WEBSTER | Coins Baltimore convention to show 1804 dollar

Two of the most storied coins in American numismatic history will be on display from July 30 to Aug. 3 when the American Numismatic Association holds its annual convention in Baltimore.
One of them, an 1804 dollar, will be sold in the Bowers and Merena Galleries auction held over the first four days of the convention.
The 1913 Liberty Head nickel may capture even more interest. Only five of the coins are known to exist, and four will be on exhibit during the event.
Two of the nickels have been lent by private collectors. The third is part of the National Collection at the Smithsonian. The fourth is from the numismatic association's Money Museum. The fifth coin, identified through a report of the association's 1920 convention, has been missing for decades.
None of the nickels is for sale.
Dealer Paul Montgomery won national attention last month when he advertised that he would pay $1 million for the fifth nickel. It hasn't surfaced.
At the 1920 convention, former mint worker Samuel Brown arrived at the convention with all five nickels. He had earlier advertised an offer of $500 for any 1913 nickel.
Many believe Brown struck the coins himself and spirited them out of the mint. The full story is yet to be revealed. At any rate, four of these coins will be displayed.
The 1804 dollar was bought in 2001 for $874,000. Dealer Don Kagin owns it.
It had previously been part of the collection of Amon Carter. There are 15 1804 dollars, and their sale price in recent years has been near the $1 million mark.
Biblical art coin
The Tower of Babel is the subject of the seventh coin in Israel's Biblical Art series. With awareness of Middle Eastern events and places on the increase, this coin, with its reference to Babylon, seems unusually relevant. Designed by Moshe Pereg, the coin's reverse views from above Biblical texts seeming to form the tower. The obverse uses the words of the story as the form of the tower.
The coin is being struck in gold and silver. The 10-shekel gold proof, in .917 fine gold, sells for $472. The 2-shekel silver proof sells for $43; the proof-like 1-shekel coin, $26.
A complete set costs $529, and the two silver coins in a set are $65. A $7 shipping fee is added. Queries go to Distinctive Giftware, Box 5566, Englewood, N.J. 07631, or (866) 477-2278.
The Internet address is www.isragift.co.il.
XDaniel Webster is a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer.