New Registry at NGC for Early U.S. Gold Coins Announced By Tom
Pilitowski on Friday, March 5, 2010
The
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) has announced the addition
of a new section to its registry for Early U.S. Gold Coins.
Noted as a pedigree collection and officially named American
Independence, it will include Gold Quarter Eagles,
Gold Eagles and Gold Half Eagles. It is the first time a new
section has been added to the registry in years.
With this new designation, collectors will now be able to
register and display photos of their early U.S. gold coins,
interact with other collectors, and compete for awards and
recognition.
The NGC is the largest coin registry of its kind, widely
recognized as the definitive showcase of the world’s
most valuable and important coins.
According
to Scott Schechter, NGC Vice President, Sales & Marketing,
“The newly-created early gold sets in the NGC Registry
are definitely among the most difficult to complete. To attempt
them is to undertake a long and serious pursuit. This underscores
the achievement of the American Independence collection, which
consists of high-grade and attractive examples of these challenging
coins. As it continues to grow, it should be a milestone Registry
collection.”
Tom Pilitowski is currently the exclusive representative
of the American Independence collection and owner of U.S.
Rare Coin Investments in Port Charlotte, Florida. “This
new pedigree of Early U.S. Gold now makes these coins eligible
for NGC grading and authentication,” Pilitowski said.
“More importantly, it will bring attention to the historical
significance of U.S. gold coins that date back to this country’s
founding.”
Pilitowski is an expert on early U.S. gold coins and has
formed many collections, ranging from an extremely rare 1795
9 Leave Eagle in MS-61 in what has been known as the Denver
Collection to several sets of Early Half Eagles.
“American Independence is proving to be a high-quality
collection that contains some of the most valuable early U.S.
gold and silver rarities that were struck at the Philadelphia
mint. It also includes Colonial coins that circulated in the
13 colonies at a much earlier time,” Pilitowski explained.
“These coins are true Americana.”
Pilitowski has spent more than a year acquiring the coins
for the collection from a full array of sources, ranging from
private collectors to major auctions across the U.S.
Among his finds are a 1795 Half Eagle, a 1795 Eagle, a 1796
Eagle and a 1795 $10 Eagle gold piece minted when George Washington
was still president. Eagles and half Eagles were designed
by Chief Engraver Robert Scot and feature the national bird
on one side and a woman wearing a cloth cap with the legend
LIBERTY on the other. The woman is rumored to be Martha Washington,
although that theory has never been confirmed. Nonetheless,
Eagles represent the first time in U.S. history when a female
was pictured on coins.
One of the most valuable pieces of the American Independence
collection is a Massachusetts Pine Tree Schilling from 1652.
It is from the pre-Federal era before the government mint
was established when the U.S. colonies produced their own
money.
According to Pilitowski, the coins currently in the collection
are in a high state of preservation, almost uncirculated to
uncirculated grades, making them all the more valuable.
“American Independence is an important collection that
will take years to build and ultimately be worth millions
of dollars,” Pilitowski said. “It will create
exposure and recognition for early American gold coinage,
a very special time in our county’s numismatic history.”
About U.S. Rare Coin Investments:
U.S. Rare Coin Investments is a high-end rare coin and gold
coin dealer, working with seasoned collectors, dealers, as
well as new investors. Established in 1979, the company is
led by professional numismatist Tom Pilitowski, who has an
excellent reputation based on his knowledge of numismatics
and his widespread connections within the trade as well as
with thousands of collectors. For more information, visit
the U.S. Rare Coin Investments website at www.USRareCoinInvestments.com
or call 1-941-291-2156.