Every once in a great while, the numismatic world is treated to the sale of a landmark coin collection – one featuring magnificent seven-figure rarities with the gravitas to command headlines in the general media and across the hobby. The appearance of the James A. Stack, Sr., Collection is one such occasion. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to present this cabinet of over 200 resplendent coins, boasting rarities that have been off the market since at least the time of Stack’s passing in 1951.
Stack was unrelated to but shared a last name with his friends Joseph B. and Morton Stack, who were founders of Stack’s Rare Coins. However, the impassioned collector built a numismatic legacy that became intertwined with the preeminent coin firm. James A. Stack stipulated that his coin collection was to be divided among his three children. He further instructed that the collection must remain intact and later be passed down to his grandchildren after the youngest (at the time of Stack’s passing) turned 25 years old.
Eventually, the first coins from the collection emerged for the Stack’s March 1975 auction, with later major offerings in 1989, 1990, 1994, and 1995, among other auctions. These sales provided a glimpse into just how complete Stack’s collection was, suggesting that had the collection been sold in a single offering it might have gone down as the greatest numismatic auction of the 20th century.
As the numismatic fates dictated, Stack’s Bowers Galleries continues a numismatic tradition that began half a century ago in 1975 with the next chapter for the storied James A. Stack, Sr., Collection. Crossing the block are coins valued at a cumulative $20 million and that entail several rarities individually worth more than $1 million.
Among the sensational trophies included in this sale, to be held across two offerings in December 2025 and February 2026, is a previously unpublished example of the legendary 1804 Class III Draped Bust Dollar (PCGS Proof-65) known as “The King of American Coins.” Other spectacular offerings are the 1795 Three Leaves Flowing Hair Dollar (PCGS MS64) and 1859 Liberty Head Double Eagle (PCGS PR64DCAM).
In keeping with the quality and rarity of the James A. Stack, Sr., Collection coins auctioned in the 1970s through 1990s, this selection of coins includes a multitude of finest-known specimens as well as many pieces that have never before been documented. There are also some returning favorites, such as a PCGS AU53 1798 Small Eagle Half Eagle that last sold in a 1946 B. Max Mehl auction. Rounding out the collection are more than two dozen Territorial gold pieces with provenances dating back more than a century.
“The James A. Stack, Sr., name has long been well regarded at Stack’s and among those in the hobby who were around for the original auctions decades ago,” commented Vicken Yegparian, executive vice president at Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “I’m ecstatic that current generations will get a taste of the greatness of the James A. Stack, Sr. Collection. As if an 1804 Class III silver dollar that had evaded detection by several generations of the best researchers was not enough, there is also a stellar array of expectation-busting coins behind it. This tranche of coins from the Stack Collection shows that there are still ground-breaking discoveries to be made in numismatics.”
Further details of this historic sale will be shared with the public in the coming weeks. For more information, please visit www.stacksbowers.com and follow Stack’s Bowers Galleries social media and e-blasts.