Past Auction

Doyle New York's April 24, 2012 Auction of Coins, Bank Notes, and Postage Stamps Achieves $925,000

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 at 10am EDT |
New York
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Group of Israel First Coin Issue Stamps from the Amnon S. Barness Collection Fetches $21,600

  • Group of Israel First Coin Issue Stamps from the Amnon S. Barness Collection Fetches $21,600
  • Letter Signed by Financier Hetty Green Sells for $13,200
  • We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation or Your Coins, Bank Notes and Postage Stamps

Doyle New York’s auction of Coins, Bank Notes and Postage Stamps on April 24, 2012 demonstrated the strength of the current market by surpassing expectations. The sale featured a wide selection of United States and World coins, bank notes, and stamps, including proof sets and many rarities, from a number of prominent collections and estates.

With competitive bidding from buyers in the salesroom, on the telephones and on the Internet, the sale totaled $925,008, exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $597,645-789,100, with an exceptionally strong 97% sold by lots and 99% sold by value.

A featured section of the sale showcased the collection of international philanthropist and entrepreneur Amnon S. Barness (1924-2009). Born in Palestine, Mr. Barness became General Chairman of the Israel Bond program in the greater Los Angeles area in the 1950s, co-founded Daylin, Inc., and later established Handy Dan Home Improvement Center, a precursor of Home Depot. He was the Founder-Chairman of the Fund for Higher Education, which supported universities in the United States and Israel.

Highlighting the Barness Collection was an extraordinary Israel first coin issue collection that sold for $21,600 against an estimate of $15,000-20,000. Another group of Israel issues dating from the 1940s to 1970s achieved $11,400, surpassing its estimate of $5,000-7,000. An Israel mint tabs group from 1948 to 1975 estimated at $1,000-1,500 sold for a stunning $7,800. World stamps from the Barness Collection featured a worldwide stamp group that fetched $11,400, far exceeding its estimate of $11,400. Another world wide airmail collection estimated at $4,000-6,000 achieved $7,800.

The selection of world coins in the auction featured a Peru 1708-H Gold Cob 8 Escudos estimated at $4,000-6,000 that achieved $10,200. The Albert F. Tramposch Collection of Ancient Chinese Coins offered a group of 25 Ching Dynasty hi-value cash coins estimated at $1,500-2,000 that fetched a surprising $8,400.

United States coins were highlighted by a $3 1861 Princess and a $5 1807 Draped Bust Facing Right that each fetched the identical price of $9,000, well over their respective estimates of $4,000-6,000.

Bank Notes offered a newly discovered 1929 $20 bank note, Type 1, from the First National Bank of White House Station, New Jersey, that sold for $10,800, surpassing its estimate of $6,000-8,000.  

A curiosity in the sale was a handwritten letter signed by Hetty Green estimated at $100-200 that fetched a staggering $13,200. Early female financier Hetty Green (1834-1916) made a fortune on Wall Street and was famously frugal, being referred to as "The Witch of Wall Street" and the "World's Greatest Miser." At her death at age 81, she was worth an estimated $100-200 million (several billions today).

All prices include the Buyer's Premium.

Next Coins, Bank Notes and Stamps Auction: Fall 2012

Doyle New York's next auction of Coins, Bank Notes and Stamps is scheduled for Fall 2012. Consignments are currently being accepted. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection. For information, please call Norman Scrivener at 212-427-4141, ext. 260, or email [email protected]

Consignments are currently being accepted

To have your property evaluated for possible consignment in the next auction, please contact:

Norman R. Scrivener

Media Contact

Louis LeB. Webre
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  • Estate of Andrew Marckwald
  • Estate of Andrew Marckwald
  • Estate of David Habib
  • Estate of Martha McDaniels
  • Estate of Walter S. Bopp
  • Estate of William Bedford Lloyd
  • The Albert F. Tramposch Collection
  • The Amnon S. Barness Collection
  • The property of Doyle New York

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