PR: Santa Clara this weekend

SANTA CLARA EXPO REUNITES BAY AREA
WITH UNIQUE 1854 KELLOGG $20 GOLD COIN


(Santa Clara, CA) -- One of the first Gold Rush era coins minted in San
Francisco, a unique Kellogg and Company $20 denomination territorial gold
piece, will return to the Bay area for the first time since it was made in
1854.

The historic gold coin, once part of the legendary Garrett Collection at Johns
Hopkins University, will be publicly displayed at the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp &
Collectibles Expo, November 21 - 23, 2003, in the Santa Clara Convention
Center, 5001 Great America Parkway. eBay will conduct two seminars, and
representatives of the U.S. Mint's San Francisco Branch also will participate
at the three-day show.

"This will be a reunion between the Bay area and the Kellogg coin. It was
struck on February 9, 1854 by John Glover Kellogg, a former employee of the San
Francisco U.S. Assay Office. He gave it to his friend and future business
partner, New York City watchmaker, Augustus Humbert, the former U.S. Assayer in
San Francisco," explained Ronald J. Gillio, Santa Clara Expo General Chairman.

Kellogg's name prominently appears in the headdress worn by the symbolic Miss
Liberty on the front of the coin. The tail's side has the words: "SAN
FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA TWENTY D." It is certified NGC SP69.

"The renowned names of Kellogg and Humbert are an integral part of California's
Gold Rush history. Only a few 1854 $20 Kellogg gold pieces survive today, and
this is the only one designed a 'specimen strike' because of its exceptionally
strong design features. It was specially made and is unique," said Steve
Contursi, owner of the coin and President of Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana
Point, California.

In addition to Humbert, Garrett and Contursi who acquired the coin in 2001, the
pedigree includes the names of Captain Andrew C. Zabriskie, Colonel James W.
Ellsworth, and Edward Milas.

"This is first time it has ever been publicly exhibited in the Bay area," said
Gillio. "It's coming back to the San Francisco area for the first time in 149
years."

eBay, a co-sponsor of the Santa Clara Expo, will present two educational
seminars for collectors and dealers, "Buying & Selling on eBay," conducted by
Troy Thoreson. He will present the seminar at 1 p.m., Friday, November 21, and
again at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 22.

Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills, California will conduct a two-session
public auction of rare coins during the show. A children's treasure hunt will
be conducted on Saturday, November 22, and a gold coin door prize will be
awarded each day of the three-day show.

Show hours are Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m., and Sunday, November 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $4
(good for all three days). Free parking is available at the Santa Clara
Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway.

The Expo is co- sponsored by the Cupertino Coin Club.

For additional information about the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles
Expo, contact Expos Unlimited, 1103 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Phone: Prior to November 20, (805) 962-9939; November 20 - 23 call (408)
748-7055. Web: www.SantaClaraExpo.com.

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posted by Donn Pearlman
reply to donnpr-at-aol-dot-com