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HERITAGE: CENTRAL STATES U.S. COIN AUCTIONHeritage Auctions will be hosting their Central States Signature auction of U.S. coins from April 29 to May 2. Select items from the Curators' Picks are discussed below. -Garrett 
1880 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1657, Pollock-1857, JD-1, R.6, PR65 NGC. CAC. One cannot deny the worthiness of the 1879 and 1880 Coiled Hair stellas in this auction to be included in a list of favorite lots. They are rare, beautiful, and in all things captivating. However, I find myself increasingly appreciative of the CAC-endorsed Gem 1880 Flowing Hair coin in lot 3167. In my opinion, the 1880 Flowing Hair is significantly underrated, largely due to the shadow-casting fame of the two Coiled Hair issues. In reality, the 1880 Flowing Hair is nearly as rare as the 1879 Coiled Hair; just 18 examples are traced, and they appear at auction just as infrequently as the 1879 Coiled Hair specimens. If I had to guess, I'd say this issue is restrained in terms of collector appreciation due to it sharing its design type with the widely available 1879 Flowing Hair stella. But in my opinion, this is a travesty. The 1880 Flowing Hair is a major rarity, and this is a stunning example.
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1860-O 50C Half Dollar -- Indented by Half Dime Planchet, Mated Pair -- MS63 PCGS. What can be said about this incredible mated pair error that hasn't already been spoken? Whether it is the Coin World article, the countless online forum posts surrounding the discovery, its first auction appearance in our CSNS Platinum Session® -- this 1860-O half dollar mated pair has become quite the sensation for error collectors. Either one of the two pieces alone would be significant from that era, but the two remaining together after more than one and a half centuries is seemingly impossible: yet, here they are. The deep toning speaks to the originality of the pair and is what I expect of a coin from this period that had been stored inside paper and never messed with. And the visual aspect of the error itself is like none other I have seen on 19th century coinage.
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1916 25C Standing Liberty Quarter, Judd-1989, Pollock-2050, R.8, PR61 NGC. If you know me, you knew this SLQ pattern was going to be one of my top picks for this auction. Being a student of the Standing Liberty series, discovering this coin in 2018 has been one of my favorite memories as a collector and professional numismatist. But personal sentiment aside, this Judd-1989 is also numismatically significant. There are only two examples of this pattern known, and only three privately held pattern SLQs across both pattern issues. Both of the other privately held patterns, including the other Judd-1989 example, are tightly owned off the market. This piece appearing for only its second time in history represents what is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the advanced specialist.
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1927-S 25C MS65+ Full Head PCGS. CAC. I'll let this coin stand as representative of my admiration for many of the Standing Liberty quarters in this auction. The CSNS offering of this series spans several consignments, but especially two Featured Collections: The Big Sky Collection, Part II, and The Pizza Collection. Between the two of these, we are offering a significant number of the coins from the former Just Having Fun Registry Set, as well as other Registry-grade pieces that have been off the market for years or even decades. I could create an entire picks list from just these two collections. The 1927-S in MS65+ Full Head PCGS CAC in discussion here is from The Pizza Collection offering, and it has been off the market for 16 years. Its exceptional strike, luster, and eye appeal are reminiscent of what one might see on a 1929-S or 1930-S Gem Full Head. This eye appeal on a 1927-S is almost unheard of.
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1854 $20 Kellogg Twenty Dollar Copper Die Trial MS64 Brown PCGS. K-1. If you'll allow me two more picks, I'll be quick. First, the Kagin-1 Kellogg twenty dollar copper die trial, formerly of the Virgil Brand pedigree. It is one of only three pieces we have been able to trace, and it is the second finest of those. The finer piece has not appeared at auction in 25 years. This one has not appeared since 2012.
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1872-CC 10C F-101, Low R.4 -- Struck Through Obverse -- XF45 PCGS. Second, the 1872-CC Seated Liberty dime in XF45 PCGS. PCGS notes the obverse is struck through. Much of OF AMERICA is struck through grease or some other debris (a filled die error). We have seen one other example with this same strike-through feature. I highlight this coin because, for an 1872-CC, it is outstanding. I cannot recall the last time I saw such excellent color and strong detail in combination on an XF coin. This piece came to us raw, and I remember the day one of the graders here at Heritage brought it to me for an opinion on its strike-through feature. After examination, I gave the opinion that it was a problem-free coin struck through, and I was able to find the other example with the same feature. We sent it for grading, and PCGS agreed. For collectors seeking a nice 1872-CC, this is a very handsome coin.
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1818 1/2 RL New Spain (Texas) Jola Half Real, Large Planchet XF40 NGC. W-8542, R.6. "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could" is a fairly common bumper sticker one sees on roadways of this great state. It describes me. I'm not a native, but I've lived here most of my life, I married a Texas girl, and I have two Texas babies, so the Texan in me runs deep, hence my love for this issue. It appeals to my interest in numismatics and Texas history. It's also rare. The person holding one of these in their hands is transported to New Spain - pre-Texas Republic and pre-statehood.
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1862 H10C PR68+? Cameo NGC. CAC. Half dimes tend to be too small for my taste, but this one is grandiose in its own way! Loved from the day it was made, this coin has all the third-party accolades; 68 Cameo is tied for the highest graded with just one other coin, plus, star, and CAC. I don't have to see the other 68 Cameo to know I'd rather own this one. There is a beautiful ROYGBIV progression from the denticles inward on both sides with some of the original silver peeking out on the devices in the center. This lot takes a back seat to no proof half dime.
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1933 $10 MS65 PCGS. CAC. When reflecting on Augustus Saint-Gaudens' designs most folks would probably first mention the twenty-dollar issue with Liberty hoisting the torch. In this humble numismatist's opinion, the $10 Indian is a prettier, more dramatic design. This Gem graded specimen has a nice strike resulting in the Saint-Gaudens trademark relief on the head dress on the obverse and the eagle on the reverse. If one were to be so ambitious as to collect type rarities, this 1933 $10 would be a feather in the cap - bad Dad pun intended.
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1882 5C MS67+ PCGS. CAC. This example of the penultimate year of the Shield Nickel series is a stunning coin, one with remarkable toning and numerous appealing die cracks. With the Civil War ending in mid-1865, the Shield nickel's debut in 1866 marked it as the first new design in an actively re-unifying United States. To own this late series example of such a historically significant coin in MS67+ CAC is a rare opportunity.
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1914-D 1C MS65 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC. The Lincoln cent series is not one that usually garners too much excitement from me, but this 1914-D in MS65 Red and Brown CAC is an exception. This coin exhibits incredible, natural color, with a warm golden-brown obverse and minimal marks. 1914-Ds are seldom seen in such condition, especially paired with a CAC endorsement.
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1922 $1 Modified High Relief Production Trial, Judd-2020, MS65 PCGS. CAC. Subtype 2-A. With "3200" adorning the obverse of this "medium relief" Peace dollar, it is obvious that this coin has a story to tell. My favorite coins are ones accompanied by captivating stories, and the history of the 1922 Peace dollar is anything but boring. After continual die failures, experimental modified high relief Peace dollars were struck, with this example being the final of 3,200 coins. This is a true numismatic rarity, and a very cool piece of numismatic history.
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1787 1/2 C Massachusetts Half Cent, R. 4-C, W-5940, R.2, MS65 Brown PCGS. This looks to be an extremely pleasing specimen. The Brown designation belies a coin with ample subtle red undertones. I owned a pleasing AU piece years ago, and the fact that Joseph Callender was the possible engraver always held appeal!
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1919-D 50C AU58 PCGS. CAC. As one of the keys to the early set of Walkers, this coin stands out nicely. Pleasing originality and minimal marks designate this as a great put-away coin. Very well struck for a 1919-D!
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1885 $3 AU53 PCGS. This coin is a good example of why I've always liked the three dollar series as a doable set, other than the unique 1870-S. The piece has a scant mintage of only 800 pieces, but is still relatively affordable. Seems like good value and a lot of fun!
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Heritage has been busy! Lots of great auction material to consider. I enjoy the previews, with lots of rarities to learn about. -Editor
Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: Subscribe All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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