Gold stella pattern coins have a long track record of popularity at coin auctions, which is one reason why the Judd-1635, graded PR67 by the NGC, and available for auction at Long Beach Convention Center, 100 S. Pine Avenue in Long Beach, is anchoring the sale.

The 1879 example with its flowing hair portrait has proved particularly popular with collectors, and whilst the 1879 is not the rarest of those minted, to find one at this quality grade is extremely rare, hence the quarter of a million dollars estimate.

Other highlights include a 1920-S Saint-Gaudens double eagle MS64 PCGS grade. There are also 1930-S and 1931 double eagles graded MS63 and MS66 respectively.

Other pieces of interest include perhaps the finest 1925 D cent (depicting Abe Lincoln) in existence which is likely to sell for over $100,000, and two coins from 1792: a Prized Judd-7 1792 Half Disme and a one cent coin depicting George Washington, though the latter has been damaged.

One thing it's never possible to ignore is an octagonal, gold coin. As one of only eight which the PGCS has graded, theHumbert $50 Octagonal, rated at an impressive AU55 by PCGS is impossible to ignore. It dates from 1851, and is actually created using gold from California's gold rush at the order of US Assayer of Gold Augustus Humbert.

The auction takes place on September 10-13 2009.

Coins are a popular investment at the moment, notably gold coins, given their portability and the current strength of the gold market.

____________________________________________________________