HARVEY STACK'S NUMISMATIC FAMILY, PART 98

The fact that 1985 was 50th anniversary year of presenting public auctions attracted consignments, and we started in January with the vast collection from the Estate of Joseph Bellini. Joseph was a wonderful collector and a friend to all who loved numismatics as he did. He had built a comprehensive collection of 20th century coins from small cents to silver dollars, mostly in choice and gem Mint State. He had a selection of minor Proof sets (as sold by the Mint) from 1878 to 1900. He also built a complete set of gold dollars, along with a large group of other gold coins from quarter eagles to $20 gold. It was a great way to start our anniversary year.?

March 1985 brought a sale of rare and unusual United States gold coins consigned by a group of local collectors that included Harold Bareford, James Reed, Donald Hopkins, and Joseph Bellini, all of whom wanted Stack’s to be able to sell important coins during this year. This catalog of 1,192 lots was highlighted by rare early gold coins of all types starting with 1795, as well as scarce and rare dates and mints of all denominations. An offering of territorial gold featured two octagonal $50 pieces, along with a Wass, Molitor and Co. round $50.?

In May 1985, Stack’s once again held our annual sale in conjunction with the Greater Metropolitan New York Numismatic Convention, a major event hosted by nine clubs in the New York City area. This three-session sale brought 1,815 lots to the auction block, with the first two sessions offering a comprehensive selection of all series from Colonials to silver dollars with numerous Mint State and Proof examples, The third session featured the Sherwood Boyd Collection of U.S. Gold Coins. Sherwood Boyd was the nephew of the renowned collector and dealer F.C.C. Boyd, prominent in the 1930s to the 1950s. F.C.C. Boyd had one of the foremost collections (and hoards) in the metropolitan area, and he traded, bought and sold with many of the important dealers at the time. He was instrumental in helping his nephew Sherwood build a noteworthy collection. Sherwood was fortunate to have a family member teach him about numismatics and quality coins.

The Sherwood Boyd Collection featured a full set of gold dollars, an extensive run of $2.50 gold, starting with both varieties of 1796, an almost full set of $3 gold pieces, both varieties of $4 (1879 Flowing Hair and Coiled Hair) and an extensive run of half eagles from 1795 to 1929. He also had an almost complete date and variety set of $10 eagles from 1795 to 1804, and then through to the 1930-S, a great offering of double eagles, including rare mintmarks. and an impressive collection of territorial specimens. These three sessions made a perfect something for everyone convention offering.

The Stack’s June 1985 sale was an offering of popular and rare coins from the U.S. half cent to the $50 gold, offering many possibilities among its 921 lots for those who needed dates and mint marks to fill openings in their collections. Of course, mid summer brought about an annual event that had become very popular across the hobby since its inception in 1979, as in July we participated in the Apostrophe Auction, this time called, of course, Auction ’85. The sale included silver and gold coins, Gem Proofs and Mint State pieces, as well as sets of coins, highlighted by early date Proof sets from 1858 to 1915. It was a spectacular offering and attracted large attendance for each session, as well as thousands of bid sheets. It proved once again to be a successful venture for Stack’s and the other participating companies.?

To read the complete article, see:
Harvey Stack Remembers: Growing Up in a Numismatic Family, Part 98 (http://www.stacksbowers.com/News/Pages/Blogs.aspx?ArticleID=harvey-stack-remembers-part-98-stacks-bowers-galleries)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
HARVEY STACK'S NUMISMATIC FAMILY, PART 97 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n23a13.html)

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