AUCTION  / 

Treasure Trove of Rarities: Coin & Shipwreck Treasure Auction (April 2023)

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 309, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States In Person PreviewPreview

Auction Details

The Curtains are Drawn! Open up the Light!

That’s Right!

Two great companies are joining forces, using their combined 75 years of exceptional experience to present to you an auction of some of the Finest Known Treasure and Numismatic rarities!

This one-day special auction presents an excellent sample of rarities in various treasure classes: SS Central America; SS Republic; Private “Territorial” gold coins; treasured Morgan dollars; ancient coins and more.
Both of our companies specialize in treasures. Everyone is fascinated by treasure – whether it is a gold coin found in your own backyard; in a clay pot full of mint state ancient coins; artifacts and coins from the ocean floor, or in a long-held private collection. It’s all treasure!

Now we can bring these treasures to you directly at auction. Finest Known, LLC has specialized in numismatics for decades and is the leader in sales of SS Central America material since about 2002, having sold nearly every gold ingot from the Ship of Gold – some of them sold many times over! They are known the world over for their professionalism and education of rare numismatics. The backgrounds and experience of our two companies fit hand in glove and work together to bring you very special items at auction. What everyone witnessed with the SS Central America artifact auctions now comes into play for this select group of treasure and numismatic items.

SS Central America Treasures
The items up for auction from the 1857 SSCA are nothing short of astounding. In the numismatics portion, are several important pieces: a striking 1857-S $20 with deep golden red patina known as the “Golden Gate” coin. This coin is so stunning in appearance, reminiscent of the fabled sunsets at the Golden Gate, that SSCA Chief Scientist Bob Evans refused to conserve the coin and remove the fabulous coloration. It is one of a small handful of coins that were “left alone” because of their beautiful appearance.

A key new discovery is a group of three daguerreotype and ambrotype photographs in their original cases of the D. O. Mills family inclusive of newlyweds Addie and Ansel Easton, thought to be taken by San Francisco photographer Robert H. Vance upon their return from the East after the SS Central America disaster, in which both Eastons were rescued, though by different ships at different times, such that for some time, neither knew if the other survived. It is the only such surviving photograph and has never been published.

Other SS Central America treasures include very rare coins of numerous denominations found in various passenger “coin piles” out in debris fields on the ocean floor, as well as key items from the Gold Room, inclusive of a 13 troy ounce Kellogg & Humbert gold ingot.

SS Republic
The SS Republic treasure of 1865 offers several of the fine $20 gold coins and several of the half dollars. Certainly one of the key pieces is a counterstamped half dollar with “TN” and “1861” separately stamped into the obverse and reverse. This coin tells the story of the difficult and conflicting politics of the people of Tennessee in 1861 at the onset of the Civil War. As the last state to enter the Confederacy, Tennesseans were strong, outspoken people about their politics during those first months of the Civil War, which is emphasized by this unique half dollar.

Gold Rush Rarities
Very rare, low mintage US gold coins, particularly US type 1 $20 gold coins from 1850 to 1860. A spectacular rarity is a Baldwin 1851 $10 in mint state, one of only a very few known. The collection is supplemented by other rarities including one of the very rare 1911-D low denomination gold coins.

Ancient Treasures
Every collector and every kid gets thrilled thinking about ancient coins. They are a true treasure, and the information and history behind them is another treasure trove. We have a great variety of nearly 100 different silver and gold coins of the ancient period.

Modern Treasures
Modern treasures include many of the 2000 millennium specialty US gold coins in Mint State and Proof 70, the highest grade possible - coins that grade a true “perfect.”

Enjoy the ride, and explore these auction offerings!

Fred Holabird & Adam Crum



"Treasure Trove of Rarities" Auction, April 29th, 2023, Table of Contents

Ancient Coins (Lots 1000-1048)
Foreign Coins (Lots 1049-1056)
US Coins & Ephemera (Sorted by Denomination, then Mint) (Lots 1057-1135)
Pennies
Half Dollars
Morgan Dollars
Carson City Mint
New Orleans Mint
Philadelphia Mint
San Francisco Mint
$5 Gold
$10 Gold
$25 Gold
$50 Gold
Misc. Numismatics
Treasure Coins & Ingot (Lots 1136-1164)
SS Central America Treasure (Lots 1136-1158)
SS Republic Treasure (Lots 1159-1164)
SHIPPING & HANDLING: The customer is responsible for all shipping and packaging charges. We offer shipping service as a convenience to our buyers. Items are not shipped until the invoice and shipping charges are completely paid. Shipping costs will be calculated and billed separately after your items have been paid for. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: FedEx, UPS, USPS or DHL. Pick up is available from our Reno office, once you have received your invoice post auction
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1851-O US $20, AU58 [166171]1107 - 1851-O US $20, AU58 [166171]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1851-O US $20, NGC AU58. This is another rare date $20, with only 315,000 coins minted. It is exceptionally rare in a true uncirculated condition. Th
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 12,000.00 - 20,000.00
Sold to t*********o for 9,000.00
 
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1851 US $20, XF40 [166158]1108 - 1851 US $20, XF40 [166158]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1851 US $20, PCGS XF40. This is only the second year of the Type I US $20, with slightly over 2 million minted. As such, this is only America's ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,200.00 | Estimate : 2,400.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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1855-S US $20, XF45 [166157]1109 - 1855-S US $20, XF45 [166157]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1855-S US $20, PCGS XF45. This is the second year of mintage from the new San Francisco Branch mint, with 879,675 minted. The first year of 1854, th
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 4,500.00
Sold to a*******y for 2,520.00
 
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1856-S $20, MS61, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166301]1110 - 1856-S $20, MS61, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166301]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
NGC certified MS 61, scarce in Mint State. Total Graded by NGC: In MS 61: 23; In Higher Grades: 13. Early San Francisco Mint product. Mintage: 1,189,7
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 2,500.00 | Estimate : 5,000.00 - 7,000.00
 
 
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1857-S $20, AU50, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166264]1111 - 1857-S $20, AU50, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166264]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1857-S Liberty Head $20 gold piece, certified AU 50 by NGC. Total Graded by NGC: In AU 50: 135; In Higher Grades: 854. Mintage 970,500. "Certai...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,100.00 | Estimate : 2,200.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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1857 $20, MS61, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166269]1112 - 1857 $20, MS61, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166269]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Scarce date from the Eureka Hoard, NGC certified MS 61 1857 $20 Liberty Head gold piece. Mintage 439,375. Total Graded by NGC: In MS 61: 18; In Higher
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,500.00 - 8,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for 5,280.00
 
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1857 US $20, AU55 [166170]1113 - 1857 US $20, AU55 [166170]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1857 US $20, PCGS AU55 with green CAC. This is a scarce date Philly $20, with only 439,375 minted coins. Akers suggested no proofs were made in 1857.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,750.00 | Estimate : 3,500.00 - 4,500.00
 
 
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1859-S $20, DDO, AU58, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166303]1114 - 1859-S $20, DDO, AU58, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166303]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very tough San Francisco Mint date. NGC AU 58 graded 1859-S doubled die obverse (DDO) $20 Liberty Head gold piece. Total Graded by NGC; In AU 58: 5
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 2,500.00 | Estimate : 5,000.00 - 7,000.00
 
 
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1859-S $20, AU58, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166300]1115 - 1859-S $20, AU58, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166300]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
More difficult to obtain in high grade compared to other San Francisco Mint double eagles. Certified AU 58 by NGC, with very few distractions. Total G
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 7,000.00
Sold to r*****o for 4,920.00
 
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1860-S $20, AU55, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166268]1116 - 1860-S $20, AU55, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166268]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
One of the rarest double eagles from the San Francisco Mint. When available, typically only VF or EF. This coin is graded AU 55 by NGC. Total Graded b
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 2,000.00 | Estimate : 4,000.00 - 5,000.00
 
 
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