The more than a dozen relatively small, specialized firms that had sales in June included Rago Auctions in New Jersey, with offerings spanning a variety of interests and prices.

A common element uniting several of the sales was sculptor James Earle Fraser (1875 to 1953), designer of the Indian Head 5-cent piece in 1913, who also created many other beautiful objects including a medal honoring Theodore Roosevelt and a plaster for an unused but attractive cent design, both also found in the June auctions.

Rago’s June 9 Coins and Collectibles auction offered seven of Fraser’s popular 5-cent pieces, one being a 1937-D Indian Head, Three-Legged Bison 5-cent coin.

The coin:

1937-D Indian Head, Three-Legged Bison 5-cent coin, NGC AU-55

The price:

$1,200

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The story:

Leading Rago’s June 9 Coins and Collectibles auction in New Jersey was a handwritten letter dated Dec. 16, 1793, signed by Treasurer Alexander Hamilton in his capacity as “The President and Director of the Bank of the U.S.” that brought $31,250. Rago’s numismatic director Chris Wise said that the letter, from an anonymous consignor, had heavy interest and surpassed its estimate of $7,000 to $9,000. 

More approachable was the lot featuring the 1937-D Indian Head, Three-Legged Bison 5-cent coin, graded About Uncirculated 55 by Numismatic Guaranty Corp., that brought $1,200.

The reverse die was polished overzealously at the U.S. Mint, and this polishing removed the front leg of the bison on the reverse (although the hoof remained.) The popular variety is widely collected by series specialists and nonspecialists alike.

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