30 coins from 19th century to sell at Rosemont auction

DALLAS - Thirty coins stamped by the U.S. Mint in the 19th century to test designs and metals are expected to sell at an auction in Rosemont today for more than $300,000

The coins come from the collection of Dallas businessman and philanthropist Harry W. Bass Jr., who died in 1998 at age 71. Dallas-based Heritage Auctions will sell the coins individually Thursday at the American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. The proceeds will go to the Harry W. Bass Jr. Foundation, which helps support organizations in such areas as education and the arts.

Heritage coin expert Mark Borckardt says the U.S. Mint in the 19th century sold such test coins, which in subsequent years made their way to major auctions.

The coins have been displayed at the American Numismatic Association's Colorado museum.