DownEast Auctions – Coin, Currency & Collectibles Auction
February 25 at 10 am
Searsport Community Building (old Lions Club): 42 Prospect St., Searsport ME
www.downeastauctions.com
207-548-2393

SEARSPORT, MAINE — DownEast Auctions has been commissioned to sell several coin and currency estates from Maine and New England. The firm’s February 25 auction will have an extensive amount of 90 percent silver, two collections of silver dollars, a selection of gold coins and US currency.

Of note is an 1893-S Morgan silver dollar. This is the lowest mintage (100,000) and hardest to acquire of any non-proof Morgan dollar. This is the first time that DownEast Auctions has offered this date. Two gold coins of interest are an 1849 $1. Gold was discovered in California in 1848. Congress authorized $1 and $20 (known as Double Eagles) gold coins by the act of March 3, 1849. These coins were designed by James Longacre. Because the San Francisco mint did not open until 1854, the gold was shipped east to Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega and New Orleans. The example offered in this sale was minted in Philadelphia. The other piece is an 1874 $3 gold coin. These coins were minted 1854 to 1889, but were never popular. It has been suggested that the coin was useful for purchasing a sheet of 100 three cent stamps, the price of stamps then. The example offered in this sale was also designed by James Longacre.

The auction has a selection of US currency, including fractional, obsolete and both large and small US currency. One note is an 1896 large size $1 “Silver Certificate” named “History Instructing Youth, but is known by collectors as the “Educational” note. It was designed by Thomas Morris, designer and chief engraver of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. Many consider this note to be the most beautiful note ever issued by the United States. Allegorical scenes are depicted on the face designs. Other attributes are a background of the Washington Monument and Capitol, the US Constitution shown in an open book, names of 23 great American statesmen in an attractive border design. The green back design has portraits of Martha and George Washington in center double ovals.

DownEast Auctions is conducting this auction at the Searsport Community Building, 42 Prospect Street. For more information, www.downeastauctions.com or 207-548-2393.

Previews: Friday, 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
10 am Auction: Sports Memorabilia, Stamp Collection, Ephemera, Paintings, Collectibles & smalls from several Maine estates.
2 pm Auction: 276 lots of Coins, Currency, Gold & Silver,Type Coins, (2) collections of Silver Dollars & more.