Whitman coin show promises variety of numismatic activities
Exhibits include unique 1854 Kellogg gold $20
Coin World
Monday, October 1, 2007

The Whitman Coin and Collectibles Atlanta Expo includes an exhibit of a unique gold coin valued at $2.5 million, sold-out dealer booths and two auctions.

The expo will be held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in northwest Atlanta, Oct. 11 to 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free parking and admission.

The 1854 Kellogg & Co. pioneer gold $20 coin was once owned by United States assayer of gold Augustus Humbert and is America’s finest-known pioneer gold coin, according to information at www.whitmanexpo.com.

The coin is a specimen striking impressed from the same dies used to produce regular 1854 Kellogg & Co. gold $20 coins of the short arrows reverse variety.

PCGS has graded the coin Specimen 69.

The Specimen finish differs from the Proof finish used on Proof coins struck by the United States Mint during the 1850s.

The dies for this Specimen $20 coin were not polished as extensively as those the U.S. Mint used to strike Proof coins, but the finish is still brilliant and far superior to that of a coin intended for use in circulation, according to the Whitman show Web site.

This special exhibit is sponsored by Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, Calif. Steve Contursi, president of Rare Coin Wholesalers, owns the coin.

The firm of John Glover Kellogg was active during the third and final period of private gold coinage in gold rush California. Kellogg opened his own firm Dec. 14, 1853.

According to Whitman, the expo bourse has sold out.

Two auctions by Stack’s include paper money treasures from the John J. Ford Jr. Collection.

The second, in a separate catalog (the firm’s Capitol City Sale), showcases a collection of obsolete notes, a wide offering of federal issues in nearly all series, and unique items from the American Bank Note Co. archives. Another auction highlight is a special selection of paper money from the collection of Q. David Bowers.

The Atlanta Expo will also present special programs for young collectors, speaker presentations and autograph sessions with Whitman authors, including Q. David Bowers, Rick Snow and David Lange.

Also, the grading services ANACS, Independent Coin Grading, Numismatic Guaranty Corp., Professional Coin Grading Service and Sovereign Entities Grading Service will be represented at the show.

The American Numismatic Association’s School of Numismatics will offer two courses: "Fundamentals of Grading Paper Money and Coin Care" by Wendell A. Wolka and "Conservation and Preservation Methods" by Brian Silliman.

See the Whitman Expo Web site for additional information. CW