Auction Catalogs of Note for US Commemorative Coin Collectors Nearly every significant auction of US coinage includes a group of commemorative coins among its various offerings. In some cases, the group may only be a handful of coins, while in others the individual listings of commemoratives can number in the hundreds. Listed below are auction catalogs of special note to collectors of US commemorative coins. Each will provide the reader with insights into a collection a cut above the norm and one to which a collector can aspire. The catalogs are presented in reverse chronological order, with more to be added. To suggest catalogs for inclusion, please contact the webmaster. Last update: 11 January 2009. Most recent updates are in blue. Central States Numismatic Society 2007 Convention.  Heritage Auction Galleries.  May 9-12, 2007. For commemorative collectors, the highlight of this Heritage Central States auction catalog is the Cary and Cheryl Porter Collection.  The collection includes 230 lots of high grade silver commemoratives – dozens of MS-67 and MS-68 coins – graded by either PCGS or NGC.  The vast majority of the lots include color photographs (some enlarged) and thus offer a vicarious thrill for the collector on a more modest budget.  The collection is dominated by colorfully toned coins, but also offers a number of brilliant treats for BU aficionados.  This is the first part of the Porter’s commemorative collection; an upcoming Heritage auction will feature the balance.  While certainly an enviable grouping of commems, the many duplicates convey a sense of “well-heeled accumulation” rather than “hand-picked collection.”  The catalog also features an additional 300+ lots of high grade silver and gold commemoratives, with color photographs available for about one third of the coins.  Nice, but not essential.  Heritage Signature Coin Auction #408: Long Beach.  Heritage Auction Galleries.  June 1-3, 2006. The auction included a truly exceptional complete set of gold commemoratives assembled by Dr. William Merritt over a period of five years; he worked with Swiss America Trading Corporation.  Each of the “hand picked” coins in the set was among the finest available in the marketplace.  When originally certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) in August 2004, nearly all were “finest known” — they continue to be so today.  At the time, Mark Salzberg, Chairman and CEO of NGC, noted the quality of the coins, commenting "These coins are simply amazing for their originality and pristine appearance."  A "must have" catalog for the collector of US gold commemoratives, though a nice but mostly image-free run of silver commemoratives is also included.   The New York Connoisseur's Collection.  American Numismatic Rarities.  March 14-15, 2006. The Richard Jewell 144-piece commemorative set was a true world-class collection assembled by a collector with an eye for technical as well aesthetic quality.  A gem uncirculated set “littered” with coins graded MS-67 and MS-68 – plus a 1937-D Oregon in MS-69! – the complete collection is beautifully presented in full-color with well-written descriptions that are nicely supplemented with historical background information.  This collection alone would merit this catalog’s inclusion here, but making it even more special is a run of 34 countermarked Stone Mountain half dollars (all illustrated in color) and collection of nine different Western Reserve Numismatic Club countermarked coins.  Add a supporting run of over 100 additional silver and gold commemorative lots – including a beautifully colorful 1939 Oregon PDS set graded MS-68 -- and you have a catalog of uncommon quality and importance.  This one should be available on the shelf for repeated viewing!  Platinum Night ANA Signature Auction #382.  Heritage Numismatic Auctions.  July 28, 2005. Heritage “Platinum Night” auctions are known for the rarity and quality of the coins they offer, and this 2005 auction held in conjunction with the San Francisco ANA Convention was no exception.  For commemorative collectors, the primary interest in this auction is the last lot – the “First Struck” set of Panama-Pacific Exposition commemoratives with its original violet leather and purple velvet case.  The multi-page lot listing includes a brief history of the set, the striking of the coins and the Exposition itself.  Solid discussions of each of the coin designs are included, as are photographs of the coins and the included related ephemera.  Unfortunately, only the octagonal $50 gold piece is shown enlarged – it would have been nice to give collectors who are likely never to see the set firsthand an opportunity to inspect them more closely via photographs.  The lot description also traces the pedigree of the set beginning with its presentation to Charles C. Moore, the president of the Exposition.  Only a handful of other commemoratives are included in the catalog, so this one is all about the Pan-Pac set.  The Richard Jewell Collection. American Numismatic Rarities. March 8-9, 2005. An auction catalog that presents an incredible 106-lot run of commemorative ephemera (with and without coins) followed by 81 lots of commemorative coins. (Note: These items are not from the Richard Jewell collection.)  The attraction here is the ephemera collection! An amazing collection of the various holders and mailers associated with the traditional commemorative series that is well illustrated and described; many historical background notes by the cataloguers are also included. A catalog that is currently unsurpassed as a commemorative ephemera reference. The Bruce Scher Collection of Number One All-Time Finest PCGS Registry Sets. Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc. February 24, 2005. The quality of the coin sets that Bruce Scher assembled is evident from the title of this catalog dedicated to his sets and his sets alone (not to be confused with the general Long Beach auction catalog of February 23, 2005). The catalog offers 100% full-color images of the finest PCGS-certified proof sets ever assembled of Three Cent Nickels, Mercury Dimes, Barber Dimes, Quarters and Halves and Liberty Walking Halves. It also includes a spectacular 50-piece Type Set of traditional US commemorative coins. A mix of brilliant and toned coins, all are presented in full, high-resolution color and are simply spectacular! All of the coins are among the finest known examples. The beautifully toned Roanoke in MS-68 is a must see! Highly recommended! The JFS Collection. Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.  August 19, 2004. An auction held in conjunction with the annual American Numismatic Association (ANA) Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, the JFS Collection included the PCGS All-Time Finest 144-piece US commemorative set, scoring 66.96 out of a possible 67.20 points.  Every lot in the outstanding collection is presented in full-color; several feature one or more images of preliminary design sketches.  Beautiful coins, wonderful presentation and articulate, insightful cataloging.  A "must have" among commemorative catalogs. Chicago ANA • 99.  Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.  August 11-13, 1999. The 1999 Chicago ANA auction by Heritage offered commemorative collectors the Louis S. Joseph Collection of silver commemoratives along with 100+ additional silver and gold commemorative lots highlighted by a seldom-encountered proof Hawaiian (with original presentation box and full pedigree) and a gold Norse Centennial medal in PR-66.  The Joseph collection is a true “collector’s collection” – each of the 50 coins in the set was hand-selected by Mr. Joseph based on its surfaces, toning and overall eye-appeal.  Holders were not part of the equation for Joseph, as the collection includes coins graded by PCGS, NGC and ANACS; the coins range in grade form MS-65 to MS-67 with a 1939-D Oregon in MS-68.  Lot descriptions are well written, but generally contain little information beyond descriptions of the coins themselves.  Sixteen of the coins (obverse and reverse) are included on color plates, the balance of the collection is illustrated via B&W photographs.  Not essential, but worth a look.  The Harold Rothenberger Collection of United States Commemoratives.  Superior Auction Galleries.  January 31 - February 1, 1994. A "world class" 144-piece commemorative set, the coins assembled by Rothenberger represented a collection of toned commemoratives on par with the much more well known Larry Shepherd Collection.  A few key statistics: 1) All 50 design types are represented by an example grading MS-66 or higher; 2) 80 of the coins are graded MS-67 or MS-68; and 3) Only six of the coins are graded a "lowly" MS-65.  Three color plates precede the lot listings and cover the majority of the collection; all lots are illustrated with black-and-white photographs.  Each coin is nicely described with good descriptions of toning and surface quality; comparisons to other "lofty" coins are often included.  The first example of each type also includes additional historical notes.  The auction also features several hundred additional lots of commemoratives and more than 2,000 lots of various US coins.  Highly recommended! The Clark E. Adams and Duncan MacMillan Collections. Superior Galleries. October 11-12, 1992. The commemorative highlight of this 1992 Superior sale is collection of 94 silver coins assembled by Bill Spears for a “Pacific Northwest” collector; the collection was not consigned by either of the title consigners.  Each of the coins was selected for its overall eye appeal and striking toning. While photographs accompany the lot descriptions for all of the coins, only nineteen are illustrated via color plates at the front of the catalog.  If the coins presented in color are any indication of the quality of the remaining coins, however, the unnamed consignor was the owner of one beautiful set of commemoratives.  The lowest graded coins are MS-65s, with the bulk of the collection falling in the MS-66 to MS-67 range -- four different Oregon Trail pieces achieved lofty MS-68 ratings!  The introduction to the collection states “While not numerically as high as the Shepherd collection that our firm sold last year, the following group is every bit as appealing and original for those who love beautifully toned Commemoratives.”  Indeed.  The group includes a beautiful set of five Hawaiians (two NGC 66’s and three NGC 65’s) with their original mailing card and outer envelope – all five are featured on a color plate.  The catalog also features just under 200 additional lots of silver commemoratives and a nice selection of gold coins; a five-piece Pan Pac set in original copper frame is included.  If illustrated in full-color, this catalog would be a “must have!”  As it is, it is a worthy addition to the bookshelf (maybe for the Hawaiians alone!) but not essential. The Superior Galleries Chicago Sale featuring The Larry Shepherd Collection of U.S. Commemorative Coinage. Superior Galleries. August 11, 1991. Certainly one of the most celebrated collections of US commemorative coins, the Larry Shepherd Collection represents one of the most outstanding accomplishments in the history of US commemorative collecting. The 144-piece set that leads off this auction includes 15 coins in MS-68, 57 in MS-67, 57 in MS-66 and 15 in MS-65. For the toned coin enthusiast, the pages of color plates at the front of this catalog will be a dream come true! The catalog also features a selection of proof and proof-like pieces from Mr. Shepherd’s collection as well as 144 lots of his duplicates (mostly ‘low-grade’ MS-66s and MS-67s – plus two MS-68s!). Each featured coin is nicely catalogued with a good description of toning and surface quality; additional historical notes about each coin’s designer(s) and mintage figures are also included. Highly recommended! The Lee and Shaffer Collections Sale.  Superior Galleries.  September 25, 26, 27, 1988.  The Peter L. Shaffer collection of US silver commemorative coins is among the finest 144-piece sets ever assembled.  Shaffer’s goal was to put together an originally toned set with outstanding eye appeal and a minimum grade of MS-65 per coin.  When he was done, his set included three coins in MS-67, 46 in MS-66 and the balance in MS-65.  In addition to the coins, Shaffer also collected original commemorative holders and related material – over 30 lots of this ephemera are also included (the holders appear as individual lots separate from the coins).  Though there are no color plates of the coins – a true disappointment considering Shaffer’s collecting goal of an originally toned set – the collection is well represented with coin and ephemera photographs.  Certainly one of the premier “pre-registry” sets and a catalog of note. The Estates of Philip M. Mann, Jr. & Glenn B. Smedley.  Auctions by Bowers and Merena, Inc.  September 13–14, 1988.  This sale features several nice consignments of commemorative coins, though none are from either of the title collections.  The first consignment (totaling more than 200 lots) is noteworthy for its completeness and large number of lots that include original holders and/or related ephemera – many of which are illustrated.  ‘Consignment A’ also includes examples of the 1941 and 1971 Western Reserve Numismatic Club’s counterstamped Cleveland half dollars – each the Breen-Swiatek plate coin.  [The 1941 sold for $1375, the 1971 for $1540.]  Lot descriptions are basic, but often include interesting notes about the featured ephemera.  Not essential, but a nice catalog for those interested in commemorative holders and related material. The 1987 F.U.N. Sale. Mid-American Rare Coin Auctions, Inc. January 8-9, 1987. Among the US silver commemorative collections assembled prior to the establishment and common acceptance of third-party grading services, the collection assembled by Eugene Spier in the early- to mid-1980s is considered to be one of the finest.  Nearly all of the included coins grade gem (65/65) to superb (67/67) uncirculated, with many lots noted for their attractive toning.  Unfortunately, all but two of the coins in Spier’s collection are illustrated only with black-and-white images which fail to do justice to such toning or each coin’s overall surface quality.  Two coins, however, are treated to full-page color plates (a 1926 Oregon Trail and a 1936 Wisconsin), both are listed in the catalog as “67/67” and feature toning that is truly beautiful and world-class.  The lack of color images takes this catalog out of the ”must have” category, but it still merits strong consideration and could prove valuable in tracing the pedigree of some of the finer coins represented in later "certified" collections. 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative Half Dollars. Bowers and Merena, Inc. January 23, 1986. This dedicated catalog features 137 specimens of the 1928 Hawaiian commemorative half dollar consigned by the Bank of Hawaii; no other coins are included. The coins presented had been stored in the bank’s vaults since the time of issue. More than half of the coins offered (74) were catalogued as full MS-65, with nearly all of the remaining coins listed at MS-63 or better (just six coins were graded AU-50 to MS-60). The catalog begins with a terrific introduction to the US commemorative series with, of course, specific focus given to the Hawaiian. Also included is a significant history of The Bank of Hawaii. Not just for the specialist! The Emery and Nichols Collections.  Auctions by Bowers and Merena, Inc.  November 12–13, 1984.  Many commemorative collectors will be familiar with the name Walter P. Nichols from his connection with the 1936 York commemorative half dollar (he served as, among other things, the distributor of the coins for the sponsoring commission).  What is not typically known by most collectors, however, is the broader scope of Nichols' numismatic endeavors or the foundation for his collections.  This catalog will help the interested collector gain insights into these aspects of Nichols' collecting life.  It presents, briefly, the story of S. Benton Emery (Nichols’ father-in-law, from whom he inherited a rich and varied collection) and more than 1800 lots of US coins and currency assembled by Emery/Nichols – from the colonial era through the time of Nichols’ death in August 1941. Nichols was an active collector during the commemorative coin boom of the mid-1930s and obtained many of the issues directly from the sponsoring organizations.  The 125+ lots of silver and gold commemorative coins contain many high-grade examples and original holders are included for several.  Of note, as would be expected, is a run of nicely preserved York half dollars, including fours lots of five coins in their original York holders.  Though only a few of the lots include photographs and many of the lot description are brief, the catalog is an important link to US commemorative coin history and a nice companion piece to Bowers’ book on Nichols' numismatic correspondence during the 1930s (see Books). The W. Foster Schreeder Collection. Bowers & Ruddy Galleries. April 23-25, 1979. A catalog noteworthy for the "Special Commemorative Consignment" located near the back of the catalog. It includes 90 lots of original coins in their original boxes or cards of issue. The consignment is not well illustrated (just two pictures!) or inclusive of any narratives beyond basic descriptions, but coupled with a prices realized list (PRL) it serves as an insightful foundation for examining the market growth of this type of material. Coming soon: The 1996 Heritage Numismatic Auctions FUN Sale.