Stack’s Bowers Galleries has announced the acquisition of one of the greatest American coin hoards ever discovered. Known as the “Stack’s West 57th Street Collection,” it includes more than one million coins. The market value is estimated to be well into eight figures, with initial estimates ranging from $15 to $20 million.
The contents of the hoard range from bags of large copper cents and Capped Bust half dollars, to Morgan and other silver dollars. Other coins include Washington Quarters, Franklin Half Dollars, bags of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents, nearly 10,000 1909 V.D.B Lincoln Cents, and more. Most are in circulated grades, and will appeal to collectors seeking coins that are both historical and affordable.
The coins of the Stack’s West 57th Street Collection were obtained in New York City and around the country, then stashed away and never reviewed for key dates or attributed by varieties. Armed guards kept watch as the 30-ton hoard was unloaded from two large transport trucks and transferred into secured vaults. The sorting process has now just begun, and announcements of collection highlights will be made in the upcoming months as the hoard is examined.
Jenna Kendrella, Scott Reiter, John Pack and Andrea Espindola examine The Stack’s West 57th Street Collection.
“Going through samples from this collection has been amazing,” said Lawrence R. Stack, a founder of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “Each of the thousands of groupings has remained sealed as originally closed by the owner. We expect to find many rare varieties and discoveries as the review process continues. I have never seen anything like it, and am unaware of any comparable hoard of copper, nickel, and silver coins that has ever come to the numismatic market. This will have a profound effect on new collectors coming into the hobby, for the vast majority of the coins will be very affordable — quite a change from the usual business of handling rarities.”
“The collection will be an ongoing part of our auction program over the next few years,” said Brian Kendrella, president of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “Coins will initially be offered in our Internet auctions beginning in April. Rarities, new discoveries, higher-value coins, and the like, will be included in regular auction programs, including our Official Auctions of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Expos, our ANA World’s Fair of Money Showcase and Rarities Night auctions, and other venues. There will certainly be something for everyone, and I expect the discovery will be exciting for all individuals involved in numismatics.”
“After learning advanced news of this, I began thinking, perhaps it is time for a new edition of my American Coin Hoards and Treasures book,” said Q. David Bowers, chairman emeritus of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “This hoard is one of the greatest finds since the book was published in the 1990s, and it’s quite different from most others in that it contains tons of what used to be pocket change but is now, in every instance, a collectible.”
For complete auction schedules, and additional information on The Stack’s West 57th Street Collection as it becomes available, visit the company’s website at StacksBowers.com.
Why is “Stacks” a part of the hoard name? That’s a little annoying as a collector. Or is Stacks the name of the building or something?
Stacks is the name of the auction house.
I know its an auction company, but why is it part the hoard name? The recent saddle ridge hoard is called “kagin saddle ridge hoard.” understand now?
I am sure there was a deal made somewhere along the line. Stacks probably cut them a better percentage deal if they could put their name on labels….lifetime advertising for Stacks.
Well, if you want to be more annoyed, Stack’s is located on West 57th Street. It has nothing to do with where the coins were discovered. Although, it does mention that the hoard was in NY. I agree, it’s kind of over the top.
This isn’t a hoard that was found, it’s leftover coins that are being given a marketing moniker to appeal to suckers, er, investors. LOL
Does it sound like it is Stacks hoard of low value coins that they have accumulated, or is it just me?
I liken this Stack’s West 57th Hoard, to the NYC Transit Hoard, that I believe that Littleton Coin Co. where instrumental in negotiating the purchase of. Difference being, this looks to be a hoard of extensive collecting by series, rather than the NYC Transit Hoard, who’s original owner’s working in the Transit Company Cash Count room, had knowledge of all the various rare dates within each coin series, thus “buying out” only the key and semi key dates, ie: Lincoln’s 1909-S-VDB’s, 14-D’s, Nickels 13-S Ty.II’s, 21-S, etc. up to and including several 16-D Mecuries, 42-Overdates, 1901-S Barber Quarters, 1916 Standing Libs, etc…
It comes as no surprise, the number of circulated coin collections and hoards entering the marketplace, with the aging boomer population and the number of surviving collectors and dealers, that were born to the “Greatest Generation”.
Once you realize your advancing age and the realization, that you can’t take it with you and that you may as well enjoy it alive than deceased, lends itself to the theory, that many more hoards or super collections, will be entering the marketplace with every passing year!
I’ll be curious to see if Stack’s releases a detailed inventory of every coin found in this hoard, so as to formulate a census or snapshot of coins that still could be found in circulation, at the time the majority of these coins were taken from circulation!
Can’t stress enough, the importance of hoards like this for the coin collecting and coin dealer community, as this will promote and perpetuate the hobby of numismatics for many years!
Of course, there’s always the conspiracy theorists, who just think this is another “put together” hoard, like you see on Ebay, consisting of photos of bags of wheatie pennies, bags of forties and fifties nickels and a few cull type coins thrown in for show. I know Stack’s (A Reputable Coin Company) would NOT commit marketing suicide, nor become just another telemarketer or coin shopping channel promoter.
You don’t climb to the top, to be one of this country’s foremost coin dealer’s, just to pull a stunt like these theorists are jhammering about!
Right-on Stack’s!
What I would like to know is if they will ever release any list of these coins. A “hoard” of this size could potentially drive the price of NGC coins into the basement for certain years and mint marks. They mentioned a Bag of 09 VDB’s If they happen to have uncirculated coins in that bag, it could drive an overpriced coin down where it belongs or worse. Don’t get ready to see any great number of these released, they will be gaurding the investment and curtailing sales so they dont mess with the inflated prices of many of these coins
I JUST PURCHASE A 1829 HALF CENT NGC VF35 WITH THE STACKS COLLECTION ON IT KIND OF COOL THAT I HOLD A SMALL PIECE OF THAT HOARD NEAT STORY
I’m seeing these at dealers without the Stacks name. Interesting.