Past Auction

Coins, Bank Notes & Postage Stamps

Tue, Apr 30, 2019 at 1pm EDT |

New York

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Rare United States 1915 Panama-Pacific Set Achieves $300,000

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Auction of Coins, Bank Notes & Postage Stamps on April 30, 2019
Rare United States 1915 Panama-Pacific Complete Set of Five Coins Achieves $300,000
Sale Total Tops $1 Million with an Exceptional 96% Sold by Lot and 98% Sold by Value

NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle held a highly successful auction of Coins, Bank Notes and Postage Stamps on April 30, 2019. The sale showcased United States and World coins, bank notes, and stamps, including many rarities, from a number of prominent collections and estates.

With competitive bidding in the salesroom, on the telephones, and via the Internet the auction totaled $1,025,289, far surpassing its estimate of $607,600-778,900, with an exceptionally strong 96% sold by lot and 98% sold by value.

United States 1915 Panama-Pacific Complete Set of Five Coins

Highlighting the sale was a rare United States 1915 Panama-Pacific complete set of five coins that sold for a remarkable $300,000, well over its estimate of $190,000-210,000. The set had been graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation with an astounding grade of Mint State 65 for the $50 round and a the high grade of Mint State 63 for the $50 Octagonal, the $2 ½ is MS 66+, $1 and 50 Cents both MS 62. They were presented in the original velvet lined case, which is also in excellent condition, along with the printed sheet detailing the coins.

The five commemorative coins were issued for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, partially to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal August 15, 1914, as well as the revival of the Bay Area following the 1906 earthquake and fire. The set was conceived by entrepreneur Farran Zerbe, and a special hydraulic press was brought in from the Philadelphia mint to strike the enormous $50 Round and $50 Octagonal pieces. The massive press weighing approximately 14 tons and with a striking power of 450 tons was shipped by rail for this special occasion.

The Property of a Gentleman

Doyle is honored to auction the Property of a Gentleman as a feature of the April 30 sale. Assembled in the 1940s through the 1970s, this remarkable collection focuses on European gold and silver rarities spanning the late 18th through early 20th centuries. Highlighting the Collection was a United States twelve piece gold group in very fine to uncirculated condition that realized $10,800, exceeding its estimate of $5,000-7,000. The set comprised examples of $20 St. Gaudens, $10 Liberty, $5 Liberty & Indian, $2 1/2 Liberty, 1888 $3, $1 all three types.

European coins in the Collection were highlighted by an Austria 1908 Sixtieth Anniversary 100 Corona Proof that sold for $10,000, at the high end of the $7,000-10,000 estimate.

Postage Stamps

The philatelic section saw intense competition that sent prices soaring. A collection of United States Regular Issue postage stamps, mostly high grade examples from 1875 to 1980, was the subject of fierce bidding as the lots sailed past its estimate of $3,000-4,000 to achieved a staggering $40,625. Determined bidders also focused on a collection of United States Commemorative Issues, Mint stamps with many Never Hinged dated 1893 to 1982, sending the lot to $22,500, many times its estimate of $4,000-6,000.

We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. 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 273 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
212-427-4141, ext 273
[email protected]

Media Contact

Louis LeB. Webre
SVP, Marketing & Media
212-427-4141, ext 232
[email protected]

Including Property From

Estate of a Private Collector
Estate of Marian Clark Adolphson, CT
Property from the Collection of Edward T. Michaels, Montgomery County, Maryland
Property from the Estate of Mary Jane Kenny to be Sold to Benefit the Bonaventura Devine Foundation
Property of a Gentleman
Property of a Pasadena Family
Property of a Private Collector, Long Island
The Rose Collection