Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to present their 2025 Global Showcase Rarities Night session on Wednesday, August 27. Since its inception in the 2011 official auction for the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money, the firm’s Rarities Night auctions have attracted some of the most important coins and cabinets to cross the block. Leading the way this year is an impressive array of gold coins from the Chicago, Hough Family, and Floyd T. Starr Collections, as well as early half dollars from the Iron Eagle Collection; fabulous, conditionally rare Morgan Dollars from the Illinois Set, and patterns from the Seven Lions Collection. In addition to Rarities Night, the Stack’s Bowers Galleries 2025 Global Showcase will also present additional United States coins, Numismatic Americana, ancient and world coins, world paper money, and physical cryptocurrency across 23 live and Internet-only auction sessions.
The Rarities Night Session will present over 500 lots, featuring coins from nearly a dozen “named” collections, as well as a cavalcade of American numismatic delicacies from other important consignments. Impressive named collections include:
The Chicago Collection of Early United States Gold Coins
This cabinet was carefully assembled by a dedicated collector who attended major auctions and coin shows on his quest to build as fine a collection as he could. This advanced collection comprises 53 quarter eagles, half eagles, and eagles dated 1795-1838, all graded by PCGS and with the majority approved by CAC. Highlights include an 1805 Draped Bust Quarter Eagle in MS63 (lot 3156); a 1795 Capped Bust, Right Half Eagle in MS61 CAC (lot 3158); the Norweb-Bass 1798 Capped Bust, Right Half Eagle Large 8, 14 Star in MS60 (lot 3162); 1830 Capped Bust Half Eagle in MS64 CAC/CMQ (lot 3192); one of only two traced 1833 Capped Bust Half Eagle, BD-3 in AU58+ (lot 3193); a lovely AU58 1795 Capped Bust Eagle (lot 3199); the Pogue-Simpson 1797 Capped Bust, Small Eagle (lot 3200), and a MS62 1804 Capped Bust, Crosslet 4 Eagle (lot 3208).
The Floyd T. Starr Collection
Over three decades since the last major offering from this famed “Philadelphia Estate” Collection, the Summer 2025 Rarities Night will feature a nearly complete date set of Three-Dollar Gold pieces, all purchased as Proofs from 1937 to 1962. While the understanding of Proofs has changed, what has not is the incredible quality of the 33 coins set to cross the block in August. Of particular note are the 1857 Three-Dollar Gold coin in Proof-66 DCAM (PCGS) CAC/CMQ (lot 3247), the spectacular 1862 Three-Dollar Gold coin in Proof-67 DCAM (lot 3251), the legendary 1875 Three-Dollar Gold coin in Proof-64 CAM (PCGS) CAC/CMQ (lot 3262), the finest 1878 Three-Dollar Gold coin in Proof-67+ CAM (PCGS) CAC/CMQ (lot 3265), and the sole finest PCGS-certified Proof Three-Dollar Gold coin – the 1880, which is graded Proof-68 DCAM (lot 3267).
The Hough Family Collection
This most impressive cabinet of Mint State and Proof gold coins features many noteworthy condition census rarities. Each coin was selected for its high certified grade and eye appeal. Among the numerous highlights is a choice Mint State 1795 Capped Bust, Right Half Eagle, graded MS63+ by NGC (lot 3287); the landmark Bass 1858 Proof Liberty Head Half Eagle graded Proof-66 DCAM (PCGS) CMQ (lot 3309); a stunning Proof-68 (NGC) 1908 Indian Head Motto Eagle (lot 3354); an incredibly rare Proof only 1883 Liberty Head Double Eagle in Proof-64 CAM (PCGS) (lot 3397); an extraordinary 1899 Liberty Head Double Eagle in Proof-65 DCAM (PCGS) CMQ (lot 3412), and a Superb Gem 1907 Saint-Gaudens High Relief Double Eagle PCGS MS67 CAC/CMQ (lot 3417). In addition to these incredible golden rarities from the United States, there is a spectacular selection of world gold coins from the Hough Family Collection featured in the World and Ancient coin sessions.
The Illinois Set
Presenting spectacularly well preserved Gem Morgan Dollars from one of the finest PCGS Registry Sets ever assembled, these coins are among the absolute finest of their respective issues. Key rarities set to cross the block include an 1884-S Morgan Dollar in MS67 (PCGS) CAC, ex Jack Lee (lot 3123); the legendary Eliasberg 1886-O Morgan Dollar in PCGS MS65+ CAC (lot 3124); the ex Coronet Collection 1894-O Morgan Dollar in PCGS MS65+ CAC (lot 3135); a jaw-dropping Gem 1895-O Morgan Dollar graded MS66 by PCGS (lot 3137); and an MS66 (PCGS) 1901 Morgan Dollar (lot 3140).
The Iron Eagle Collection
This powerful grouping of early Half Dollars includes extremely rare Mint State examples of the 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar, 1802 Draped Bust Half Dollar, and 1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar (graded MS61, MS62, and MS63 by PCGS respectively). Each coin ranks at or near the top of the condition census for its variety and would be a highlight in any advanced collection of early half dollars.
The John D. Miner Collection
A very diverse collection of rare and historic coins and medals. Featured in the Rarities Night is a choice Continental “Dollar” graded AU55 by PCGS (lot 3001) and a spectacular CMQ approved 1849 Norris, Gregg & Norris K-3 in PCGS AU55 (lot 3489). An extensive offering of rare medals and colonial issues will be found in other sessions of the Global Showcase Auction and includes a Mint State silver Libertas Americana medal, among other important coins and medals, many with important pedigrees.
The Julius Korein Collection
A selection of scarce Gobrecht Dollars being sold for the benefit of the American Numismatic Society. Dr. Korein’s extensive collection of Gobrecht dollars, 1836-1839 was used to research this intriguing series. Most interesting in this offering is one of each die alignment of 1836 Judd-60.
The PentaMint™ Collection
An impressive selection of branch mint issues, mostly scarce and popular Carson City gold coins, including a rare 1876-CC Liberty Head Eagle in PCGS AU53 (an issue that is unknown in Mint State).
The Seven Lions Collection
This magnificent cabinet of U.S. pattern coinage spans from 1839 through 1896 and features over 100 distinct Judd varieties, encompassing some of the most coveted and scarce issues of the 19th century. Selected carefully for their quality and eye appeal, many of these pieces have been off the market for a decade or more after having passed through the collections of such luminaries as Stickney, Jenks, Brand, Maris, Garrett, Bass, Eliasberg, Simpson and even Dr. Judd himself.
This offering in our Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction should prove to be a landmark event for future generations of pattern specialists. Among the standouts are the Judd-1467 1876 pattern “Liberty by the Seashore” Trade Dollar in silver graded Proof-66+ (PCGS) CAC that ranks as the finest known (lot 3470); a spectacular Judd-1195 1872 pattern “Amazonian” Quarter Dollar in silver graded Proof-64 (PCGS) (lot 3461); a silver Judd-1526 1877 pattern half dollar graded Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS) CAC, pedigreed to our April 1962 sale of the Cox Collection (lot 3473); a Proof-65 (NGC) Judd-1512 1877 pattern silver Morgan Half Dollar with a provenance back to March 1883 and to the Garrett Collection (lot 3471); and a Judd-565 1867 patten five cents in nickel graded Proof-66 Cameo (NGC), one of only two known and the only example in private hands (lot 3455). The coins in this collection are being sold with the proceeds being donated to the Higgins Museum of National Banknotes in Okoboji, Iowa.
The Warwick Collection
This collection was assembled from the 1930s to the 1960s and includes a handful gold coins, among which are a remarkable CMQ-approved MS67 (PCGS) 1908 Motto $10 (lot 3356), a choice MS64 1907 High Relief $20 (lot 3419), a lovely AU Bechtler $5 (lot 3487), graded AU50 (PCGS) CAC, and a collectible grade Fine-15 (PCGS) Mormon $5 (lot 3495).
Interspersed with these remarkable collections are additional significant highlights, including:
- Lot 3004. 1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain Reverse. S-1, B-1. Rarity-4. AMERI. AU50 (PCGS).
- Lot 3131. 1892-S Morgan Dollar. MS67 (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. OGH Rattler.
- Lot 3226. 1848 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. CAL. AU50 (PCGS).
- Lot 3286. 1879 Four-Dollar Gold Stella. Flowing Hair. Judd-1635. Rarity-3. Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS).
- Lot 3288. 1797 Half Eagle. Small Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-7. 15 Stars, Wide Date. AU58 (PCGS).
- Lot 3314. 1861-D Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter 47-GG. AU50 (PCGS).
- Lot 3344. 1870-CC Liberty Head Eagle. AU55 (PCGS). CMQ.
- Lot 3361. 1914 Indian Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-5+. Proof-65+ (PCGS). CAC/CMQ.
- Lot 3386. 1870-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU50 (PCGS).
- Lot 3432. 1913 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-5. Proof-66 (PCGS). CAC.
- Lot 3484. 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition $50. Octagonal. Hub Trial. Judd A1915-3, Pollock-Unlisted. Rarity-8+. Copper. Specimen-65 RD (PCGS). CAC.
“This is among our largest and most impressive Rarities Night events ever,” stated Stack’s Bowers Galleries President Brian Kendrella. “The sheer number of world-class rarities that will be crossing the block is just astounding. With demand for the best and rarest coins as strong as it is, there is no doubt in my mind that record prices will be shattered.”
The entire Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction is available online for viewing and pre-bidding at StacksBowers.com. Lots will be available for viewing at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Oklahoma City August 17-22 with no appointment necessary. The sale can also be viewed by appointment at in the firm’s Costa Mesa, CA Headquarters (July 30-August 1) and at their New York City Gallery (August 8 & 11-13).
For information on bidding in the sale or to schedule a lot viewing appointment email [email protected]. To consign to an upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction call 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].
