TEHACHAPI, Calif., Dec. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On Jan. 1, California-based Government Auction will host its seventh annual New Year's sale, featuring rare gold coins, fine jewelry and gems; art and antique music machines. More than $2M in merchandise will be sold to the highest bidder in the absentee, phone and Internet auction, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com.
The company traditionally reserves for its New Year's sale only the best and most valuable items in its inventory. "Collectors love it because most of the lots start with an opening bid of only one or two dollars," said Chris Budge, of Government Auction's Marketing department.
A strong candidate for top entry in the 2,000-lot sale is a 1795 "13-leaves" $10 gold eagle coin. Fewer than 5,100 gold eagle coins were minted in 1795, and only 400-500 examples of the 13-leaves variation are known to exist. These coins hold strong interest with collectors because they were the first U.S. gold eagle coins to be stamped. Designed by Robert Scott, each weighs 17.5 grams and has 91.7% gold content. The coin in Government Auction's sale is graded NGC AU by Numismatic Guaranty Corp. Estimate: $123,000-$246,000.
Additional coin highlights include an 1882-CC $20 Liberty Head coin, estimate $37,500-$75,000; and a 901-S Barber 25-cent coin, estimate $70,500-$141,000.
Several exquisite necklaces will be auctioned. A design in 18K yellow and white gold features 35 emeralds with a total weight of 19.02 carats, and 288 diamonds weighing 7.20 carats. The Gemological Laboratory of America has valued the necklace at $86,419. Estimate: $43,000-$86,000.
An 18K yellow gold necklace with 36.15 carats of genuine Ceylon cabochon sapphires and 3.5 carats of diamonds could make $32,000-$64,000; while a striking 7.90-carat cabochon ruby pendant-style 14K gold necklace with diamonds is estimated at $18,000-$36,000. Yet another select offering is the 2,281.35-carat faceted emerald gemstone, described as having a "dark tone with strong, vivid saturation." Estimate: $80,000.
Additional highlights include: a 19th-century John Lewis Brown signed equine and canine painting, 1940s Rock-Ola jukebox, rare Polyphon music box, Regina upright music box with 15 discs, and Caille upright 5-cent slot machine. A custom-matted and framed collage of autographs, images and collector sports cards representing all of the athletes known as the "NBA 60 Greatest Players" is estimated at $14,997-$29,994.
Contact: 661-823-1543, www.governmentauction.com
SOURCE Government Auction
