Don Kagin, president of Kagin’s Auctions, recently announced the launch of the California-based auction house’s “Artist Series” of catalogue covers.
According to Kagin, all of Kagin’s future catalogues will feature unique artwork with a numismatic twist. This follows the success of the first American Numismatic Association (ANA) Auction Cover Design Competition, which began last year after Kagin’s was chosen to be the official auctioneer of the 2017 National Money Show in Florida.
“Inspired by the terrific feedback we received about the cover of our recent ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction Catalogue, we will be working with cover design contest winner, Chris Costello, to source artists’ designs for our future auctions,” said Kagin.
“We will be awarding gold and silver coins to the top four design artists for each catalogue. We hope in this way we can bring more artists and art enthusiasts to our field.”
The cover of Kagin’s 1983 ANA Auction catalogue features a rendition of sculptor Anthony de Francisci’s Liberty from the obverse of the U.S. Peace dollar by famed artist Peter Max.
LIBERTY ALIVE
Costello’s composition, “Liberty Alive,” was chosen by an independent panel composed of Kenneth Bressett, ANA past president; David Harper, editor of Numismatic News; Barbara Gregory, editor of The Numismatist; Mary Lannin, club president and numismatist; and medallic sculptor Heidi Wastweet. There were more than 135 designs submitted by more than 50 artists from around the world.
Costello serves on the board of trustees for the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum and is a U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist. He has designed 15 U.S. coins and medals, including the 2014 Tennessee America The Beautiful Quarter; the 2016 Mark Twain silver obverse; and the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Congressional Gold Medal obverse.
“Chris was inspired by our 1983 Peter Max, ‘Lady Liberty’ ANA cover,” said Kagin last February, before presenting Costello with the $5,000 first-place prize at the first session of the ANA National Money Show auction on March 9.
RE-EMPHASIZING THE CONNECTION
Kagin said the new “Artist Series” aims to re-emphasize the connection between art and numismatics.
“In this world of internet bidding, many collectors have eschewed receiving catalogs; some even saying that ‘they just add to the clutter.’ We thought it’s time to re-emphasis the connection between art and numismatics by making the auction catalogue itself a collectable work of art,” he said.
The next Kagin’s auction will be held Sept. 15 in Santa Clara, Calif. To receive a catalogue, email nina@kagins.com or call 1-888-852- 4467.