Stack’s Bowers Galleries is staging its much‑anticipated 2025 Global Showcase Auction, anchored by the high‑profile Rarities Night on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at their Griffin Studios in Costa Mesa, California. Stack’s Bowers+14Stack’s Bowers+14Stack’s Bowers+14Stacks Bowers+8PCGS+8Stack’s Bowers+8Stack’s Bowers+7Stack’s Bowers+7Stack’s Bowers+7GreysheetStack’s BowersGreysheet+1Stack’s Bowers.
Since the first Rarities Night debut at the 2011 American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money, this event has become the premier platform for legendary coin collections in both live and online formats, Stack’s Bowers+2PCGS+2. This year’s presentation is expected to command attention, featuring over 500 lots drawn from nearly a dozen named collections and numerous high-end consignments, courtesy of Stack’s Bowers + 2PCGS.
Major Named Collections Featured
The Chicago Collection of Early U.S. Gold Coins
This remarkable cabinet of 53 coins spans quarter eagles, half eagles, and eagles minted between 1795 and 1838, all certified by PCGS and most CAC‑approved Stacks Bowers+5Stack’s Bowers+5PCGS+5.
- Highlights include a gilded 1805 Draped Bust Quarter Eagle in MS 63 (lot 3156) and a 1795 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle MS 61 CAC (lot 3158).
Also featured: the rare 1798 Norweb‑Bass Large 8/14‑star coin in MS 60, an 1830 half eagle MS 64 CAC/CMQ, the elusive 1833 BD‑3 half eagle AU 58+, and standout 1795 eagle AU 58, 1797 Pogue‑Simpson Small Eagle $10, and a bold 1804 Crosslet‑4 eagle MS 62 (lot 3208) Stack’s Bowers+3Stack’s Bowers+3PCGS+3.
The Floyd T. Starr Collection – Proof $3 Gold Coins
For the first time in over thirty years, Stack’s Bowers presents a nearly complete set of Proof Three‑Dollar Gold coins (1937–1962) from the renowned Floyd T. Starr “Philadelphia Estate” collection YouTube+13Stack’s Bowers+13PCGS+13.The line up includes ultra‑high grade pieces such as an 1857 Proof‑66 DCAM CAC/CMQ, 1862 Proof‑67 DCAM, the legendary 1875 Proof‑64 CAM, the finest known 1878 Proof‑67+ CAM, and the sole finest PCGS‑certified 1880 Proof‑68 DCAM—ranking as the centerpiece of this collection (lot 3267), Stack’s BowersPCGS.
The Hough Family Gold Cabinet
This collection stands out for its Mint State and Proof gold coins, selected for top certified grades and visual impact, Stack’s BowersPCGS.
- Highlights include a 1795 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle MS 63+ (NGC), 1858 Proof Liberty Head Half Eagle Proof‑66 DCAM, 1908 Motto Eagle Proof‑68 NGC, a rare 1883 Liberty Head Double Eagle Proof‑64 CAM, 1899 Liberty Head Double Eagle Proof‑65 DCAM, and a Superb Gem 1907 Saint‑Gaudens High Relief Double Eagle MS 67 CAC/CMQ (lot 3417) Stack’s BowersPCGS.
- The collection also extends to world gold coins, offered separately in the Ancients & World sessions, Stack’s Bowers+6, Stack’s Bowers+6Stacks Bowers+6.
Additional Prestigious Collections
The Illinois Morgan Dollar Set
Renowned as one of the finest PCGS Registry Sets ever assembled, the Illinois collection includes Gem‑grade Morgan Dollars, such as 1884‑S MS 67 CAC (Jack Lee provenance), 1886‑O MS 65+ CAC, 1894‑O MS 65+ CAC, 1895‑O MS 66, and 1901 MS 66—all exceptional survivors. Stack’s BowersPCGS.
The Iron Eagle Early Half Dollars
This rare grouping includes Mint State examples of 1794 Flowing Hair, 1802 Draped Bust, and 1803 Draped Bust Half Dollars, graded MS 61 through MS 63 by PCGS—among the condition census leaders for each variety, Stack’s BowersPCGS.
The Seven Lions Pattern Coin Collection
A spectacular assembly of over 100 U.S. pattern coins (1839–1896), including top-tier Judd varieties. Noteworthy examples: Judd‑1467 1876 “Liberty by the Seashore” Trade Dollar Proof‑66+ CAC, Judd‑1195 1872 “Amazonian” Quarter Dollar Proof‑64, Judd‑1526 1877 Pattern Half Dollar Proof‑65 Cameo CAC, Judd‑1512 1877 Morgan Half Dollar Proof‑65 NGC, and the ultra‑rare Judd‑565 1867 five‑cent nickel Proof‑66 Cameo (one of two known) Stack’s BowersPCGS. Proceeds benefit the Higgins Museum of National Banknotes in Iowa Stack’s Bowers+1.
Other Notable Collections
- John D. Miner Collection—features a Continental Dollar (PCGS AU 55) and an 1849 Norris, Gregg & Norris medal (PCGS AU 55 CMQ), Stack’s Bowers.
- Julius Korein Collection—rare Gobrecht Dollars (1836–1839), including multiple die alignments of the 1836 Judd‑60 Stack’s Bowers.
- PentaMint™ Collection—scarce Carson City issues, including a rare 1876‑CC Liberty Head Eagle PCGS AU 53 Stack’s Bowers.
- Warwick Collection—private gold issues, including an MS 67 Motto $10 (1908), MS 64 High Relief $20 (1907), AU Bechtler $5, and a Fine‑15 Mormon $5 Stack’s Bowers.
Gem 1882 Liberty Head Double Eagle Proof at GreatCollections
Auction Format & Accessibility
Live vs. Internet‑Only Sessions
The Global Showcase spans 23 live and online‑only sessions held over August 25–30 and September 2–5 YouTube+11Stack’s Bowers+11Stack’s Bowers+11. Rarities Night itself is scheduled for August 27, 2025, as Session 5 focusing on U.S. Coins (lots 3001–3504), Facebook+8Stack’s Bowers+8Stacks Bowers+8.
Viewing Opportunities
Prospective buyers may preview lots without appointment at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Oklahoma City (August 17–22). Additional viewings are available by appointment in Costa Mesa (July 30–August 1) and New York City (August 8 & 11–13). Stack’s Bowers+1.
Bidding or Consigning
Registrations, pre‑bidding, and auction catalogs are accessible at StacksBowers.com. Those looking to consign can contact the firm via phone or email at Info@StacksBowers.com or Consign@StacksBowers.com. Greysheet+6Stack’s Bowers+6PCGS+6.
Significance & Expectations
Market Demand & Record Potential
According to President Brian Kendrella, the volume and quality of material in the 2025 Rarities Night make it one of the firm’s largest and most impressive events ever, with current demand expected to push realized prices to unprecedented levels. Greysheet+3Stack’s Bowers+3PCGS+3.
Why This Rarities Night Stands Out
What sets this event apart is the convergence of long‑held private collections—many pieces unseen on the market for decades—with impeccable grading and pedigrees. Collectors should expect not only historical significance but also strong investment potential.
Closing Summary
Stack’s Bowers Galleries delivers a landmark summer auction in 2025, anchored by the Rarities Night on August 27, where over 500 exceptional lots from elite collections such as Chicago, Starr, Hough, Seven Lions, and Iron Eagle will cross the block. With broad access in person and online, and deeply researched catalogs available ahead of time, this event offers both seasoned collectors and new bidders a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to acquire rare and historically significant U.S. coins. For full lot details, pre‑bidding, or consignment inquiries, visit StacksBowers.com or contact the firm directly via their official email and phone lines.