1. Auction Basics. This is a public auction sale (“Auction Sale”) conducted by bonded auctioneers, Stack’s Bowers Galleries or Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio( herein after referred to as “Auctioneer” and at times as “Stack’s Bowers”). Bidding in this Auction Sale constitutes acceptance by you (“Bidder”) of all the Terms of Sale stated herein. Bidders may include consignors who may bid and purchase lots in the Auction Sale consigned by the consignor or by other consignors pursuant to their consignment agreement with Stack’s Bowers (“Consignor” or “Consignors”). A Consignor that bids on their own lots in the Auction Sale may pay a different fee than the Buyer’s Premium charged to all other Buyers. Stack’s Bowers reserves the right to include in any auction sale its own material as well as material from affiliated or related companies, principals, officers or employees. Stack’s Bowers may have direct or indirect interests in any of the lots in the auction and may collect commissions. THE TWO PRECEEDING SENTENCES SHALL BE DEEMED A PART OF THE DESCRIPTION OF ALL LOTS CONTAINED IN THE CATALOG. Where the Consignor has repurchased a lot and the lot is either returned to the Consignor or otherwise dealt with or disposed of in accordance with the Consignor’s direction, or pursuant to contractual agreement, Stack’s Bowers reserves the right to so note in the prices realized or to omit a price from the prices realized. Stack’s Bowers and its affiliates may bid for their own account at any auction. Stack’s Bowers and its affiliates may have information about any lot that is not known publicly, and Stack’s Bowers and its affiliates reserves the right to use such information, in a manner determined solely by them and for their benefit, without disclosing such information in the catalog, catalog description or at the auction. Bidder acknowledges and agrees that Stack’s Bowers and its affiliates may not be required to pay a Buyer’s Premium, or other charges that other Bidders may be required to pay and may have access to information concerning the lots that is not otherwise available to the public. Any claimed conflict of interest or claimed competitive advantage resulting there from is expressly waived by all participants in the Auction Sale. Lots may carry a Reserve. A Reserve is a confidential price or bid below which the Auctioneer will not sell an item or will re-purchase on behalf of the Consignor or for Stack’s Bowers. The Buyer is the Bidder who makes the highest bid accepted by the Auctioneer, and includes the principal of any Bidder acting as an agent.
2. Descriptions and Grading. Bidder acknowledges that grading of most coins and currency in this Auction have been determined by independent grading services, and those that are not may be graded by Stack’s Bowers. Grading of rare coins and currency is subjective and may differ among independent grading services and among numismatists, even though grading has a material effect on the value of the coins and currency. Stack’s Bowers is not responsible for the grades assigned by independent grading services, and makes no warranty or representation regarding such grades. Bidder further acknowledges and agrees that grades assigned by Stack’s Bowers and lot descriptions are based solely upon an examination of the coins or currency and are intended to note any perceived characteristics. However, grading and descriptions are subjective. Stack’s Bowers does not warrant the accuracy of such grading or descriptions. All photographs in this catalog are of the actual items being sold but may not be the actual size or to scale, and are the copyright of Stack’s Bowers.
3. The Bidding Process. The Auctioneer shall have the right to open or accept the bidding on any lot by placing a bid on behalf of the Consignor or his or her agent, a Bidder by mail, telephone, internet or telefax; or any other participant in the Auction Sale. All bids must be placed and executed in United States Dollars. Bids must be for an entire lot and each lot constitutes a separate sale. No lot will be broken up unless otherwise permitted by the Auctioneer. Lots will be sold in their numbered sequence unless Auctioneer directs otherwise. All material shall be sold in separate lots to the highest Bidder as determined by the Auctioneer. Auctioneer shall have the right in its sole and absolute discretion to accept or decline any bid, challenge any bid or bidding increment, to reduce any mail bid received, adjudicate all bidding disputes and to determine the prevailing bid. The Auctioneer shall have the right, but not the obligation, to rescind the acceptance of any bid and place the lot(s) for Auction Sale again. Auctioneer’s decision on all bidding disputes shall be binding and final. For the mail and internet Bidder’s protection, no “unlimited” or “buy” bids will be accepted. When identical bids are received for a lot, preference is given to the first bid received as determined by the Auctioneer. A mail bid will take precedence over an identical floor bid; a Floor Bidder and Telephone Bidder must bid higher than the highest mail bid to be awarded any lot. Bids will not be accepted from persons under eighteen (18) years of age without a parent’s prior written consent which acknowledges the Terms of Sale herein and agrees to be bound thereby on behalf of the underage Bidder. The auction sale of a lot is complete when the Auctioneer so announces by the fall of the hammer or in any other customary manner. THIS IS NOT AN APPROVAL SALE. Bidders who physically attend the Auction Sale, either personally or through an agent (“Floor Bidders”) should carefully examine all lots which they are interested in purchasing. Bidders who bid by telephone, either personally or through an agent, receive a similar benefit as Floor Bidders in being able to actively participate in the live Auction Sale (“Telephone Bidders”). Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Terms of Sale, NO PURCHASED ITEMS MAY BE RETURNED FOR ANY REASON. All prospective Bidders who examine the lot(s) prior to the Auction Sale personally assume all responsibility for any damage that Bidder causes to the lot(s). Stack’s Bowers shall have sole discretion in determining the value of the damage caused, which shall be promptly paid by such Bidder. STACK’S BOWERS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN BIDDING. All Bidders should make certain to bid on the correct lot and that the bid is the bid intended. Once the hammer has fallen and the Auctioneer has announced the Buyer, the Buyer is unconditionally bound to pay for the lot, even if the Buyer made a mistake. Stack’s Bowers reserves the right to withdraw any lot at any time, even after the hammer has fallen, until the Buyer has taken physical possession of the lot. No participant in the Auction Sale shall have a right to claim any damages, including consequential damages if a lot is withdrawn, even if the withdrawal occurs after the Auction Sale.
4. Bidder Registration Required. All persons seeking to bid must register to bid at the auction or on-line via the internet by completing and signing a registration card or bid sheet. By submitting a bid, the Bidder acknowledges that Bidder has read the Terms and Conditions of Auction Sale, the descriptions for the lot(s) on which they have bid, and that they agree to be bound by these Terms of Sale. This agreement shall be deemed to have been made and entered in California. The Bidder acknowledges that the invoice describing a lot by number incorporates the catalog and Terms of Sale.
5. Buyer’s Premiums. A Buyer’s Premium of nineteen and one half percent (19.5%) on each individual lot will be added to all purchases made by Bidders, except for reacquisitions by Consignors, regardless of affiliation with any group or organization, and will be based upon the total amount of the final accepted bid. A reacquisition charge may apply to Consignors pursuant to a separate agreement, which may be higher or lower than the Buyer’s Premium. Payment is due immediately upon the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer. Payment is delinquent and in default if not received in full, in good funds, within fourteen (14) calendar days of the Auction Sale (the “Default Date”), without exception, time being of the essence. Unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to the Auction Sale, all auction sales are payable strictly in immediately available good U.S. funds, through a bank in the United States. On any cash transaction or series of transactions exceeding $10,000, Treasury Form 8300 will be filed, when required in accordance with applicable law. Contact Stack’s Bowers for wiring instructions before sending a wire. We accept payment by cash or “cash equivalent” (“cash equivalent” is defined to include cashier’s check or money order, approved check, wire transfer or other immediate bank transfer). U.S. Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars or Chinese Renminbi are accepted as cash payments. All invoices will be made in United States Dollars. If paying in Hong Kong Dollars or Chinese Renminbi, Buyer’s invoices will be credited with the amount of U.S. Dollars received from Auctioneer’s bank. Credit cards will not be accepted for this Auction Sale. Stack’s Bowers reserves the right not to release lots for which good funds have not yet been received. On any past due accounts, Stack’s Bowers reserves the right, without notice, to extend credit and impose carrying charges (as described below). Buyers agree to pay reasonable attorney’s fees and cost incurred to collect past due accounts. Buyers personally and unconditionally guarantee payment in full of all amounts owed to Stack’s Bowers. Any person submitting bids on behalf of a corporation or other entity, by making such bid, agrees to be personally liable for the payment of the purchase price and any related charges and the performance of all Buyer obligations under these Terms of Sale and Stack’s Bowers reserves the right to require a written guarantee of such payments and obligations. Bidders who have not established credit with Stack’s Bowers must furnish satisfactory credit references and/or deposit at least twenty-five percent (25%) of their total bids for that Auction Sale session(s) or such other amount as Stack’s Bowers may, in its sole and absolute discretion require before any bids from such Bidder will be accepted. Deposits submitted will be applied to purchases. Any remaining deposits will be promptly refunded, upon clearance of funds. It is the Buyer’s responsibility to contact Stack’s Bowers after the sale to make shipping and packaging arrangements. Due to the fragile nature of some lots, Stack’s Bowers may elect not to assume responsibility for shipping or packing, or may charge additional shipping and handling. Lots indicated as being “framed” are shipped at Buyer’s risk. All taxes, postage, shipping, if applicable, handling, insurance costs, the Buyer’s Premium, and any other fees required by law to be charged or collected will be added to the invoice for any lots invoiced to Buyer. All lots will be shipped FOB Destination, freight prepaid and charged back. Title and risk of loss pass to the Buyer at the destination upon tender of delivery. Acceptance of delivery constitutes acceptance of the purchased lots. Inspection of the purchased lots is not required for acceptance. Any and all claims based upon Buyer’s failure to receive a purchased lot, Buyer’s receipt of a lot in damaged condition, or otherwise related to delivery, must be received in writing by Stack’s Bowers no later than the earlier of forty-five (45) days after payment, or the date of the Auction Sale (the “Outside Claim Date”). As Buyers may not receive notification of shipment, it is Buyer’s responsibility to keep track of the Outside Claim Date and make timely notification of any such claim. The failure to make a timely claim, time being of the essence, shall constitute a waiver of any such claim. Buyers will be charged all applicable sales tax, including applicable Hong Kong sales tax or applicable state sales tax, as the case may be, subject to statutory exemptions and procedures. Buyers who pick up in California and New York or shipments to Buyers in California and New York without a valid Resale Certificate which has been provided to the Auctioneer prior to the auction will be charged all applicable sales tax. Please note that the purchase of any coin or bullion lot(s) with a price, including the Buyer’s Premium, in excess of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500) are exempt from California sales tax. These exemptions do not apply purchases of currency. On any tax not paid by Buyer that should have been paid, even if not collected by Stack’s Bowers by mistake, error, negligence or gross negligence, Buyer remains liable for and agrees to promptly pay the same on demand together with any interest or penalty that may be assessed.
6. Financial Responsibility. In the event any applicable conditions of these Terms of Sale herein are not complied with by a Buyer or if the Buyer fails to make payment in full by the Default Date, Stack’s Bowers reserves the right, in its sole discretion, in addition to all other remedies which it may have at law or in equity, to: (a) rescind the sale of that lot or any other lot or lots sold to the defaulting Buyer, retaining all payments made by Buyer as liquidated damages, it being recognized that actual damages may be speculative or difficult to compute, or (b) resell a portion or all of the lots held by Stack’s Bowers, in a commercially reasonable manner, which may include a public or private sale, in a quantity sufficient in the opinion of Stack’s Bowers to satisfy the indebtedness, plus all accrued charges, and Stack’s Bowers may charge a seller’s commission that is commercially reasonable. More than one such sale may take place at the option of Stack’s Bowers. If Stack’s Bowers resells the lots, Buyer agrees to pay for the reasonable cost of such sale, together with any incidental costs of sale, including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, cataloguing and any other reasonable charges. Notice of the sale shall be by recognized overnight courier service, or by U.S.P.S. Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested to the address utilized on the Bid Sheet, Auction Consignment and Security Agreement or other last known address by Stack’s Bowers. The proceeds shall be applied first to the satisfaction of any damages occasioned by Buyer’s breach, then to any other indebtedness owed to Stack’s Bowers, including without limitation, commissions, handling charges, carrying charges, the expenses of both sales, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, collection agency fees and costs and any other costs or expenses incurred. Buyer shall also be liable to Stack’s Bowers for any deficiency if the proceeds of such sale or sales are insufficient to cover such amounts. Buyer grants to Stack’s Bowers, its affiliates and assignees, the right to offset any sums due, or found to be due to Stack’s Bowers, and to make such offset from any past, current, or future consignment, or purchases that are in the possession or control of Stack’s Bowers; or from any sums due to Buyer by Stack’s Bowers, its affiliates and assignees. In addition, defaulting Buyers will be deemed to have granted to Stack’s Bowers, its affiliates and assignees, a security interest in: (x) the purchased lots and their proceeds, and (y) such sums or other items and their proceeds, in the possession of Stack’s Bowers, its affiliates or assignees, to secure all indebtedness due to Stack’s Bowers and its affiliated companies, plus all accrued expenses, carrying charges, attorney fees, and costs, until the indebtedness is paid in full. Buyer grants Stack’s Bowers the right to perfect its security interest by any permissible means, including by filing a UCC-1 financing statement for such items, and to assign such security interest to any affiliated or related company or any third party deemed appropriate by Stack’s Bowers. If the auction invoice is not paid for in full by the Default Date, a carrying charge of one-and-one-half percent (1-1/2%) per month may be imposed on the unpaid amount until it is paid in full. In the event this interest rate exceeds the interest permitted by law, the same shall be adjusted to the maximum rate permitted by law, and any amount paid in excess thereof shall be allocated to principal. Buyer agrees to pay all reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs and other collection costs incurred by Stack’s Bowers or any affiliated or related company to collect past due invoices or to interpret or enforce the terms hereof or in any action or proceeding arising out of or related to the Auction Sale. Stack’s Bowers reserves the right to assign its interest to any third party. To the extent that the Buyer for any lot consists of more than one person or entity, each such person or entity is jointly and severally liable for all obligations of the Buyer, regardless of the title or capacity of such person or entity. Stack’s Bowers shall have all the rights of a secured party under the California Uniform Commercial Code and all rights of the consignor to collect amounts due from the Buyer, whether at law or equity.
7. DISCLAIMER AND WARRANTIES. NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS MADE OR IMPLIED ON ANY LOT. NO WARRANTY, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOT EXCEPT FOR WARRANTY OF TITLE, AND IN THE CASE OF TITLE, AUCTIONEER IS SELLING ONLY THAT RIGHT OR TITLE TO THE LOT THAT THE CONSIGNOR MAY HAVE AS OF THE AUCTION SALE DATE. ALL LOTS ARE SOLD “AS IS” AND WITH ALL FAULTS. PURCHASER HEREBY ASSUMES ALL RISKS CONCERNING AND RELATED TO THE GRADING, QUALITY, DESCRIPTION, CONDITION, AUTHENTICITY, AND PROVENANCE OF A LOT. a. COINS OR CURRENCY LISTED IN THIS CATALOG GRADED BY PCGS, NGC OR ANACS CACHET, OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY GRADING SERVICE OR EXAMINED BY THE BUYER PRIOR TO THE AUCTION SALE MAY NOT BE RETURNED FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER BY ANY BUYER, EXCEPT FOR CLAIMS RELATED TO AUTHENTICITY. b. For non-certified coins that have not been examined by the Buyer prior to the Auction Sale: if it is determined in a review by Stack’s Bowers that there is a material error in the catalog description of a non-certified coin or the coin is not authentic, such lot may be returned, provided written notice is received by Stack’s Bowers no later than seventy-two (72) hours of delivery of the lots in question, and such lots are returned and received by Stack’s Bowers, in their original, sealed containers, no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after delivery, in the same condition the lot(s) were delivered to the Buyer, time being of the essence. c. If an item or items are returned pursuant to the terms herein, they must be housed in their original, sealed and unopened container. 523 d. Late remittance or removal of any item from its original container, or altering a coin constitutes just cause for revocation of all return privileges. e. Grading or condition of rare coins or currency may have a material effect on the value of the item(s) purchased, and the opinion of others (including independent grading services) may differ with the independent grading services opinion or interpretation of Stack’s Bowers. Stack’s Bowers shall not be bound by any prior, or subsequent opinion, determination or certification by any independent grading service. f. Questions regarding the minting of a coin as a “proof” or as a “business strike” relate to the method of manufacture and not to authenticity. g. All oral and written statements made by Stack’s Bowers and its employees (including affiliated and related companies) are statements of opinion only, and are not warranties or representations of any kind, unless stated as a specific written warranty, and no employee or agent of Stack’s Bowers has authority to vary or alter these Terms and Conditions of Auction Sale. Any alteration shall be effective only if in writing and signed by an officer of Stack’s Bowers authorized to do so. Stack’s Bowers reserves the right to vary or alter the Terms of Sale, either generally or with respect to specific persons or circumstances, in its sole discretion. Any variation or alteration shall be effective only if in writing and signed by an officer of Stack’s Bowers authorized to do so. h. Bidders shall have no recourse against the Consignor for any reason whatsoever. i. Bidder acknowledges that the rare coin market is speculative, unregulated and volatile, and that coin and currency prices may rise or fall over time. Stack’s Bowers does not guarantee or represent that any customer will be able to sell for a profit in the future. j. Bidder acknowledges and agrees that neither Stack’s Bowers, nor its employees, affiliates, agents, third-party providers or consignors warrant that auctions will be unimpaired, uninterrupted or error free and accordingly shall not be liable for such events.
8. Waiver and Release. Bidder, for himself, his heirs, agents, successors and assignees, generally and specifically waives and releases, and forever discharges Stack’s Bowers, and its respective affiliates, parents, shareholders, agents, subsidiaries, employees, members of their respective boards of directors, and each of them, and their respective successors and assignees from any and all claims, rights, demands and causes of actions and suits, of whatever kind or nature, including but not limited to claims based upon Auctioneer’s negligence, whether in law or equity, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected (a “Claim”), which Bidder may assert with respect to and/or arising out of, or in connection with any challenge to the title to or authenticity of any goods purchased, the sale itself, any lot bid upon or consigned, and/or the auction, except where such Claim is otherwise expressly authorized in these Terms of Sale. It is the intention of Bidder that this waiver and release shall be effective as a bar to each and every Claim that may arise hereunder or be related to the Auction Sale, and Bidder hereby knowingly and voluntarily waives any and all rights and benefits otherwise conferred upon him by the provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which reads in full as follows: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.”
9. Disputes. If a dispute arises concerning ownership of a lot or concerning proceeds of any sale, Stack’s Bowers reserves the right to commence a statutory inter-pleader proceeding at the expense of the Consignor and Buyer and any other applicable party, and in such event shall be entitled to its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. Stack’s Bowers reserves the right to cancel or postpone the Auction Sale or any session thereof for any reason whatsoever. No Bidder shall have any claim as a result thereof, including for incidental or consequential damages. Neither Stack’s Bowers nor any affiliated or related company shall be responsible for incidental or consequential damages arising out of any failure of the Terms of Sale, the auction or the conduct thereof and in no event shall such liability exceed the purchase price, premium, or fees paid. Rights granted to Bidders under the within Terms and Conditions of Auction Sale are personal and apply only to the Bidder who initially purchases the lot(s) from Stack’s Bowers. The rights may not be assigned or transferred to any other person or entity, whether by sale of the lot(s), operation of law or otherwise. Any attempt to assign or transfer any such rights shall be absolutely void and unenforceable. No third party may rely on any benefit or right conferred by these Terms and Conditions of Auction Sale.
10. General Terms. These Terms and Conditions of Auction Sale and the auction shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with applicable Hong Kong law (except in the case of any disputes between the Auctioneer and parties who residents of the United States, in which event the laws of the State of California, regardless of the location of the Auction Sale shall apply). For the sole benefit of the Auctioneer, All Bidders agree that the Hong Kong courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle all dispute arising out of or related to these Terms of Sale, the Auction Sale or any lot. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all parties agree that Auctioneer retains the right to bring proceedings in the state and federal courts sitting in the State of California. All Bidders irrevocably consent to such proceedings and to the service of process or any other documents in connection with proceedings in any court by facsimile transmission, personal service, delivery by mail or in any other manner permitted by Hong Kong law, the law of the place of service or the law of the jurisdiction where proceedings are instituted, at the last address of the Buyer known to Auctioneer or any other usual address. Bidder agrees that any legal action with respect to this Auction Sale is barred unless commenced within one (1) year of the date of this Auction Sale. These Terms of Sale and the information on the Stack’s-Bower’s website constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto on the subject matter hereof and supersede all other agreements, understandings, warranties and representations concerning the subject matter hereof. If any section of these Terms of Auction Sale or any term or provision of any section is held to be invalid, void, or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining sections or terms and provisions of a section shall continue in full force and effect without being impaired or invalidated in any way. Stack’s Bowers may at its sole and absolute discretion, make loans or advances to Consignors and/or Bidders.
11. Special Services. If you wish to limit your total expenditures, please fill in the maximum amount you wish to spend on the MAXIMUM EXPENDITURE line at the upper portion of your bid sheet. You can then submit bids for amounts up to eight times the amount of the maximum expenditure. This is a personal service and a Stack’s Bowers customer representative will personally attend to your bid sheet by bidding from the auction floor, buying lots for your account until your authorized expenditure is reached. While we will do our best in your behalf, due to the speed of the auction sale and the sometimes crowded conditions, we cannot be responsible for failure to execute such a bid properly. Due to the bookkeeping involved, this service is offered only to bidders with maximum expenditures of $1,000 or more.
12. Optional Bid Increases. We invite you to take advantage of the optional 10% to 30% bid increases to help your chance of being a successful bidder. Check the appropriate place on your bid sheet.
13. Unconditional Acceptance. Bidding in this auction sale constitutes unconditional acceptance by the Bidder of the foregoing terms of sale.
14. Chinese Translation. The Chinese translations are provided as a matter of convenience. In the event of a conflict, the English Terms and Conditions take precedence and are binding. Please note: Transparent holders in which the auction lots are stored are to facilitate viewing and inspection of the lots and ARE NOT for long-term storage. For PRICES REALIZED after the sale, call 1-800-458-4646. Preliminary prices realized will also be posted on the Internet soon after the session closes at www.stacksbowers.com Stack’s Bowers Galleries is a fictitious business name of Stack’s-Bowers Numismatics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio is a fictitious business name of Stack’s-Bowers Numismatics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company