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News & Events

The Market in Depth, The Coin Dealer Newsletter
The Coin Dealer Newsletter, Vol. XLVI No. 7, February 15, 2008

"As we plow through February, demand for rare coins has continued at a superior level. Dealers are routinely increasing their wide-spread buy offers in hopes of bringing some fresh material to market. It's easy to forget that the examples which have been in such high demand are so limited in number. With such a relatively fixed supply, the fact that prices continue to head higher is quite understandable. Healthy auction results, like the $1.3 million, one-day Midwest Winter Sale by Scotsman, held Friday, Feb. 8, are further testament to the current, robust state of the market. In addition to rarity, what other factor is contributing to this, possibly unprecedented prosperity? The power of precious metals. Metals have had a huge influence on maintaining, and in many cases directly increasing the value of rare coins, and analysts continue their bullish outlook for 2008, which bodes extremely well for ongoing success..."

1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar Placed for $1.3 Million
Stanford Coins and Bullion
Sells Rare 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar for $1.3 Million

Houston, TX (January 28, 2008) – Houston-based Stanford Coins and Bullion announced it has sold the historic 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar Eliasberg Specimen for $1.3 million to Certified Acceptance Corp. (CAC), a New Jersey-based company founded and owned by John Albanese. Stanford Coins and Bullion, part of the Stanford Financial Group of companies, serves investors in precious metals and collectors of rare collectible coins.

The 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar Eliasberg Specimen is considered a U.S. numismatic treasure. Shrouded in mystery and intrigue, the Seated Liberty Dollars do not have any official record of ever having been minted, yet somehow 11 traced specimens are believed to exist.

According to Joe Frisard, President of Stanford Coins and Bullion, “The 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar is a true numismatic rarity. Of the 11 known specimens, only three are in mint condition. The Eliasberg Specimen is graded AU53 by PCGS.”

When the Seated Liberty Dollars were made, for coins minted in San Francisco, the Philadelphia mint would prepare the dies and then have them sent to San Francisco to be minted. J.B. Harmstead, the coiner for the San Francisco mint, engraved an “S” on the dies when they arrived, and thus the coins were struck.

Louis Eliasberg acquired the coin from the Will Neil sale from B. Max Mehl in 1947, after Neil had purchased the coin from the Stack’s George Hall sale in 1945 for $1,450. Eliasberg later offered his holding in the landmark sale in conjunction with Stack’s and Bowers and Merena.

Frisard said that the current market for coins is robust. “Investing in rare coins can bring true value for the client. It is part of an asset diversification strategy in a portfolio, as well as an opportunity to hold a piece of art – and history. The 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar Eliasberg Specimen is a prime example of this,” he said.

About Stanford Financial Group
Stanford Financial Group is a privately held global network of independent, affiliated financial services companies led by Chairman and CEO Sir Allen Stanford. The first Stanford company was founded by his grandfather, Lodis B. Stanford in 1932. Stanford’s core businesses are private wealth management and investment banking for institutions and emerging growth companies.

The Stanford Financial Group of companies provides private and institutional investors with global expertise in asset allocation strategies, investment advisory services, award-winning policy and equity research, international private banking and trust administration, commercial banking, investment banking, merchant banking, institutional sales and trading, real estate investment and insurance. Stanford has over $43 billion in assets under management or advisement. Stanford Financial has made it a priority to invest in the communities in which it operates across the globe through signature corporate philanthropy initiatives with nonprofit organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and countless local and national charities that strengthen communities.

Securities products and services in the United States are offered through Stanford Group Company, member FINRA/SIPC. Stanford Financial Group is not a legal entity, but a registered trademark which encompasses the global network of independent, but affiliated, privately held and wholly owned entities. More information on the company can be found at www.stanfordfinancial.com. For complete inventory of numismatic rarities, visit www.stanfordcoins.com or phone 1-800-627-3015

1838 Gobrecht Dollar Sets Record Sale
January 2008
1838 Gobrecht Dollar, Judd 87, sets record price for copper patterns at $529,000 at a January 7 auction.

This same piece appaeard in auction 11 years ago at $14,300. A great example of the benefits of holding numismatics as a long term investment.

Record Sale for 1804 $10 Eagle
October 2007

One of the four surviving examples of the 1804 $10 Liberty sells for a record $5 million, the highest price paid for any of the 1804 dated Eagle coins.

The 173 year old coin was struck in 1834 for President Andrew Jackson who was to use it as a diplomatic gift while trading in Asia.

All four coins are held by private collectors.

New American Buffalo 24-Karat Gold Coins

The original design of the 1 oz. Gold Buffalo dates back to 1913 when the highly noted American sculptor James Earl Fraser crafted the American nickel. Fraser is noted as being one of the best artists during this period as he was a student of Augustus St. Gaudens.

The Gold American Buffalo Bullion Coins are the first 24-karat .9999 fine gold coins the United States Mint has ever struck. They are the size of a half dollar. For 2006, there will only be 300,000 proof versions of this coin struck. All 24-karat American Buffalo Gold coins will be struck at the United States Mint at West Point. Production of the American Buffalo 24-karat gold coins was authorized by Congress via Public Law 109-145, on December 22, 2005, also known as the Presidential $1 Coin Act.

1913 Liberty Head Nickel

This coin is to be auctioned by Stack's on January 2, 2007. Listed #2 in The 100 Greatest Coins Book, and also taking the cover on the 2nd edition of the book, it is the finest of five known specimens.

1913 Liberty Nickel Eliasberg Specimen PCGS Proof-66 Sells for a Record $5M

A Southern California collector paid $5 million for the Eliasberg Specimen 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, the second highest price ever paid for a coin. The collector took possession of the coin at an undisclosed Southern California location on Wednesday April 25.

This Eliasberg Specimen is the finest known of the five existing examples. Two reside in museums, three are in private collections.

The 1933 $20 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin boasts the world record price at $7.59 million.

1907 Finest Known Ultra High Relief Sets Record Sale

The 1907 $20 Saint Gaudens Ultra High Relief graded Proof 69 by PCGS was sold in a private sale. While the actual sale price of this finest known rarity was not disclosed, it was last offered in a November 2005 auction where it realized $2,990,000.

In 1907, 24 original proofs were struck, with a population of 13 by both major grading services.