Bowers and Merena Auctions, America's premier rare coin and currency auction house, continues to bring success to its consignors as the Official Auctioneer of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo.

The 6,000+ lot auction conducted November 12-14, 2009 realized more than $8 million, with U.S. coin and currency sales totaling $5.8 million, and Ponterio & Associates netting $2.1 million in world coin and banknote sales.

"We were thoroughly impressed with the bidder participation in our November 2009 Baltimore Auction," stated Steve Deeds, President of Bowers and Merena. "Bidding was spirited for both classic rarities and exceptionally high-grade coins, particularly fresh and original pieces that had been off the market for a considerable amount of time. The Dr. Alfred R. Globus Collection led the way for many U.S. coin series and types, and it achieved the record price for the auction when the 1830 Capped Head Left Half Eagle in PCGS MS-65 traded hands for $241,500. This important early Half Eagle, offered as lot 3685, realized nearly 40% more than the Coin Dealer Newsletter bid of '$173K' for the 1830 Half Eagle in MS-65 as reported in the September 11, 2009 edition of CDN Quarterly III."

Continued Deeds: "Another classic rarity from the early U.S. Half Eagle series that performed very well in the November Baltimore Auction is the 1821 Capped Head Left Five that brought $112,125 as lot 3684. That coin is certified AU-53 by PCGS, and it is one of only 15-20 examples known for the issue."

Deeds also called attention to many condition rarity United States coins that attracted keen bidder interest in Baltimore. "We sold the finest-certified 1853-O No Arrows Seated Quarter in NGC MS-68 (lot 687) for $47,150, a lovely 1895-O Morgan Dollar certified PCGS MS-64 (lot 3241) went for $71,875 and a stunning 1857-S Liberty Double Eagle in an NGC MS-67 holder (lot 3849) went to the winning bidder at $74,750."

Additional U.S. coin highlights from Bowers and Merena's November 2009 Baltimore Auction include:

• Lot 145, 1806 Draped Bust Cent, MS-62 Brown (NGC), realized $9,200
• Lot 522, 1937-D Buffalo Nickel, 3-Legged, MS-67 (NGC), realized $97,750
• Lot 574, 1829 Capped Bust Dime, JR-2, MS-66 (NGC), realized $9,200
• Lot 596, 1876-CC Seated Liberty Dime, MS-67 (PCGS), realized $11,788
• Lot 633, 1919-S Mercury Dime, MS-66 Full Bands (PCGS), realized $52,900
• Lot 737, 1892-O Barber Quarter, MS-68 (NGC), realized $22,425
• Lot 743, 1896-O Barber Quarter, MS-67 (NGC), realized $43,125
• Lot 869, 1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar, O-113, AU-58 (PCGS), realized $10,350
• Lot 917, 1837 Capped Bust Half Dollar, Reeded Edge, MS-66 (PCGS), realized $21,850
• Lot 1006, 1919-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar, MS-64 (PCGS), CAC, realized $11,500
• Lot 1036, 1953-S Franklin Half Dollar, MS-65 Full Bell Lines (NGC), realized $11,788
• Lot 3053, 1848 Seated Liberty Silver Dollar, MS-63 (PCGS), realized $11,500
• Lot 3086, 1870-S Seated Liberty Silver Dollar, Genuine (PCGS), realized $126,500
• Lot 3261, 1901 Morgan Silver Dollar, MS-65 (NGC), realized $155,250
• Lot 3591, 1824/1 Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle, AU-58 (PCGS), realized $33,350
• Lot 3592, 1826/'5' Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle, AU-55 (PCGS), realized $34,500
• Lot 3667, 1799 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle, BD-6, MS-62 (PCGS), realized $43,700
• Lot 3670, 1806 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle, BD-6, MS-63 (PCGS), realized $34,500
• Lot 3674, 1810 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle, BD-1, MS-63 (PCGS), realized $27,600
• Lot 3713, 1869-S Liberty Half Eagle, MS-62 (PCGS), CAC, realized $24,150
• Lot 3776, 1804 Capped Bust Right Eagle, BD-1, MS-63 (NGC), realized $96,600
• Lot 3815, 1907 Indian Eagle, Wire Rim, AU-55 (PCGS), realized $21,275
• Lot 3822, 1910-S Indian Eagle, MS-64 (PCGS),