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'King of American Coins' is found in 'grandpa's closet' after 70 years and is set to fetch $5 million
By Alexa Cimino
Daily Mail, London
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Where James A. Stack Sr. acquired it is a mystery that may never be solved, but for more than 70 years, one of the rarest coins in American history sat quietly in his family's collection.
Stack, a prominent New York banker and one of the most discerning coin collectors of the 20th century, began building his collection in the late 1930s with a bold goal: to assemble the most complete and highest-quality cabinet of U.S. coins possible.
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He pored over landmark sales, forged relationships with top dealers, and handpicked pieces not just for rarity but for their pristine condition and impeccable provenance.
By the time of his death in 1951, Stack's holdings spanned everything from early American copper to spectacular gold issues, along with rarities in U.S. paper money, ancient coins, and world currency.
His collection included some of the greatest trophies in American numismatics -- an 1802 half dime, an 1894-S dime, an 1838-O half dollar, the 1815 half eagle, and the finest known 1870-S silver dollar.
Even the notorious 1933 double eagle once sat in his albums before being surrendered to the Secret Service, leaving behind only his wry note: "Secret Service has mine."
One of his most elusive prizes -- an 1804 silver dollar known as the "King of American Coins" -- has remained hidden since the 1940s. Just 16 examples are known to exist, and this one is considered the finest of the so-called "Class III" type in private hands.
It will be seen publicly for the first time next week at the American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money in Oklahoma City before going under the hammer on December 9, where it's expected to fetch up to $5 million. ...
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