The Bruce S. Sherman Collection, Part II

More than 100 lots from a collection billed as "one of the most remarkable achievements in numismatics" will be among the top attractions

Heritage Auctions announced that the second installment of the Bruce S. Sherman Collection will be among the top attractions in its May 4 CSNS US Coins Signature® Auction April 30-May 4.

The Sherman Portion of the CSNS US Coins Signature® Auction will include 109 lots from the collection of Bruce Sherman, Chairman and principal owner of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins. Part I of his collection was offered in Heritage’s FUN US Coins Signature® Auction in January.

“The same attributes that have helped him succeed in business - passion, deep knowledge and understanding, and a discerning eye - have helped Bruce Sherman build this extraordinary collection,” says Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. “He started collecting as a hobby, but as his passion for numismatics grew, so did his collection, until it became world-class.”

Among the top items from Sherman’s collection is an 1803 Proof Draped Bust Dollar or Novodel, PR66 PCGS that is tied for the finest among just four known survivors. Today’s collectors know proof silver dollars from 1801-03 as “novodels,” which are among the rarest and most valuable issues in the U.S. federal coinage series. Coin dealer Robert L. Astrich purchased it over the counter from an undisclosed source in 1991. Astrich died in 2009 and, if he knew anything more about the source of this remarkable coin, he took the knowledge to his grave. This specimen has only been offered in two previous auctions, most recently at Heritage’s January 2013 FUN Signature Auction.

Another highlight from the Sherman collection is a 1792 Copper Disme, Judd-11, MS64 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC that is the finest by a wide margin of just three known examples of an outstanding rarity in the U.S. pattern series. The Mint experimented with reeded and plain edges on the copper dismes of this year, and the plain edge pieces are considerably scarcer. This coin possesses an unbeatable combination of absolute rarity, highest available technical quality, outstanding eye appeal and intense historic interest.

Of the nine examples traced, none are certified with a higher numeric grade than the 1838-O Reeded Edge Half Dollar, GR-1, PR64BM PCGS in this auction. The 1838-O Reeded Edge half dollar ranks among the most famous of all American coinage issues, comparable in value and rarity to issues like the 1894-S dime and the 1870-S silver dollar. PCGS CoinFacts estimates a surviving population of just 10, from a microscopic original mintage of no more than 20. PCGS and NGC have combined to certify just 12 between them, including an unknown number of crossovers and resubmissions; Heritage has located just nine examples still extant, one of which is housed in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.

An 1835 HM-5, JD-1 Half Eagle, PR67+ Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC is the finest of just three known examples. Few proof Classic Head half eagles are known, and of those, the example from the Sherman collection that is offered in this auction is believed to be finest, regardless of date. Of the 20 on Heritage’s roster, five are museum pieces, including one in the British Museum and four in the Smithsonian.

The Pelican Bay Collection, Part I will also be a highlight of the auction. This collection, which spans the years 1796-1964, boasts the finest assortment of Seated Liberty quarters and half dollars to come through Heritage in the last decade.

Included among the collections highlights is an 1870-CC Seated Quarter AU50 PCGS Briggs 1-Athat is the sixth-finest known example of this coveted first-year rarity from the Carson City Mint.

Other highlights from the collection include, but are not limited to:

Many other impressive lots stand among the top draws in the auction. Among the most significant is a 649.15-ounce Justh & Hunter Gold Ingot from The Marcello and Luciano Collection, which is the second-largest ingot from the S.S. Central Americaever brought to auction. At 218 mm (nearly 8.6 inches) long, this is the eighth-largest gold ingot by any assayer recovered from the S.S. Central America and one of only 13 in the Colossal Size weight class (500.01 ounces and heavier). It is the sixth-largest Justh & Hunter ingot known.

An 1834 BD-1 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle, MS61 PCGS is the fourth-finest known example. Walter Breen once wrote that most