Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that a truly sensational collection of Gold Dollars, off the market for a century or more, will be offered in the November 2024 Showcase Auction.
Designated the “Chapman Set” of Gold Dollars, this long-hidden collection includes many items pedigreed to historic auctions presented by coin dealers Henry and S.H. Chapman from 1903 through 1916. The discovery of these coins was announced recently in Coin World and featured in advertisements from Matador Rare Coins. They were submitted for grading at PCGS and will create quite a stir in the numismatic marketplace when they cross the auction block.
The coins, many of which can be traced to a small number of Chapman auction sales between 1903 and 1916, were purchased by Alexander Parker Wylie, an Illinois banker and early dealer of currency and numismatic literature. Wylie’s collection was consigned to M.H. Bolender and sold in three named sales in 1935, 1936, and 1937, but no Gold Dollar collection was included among his holdings. It is quite possible that Wylie assembled this collection piecemeal, for himself or for a client; it has remained intact for a century.
“When we were first made aware of the existence of this collection, we were amazed that these coins had not been seen for so long by anyone in the numismatic community,” said Mark Schimel, Director of East Coast Retail at Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “Working with the client, we are proud to be able to offer this incredible collection of Gold Dollars, all of which last sold at auction prior to the United States’ entry into World War I.”
“Presenting old time, historic, and legendary cabinets has been our business for over 90 years,” said Brian Kendrella, President of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “When the time came to sell these important coins, the consignor knew that our team of experts would be the best choice to showcase this historic collection.”
“While the information presented in the initial announcement in Coin World was exciting, our incredible team of numismatists was able to expand on the story, connecting the coins to a well known pioneer in early 20th-century numismatics, and making this offering even more significant,” Mr. Schimel continued.
Highlights include:
- 1852-C Gold Dollar. Winter-2. MS63+ (PCGS). CAC. A Choice Mint State example from the Chapman’s sale of February 1903.
- 1860 Gold Dollar. JD-1. Rarity-6+. Proof 65 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. A beautiful Gem Cameo ex Charles S. Wilcox; Chapman’s sale of February 1904.
- 1860-D Gold Dollar. Winter 12-P. AU58 (PCGS). CAC. A highly significant Choice AU Example.
- 1863 Gold Dollar. MS68 (PCGS). CAC. Desirable low-mintage Civil War issue. Tied for finest known. Ex Chapman’s sale of the Major W.B. Wetmore Collection, June 1906. Likely purchased directly from the Philadelphia Mint by Maj. Wetmore.
- 1875 Gold Dollar. AU58 (PCGS). CAC. Incredibly low mintage of 400 struck. Ex Howard R. Newcomb.
- 1880 Gold Dollar. MS68 (PCGS). CAC. Stunning Ultra Gem Uncirculated from Lyman Low’s sale of February 1905.
- 1881 Gold Dollar. Date Right. JD-1. Rarity-5+. Proof 66 Deep Cameo (PCGS). Glorious Gem Deep Cameo Proof ex Charles S. Wilcox; Chapman’s sale of February 1904.
- 1882 Gold Dollar. MS68 (PCGS). CAC. A virtually pristine example. Ex Charles S. Wilcox; Chapman’s sale of February 1904.
- 1884 Gold Dollar. Repunched Date. JD-1. Rarity-4. Proof 67+ Cameo (PCGS). CAC. A Handsome Superb Gem, ex Charles S. Wilcox; Chapman’s sale of February 1904.
The recently publicized Chapman Set of Gold Dollars and the other fabulous rarities crossing the block in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries November 2024 Showcase Auctions will be available for viewing and pre-sale bidding at www.stacksbowers.com. For more information on the sale or to consign to an upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries event, call 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].
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