The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection – Part III

Welcome to THE SALE!

by Q. David Bowers

On behalf of the consignor, the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Research Foundation, and with the appreciation of the entire Bowers and Merena Galleries organization I welcome you to Part III in our series of presentations.

Part III emphasizes United States gold coins from dollars to double eagles. Gold dollars, quarter eagles, and three-dollar pieces highlight many Proof rarities with circulation strikes in accompaniment, while the higher denomination $5, $10, and $20 coins feature circulation pieces in the limelight with selected Proofs for certain years.

John Dannreuther, well-known researcher in the gold series, contributed several paragraphs of appreciation to our Bass II catalogue. Now that the Bass II sale is history, we have invited him to share a further appreciation for the present sale–adding to our own perspective.

To aid in planning, in the back pages of the present catalogue we have included a listing of single gold coin dates, mintmarks, and grades that have appeared in the Bass II sale (the Bass I sale contained other than federal gold coins) and those that are planned to be presented in the Bass IV sale. This information, together with the main part of the current Bass III sale, will give a comprehensive view of individual pieces (items in multiple lots are not listed).

Enjoyment of Varieties

While in the American series, large copper cents 1793-1814, Massachusetts silver coins dated 1652, early half dollars 1794-1836, and many other specialties have been studied intensely, for the most part United States gold coins, particularly in the Coronet Head series, have been overlooked. Similarly, the varieties of gold $1 1849-1889 and $3 1854-1889 have never been defined in truly comprehensive studies, although some sub-specialties (such as Charlotte and Dahlonega issues) have attracted attention.

The result is that today there are many interesting and rare die varieties that can be purchased for little if any premium over the price level of the basic date or mintmark. Date repunchings, mintmark position variations, misplaced dates, unusual logotype positions, and fascinating die states all beckon to the numismatist equipped with a magnifying glass and possessed of an intellectual curiosity.

In his lifetime of collecting–from the beginning of his interest in rare coins in the 1960s until his passing in 1998–Harry W. Bass, Jr., enjoyed studying the specimens he owned. Often, he would linger for a long time comparing one coin with another, or noting the progress of a die crack, or observing that within a given date of coin, one could have the four-digit date logotype high and close to the neck of Miss Liberty, while another could have the date low and near the dentils, and a third could be in-between.

As dies were used, the various mints sought to extend their life by resurfacing (relapping) them, creating still different varieties. The possibilities presented by varios mint processes were seemingly endless for Harry. To indulge in his passion for such study, he often bought two, three, four, or even a dozen of a certain date or mintmark. These could always be studied at leisure, and in the meantime they were a good store of financial value. Of course, this same philosophy has been the guiding precept of many famous numismatists of the past (as examples, Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., had so many duplicates that in the 1940s and 1950s two major sales were devoted to their distribution; in the 19th century, J. Colvin Randall enjoyed owning multiples, as did Thomas Cleneay, et al.).

Further, Harry W. Bass, Jr., considered a circulation strike of a coin to be a different variety than a Proof. Thus, whenever possible, examples of each were acquired for a given Philadelphia Mint date. Further, if either a coin intended for circulation use or a Proof existed with tiny differences in die characteristics, examples of each variety were acquired. Still further, to determine rarity, die state (the progress of a die, including cracks, relapping, clashing, etc.), often multiple specimens of the same variety were acquired. The result is a collection–and an auction presentation–with no equals in the history of American numismatics.

Part IV of the Bass Collection, scheduled to be auctioned this autumn, will ring down the curtain on the program of Bass sales. In the meantime, a sylloge, or museum-style catalogue, is being prepared to showcase many of the items retained by the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Research Foundation–among which are early gold coins 1795-1834 by die varieties. For the first time in numismatic history, a single reference will contain detailed illustrations of multiple denominations together with historical, numismatic, and other information.

Program for the Bass III Sale

Gold coins offered in the present Part III include (in order of appearance) the following:

Session I, Thursday, May 25, at 6 p.m.: The sale will begin with gold dollars–a marvelous presentation featuring high grade circulation strikes, Proofs, branch mint issues, and more. Then follow quarter eagles commencing with a truly special 1796 No-Stars and continuing to include many delicacies. To mention just the highlights would take many paragraphs, but I cannot resist noting the 1841 Little Princess. The offering of $3 is short, sweet, and memorable, with the famous 1875 highlighting the series. Half eagles include many interesting and rare early issues, then hit their stride with the Coronet Head series. Scarce and rare issues abound, among which will be found many fascinating die varieties.

Session II, Friday, May 26, 10 a.m.: The numismatic day commences with a lovely 1795 eagle, the first year of issue, and continued to include outstanding early issues as well as one of the most important offerings of Coronet Head pieces ever to cross the auction block. The Bass III offering, in combination with the past Bass II and forthcoming Bass IV presentations, is the last word in comprehensiveness. Never before has such an extensive selection come to the auction forum, and when the last coin is sold, participants will be secure in the knowledge that nothing similar will ever be offered. Double eagles are similar in their comprehensive listing, with many incredible coins of quality and rarity. At about noontime, the auction will recess for a complimentary luncheon for registered bidders, hosted by the Bowers and Merena staff.

The site will be the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel at Central Park South, one of New York City’s favorite stopping places–just a few paces from Fifth Avenue and the shopping and entertainment district. It is perhaps fitting in connection with the present gold coin sale that about a minute away, at the southeast corner of Central Park, is the Sherman Victory Monument by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, erected in 1903. The goddess Victory in the ensemble was the artist’s model for his memorable double eagle design of 1907.

Appreciation

I express my deep gratitude to Doris (Mrs. Harry) Bass, Michael Wylie, David Calhoun, and Michael Calhoun–the trustees of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Research Foundation–for consigning these memorable gold coins and other items to us. The staff members of the Foundation, including Ed Deane, Georga Peraza, and others, have been of great help in many ways.

In addition, numismatists and historians from several sectors have been consulted on certain listings and are credited on a separate page, along with the Bowers and Merena staff members who have worked so long, so diligently, and with such enthusiasm in bringing the present catalogue to you.

The present catalogue was researched and prepared by (alphabetically) Mark Borckardt (early issues 1795-1839 as well as selected later issues), Beth Piper (selected Coronet Head issues), and Frank Van Valen (selected Coronet Head issues).

John Pack, our auction director, also helped with research and technicalities. Denise D’Eri and Beth Piper kept track of many details. Ray Merena lent assistance in several areas.

Douglas Plasencia took the photographs. I believe you’ll agree with me that they are among the finest ever to appear in print in any catalogue we’ve ever done.

Aspects of typography and layout were accomplished by our Graphic Arts Department including Roberta French, Robert Lawrence, Jennifer Meers, and Stephen Metcalfe.

Chris Karstedt worked continuously with David Calhoun and the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Research Foundation in the selection, presentation, publicity, and other aspects of the present coins and catalogue.

What did I do? I guess the answer is a bit of all and everything, working with the cataloguers and researchers listed above, plus creating some of the catalogue descriptions, adding introductions, text, and commentaries, and acting as editor.

Of course, while the catalogue was a tremendous amount of work for all of us, it was also very enjoyable. How fortunate we are.

The Sale and You

Looking toward the present Part III sale, I thank each and every one of you who has acquired the present catalogue, reads through it, and participates in a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you are a specialist in one of the gold series showcased, welcome. However, part of being a numismatist is having a generous measure of intellectual curiosity. Indeed, throughout his lifetime, Harry Bass’ objective was to acquire items that interested him, not what someone else wanted him to buy. I hope that in perusing the pages you will find many items to pique your interest and, perhaps, start a new specialty in American gold coins, the crème de la crème series of United States coinage and financial history.

As the years go by, the pedigree "From the Bass Collection" on a numismatic item will give it a special cachet.

While the catalogue itself has much historical and numismatic information, if you as a successful bidder on some of the rarer or infrequently offered items would like additional information, I invite you to address a personal letter to me, and I will recommend further areas of inquiry, or will send additional information from the Bowers and Merena archives and library, including information gathered for the Bass Foundation sylloge and for a separate multi-volume work on American gold coins to bear the Bowers and Merena Galleries imprimatur.

I have enjoyed each and every one of the coins during the catalogue preparation process–and, forever, I will enjoy the memories associated with them. How lucky you are to be a potential buyer at the sale. You have an appointment with numismatic destiny!

Sincerely,

Q. David Bowers, President

Bowers and Merena Galleries