‘King of Silver Dollars’ coin could fetch over $1M at auction
A 19th century coin widely considered “the king of silver dollars” will be auctioned next week as part of Heritage’s FUN US Coins signature auction. The Adams-Carter 1804 Class III Draped Bust dollar is one of only 16 known examples of 1804 silver dollars.
This precious silver coin is the undisputed headliner of the Presidio collection, made up of 38 pieces, which will be auctioned from January 14 to 17.
“Presidio is an exceptional type coin collection that focuses on the popular theme of the 100 Greatest American Coins, and very impressive in both rarity and quality of the lots,” Todd Imhof, executive vice president of Heritage Auctions, said in a statement. “The 1804 Class III Draped Bust Dollar is one of the most famous trophies in all of American numismatics and a coin that will immediately become the centerpiece of a new collection. Only the most accomplished numismatists in history have owned an 1804 dollar, and the Adams-Carter Class III has been the coin of choice for the most eminent of them throughout history.”
Prominent collectors, including Phineas Adams, Amon G. Carter Sr., Waldo Charles Newcomer, and Edward Howland Robinson Green, have all owned this coin at various times. In 1941, numismatist B. Max Mehl said: “[i]In all of numismatics throughout the world…there has never been a single coin that has been and is the subject of so much romance, interest, [and] comment”, in reference to this particular piece. It is expected to sell for over a million dollars.
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In addition to the King of Silver Dollars, the third best Liberty Quarter Eagle 1854-S will also be auctioned. One of only 13 known examples, the Liberty Quarter Eagle 1854-S was created during the height of the California Gold Rush and the beginnings of the San Francisco Mint. Of the 246 1854-S Liberty Quarter Eagles minted, most have disappeared over time.
To find out where in the United States a coin was minted, look for a small capital letter on the upper side of the coin. It will either have a D for Denver, a P for Philadelphia, an S for San Francisco or a W for West Point.
The auction will also feature items from the Costa Family Collection, Part II. The 76-lot collection includes several rare gold and stellar four-dollar gold coins. Among the headliners of the collection is the 1880 Coiled Hair Stella. According to Heritage Auctions, it is “one of the finest examples of nine documented examples.” Not only is this four dollar coin rare, it is a bit mysterious. Many questions remain as to why it was made, when it was minted, for whom and how many examples were produced.
Auction sites and information on all auction items can be found here.
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