DownEast Auctions’ Two Auctions, One Day
Saturday, March 19th
At the Seasport Community (old Lions Club) 42 Prospect St. Searsport, Maine 04974
www.downeastauctions.com
(207) 548-2393
Previews: Friday, March 18, 2 to 6 pm, auction Day starting 9 am. Other times by appointment.

SEARSPORT, MAINE — DownEast Auctions will conduct two auctions on one day on March 19. The 10 am auction will be loaded with small items from a jewelry and gift shop that closed in Searsport several years ago. One item of interest is an antique Art Nouveau brooch by Unger Brothers of Newark, N.J., circa 1872-1919. It is sterling with gold plating.

In the coin and currency auction, DownEast will sell a collection of US coins and currency, many rare books from a coin reference library and the contents of a closed coin shop.

Two of the currency highlights are a rare fractional currency shield issued by the federal government in 1866-67 with 39 one-sided specimen notes. This is the gray shield with 200 to 400 known to exist, Frieburg #1382. Most gray shields have water stains at the bottom due to a flood in the basement of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing where the shields were stored before being sold.

This is the first shield ever offered by DownEast Auctions. Another rare item is a 1974 Federal Reserve Note. The serial numbers and seals were printed upside down. This is a major error that was missed in the printing process. The note is in uncirculated condition.

In coins, the sale will offer a rare 1652 “Pine Tree” silver threepence issued by the colony of Massachusetts, graded by PCGS: Fine-15. This is the first dated coin issued in the 13 colonies. Also on offer are silver dollars, including “Carson City” and an 1893-S Morgan dollar, the rarest nonproof dollar.

Some other rare items include a one-of-a-kind “Searsport National Bank” Searsport, Maine. Bank Charter #2642, issued on March 3, 1882, by comptroller of the currency John Jay Knox, Washington. This charter allowed the bank to issue national currency with the name of bank printed on the currency and backed by the federal government.

Also to be sold is an uncut sheet of obsolete notes issued by the same bank before becoming a national bank, as well as charters and obsolete currency from other Maine banks.

Previews will be conducted by appointment the week before the auction. The March 19 auction will be conducted at the Searsport Community Center, 42 Prospect Street (watch for signs on Route 1) The jewelry, gift and antiques auction will start at 10 am. The coin and currency auction will start at 2 pm. The previews are Friday 2-6 pm and starting at 9 am on Saturday. For information, 207-548-2393 or www.downeastauctions.com.

JEWELRY, GIFT & ANTIQUES at 10:00 am
Antiques, Estate Gun, Sterling & Collectibles
COINS & CURRENCY AUCTION at 2:00 pm
250+ lots of Coins & Currency: Bulk Silver, Key dates, Lg. & Sm. Currency, Rare Currency Shield, C.C. Silver Dollars, Proof Sets, Rolls, Coin Supplies, Coin & Currency Reference books & more.
Call for coin list after Feb. 23: (207) 548-2393.
For more info & photos visit: www.downeastauctions.com
BUYER’S PREMIUM STILL ONLY 10% FOR CASH OR CHECK! Mark E. Bradstreet, CAI, ME Lic. #1212 & Zach Sneed, ME Lic. #1661 ABSENTEE & PHONE BIDS welcome | Credit & Debit cards accepted Food by Lions Club | Motels & restaurants nearby | Life Member #925 A.N.A.