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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Tanzania to issue new note family 01.01.2011

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On 17 December 2010, the Bank of Tanzania announced it will introduce a new family of notes on 1 January 2011. The new notes are slightly smaller than the existing notes, which will continue to circulate in parallel. The new notes are protected by Motion windowed security threads, Spark patches, and watermarks with electrotype denominations, among other anti-counterfeiting features.

Philippines new note family reported

Philippines_20_2010.00.00_fPhilippines_20_2010.00.00_r
20 pesos
Orange. Front: Filipino as the National Language 1935; Manuel Luis Quezón; seal of Philippine president; bank seal; Malacañang Palace (presidential residence) and Pasig River in San Miguel, Manila. Back: Map; palm civet; Banaue rice terraces; Cordilleras weave design. Solid security thread. Watermark: Manuel Luis Quezón and electrotype 20. Printer: Unknown. 160 x 66 mm. 2010. Signature 19. Intro: 16.12.2010.

Philippines_50_2010.00.00_fPhilippines_50_2010.00.00_r
50 pesos
Red. Front: First National Assembly in 1907; Sergio Osmeña; US General Douglas McArthur during Leyte Landing in 1944; seal of Philippine president; bank seal. Back: Map; maliputo fish; Taal Lake; Batangas embroidery design. Solid security thread. Watermark: Sergio Osmeña and electrotype 50. Printer: Unknown. 160 x 66 mm. 2010. Signature 19. Intro: 16.12.2010.

Philippines_100_2010.00.00_fPhilippines_100_2010.00.00_r
100 pesos
Purple. Front: Central Bank of the Philippines headquarters building in Manila; Manuel Acuña Roxas; inauguration of the Third Republic on 4 July 1946; seal of Philippine president; bank seal. Back: Map; whale shark; Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City, Albay; Bicol textile design. Red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized BSP100. Watermark: Manuel Roxas and electrotype 100. Printer: Unknown. 160 x 66 mm. 2010. Signature 19. Intro: 16.12.2010.

Philippines_200_2010.00.00_fPhilippines_200_2010.00.00_r
200 pesos
Green. Front: Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite; Diosdado Pangan Macapagal; Barasoain Roman Catholic church in Malolos City, Bulacan; seal of Philippine president; bank seal. Back: Map; tarsier; Bohol Chocolate Hills; Visayas design. Red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized BSP200. Watermark: Diosdado Macapagal and electrotype 200. Printer: Unknown. 160 x 66 mm. 2010. Signature 19. Intro: 16.12.2010.

Philippines_500_2010.00.00_fPhilippines_500_2010.00.00_r
500 pesos
Yellow. Front: Crowd at EDSA People Power I in February 1986; Corazon C. Aquino; Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.; Benigno Aquino Jr. monument; seal of Philippine president; bank seal. Back: Map; blue-naped parrot; Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park; Southern Philippines cloth design. Red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized BSP500. Watermark: Corazon and Benigno Aquino and electrotype 500. Printer: Unknown. 160 x 66 mm. 2010. Signature 19. Intro: 16.12.2010.

Philippines_1000_2010.00.00_fPhilippines_1000_2010.00.00_r
1,000 pesos
Blue. Front: Crowd at independence centenial celebration in 1998; OVI of South Sea pearl in clam shell and BSP logo; José Abad Santos; Josefa Llanes Escoda, and Vicente Lim; Medal of Honor; seal of Philippine president; bank seal. Back: Map; South Sea pearl in clam shell; turtle; Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park; Mindanao design for Tinalak (Ikat-dyed abaca). Red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized BSP1000. Watermark: Santos, Escoda, and Lim and electrotype 1000. Printer: Unknown. 160 x 66 mm. 2010. Signature 19. Intro: 16.12.2010.

United Arab Emirates new 5-dirham Banknote

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B32 (PNL): 5 dirhams (US$1.35)
Brown. Front: Blue Souk in Sharjah; coat of arms. Back: Sparrow-hawk; Bay of Khorfakkan in Fujairah; tower. Solid security thread with demetalized UAE 5. Watermark: Sparrow-hawk head. Printer: Unknown. 143 x 60 mm. 2009 and ١٤٣٠ (AH1430). Signature 4.

Kyrgyzstan new 200-, 500-, and 1,000-som notes

The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic introduced new 20-, 50-, 100-, and 5,000-som banknotes in 2009, all of which were produced by the French security printer, Oberthur Technologies, without imprint. On 1 December 2010 the bank issued 200-, 500-, and 1,000-som (US$4.25, 10.70, and 21.40, respectively) notes printed by De La Rue. These denominations complete the fourth issues from the Kyrgyz Republic’s central bank. More info can be found here.

Kyrgyzstan_200_2010.00.00_B26a_s4_fKyrgyzstan_200_2010.00.00_B26a_s4_r
B26 (PNL): 200 som (US$4.25)
Yellow. Front: Poet and playwright Alykul Osmonov; relief image of the sun and waves. Back: Lines from Osmonov’s “Jenishbek” about Lake Issyk-Kul. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized 200 COM. Watermark: Alykul Osmonov with electrotype 200. Printer: (TDLR). 138 x 66 mm. 2010. Signature 4. Intro: 01.12.2010.

Kyrgyzstan_500_2010.00.00_B27a_s4_fKyrgyzstan_500_2010.00.00_B27a_s4_r
B27 (PNL): 500 som (US$10.20)
Violet. Front: “Manas” storyteller Sayakbai Karalaev. Back: Mausoleum of Manas; mountains. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized 500 COM. Watermark: Sayakbai Karalaev with electrotype 500. Printer: (TDLR). 144 x 68 mm. 2010. Signature 4. Intro: 01.12.2010.

Kyrgyzstan_1000_2010.00.00_B28a_s4_fKyrgyzstan_1000_2010.00.00_B28a_s4_r
B28 (PNL): 1,000 som (US$21.40)
Gray-green. Front: Poet Jusup Balasagyn. Back: Takhti Sulaiman, ancient architectural monument; Sulaiman Mountain. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized 1000 COM. Watermark: Jusup Balasagyn with electrotype 1000. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 71 mm. 2010. Signature 4. Intro: 01.12.2010.

USPS To Issue Pixar Stamps In 2011

The United States Postal Service has announced the items to be included in their 2011 commemorative stamp program, which includes five new Pixar stamps.

Several Disney-Pixar movie characters are part of the five different designs that make up the 20-stamp pane Send A Hello collection: Lightning McQueen and Mater from Cars; Remy the rat and Linguini from Ratatouille; Buzz Lightyear and two of the green, three-eyed aliens from Toy Story; Carl Fredricksen and Dug from Up; and the robot WALL-E from Wall-E.

Also getting a stamp for a 100th birthday: the Indianapolis 500.

Beginning in January, all new postage stamps good for 1 ounce of first-class mail will be marked as "forever".

The move is designed to help customers cope with postage increases, a U.S. Postal Service official told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The official requested anonymity to discuss a policy that hasn't been announced formally.

Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe plans to announce the new policy Jan. 14, the official said.

When the Postal Service unveiled its first-class commemorative stamps for 2011 on Tuesday, all were marked "forever" instead of the current rate of 44 cents.

The initial first-class stamp under the new policy will be the Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit stamp, to be issued Jan. 22. It will be followed by stamps commemorating Kansas statehood on Jan. 29 and, in February, the centennial of President Ronald Reagan's birth.

Among other stamps to be issued in 2011 are those for:

- Mark Twain
- Rep. Barbara Jordan of Texas, a groundbreaking politician and civil rights leader. She is the Black Heritage stamp honoree
- The U.S. Merchant Marine
- Jazz appreciation
- Artists Edward Hopper and Romare Bearden

New designs are also set for Purple Heart, Wedding and Holidays stamps.

Marshall Islands Stamps Featuring Orchids

The Marshall Islands Postal Service has issued nine new stamps featuring orchids that are endangered.

All the beautiful orchids in this stamp issue have been included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

The fan-shaped Psygmorchis pusilla bears bright yellow flowers with brown spots.

Cycnoches spp is characterized by a long, slender pseudobulb.

Aerangis modesta has clusters of small white flowers that are fragrant at night.

Ansellia africana is known as the Leopard Orchid and Vanda coerulea is known as the Blue Orchid.

Dendrobium cruentum has a crimson-colored structure in the center of its lip.

Phragmapedium kovachii's name is derived from the Greek word phragma meaning "divided," and pedion, meaning "slipper".

Cymbidium ensifolium flowers only once a year.

Laelia milleri is famous for its distinctive "fire engine red" color.

'Christmas for all' appears on new postage stamp


Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas approved Saturday the issuance of a new Palestinian postage stamp on the occasion of Christmas. The phrase "Christmas For All" will appear on the stamp.

The Palestinian postal service took part in Friday's Christmas celebrations in Manger Square and announced the stamp. Hundreds of international visitors got to see the design in a tent where it was exhibited.

Fireworks Display Postage Stamps by Taiwan

Fireworks displays, kaleidoscopes of color and light, look dazzling and spectacular against the inky night sky. These artful renderings of high-tech sound and light effects really wow people and bring them great joy. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China, Chunghwa Post (Taiwan Post) is releasing a souvenir sheet on January 1, 2011.

The sheet includes four stamps, each depicting a firework sight fused into a river nightscape. From left to right: the Double Tenth Day fireworks display in Taipei (NT$5), Taipei 101's New Year fireworks display (NT$5), the Lantern Festival fireworks display on Kaohsiung's Love River (NT$25), and the Dragon Boat Festival fireworks display in Taoyuan County's Longtan (NT$25). The background of the souvenir sheet features a fireworks display by the Taipei Ferris Wheel, which conveys a sense of universal celebration.

The souvenir sheet is printed in intaglio combined with offset. For the first time ever, the sheet is hot stamped with optical variable film to highlight the fireworks displays and the play of light and shadow on the Ferris wheel.

A stamp folio will be released along with this souvenir sheet. To add to collecting value, the folio comes with a souvenir sheet, as well as an offset print plate proof and an optical variable film proof with serial numbers.

Scientists create smallest Christmas card ever

Nanotechnologists at the University of Glasgow have produced what they believe to be the world's smallest Christmas card.

The card has an image of a Christmas tree etched on a tiny piece of glass and measures 200x290 micro-metres.

Invisible to the naked eye, the card is so small that 8,276 of them could fit on an area the size of a postage stamp.

The point behind the creation of the card was to show how accurate nanotechnology is, according to the university's school of engineering.

Baby Wildlife Definitives by Canada Post

In deciding to release a multiple-year series of definitives featuring Canada's cutest, cuddliest baby creatures, it was a given that both collectors and consumers would have an emotional reaction to the images. From nose - rubbing Arctic hares and a steel-faced baby red fox, to fuzzy baby geese and a cheeky Polar bear cub who is definitely ready for his close-up, these stamps provide a rare glimpse into nature's nursery.

Canadian definitives are "workhorse" stamps - they are the most accessible of Canadian stamps and those mostly used for mailings. In the past, they have featured a variety of imagery, including photos of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Parliament buildings, various images of the flag, native trees and wildlife, and for the past several years, flowers, including a three-year series of Orchid stamps, interrupted in 2009, by Vancouver 2010 Olympic definitives.

New Montenegro stamps dedicated to nature protection

The Montenegro Post has issued two stamps dedicated to the protection of environment.

The stamps feature umbrellas as the allusion on the measures we should realize to save our planet from the harmful consequences of human activities.

New butterfly stamp from Azerbaijan


The Azerbaijani Post has issued a stamp featuring a Mountain Apollo (Parnassius Apollo) butterfly.

This species is of interest to entomologists due to the variety of subspecies.

The Apollo Butterfly is a very beautiful species of butterfly that were once widespread all over the European and Asian meadows. Unfortunately, nowadays they're almost extinct and very rarely seen. They inhabit territories in meadows and mountains up to 2200 metres above sea level, ranging from Europe to Central Russia.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Neil Armstrong stars in sale of stamps from around the world, and the skies


British, American and Chinese stamps are mixed with space and aviation covers at Earl P Apfelbaum

Stamp collectors and investors are now looking ahead to next year for more high quality sales. Fortunately, they won't have to look very far with Earl P Apfelbaum's first auction of the new year taking place in the first week of January.

Their latest Public Auction offering of 5,537 lots will be scheduled for 2 sessions. The first session, held Tuesday, January 4th, consists of 2,600 lots of United States singles & collections including Back-of-the-Book and Possessions.

The second session will be on Wednesday, January 5th. This session offers all Great Britain & British Commonwealth singles & collections and General Foreign complete including collections & accumulations. This session has 2,937 lots.

Apollo 10 signed cover
Apollo 10 signed cover

As is sometimes the case, the auction contains some lots which are likely to appeal at least as much to collectors from other fields as from stamp collecting. Three commemorative covers in particular might interest many fans of early aviation and space exploration in the early stages of the auction:

Firstly, there is a commemorative cover for the 25th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers' flight cancelled at Kitty Hawk signed by Orville Wright. In extremely fine condition, it is likely to sell for $1,000.

Space collectors will be more excited to see a triple-signed Apollo 10 cacheted cover, autographed by Thomas Stafford, John Young and Gene Cernan. That might achieve $1,400.

There is even a set of three Apollo 11 Crew Space City cacheted covers, one for each and autographed by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.

Whilst some of the individual stamp lots are certainly worthy of a good collection, such as an 1845-46 5c Black New York with its original gum, which might bring $1,500, the most interesting lot might be a collection of stamps from the People's Republic of China.

This offers a huge stock of material, going from 1980 to 2008 in nine cartons. Included are mint singles, multiples, souvenir sheets, unexploded booklets and First Day Covers (cacheted and unaddressed), maximum cards, Post Office packs, Year Sets and much more.

The lot is expected to bring around $10,000-12,000. Buying large collections of slightly lower-grade stamps is not always as good an investment as one or two in perfect condition, but it does allow for lucky finds, or expert finds if you fancy yourself to be an expert philatelist.

In any case, the market for Chinese stamps, especially from the People's Republic, is so strong that there is a good chance that the lot will sell and be re-sold for considerably more than that estimate - already bids have reach $8,500. Watch this space for results of the sale, which takes place online until January 4-5.

$29,000 'sepcimen' stars in Robert A Seigel's final stamps sale of 2010

From War Department errors to a cover that survived a siege, this sale included many rare issues

Rarities from the War Department were the stars of Robert A. Seigel's final stamp auction of 2010, to cap a fine year for the company.

Their sale of 'Specialized US Collections, Air Post, Foreign Stamps & Covers' featured a number of important single owner collections such as the Dr. David H. Lobdell Collections of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Issue and War Department Officials.

And it was a War Department stamp that took the top spot for the highest price of the auction. The extremely rare 12-cent War Department issue with a "sepcimen" overprint error was described as the only recorded example of its kind.

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The 12c and 15c War Department issue overprint errors

And its rarity and high quality meant it more than doubled its pre-sale estimate of $13,500, eventually selling for $29,000.

The next highest lots were a similar 90c War Department issue with the same overprint error which sold for $24,000, and the 15c and 24c issues (again with the overprint) that each sold for $23,000.

The other notable lot was a "phenomenal postal history rarity": a postal cover sent from Switzerland to Paris just days before the siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War in September 1870. It was held in Paris during the siege, then forwarded to Belgium by Ballon Monte then forwarded yet again to England.

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The postal cover sent held during the siege of Paris in
1870, which sold for $19,500

The remarkable cover had an estimated value of $7,500 - $10,000 but its uniqueness led to a winning bid of an impressive $19,500.

The sale featured a number of investment-grade stamps, and although the auction was relatively modest compared to their recent high-profile events it attracted a solid crowd of international collectors and investors.

With the company now preparing for 2011, philatelists can look ahead to a year in which the stamp market is set to go from strength to strength.

Chinese stamp markets are going strong as sale doubles $86,900 estimate

It starred a 1968 Chinese stamp, which doubled its estimate despite being described as 'repaired'

The latest Stanley Gibbons Public Auction, held in London on December 17, showed that Asian material is once again proving to be very popular with bidders. The China section in particular more than doubled its lower pre-auction estimate of just over £56,000 ($86,921).

According to Stanley Gibbons, room bidders were competing against determined telephone bidders and a strong log book, which resulted in the 1962 Stage Art of Mei Lan-fang 3y miniature sheet (SG MS2044a) realising £12,650.

Meanwhile, the highest realisation was scored by the 1968 The Whole Country is Red 8f. The piece sold for £31,050 ($48,195), even though it was described as having been repaired, re-gummed and with tone spots.


This 1968 The Whole Country is Red 8f doubled its estimate in London

Another, better quality version of the once controversial stamp previously sold for a World Record price of HK$3.68m (US$475,000) in November 2009.

Collections of China were also keenly contested with one lot comprising a general collection in three volumes from 1949 to mid 1980s. It brought £20,70, while what was described as an "interesting accumulation of Postal History loose in carton" reached £13,800.

Hong Kong continued the trend with a complete sheet of Trengganu 1942 $5 green and red/yellow (SG J115) stamps realising £10,925.

The Penny Black has proved popular among Chinese collectors with Stanley Gibbons selling out of stock at an event in Beijing in November.


With demand for the stamp 100 times the normal market size and collectors prepared to pay well over the catalogue value, prices for this relic of British will surely increase in the future. "Buyers of the 1d black at this month's auction may well have secured themselves a great deal if the trend continues," said a statement from Stanley Gibbons.

All above quoted prices include buyers premium at 15%.

One of 'Four Treasures of the Republic' stamp brings $240,000

One of greatest rarities of 20th Century Chinese philately starred alongside an Inverted Jenny in NY

Cherrystone's December 16 stamps auction boasted America's most famous stamp, the Inverted Jenny (sold for $300,000). But if that isn't impressive enough, how about a stamp described as the foremost of the "Four Treasures of the Republic"?

Also regarded as of the greatest rarities of 20th Century philately, this '1925 surcharge in red on second Peking printing 3 Cts on 4c slate-gray' from the People's Republic of China was another big lot in the New York auction.

Only 10 examples of this error - or misprinted stamp - were reportedly discovered in 1925; seven unused and three used (two in Shanghai, one in Peking). It is generally held that no further examples have survived.


The 1925 surcharge in red on second Peking printing 3 Cts on 4c slate-gray

Although this stamp was one of the used examples, it was nevertheless a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire what might be the only available used error on the market. The piece sold with expectation, after a defective unused copy previously brought HK$1,800,000 ($231,456, including buyer's premium).

In the end, the used specimen sold for even more. It fell just short of its higher $250,000 pre-sale estimate, though sold for well in excess of its €160,000 catalogue price, bringing $240,000.

24 karat gold coin honouring explorers Lewis & Clark leads January sale

One of just 300 minted, the piece bearing images of the pioneers goes under the hammer in Kansas

Woody Auction will ring in 2011 with a blockbusting multi-estate sale on Saturday, January 22. It will be an absolute auction (everything sells regardless of price) held in the 4H Hall of the Sedgwick County Extension Center in Wichita. Sold will be gold and silver coins, Lowell Davis figurines, R.S. Prussia and more. The auction will begin at 9.30am (CST).

Absolute auctions are always interesting opportunities for investors to look out for collectibles selling below their real value.

Headlining the event will be the estates of Gloria Gugel of Kansas (who collected items in all the categories listed above) and Russell Cunningham of Nebraska, who specialized in rare and collectible R.S. Prussia pieces. Other merchandise will also be sold. The Sedgwick County Extension Center is located at 7001 West 21st Street, at the corner of 21st Street and Ridge Road.

Gold and silver coins are expected to generate tremendous bidder interest, as the values of these metals continue to climb in a fragile and volatile economy. An example lot is a 2003 proof gold coin called Natura the Lion, one of only 200 minted from the Lion Park series. The coin is one ounce of 0.999 per cent pure solid gold and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Other gold coins will include a proof 2001 2-oz. Gold Kangaroo coin, consisting of 62.265 grams of 0.999 per cent pure gold, one of a limited release of 300 minted, featuring Queen Elizabeth on the obverse and kangaroos on the reverse; and a 3-oz. gold coin tribute to the Lewis & Clark expedition, the world's first 3-oz. 0.999 per cent proof gold coin, one of only 300 minted.

Lewis and Clark gold coin
Lewis and Clark gold coin

Silver coins will include a proof 2-kilo Moby Dick silver coin minted in 2001 and with a $500 face value, 0.999 percent fine silver and with an effigy of Queen Elizabeth on the obverse and Moby Dick on the reverse, one of just 600 made; and a set of six uncirculated Carson City Morgan silver dollars (dated 1880-1885), graded MS-65 and with a certificate of authenticity.

Lowell Davis (sometimes referred to as "the Norman Rockwell of rural art") lives on a farm in southwestern Missouri. His creations - centering on farm life and farm animals - include paintings and prints, figurines, bronzes and storybooks. His art appeals to collectors because it recalls a simpler, slower time. Also, his sense of humor shows through in his porcelain figurines.

Mr. Davis made his creations never thinking they would garner broad mass appeal, but he was wrong. Today, Lowell Davis figurines are highly prized among collectors. Two limited edition figural groups in the Woody Auction sale are titled Christmas at Red Oak and From a Friend to a Friend. The latter group is large. Other works by Mr. Davis will also cross the block.

Reinhold Schlegelmilch produced R.S. Prussia porcelain at his factory in Suhl, Germany, from the late 1800s through the beginning of World War I. Pieces bearing an "R.S. Prussia" mark in red lettering, surrounded by a green wreath, were made at the turn of the last century. This "red mark" is the most popular and recognized by collectors of R.S. Prussia porcelain.

Many wonderful pieces of R.S. Prussia - from the lifetime collections of both Gloria Gugel and Russell Cunningham - will be sold January 22. Examples include a rare 14-inch Mold 556 tankard, satin with a fall season portrait décor and in outstanding condition; and a 15-inch Carnation Mold centerpiece bowl, cobalt blue with floral décor and great gold stencil highlights.

Other R.S. Prussia pieces include a hard to find 8 1/2 inch plate with brown tones and ostrich scenic dcor; a high-quality 9 1/2-inch tankard with peach and yellow coloring with fall season portrait dcor; and a Carnation Mold serving set comprising a chocolate pot, creamer and sugar, four cups and six saucers, unmarked, in an outstanding cobalt blue with gold highlights.

Still more R.S. Prussia will include an 11 3/4-inch two-handled vase with iridescent bronze Tiffany background, gold highlights and fall season dcor; an 11 3/4-inch Mold 342 two-handled cake plate in cream with lavender tones, a gold tapestry center and fruit and wine glass décor; and a 10 1/2-inch unique mold bowl with a pink poppy dcor and cobalt blue tulip highlights.

Collectors compete for $75,000 wad of cash in January coins auction

One-hundred early Federal Reserve banknotes are up for sale - and could bring more than $75,000

We've already reported on the inclusion of the 'first ever' example of a 1882 Gold banknote, estimated at $500,000 in Heritage's upcoming January 6-10 Florida coins sale.

But another exciting offering is quite rare and seldom ever seen within the currency collecting community: a pack of 100 low serial numbered Fr. 1922-K $1 1995 Federal Reserve Notes.

The banknotes are serial numbered 1-100 and their quality, says Heritage's experts, is "Superb Gem Crisp Uncirculated".

According to Heritage: "this first replacement pack is wonderfully margined and near perfect, containing the serial number one through one hundred stars for this mid-1990's Dallas issue."


The pack of low serialled Federal Reserve Notes

Regular issue serial number 1 packs of $1 Feds routinely fetch in the area of $35,000. This pack is optimistically estimated at $50,000-75,000.

However, "any estimate for this number 1 star pack is simply a guess," says the lot description. "This afternoon our bidders will decide its ultimate value."

The guesswork will end when the sale takes place in Tampa, next month. Watch this space for more news on Heritage's event.

'First example' of the 1882 Gold banknote sells with $500,000 estimate

Limited to just 14,000, this note, appearing for sale for only the second time, is the star at Heritage

Heritage Auctions, the official auctioneer of the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Show, will present a substantial number of rare and exceptional notes as part of its Signature Currency Auction.

The sale is being held on January 6-10 in Tampa, Florida.

A total of 5,970 lots will be offered in four floor sessions that will take place between January 6-8 and two online-only sessions that will take place January 9-10 in Dallas.

The Auction is anchored by The Menlo Park Collection, The Dr Larry Miller Collection, The Dee Panda Collection, The R.J. Bradley Collection, The Nicholas J. Buyer Collection and The Everglades Collection of Florida National Bank Notes.

Among the sale's highlights is a Serial Number One Fr. 1175 $20 1882 Gold Certificate PMG Choice Fine 15 that carries an estimate of $400,000 to $500,000.


The Serial Number One Fr. 1175 $20 1882 Gold Certificate note

The first 1882 Gold Certificates were printed with the Bruce-Gilfillan signature and countersigned in pen by Thomas C. Acton, the Assistant Treasurer in New York. As the demand for Gold Certificates increased, the plates were changed to include the engraved signature of Acton.

The change occurred quickly, resulting in a paltry issuance of only 14,000 notes with the pen signed countersignature. If history serves as a guide, the lowest denominations of a particular series are usually issued first.

Since no $10 Gold Certificates were printed for Series 1882 and since this piece boasts Serial Number One, one could make a good argument that this is indeed the first example of the 1882 Golds to be issued.

This specimen appeared at public auction for the first time last year. Though one other surviving example is recorded in the census, it has yet to make an auction appearance.

"This brightly colored note still possesses all the eye appeal of a full VF" according to Heritage's lot notes, and will be an unmissable inclusion in its January sale.

International Cat Show 2011 postage stamp by Monaco

Monaco Post is issuing a stamp dedicated to the 4th International Cat Show organised by the Monaco Feline Association. It will take place on January 29 and 30, 2011 at the Rainier III Auditorium. Over 400 outstanding cats and a wide variety of different breeds will be on show.

The cat on the stamp is an Egyptian Mau.