1894-S dime to return to San Francisco

(Santa Clara, CA) - The finest known 1894-S dime - the James A. Stack/Richmond Collection specimen graded NGC Proof-66 - will be exhibited at the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo, November 18 - 21, 2004, in the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway.

“It apparently is the first time this coin has ever been publicly displayed in the San Francisco area, and evidently the first time it even has been in the Bay area in 50 years,” said Ronald J. Gillio, Santa Clara Expo General Chairman.

“This specimen apparently has not been back in the Bay area since 1954 when Hallie Daggett sold it and another 1894-S dime to a San Francisco dealer.”

Daggett was the daughter of San Francisco Mint Superintendent, John Daggett, who ordered only 24 dimes struck in 1894. He reportedly gave 21 to visiting bankers and the remaining three to young Hallie who soon spent one to purchase a dish of ice cream. She kept the remaining two dimes until 1954 when she sold both to San Franciso dealer Earl Parker, including the example that will be exhibited in Santa Clara.

The coin will be displayed courtesy of Mark Salzberg of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) of Sarasota, Florida and John Feigenbaum of David Lawrence Rare Coins, Virginia Beach, Virginia whose firm will offer it in a public auction of the Richmond Collection next March.

“The 1894-S dime is one of those few American numismatic treasures that transcended its particular series to become one of the most famous of all U.S. coins,” said Feigenbaum. “Only ten of the 24 1894-S dimes are accounted for, and this particular specimen is the finest known with a pedigree that includes Hallie Daggett, Louis E. Eliasberg Sr., James A. Stack and the owner of the spectacular Richmond Collection, Bradley Hirst.”

The coin’s pre-auction estimated value is $1.5 million.

eBay, a co-sponsor of the Santa Clara Expo, will present two educational seminars for collectors and dealers, “Buying & Selling on eBay,” conducted by Troy Thoreson. He will present the seminars at Noon on both Friday and Saturday, November 19 and 20.

“Another major attraction for this the November show is that NGC will offer on-site grading services at Santa Clara for the first time,” said Gillio.

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Mint’s San Francisco Branch, Mint representatives will be attend to meet with collectors and sell recent proof sets and other Mint products.

Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills, California will conduct a public auction during the show. A children’s treasure hunt will be conducted between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday, November 22, and a gold coin door prize will be awarded each day of the four-day show.

Public hours are Thursday, November 18, Noon to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, November 19 and 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, November 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Admission is $4 (good for all three days). Free parking is available at the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway.

The Expo is co-sponsored by the Cupertino Coin Club.

For additional information about the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo, contact Expos Unlimited, 1103 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Phone: Prior to November 16, (805) 962-9939; November 17 - 21 call (408) 748-7055. Web: www.SantaClaraExpo.com.