Jim Bisognani: ANA — A Welcome Return for the World’s Fair of Money

It has been a busy couple of weeks at the US Mint as newly designed flip sides of the world’s most popular bullion gold coins caused a rush to the Mint’s website. Last week, the wildly popular US Gold Eagles in Proof format (released on July 29) were the center of attention. The excitement surrounding this annual Mint ritual was due to the debut of the heralded Type-2 reverse — a bold profile of the bald eagle!

Courtesy of the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program (AIP), the gallant and inspiring portrait was created by Jennie Norris. A graphic designer by trade, this is her first foray and credit in coin design. The final rendering was sculpted by US Mint medallic artist Renata Gordon. Norris’ powerful and majestic profile of our national bird replaced the “family of eagles” design, which was sculpted by Miley Busiek Frost and has appeared on the reverse of each US Gold Eagle denomination since the series’ inception in 1986.

I think that it is fabulous that the newly designed reverse of the aforementioned Gold Eagle as well as the captivating Type-2 reverse of the Silver Eagle earlier this year were each designed by women. Oh yes, the complete sets and individual Proof gold coins all sold out within the hour!

The pre-pre-sales are raging!

Then, on August 3 at noon, the second installment of the pre-sale of the highly anticipated 2021 Morgan Dollar reboot featuring the “S” for San Francisco and “D” for Denver mintmarks went live. Unlike the privy marks of the first 2021 Morgan installment — “O” for the New Orleans Mint and “CC” for the Carson City Mint — these versions will be struck at the branch mint as designated by the prominent “D” or “S” below the eagle’s tail feathers on the reverse.

With an authorized mintage of 175,000 and a maximum of three coins per household, both appear to have sold out within 35 minutes! Yours truly was lucky enough to snare a trio of each. Next week, on August 10, the final pre-sale offering of the 100th anniversary of the Morgan and Peace dollar will play host to the Philadelphia (no mint mark) installments.

Morgan madness

Already, the pre-sales of the pre-sales on eBay are going for, on average, double the Mint issue price of $85 for the “S” and “D” deliveries. Yet, the highest price paid on eBay that I could find was for six coins (three of each “S” and “D”) reeling in $1,399 — that’s $233 per coin folks!

A quick check on the first two privy “CC” and “O” installments: The “CC” privy mark Morgans reveal that pre-orders are easily bringing $400 or equal to a 370% advance above the $85 issue price while pre-pre-orders for NGC MS 70 “First Releases” are topping $749. This reflects a ginormous 782% increase over issue price!

The New Orleans “O” privy coins are generating about $275 for pre-orders and NGC MS 70s are also frequently capturing around $750. It is really anyone’s guess where the market will be over the next few months until the actual coins are shipped and appear “live”.

This Morgan and Peace dollar centennial reboot has certainly been a huge success and megaboon to both original Morgan and Peace dollar series. And due to the fact that the new coins won’t appear in the retail arena for several more months, will their absence make the silver dollar market grow even fonder?

Turning a new leaf

Wow, it is amazing that just today I noticed a few rogue leaves on trees in our yard turning red! Don’t these infidels realize that summer, even in New England, has a couple of months left — I hope. Well, the calendar doesn’t lie and we are already in early August. Where has the summer gone?

Yet, there is something for all coindexters to cheer about. Unlike last August, this year we still have a green light for the ANA World’s Fair of Money. Beginning on August 10 running through August 14, the show will take place at the familiar digs of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. It should be an exciting time for all attendees. The one year off due to the worldwide pandemic has generated increased excitement for this ANA!

One of those attendees is my friend and fellow NGC Price Guide analyst (and so much more), Kevin Stoutjesdyk, who will be making his first appearance at an ANA World’s Fair of Money! I know he will enjoy taking in all aspects of this great event! That prompted my memory bank to flash back to my first ANA show nearly 50 years ago — August 1973 in Boston. (Yes, I am old.)

Unlike previous ANA shows, there will be no featured auction sales held during the duration of the show. Instead, Stack’s Bowers ANA-named sale begins on August 16 and continues through August 25; and get this, in total, there will be 21 different sessions! Covering US and world coins and currency, this auction extravaganza will allow the prospective bidders to battle for 11,339 lots!

Heritage Auctions’ ANA Signature and related sales will run from August 18-22. US coins, tokens and medals will entail 1,938 lots, which are scheduled to appear in five sessions. Not to be overshadowed, world coins will be featured in six sessions amassing nearly an equal 1,801 lots.

A few US standouts from these two mega auctions:

Stack’s Bowers: August 2021 ANA Auction - Session 4 - Rarities Night – Lot 4109

This fabulous and newly found 1794 Dollar is really as exciting as it gets for the true numismatist and lover of US coinage. Now graded NGC AU 55, this, our nation’s first dollar, is the recipient of a bold strike and the always seemingly incomplete date is one of the boldest you will see on this rare issue! Adjustment marks are visible, yet so modest, they are actually, in my opinion, endearing. I fervently believe it will claim a record and deserving price for the grade!

Stack’s Bowers: August 2021 ANA Auction - Session 4 - Rarities Night – Lot 4157

Here is the ultimate “Type” of coin! The Type-2 or Indian Headdress Gold Dollar has always been a favorite of mine. The short-lived coinage was a transitional series that was not at all popular when issued and and was only produced for three years (1854-1856). While the 1854 will always fit nicely as a Type coin, this stupendous NGC MS 68 specimen pedigreed to Eliasberg, is truly without peer. It was last offered nearly 20 years ago when it captured $126,500.

Heritage Auctions: ANA World’s Fair of Money US Coin Signature Auction #1333 – Lot 3499

This coin is an absolute stunner, not only in appearance but also in how the coin actually came to be struck! The 1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is one of the premier rarities in this highly popular series in any grade. Yet, of the approximately 150 known examples, only two have been designated as Proof strikings. The fact that this is a Roman Finish Proof places it at the apex of desire numismatically. Graded NGC PF 64+, it last appeared at public auction in a 2006 ANA sale and realized $1,495,000. The new owner will most probably have to up the ante to take this phenomenal and historic Double Eagle home.

Heritage Auctions: ANA World’s Fair of Money US Coin Signature Auction #1333 – Lot 3316

This finest known example of the 1858/7 Flying Eagle Cent graded NGC MS 65+ is truly spectacular! Not only a simply divine Mint State flyer, it is also perhaps the best example of the sometimes “tricky” to qualify as an overdate that you are ever likely to find. Last appearing as part of the Gardner Collection seven years ago, it should perch as a highlight in its next owner’s cabinet.

Until next time, be safe and happy collecting!

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