Eric P. Newman Collection, Part I

1924 5C Buffalo Nickel -- Struck on a Cent Planchet -- MS67 Red and Brown NGC. Appendix B of the Judd pattern reference lists a number of mint errors, such as this 1924 Buffalo nickel that was struck on a cent planchet. Any Buffalo nickel on a cent planchet is extremely rare. Prior to the appearance of this Superb Gem from the Newman Collection, the finest we have handled was an example certified MS64 Brown that realized $11,500 in September 2008. This is the third example in our sales. This sensational piece is very nicely centered with all details on the planchet, save for the extreme outer curve of the bison's tail. The strike is bold as it should be when a copper planchet is struck by a press intended to strike the harder nickel alloy. Both sides exhibit satin luster and retain about half of the original orange mint color, blended with sky-blue toning. Colonel E.H.R. Green passed away in 1936, just 12 years after this piece was minted. From Green to Newman, and now to a new collector who will be just the third owner for this coin since it was minted in 1924. Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $50; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4050, realized $28200.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1924 5C Buffalo Nickel -- Struck on a Cent Planchet -- MS67 Red and Brown NGC. Appendix B of the Judd pattern reference lists a number of mint errors, such as this 1924 Buffalo nickel that was struck on a cent planchet. Any Buffalo nickel on a cent planchet is extremely rare. Prior to the appearance of this Superb Gem from the Newman Collection, the finest we have handled was an example certified MS64 Brown that realized $11,500 in September 2008. This is the third example in our sales. This sensational piece is very nicely centered with all details on the planchet, save for the extreme outer curve of the bison's tail. The strike is bold as it should be when a copper planchet is struck by a press intended to strike the harder nickel alloy. Both sides exhibit satin luster and retain about half of the original orange mint color, blended with sky-blue toning. Colonel E.H.R. Green passed away in 1936, just 12 years after this piece was minted. From Green to Newman, and now to a new collector who will be just the third owner for this coin since it was minted in 1924. Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $50; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4050, realized $28200.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1794 1C Head of 1795 -- Doubled Edge Lettering, Corrosion -- NGC Details. AG3. S-67, B-59, R.3. The earliest copper planchets produced at the Philadelphia Mint had edge devices that were imparted through use of a machine known as the Castaing Machine. Blank planchets were passed through two steel bars, one stationary, and the edge lettering or other design was sunk into the physical edge of the planchet. Mistakes occasionally happened, such as this piece with doubled edge letters. The doubled edge letters are boldly visible around the entire circumference of this piece and read ONEONE HUNHRNDRED FOR A A DODOARAR, according to the Superior catalog that includes a photo showing part of the doubled edge lettering. The obverse sharpness is Good with the date and LIBERTY complete, while the reverse sharpness is Fair. Our EAC grade Fair 2. Ex: C. Douglas Smith (5/12/1953); Dr. Charles Ruby (Superior, 2/1974), lot 661; Neggen Sale (Superior, 2/1976), lot 351. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4049, realized $1645.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1794 1C Head of 1795 -- Doubled Edge Lettering, Corrosion -- NGC Details. AG3. S-67, B-59, R.3. The earliest copper planchets produced at the Philadelphia Mint had edge devices that were imparted through use of a machine known as the Castaing Machine. Blank planchets were passed through two steel bars, one stationary, and the edge lettering or other design was sunk into the physical edge of the planchet. Mistakes occasionally happened, such as this piece with doubled edge letters. The doubled edge letters are boldly visible around the entire circumference of this piece and read ONEONE HUNHRNDRED FOR A A DODOARAR, according to the Superior catalog that includes a photo showing part of the doubled edge lettering. The obverse sharpness is Good with the date and LIBERTY complete, while the reverse sharpness is Fair. Our EAC grade Fair 2. Ex: C. Douglas Smith (5/12/1953); Dr. Charles Ruby (Superior, 2/1974), lot 661; Neggen Sale (Superior, 2/1976), lot 351. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4049, realized $1645.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1915 P50C No S Panama-Pacific Half Dollar, Judd-1792/1962, Pollock-2030, R.8, PR66+ S Red and Brown NGC. CAC. Design. Both obverse and reverse were coined from the same dies as the regular-issue Panama-Pacific half dollars, but without the S mintmark. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. Commentary. The very rare Panama-Pacific half dollar experimental pieces were struck at the Philadelphia Mint before the mintmark was added to the dies. Examples are known in gold, silver, and copper. It is possible that the copper pieces were die trials, but most numismatists believe they were all struck clandestinely as fantasy pieces. Walter Breen reported a quote from Farran Zerbe stating the coins "may have been struck as trial pieces at the Philadelphia Mint by the instructions of the Secretary of the Treasury (W.G. McAdoo), who was a coin collector." Only three specimens of Judd-1962 are confirmed today, and it has been nearly a decade since any example was offered at public auction. The present coin is the finest known specimen by a wide margin. Physical Description. This spectacular high-end Premium Gem retains most of its original red color, mixed with attractive shades of chestnut-brown and blue. The design elements are well-detailed, and magnification reveals a number of die striations in the fields. The well-preserved surfaces are brightly lustrous, rather than reflective, and only a few microscopic carbon spots can be detected with a loupe. Eye appeal is tremendous. Like other 20th century patterns, the 1915 No S Panama-Pacific half dollars are among the most valuable and sought-after issues of the series. Roster and Provenance of Judd-1962. 1. PR66+ S Red and Brown NGC. Eric P. Newman EPNNES; the present specimen. 2. PR65 Red and Brown NGC. Abe Kosoff; Saint Louis ANA (New England Rare Coin Auctions, 7/1979), lot 1363, offered with an example of Judd-1960 and Judd-1961 in separate lots, realized $5,000; Sound Beach Collection (Heritage, 11/2003), lot 11251, offered with the other coins from the 1979 ANA in separate lots, realized $63,250; Southern collection; Simpson Collection. 3. PR63 Brown PCGS. Fred E. Olsen Collection (B. Max Mehl, 11/1944), lot 625, realized $180; possibly Denver ANA (Heritage, 8/1996), lot 5193, realized $15,400. Note: A specimen was exhibited by F.C.C. Boyd at the June 11, 1943 meeting of the New York Numismatic Club, per the July 1943 issue of The Numismatist, Page 559. This citation could refer to any of the three coins mentioned above, or might represent a fourth coin. Many of the patterns in the 1979 ANA sale were from the Dr. James Sloss Collection, which David Akers reported as sold privately in 1974. The three Pan-Pac half dollars may have come from this source, but conclusive evidence is not available at this time. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4048, realized $199750.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1915 P50C No S Panama-Pacific Half Dollar, Judd-1792/1962, Pollock-2030, R.8, PR66+ S Red and Brown NGC. CAC. Design. Both obverse and reverse were coined from the same dies as the regular-issue Panama-Pacific half dollars, but without the S mintmark. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. Commentary. The very rare Panama-Pacific half dollar experimental pieces were struck at the Philadelphia Mint before the mintmark was added to the dies. Examples are known in gold, silver, and copper. It is possible that the copper pieces were die trials, but most numismatists believe they were all struck clandestinely as fantasy pieces. Walter Breen reported a quote from Farran Zerbe stating the coins "may have been struck as trial pieces at the Philadelphia Mint by the instructions of the Secretary of the Treasury (W.G. McAdoo), who was a coin collector." Only three specimens of Judd-1962 are confirmed today, and it has been nearly a decade since any example was offered at public auction. The present coin is the finest known specimen by a wide margin. Physical Description. This spectacular high-end Premium Gem retains most of its original red color, mixed with attractive shades of chestnut-brown and blue. The design elements are well-detailed, and magnification reveals a number of die striations in the fields. The well-preserved surfaces are brightly lustrous, rather than reflective, and only a few microscopic carbon spots can be detected with a loupe. Eye appeal is tremendous. Like other 20th century patterns, the 1915 No S Panama-Pacific half dollars are among the most valuable and sought-after issues of the series. Roster and Provenance of Judd-1962. 1. PR66+ S Red and Brown NGC. Eric P. Newman EPNNES; the present specimen. 2. PR65 Red and Brown NGC. Abe Kosoff; Saint Louis ANA (New England Rare Coin Auctions, 7/1979), lot 1363, offered with an example of Judd-1960 and Judd-1961 in separate lots, realized $5,000; Sound Beach Collection (Heritage, 11/2003), lot 11251, offered with the other coins from the 1979 ANA in separate lots, realized $63,250; Southern collection; Simpson Collection. 3. PR63 Brown PCGS. Fred E. Olsen Collection (B. Max Mehl, 11/1944), lot 625, realized $180; possibly Denver ANA (Heritage, 8/1996), lot 5193, realized $15,400. Note: A specimen was exhibited by F.C.C. Boyd at the June 11, 1943 meeting of the New York Numismatic Club, per the July 1943 issue of The Numismatist, Page 559. This citation could refer to any of the three coins mentioned above, or might represent a fourth coin. Many of the patterns in the 1979 ANA sale were from the Dr. James Sloss Collection, which David Akers reported as sold privately in 1974. The three Pan-Pac half dollars may have come from this source, but conclusive evidence is not available at this time. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4048, realized $199750.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1915 P50C No S Panama-Pacific Half Dollar, Judd-1791/1961, Pollock-2029, High R.7, PR65 NGC. CAC. Design. Both obverse and reverse were coined from the same dies as the regular-issue Panama-Pacific half dollars, but without the S mintmark. Struck in silver, with a reeded edge. Commentary. The famous 1915 No S Panama-Pacific half dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint before the S mintmark was added to the dies, which were then shipped to San Francisco for the production run. Examples are known in copper, silver, and gold. These experimental issues were probably struck as fantasy pieces. Farran Zerbe, who was in charge of the ambitious program to produce sets of five different coins from various denominations to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal, attributed the rare No S patterns to W.G. McAdoo, the contemporary Secretary of the Treasury. Only a handful of examples were struck in silver. Anthony Swiatek reports six examples were struck, and the envelope accompanying the present coin notes five specimens were known when the coin was purchased. However, we can account for only four specimens today. The present coin is the finest known example in silver. Physical Description. A delightful Gem, with well-detailed design elements and lustrous surfaces that show no mentionable signs of contact. The well-preserved surfaces are blanketed in attractive shades of natural ice-blue, lavender, gray, and golden-brown toning that produce a stunning play of colors. The outstanding visual appeal matches the high technical quality of this very rare 20th century pattern. The last public auction appearance of any example of Judd-1961 was nearly a decade ago, and a comparable example may not become available for many years. Roster and Provenance for Judd-1961. 1. PR65 NGC. From B.G. Johnson's St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co. inventory, probably from the Armin Brand holdings; purchased by Eric P. Newman, EPNNES; the present coin. 2. PR64 NGC. Abe Kosoff; Saint Louis ANA (New England Rare Coin Auctions, 7/1979), lot 1364, offered with a specimen of Judd-1960 and Judd-1962 in separate lots, realized $15,000; Sound Beach Collection (Heritage, 11/2003), lot 11250, offered with the other coins from the 1979 ANA in separate lots, realized $92,000; Southern collection, Simpson Collection. 3. Eric P. Newman; an example in slightly lower grade, retained by the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. 4. A specimen recovered in the 1950s as a regular-issue Panama-Pacific half dollar, per Anthony Swiatek. Possibly the coin in lot 1300 of Mail Bid Sale 267 (Hollinbeck-Kagin, 11/1966), under commemorative half dollars: "1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, brilliant bluish unc. SCARCE. Cat. 100.00" Note: Anthony Swiatek reports as many as six examples of Judd-1961 were struck, but other specimens remain unconfirmed. Many of the patterns in the 1979 ANA sale were from the Dr. James Sloss Collection, which David Akers reported as sold privately in 1974. The three Pan-Pac half dollars may have come from this source, but conclusive evidence is not available at this time. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4047, realized $176250.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1915 P50C No S Panama-Pacific Half Dollar, Judd-1791/1961, Pollock-2029, High R.7, PR65 NGC. CAC. Design. Both obverse and reverse were coined from the same dies as the regular-issue Panama-Pacific half dollars, but without the S mintmark. Struck in silver, with a reeded edge. Commentary. The famous 1915 No S Panama-Pacific half dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint before the S mintmark was added to the dies, which were then shipped to San Francisco for the production run. Examples are known in copper, silver, and gold. These experimental issues were probably struck as fantasy pieces. Farran Zerbe, who was in charge of the ambitious program to produce sets of five different coins from various denominations to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal, attributed the rare No S patterns to W.G. McAdoo, the contemporary Secretary of the Treasury. Only a handful of examples were struck in silver. Anthony Swiatek reports six examples were struck, and the envelope accompanying the present coin notes five specimens were known when the coin was purchased. However, we can account for only four specimens today. The present coin is the finest known example in silver. Physical Description. A delightful Gem, with well-detailed design elements and lustrous surfaces that show no mentionable signs of contact. The well-preserved surfaces are blanketed in attractive shades of natural ice-blue, lavender, gray, and golden-brown toning that produce a stunning play of colors. The outstanding visual appeal matches the high technical quality of this very rare 20th century pattern. The last public auction appearance of any example of Judd-1961 was nearly a decade ago, and a comparable example may not become available for many years. Roster and Provenance for Judd-1961. 1. PR65 NGC. From B.G. Johnson's St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co. inventory, probably from the Armin Brand holdings; purchased by Eric P. Newman, EPNNES; the present coin. 2. PR64 NGC. Abe Kosoff; Saint Louis ANA (New England Rare Coin Auctions, 7/1979), lot 1364, offered with a specimen of Judd-1960 and Judd-1962 in separate lots, realized $15,000; Sound Beach Collection (Heritage, 11/2003), lot 11250, offered with the other coins from the 1979 ANA in separate lots, realized $92,000; Southern collection, Simpson Collection. 3. Eric P. Newman; an example in slightly lower grade, retained by the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. 4. A specimen recovered in the 1950s as a regular-issue Panama-Pacific half dollar, per Anthony Swiatek. Possibly the coin in lot 1300 of Mail Bid Sale 267 (Hollinbeck-Kagin, 11/1966), under commemorative half dollars: "1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, brilliant bluish unc. SCARCE. Cat. 100.00" Note: Anthony Swiatek reports as many as six examples of Judd-1961 were struck, but other specimens remain unconfirmed. Many of the patterns in the 1979 ANA sale were from the Dr. James Sloss Collection, which David Akers reported as sold privately in 1974. The three Pan-Pac half dollars may have come from this source, but conclusive evidence is not available at this time. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4047, realized $176250.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1885 P$1 Snowden Dollar, Judd-1749, Pollock-1961, R.7, PR68 Cameo NGC. CAC. Design. The dies are the regular-issue 1885 Morgan dollar dies, but there is experimental edge lettering as follows: * * * * * * E * / PLURIBUS * / UNUM * * * * *. Struck in aluminum with a tripartite collar for the edge lettering. Commentary. The so-called Snowden dollars were struck as an anti-counterfeiting measure, following the arrest in 1884 of two skillful counterfeiters. The edge was struck from a novel three-part collar that produced raised edge lettering on the coin. Considerable experimentation went into the production of these pieces, and on June 12, 1885 Snowden and his staff succeeded in getting the mechanism to work at normal production speeds of 80 to 100 coins per minute. Snowden retired at the end of the year, and left placement of the raised lettering to his successor. Director Burchard left office around the same time, and no one remained in the Mint who had Snowden's insight, ability, or willingness to experiment to carry his project forward to completion. Physical Description. This dollar is essentially "as struck." The nearly brilliant surfaces show no obvious contact marks on either side. The fields are deeply mirrored and show evidence of die polishing. Contrasted against the depth of mirroring on each side, the devices are noticeably frosted, producing a strong field-device contrast. Contrast is almost expected on aluminum patterns. These pieces struck up nicely and a high percentage display deep mirroring and cameo contrast. Additionally, this nearly perfect piece does not show any of the planchet laminations or streakiness often encountered in aluminum coinage. Nor is there any trace of oxidation. This is the only PR68 Snowden dollar certified at either grading service, and it is followed by a pair of PR67 Cameo coins, one at NGC and one at PCGS as the second finest examples known (2/13). Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $75; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4046, realized $52875.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1885 P$1 Snowden Dollar, Judd-1749, Pollock-1961, R.7, PR68 Cameo NGC. CAC. Design. The dies are the regular-issue 1885 Morgan dollar dies, but there is experimental edge lettering as follows: * * * * * * E * / PLURIBUS * / UNUM * * * * *. Struck in aluminum with a tripartite collar for the edge lettering. Commentary. The so-called Snowden dollars were struck as an anti-counterfeiting measure, following the arrest in 1884 of two skillful counterfeiters. The edge was struck from a novel three-part collar that produced raised edge lettering on the coin. Considerable experimentation went into the production of these pieces, and on June 12, 1885 Snowden and his staff succeeded in getting the mechanism to work at normal production speeds of 80 to 100 coins per minute. Snowden retired at the end of the year, and left placement of the raised lettering to his successor. Director Burchard left office around the same time, and no one remained in the Mint who had Snowden's insight, ability, or willingness to experiment to carry his project forward to completion. Physical Description. This dollar is essentially "as struck." The nearly brilliant surfaces show no obvious contact marks on either side. The fields are deeply mirrored and show evidence of die polishing. Contrasted against the depth of mirroring on each side, the devices are noticeably frosted, producing a strong field-device contrast. Contrast is almost expected on aluminum patterns. These pieces struck up nicely and a high percentage display deep mirroring and cameo contrast. Additionally, this nearly perfect piece does not show any of the planchet laminations or streakiness often encountered in aluminum coinage. Nor is there any trace of oxidation. This is the only PR68 Snowden dollar certified at either grading service, and it is followed by a pair of PR67 Cameo coins, one at NGC and one at PCGS as the second finest examples known (2/13). Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $75; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4046, realized $52875.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.