Finest Known 1901 Morgan Dollar Soars at Stack’s Bowers Auction

On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, numismatic records were shattered as two sessions in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Summer Global Showcase Auction combined to realize nearly $31 million. The first session featured the collection of famed rock star Rick Springfield, while the second was the firm’s highly anticipated Rarities Night presentation. Superb quality rare date Morgan Dollars, an incredible offering of gold coins, and extremely enticing pattern issues drove the bidding. Top billing for the day was shared by two lots, one silver and one gold, which each realized $720,000. Lot 3140 offered the single finest known 1901 Morgan Dollar, graded MS-66 (PCGS) CMQ, and set an all time record price for the date. Lot 3386 presented an AU-50 (PCGS) 1870-CC double eagle that ranks among the finest graded examples of this very rare first year issue. (All prices include the buyer’s premium.)

Coins from the Chicago Collection, the Floyd T. Starr Collection, the Hough Family Collection, the Illinois Set, the Iron Eagle Collection, the John D. Miner Collection, the Julian Korein Collection, the PentaMint Collection, the Seven Lions Collection, and the Warwick Collection were all prominently featured in Rarities Night and many record shattering prices realized were from these “named” collections.

“Significant collections of United States gold coins and patterns led to very active and strong bidding from across the globe,” said Brian Kendrella, president of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “Even more impressive is how deep the pool of collectors truly is.”

“Not only were we amazed by the strength of the sale, but our consignors were floored with the results,” Mr. Kendrella continued. “It was a great offering, and the market took note. Competition for many lots took several minutes to complete, with multiple bidders online, in the room, and on the phone battling it out. This intense activity led to 72 coins breaking into six-figure territory!”

Highlights of the Rarities Night session included:

• Lot 3007. 1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Wreath Reverse. S-11c, B-16c. Rarity-3-. Lettered Edge. AU-55+ (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. The lovely Condition Census Clarke-Naftzger-Weinberg Specimen realized $66,000.
• Lot 3031. 1837 Capped Bust Dime. JR-2. Rarity-8+ as a Specimen. Specimen-64 (NGC). A dazzling Specimen striking, believed unique, realized $72,000.
• Lot 3067. 1806/5 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-102, T-7. Rarity-4-. Large Stars. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC. The famed Newcomer-Green-Bareford-Richmond Collection specimen, realized $50,400.
• Lot 3068. 1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-112, T-12. Rarity-4. 6/Inverted 6. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC. The finest known from these dies and the Tompkins Plate coin realized $60,000.
• Lot 3077. 1872-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. WB-3. Rarity-3+. Medium-Small S. MS-66+ (CACG). An exceptional example that realized a record $30,000.
• Lot 3087. 1936-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar. MS-67 (PCGS). CAC. CMQ-X. A beautifully toned Superb Gem realized $38,400, a new record for the date.
• Lot 3099. 1796 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-65, B-5. Rarity-3-. Large Date, Small Letters. AU-58 (NGC). An exceptional near-Mint State example brought a robust $66,000, a 33% increase over its previous result in 2021.
• Lot 3119. 1880/79-S Morgan Silver Dollar. VAM-9. Top 100 Variety. Large S. MS-68 (PCGS). CAC. A Superb Gem, tied for highest graded, realized $40,800, a strong premium over published price guide values.
• Lot 3145. 1927-S Peace Silver Dollar. MS-65+ (PCGS). CAC. A phenomenal Gem quality 1927-S dollar, realized a strong $38,400, a record for the grade.
• Lot 3231. 1881 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-6. Proof-67 Deep Cameo (PCGS). CAC. A stellar, Pop-Top Superb DCAM Gem realized $96,000 far exceeding the previous auction record of $62,250 set in 2013.
• Lot 3247. 1857 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. JD-1. Rarity-7. Proof-66 Deep Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. A landmark Gem example, one of only six confirmed examples known. In the Floyd T. Starr Collection since 1942, realized a world record $336,000.
• Lot 3254. 1866 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. JD-1. Rarity-7-. Proof-66+ Deep Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ-X. The magnificent Starr coin, the finest known and off the market since 1958, realized a record $264,000.
• Lot 3265. 1878 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. JD-1. Rarity-6+. Proof-67+ Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. The single finest 1878 $3 Proof known, acquired by Floyd T. Starr in 1937, realized a record shattering $348,000.
• Lot 3267. 1880 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. JD-1. Rarity-6-. Proof-68 Deep Cameo (PCGS). The single highest PCGS-graded Proof $3 gold piece, smashed all previous auction records for the date, realizing $312,000.
• Lot 3279. 1858 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. JD-1. Rarity-7-. Proof-65+ Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. The stunning Trompeter specimen, realized $192,000, surpassing the previous auction record for this rare issue by $90,000.
• Lot 3309. 1858 Liberty Head Half Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-7. Proof-66 Deep Cameo (PCGS). CMQ. The second finest of just five known specimens realized a world record $502,000. This world record price is twice what the single finest known example (the Ten Eyck-Clapp-Eliasberg) realized in August 2023.
• Lot 3350. 1898 Liberty Head Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-5+. Proof-67 Deep Cameo (PCGS). CAC. This remarkable Superb DCAM Proof $10, ex Simpson Collection, realized a record $216,000.
• Lot 3355. 1908 Indian Eagle. Motto. JD-1. Rarity-5-. Sandblast. Proof-67 (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. A dazzling quality Sandblast Proof realized $186,000, a record for the grade.
• Lot 3410. 1898 Liberty Head Double Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-5. Proof-64 Deep Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. This marvelous DCAM example sold for a very strong $180,000 a new record price for the grade level.
• Lot 3416. 1907 Liberty Head Double Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-5. Proof-66+ Cameo (NGC). A remarkable Proof from the final year of the series realized $288,000.
• Lot 3417. MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Wire Rim. MS-67 (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. This majestic Superb Gem Wire Rim High Relief realized $312,000.
• Lot 3430. 1912 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. JD-1. Rarity-5. Proof-65 (PCGS). CAC. OGH. A wholly original Gem Proof realized $204,000, a record for the grade.
• Lot 3455. 1867 Patten Five Cents. Judd-565, Pollock-626. Rarity-8. Nickel. Plain Edge. Proof-66 Cameo (NGC). An extremely rare pattern nickel, unique in private hands, realized $72,000.
• Lot 3471. 1877 Pattern Morgan Half Dollar. Judd-1512, Pollock-1676. Rarity-7+. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-65 (NGC). The famed Gem Garrett specimen of this important rarity realized a record $52,800 for the Judd number.
• Lot 3473. 1877 Pattern Half Dollar. Judd-1526, Pollock-1694. Rarity-7+. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. An impressively pedigreed example, one of only four known, realized $90,000, nearly doubling the previous auction record of $48,000 for the Judd-number.
• Lot 3474. 1877 Pattern Half Dollar. Judd-1535, Pollock-1703. Rarity-8. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-64 Deep Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. The finest of just three known in silver with an extensive provenance to 1886, this pattern realized $55,200, surpassing all prior price records and price guide values.
• Lot 3477. 1879 Pattern Washlady Quarter Dollar. Judd-1590, Pollock-1783. Rarity-6+. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-66 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. A splendid Gem example of this popular type realized $38,400, a new all-time record for a Judd-1590.
• Lot 3486. Undated (1842-1852) August Bechtler $1. K-24. Rarity-3. 27. G., 21. C. Plain Edge. MS-64 (PCGS). A fabulous example, tied for finest certified, realized a record $33,600, more than double the previous auction record.

“These highlights show strength across many areas,” Mr. Kendrella concluded. “Feedback from consignors and bidders has been very positive. We look forward to the remainder of the 2025 auction schedule, as additional important properties are set to cross the block.”

For complete prices realized for the Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction, please visit www.stacksbowers.com. To consign your coins, medals, tokens and paper money to an upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction call 800-458-4646 or email Consign@StacksBowers.com.

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