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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1861-O $20, AU55, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166265]1117 - 1861-O $20, AU55, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166265]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is an exceptional rarity, with only 17,741 coins made. The last double eagle issue from the New Orleans Mint until 1879. NGC certified AU 55. To
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 20,000.00 | Estimate : 40,000.00 - 70,000.00
 
 
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1862-S US $20, F Obverse, Unc reverse, "Genuine" [166172]1118 - 1862-S US $20, F Obverse, Unc reverse, "Genuine" [166172]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1862-S US $20, F Obverse, Unc reverse, PCGS "Genuine". This is an interesting coin that appears to have been placed in a bezel, probably f...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,200.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to C******n for (2,000.00 + 400.00BP) = 2,400.00
 
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1863 $20 AU53, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166302]1119 - 1863 $20 AU53, Liberty Head Gold Piece [166302]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Mintage of only 142,790, most business strikes grading VF or EF. This coin certified AU 53 by NGC. Total Graded by NGC: In AU 53: 38; In Higher Grade
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 7,000.00 | Estimate : 14,000.00 - 19,000.00
 
 
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1890-CC US $20, AU58 [166156]1120 - 1890-CC US $20, AU58 [166156]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1890-CC US $20, NGC AU58, one of the scarce Carson City $20s with a total mintage of only 91,209 coins. Akers noted in 1982 that hundreds of uncircula
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 3,500.00 | Estimate : 7,000.00 - 10,000.00
 
 
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1894 US $20, MS63 [166159]1121 - 1894 US $20, MS63 [166159]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1894 US $20, PCGS MS63. Mintage of 1,368,940. Date: 1894 Country (if not USA): State: City:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,200.00 | Estimate : 2,400.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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1907 US $20 Saint-Gaudens MS64 Double Eagle [166189]1122 - 1907 US $20 Saint-Gaudens MS64 Double Eagle [166189]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1907 US$20 Saint-Gaudens gold double eagle, PCGS MS64. Mintage 361,667. The story of creating a new design for the US $20 bullion coin is filled with
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 2,000.00 | Estimate : 4,000.00 - 6,000.00
 
 
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2013 W Gold Eagle G$25, PF70 Ultra Cameo [166155]1123 - 2013 W Gold Eagle G$25, PF70 Ultra Cameo [166155]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2013 W Gold Eagle G$25, PF70 Ultra Cameo. This is a remarkable "perfect" coin in PF70 with Ultra Cameo surfaces, graded by NGC. Date: 20...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,300.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to w**********e for (1,500.00 + 300.00BP) = 1,800.00
 
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1852 U. S. Assay Office 900 Fine $50 Gold [165450]1124 - 1852 U. S. Assay Office 900 Fine $50 Gold [165450]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1852 US Assay Office Fifty dollar "slug", NGC certified, AU58. This is the only issue of this denomination struck in .900 fineness. Previo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 37,500.00 | Estimate : 75,000.00 - 150,000.00
 
 
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1995 US $50 Gold Eagle MS69 PL [166184]1125 - 1995 US $50 Gold Eagle MS69 PL [166184]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1995 US$50 Gold Eagle Prooflike MS69. The quintessential US gold bullion coin with the obverse designed by famed engraver Augustus Saint-Gaudens and t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 8,000.00 - 10,000.00
Sold to d*******n for (9,000.00 + 1,800.00BP) = 10,800.00
 
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US $50 Gold Eagle PR70 DCAM [166183]1126 - US $50 Gold Eagle PR70 DCAM [166183]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
US$50 Gold Eagle, 2020-W, PCGS PF70 DCAM. This proof coin is a 75th anniversary celebration of the end of WWII released in the year 2020 with a limite
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
 
 
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