One of the most comprehensive collections of colonial and early American coins ever to reach public auction, The W. Philip Keller Collection of US Colonials, is the principle highlight of Heritage's upcoming Rare US Coin auction in conjunction with COINFEST in Stamford, Connecticut.
Mr Keller apparently stopped actively collecting around 1966, with intermittent purchases through the early 1970s, and stored his collection in a bank vault where it was discovered nearly 40 years later by his surprised family after he died last year, who knew that Mr. Keller was a collector, but had no idea of the depth, or value, of his collection.
This is Heritage's first official auction with COINFEST, and their debut at the New England venue is filled with a variety of colonial and early American coins, including dozens of different Connecticut coppers struck shortly after independence.
One of those Connecticut coppers is a 1785 African Head Connecticut copper, the extremely rare Miller 4.2-F.6 variety, graded VF30 by NGC. It is estimated at $40,000+, but could go significantly higher.
There are two varieties of the African Head Connecticut copper, one relatively common, the other extremely rare. This piece is one of the rare variety, one of just two or three known.
Its appearance at COINFEST is truly a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Keller bought most of his collection from leading dealers and auctioneers in the 1950s and 1960s, and this African Head copper has been in Keller's collection, and thus off the market, since 1966.
Another anchor consignment of the auction is The Diotte Collection, which spans U.S. Mint history from some of the earliest issues to noted modern rarities. Its chief highlight is a 1797 half dollar, O-102 variety, graded Fine Details by NCS. It is estimated at $50,000+.
The half dollars of 1796-1797 are among the most prized US type coins regardless of grade. Just four varieties were struck between the two years, all of them are very scarce to very rare, and the 1797 O-102 variety is the most elusive of them all.
In addition to colonials, pattern coinage is among the strengths of this auction. In a relatively small but impressive selection, the most prominent piece is an 1879 "Washlady" dollar (pictures above) struck in silver, Judd-1603 variety, graded PR66+ by NGC. It is estimated at $50,000+.
This design's nickname was originally an insult. In 1891, just a dozen years after this pattern was struck, David Proskey called it the 'Washlady,' a negative reference to how Liberty's hair appeared.
Today, however, the 'Washlady' is considered one of the most beautiful patterns ever produced, and the very rare examples struck in silver are especially sought-after.
The 20th century has its share of highlights as well, led by a 1909 half eagle, graded PR67 by NGC.
Like other gold proofs of that year, it has a distinct semi-bright finish sometimes called "Roman gold," which tried to find a balance between the mirrored proofs of the 19th century and the dull-finished matte proofs that were popular in Europe but had received a disastrous reception among US coin collectors.
 1909 Indian Half Eagle Dollar (Roman Gold) |
The "Roman gold" experiment failed, but survivors from the issue's mintage of 78 half eagles are popular with modern numismatists. It is estimated at $55,000+.
A more conventional mirrored proof offered is a 1904 double eagle graded PR65 Cameo by PCGS. Just 98 proof $20s were struck in 1904, and most of them lack the contrast that was often seen on pre-1902 specimens.
Thanks to its Cameo status and solid all-around preservation, it is one of the most important representatives of its issue. It is estimated at $60,000+ in Heritage's auction which takes place on October 28-31.
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