DownEast Auctions – “Best of the Best” Coin & Currency Auction
SATURDAY, March 29th at 10am
328 E. Main St. (U.S. Rte.l) Searsport, ME
www.downeastauctions.com or call: 208-548-2393

SEARSPORT, MAINE — DownEast Auctions will be selling 35 lots of early silver dollars, Part One of the Douglas Brown Coin & Currency collection at its Best of the Best coin and currency auction on March 29.

The US mint in Philadelphia struck the first dollar in 1794 with only 1,758 minted pieces. DownEast is selling a 1795 Flowing Hair dollar, only minted for two years. This example was graded “fine” by NGC. Only 160,000 were struck, but so many were shipped to Europe and melted that the mint suspended minting dollars in 1804. There are also 1798 and 1799 Draped Bust varieties, both with a Heraldic Eagle on the reverse. After 1804, silver dollars were not minted again until 1836. A new design, The Gobrecht Dollar, was tested 1836-39. An 1836 example shows die alignment, with only 1,000 struck for circulation. This is the only year with 26 stars on the reverse (for the 26 states in the Union at that time). All coins minted after 1836 had 13 stars. Minting problems ended the type in 1839 with only about 1,900 struck in four years.

Starting again in 1840, silver dollars were issued for general circulation, known as Liberty Seated dollars (1840-73). There are more than 35 in this sale. By the 1850s, the silver content was worth more than face value, so many were exported and melted. Starting in 1846 branch mints were opened and dollars were struck in New Orleans (O), San Francisco (S) and Carson City (CC). The motto “In God We Trust” was added to dollars.

The silver dollars that most people have seen and collect are Morgan Dollars minted from 1878 to 1921. This collection contains every issued circulation, including all the Carson City examples and the rarest non-proof date: 1893-S.

Another highlight of the auction is 50 lots of currency, including many notes from Maine banks. Obsoletes are currency issued by local banks. Many banks failed and the notes became worthless. This system was replaced at the end of the Civil War by National Bank Notes. These notes were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, backed by bonds deposited by the banks. This system worked well until the Great Depression in the 1930s when Nationals ended and were redeemed. Each note was printed with the name of the National Bank that issued it, such as the “Searsport National Bank.” These notes are very collectible today because most were redeemed.

Previews will be conducted at the Perseverance Hall on March 27 and 28, 1 pm to 5 pm, and on auction day, March 29, at 9 am. The auction starts at 10 am.

The Perseverance Hall is at 328 East Main Street (US Route 1). For information, www.auctionzip.com (Auctioneer ID#: 19308) or 207-548-2393.

Complete Photos & Coin List at: www.auctionzip.com ID# 19308 or call: 207-548-2393
Hundreds of Fresh-to-Market lots for collectors, Dealers & Investors.
Previews: Thursday, March 27 & Friday, March 28-1 to 5 pm & Saturday, March 29-9am
BUYERS PREMIUM STILL ONLY 10% for CASH or CHECK Pre Auction bidding at www.bluelobstertreasure.hibid.com Credit & Debit accepted. Absentee & Phone bids welcome Mark E. Bradstreet, CAI. Lie. #1212, A.N.A. Life Member #925
1986 1 pound .999f Silver “Remember the Alamo”
1893-S Morgan Dollar
*1795 Flowing Hair Dollar
*U.S. & World Gold
Maine National Bank Notes
1837 Feuchtwanger cent
1851 Seated Dollar, Proof
1836 Gobrecht Dollar
1896 $1. “Educational Note”