discovery note, there are known survivors for only five of the 12 Federal Reserve Bank districts. Including this specimen, Paper Money Guaranty has authenticated and graded only 10 pieces among all five Federal Reserve Bank districts combined. Whoever ends up owning this note will have a treasure that no other collector will have.”

US Paper Money issues pre-1928 were 20% larger than those printed today, with notes measuring 7-1/2 inches long by 3-1/4 inches high.

Founded in 1971, frequently honored Liberty Coin Service celebrated its 50th anniversary two years ago. It is Michigan’s largest rare coin and precious metals dealership. It serves precious metals investors and numismatic collectors across the country. Liberty Coins, as it is known locally, has been located in Lansing’s Frandor Shopping Center since 1973.

Apr

2023

One of 35 Known ‘Watermelon’ $100 Bills Among Offerings at CSNS Currency Event

One of the banknotes that is among the most popular with collectors will offer a savory treat to its next owner, after it is sold in Heritage Auctions’ CSNS Currency Signature® Auction May 3-5.

The Fr. 377 $100 1890 Treasury Note PCGS Banknote About Unc 50 Details is known as the “Watermelon $100” because of the iconic design on the reverse, in which the zeroes resemble the popular large fruit from the same family as cucumbers and pumpkins.

“Watermelon notes are always in exceptionally high demand, and Watermelon $100s are exceedingly rare,” says Dustin Johnston, Vice President of Numismatics at Heritage Auctions. “The example in this auction is one of only 35 known examples of this beautiful banknote. Eliminate the eight government-held pieces and this is one of just 27 available to the public.”

The offered example is one of the finer known pieces, and can be traced to the holdings of William Philpott and Bob Medlar, who offered the note in a 1972 advertisement. Shortly thereafter, it was acquired by well-known New York collector Frank Levitan, and then it was later offered in the sale of Frank’s Large Size Type collection in 1998. Aside from a PMG Choice 63 EPQ piece, which sold at auction for $372,000 three years ago, no finer example of this rare and popular type note has been offered at public auction since Heritage sold the Tom Flynn collection in 2008, from which a PMG 53 Net example brought a winning bid of $195,500.

Images and information about all lots in the auction can be found at HA.com/3592.

Mar

2023

ANA Welcomes Christian Strayhorn as Education Director

The American Numismatic Association is pleased to announce that Christian Strayhorn will soon join the Association’s team as its new Education Director.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Strayhorn has 17 years of experience in the education sector with community colleges, and public, private, charter and international schools (El Salvador, Brazil and China). She began her career as a history teacher and school administrator after receiving a Bachelor of Arts, History from North Carolina State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She later went on to receive a Masters of Arts, History from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She has been honored with numerous fellowships – including a Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) fellowship to Germany and a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at UC Berkeley – and has earned Certificates in Global Education Entrepreneurship from UPENN and in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School.

Strayhorn’s recent focus has been on redesigning learning experiences and creating programs that are engaging, entertaining, interactive and informative. She has authored historical fiction and non-fiction books, research articles, been a guest blogger, a TEDx speaker, and an international speaker and presenter.

“I’m a tireless advocate for life-long learning,” says Strayhorn. “The ability to bring my experiences with history and education to the world of numismatics feels like a beautiful culmination of my career journey. I am eager to jump in and continue the amazing and inspiring work of the ANA.”

Strayhorn assumes the role of ANA Education Director on March 29. She will be responsible for implementing an online education program while elevating and improving upon existing programs. Strayhorn takes the reins from Rodney Gillis, who retired after serving the ANA for nearly 17 years. The newly expanded Education Director role will oversee educational content development and programs for a new eLearning platform, and collaborate with national numismatic experts for teaching in the Association’s eLearning Academy, technical seminars and the acclaimed Summer Seminar. A major focus will be implementing a new Learning Management System.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Christian to our numismatic community,” says ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick. “This newly expanded leadership role is critical to the ANA’s mission, and I believe Christian is that person who can help expand our educational initiatives for the next generation of collectors.”

Feb

2023

Stack’s Bowers Galleries Announces New Professional Numismatist Program

Throughout their legendary 90 year history in numismatics, Stack’s Bowers Galleries has had an unparalleled team of experts at the core of their business. Their current list of professionals is world renown in all areas of numismatics and among the best in the field. To continue this legacy, Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce the launching of a new one week seminar, the Professional Numismatist Program, with its first session scheduled from July 30 to August 5, 2023. Its mission statement: To provide practical tools and build professional connections for the next generation of young adult numismatists. The lead instructor will be Devin Hipp, joined by industry leaders Greg Roberts, Jason Carter, Matt Orsini, John Pack, Rick Ponterio, Vicken Yegparian, Peter Treglia and Aris Maragoudakis to name just a few. Covered topics will include advanced coin grading, wholesale trading and valuation, bullion trading, introduction to world numismatics, cataloging, and auctioneering.

The Professional Numismatist Program will be fully funded by Stack’s Bowers Galleries with all expenses – travel, lodging, food, beverages, and entertainment – provided by the firm upon acceptance to the program. The program will take place in Griffin Studios, located in their worldwide headquarters in Costa Mesa, California allowing students to enjoy the best that Southern California has to offer with its diverse recreational environment. For exceptional students, paid positions and internships may be available immediately.

If you have ever considered making your hobby your profession, here is the perfect opportunity to observe and acquire the skills necessary to be successful in this exciting field.

Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2023. For more information click here.

Feb

2023

United States Mint Announces 2024 American Women Quarters Program Honorees

The United States Mint (Mint) is pleased to announce the following 2024 honorees for the American Women Quarters™ Program:

Patsy Takemoto Mink was the first woman of color to serve in Congress. As a Member of Congress, she fought for gender and racial equality, affordable childcare, and bilingual education, most notably with the passage of Title IX, which was later renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was a Civil War era surgeon, women’s rights advocate, and an abolitionist. Walker often crossed battle lines to care for wounded soldiers. Captured by the Confederate troops as a suspected spy, she was held as a prisoner of war for four months. Walker is the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Pauli Murray was a poet, writer, activist, lawyer, and Episcopal priest, as well as a staunch advocate for civil rights, fighting against racial and sex discrimination. In 1966, she co-founded the National Organization for Women with Betty Friedan and other activists. Murray is regarded as one of the most important social justice advocates of the twentieth century.
Zitkala-Ša (meaning “Red Bird”), also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a writer, composer, educator, and political activist for Native Americans’ right to United States citizenship and other civil rights they had long been denied. She left her South Dakota home on the Yankton reservation at age eight to attend a boarding school run by white missionaries, where her native culture and traditions were prohibited.
Celia Cruz (Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso) was a Cuban-American singer, cultural icon, and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. Known as “The Queen of Salsa,” Cruz’s numerous honors and awards include five Grammy awards, a National Medal of Arts, and a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy.

“All of the women being honored have lived remarkable and multi-faceted lives, and have made a significant impact on our Nation in their own unique way,” said Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. “The women pioneered change during their lifetimes, not yielding to the status quo imparted during their lives. By honoring these pioneering women, the Mint continues to connect America through coins which are like small works of art in your pocket.”

The designs for the 2024 American Women Quarters will be released in mid-2023.

Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the American Women Quarters Program features coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of American women. Begun in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the Mint is issuing five quarters in each of these years. The ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse group of individuals honored through this program reflects a wide range of accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts.

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This groundbreaking coin program is an excellent way to remind future generations what can be accomplished with vision, determination, and a desire to improve opportunities for all. Subscribe to the program today to ensure fulfillment of your favorite product through 2025.

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