LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A penny saved is not necessarily just a penny earned. One man's collection of rare American cents has turned into a $10.7 million auction windfall.
The collection of 301 cents featured some of the rarest and earliest examples of the American penny, including a cent that was minted for two weeks in 1793 but was abandoned because Congress thought Lady Liberty looked frightened.That coin and a 1794 cent with tiny stars added to prevent counterfeiters each raised $632,500, according to the Dallas-based auction house Heritage Auction Galleries, which held the sale in Long Beach on Friday night.
Heritage Auction president Greg Rohan said the auction was the biggest ever for a penny collection, with hundreds of bidders vying for the coins. Presale estimates valued the collection at about $7 million."It was a fabulous night," Rohan said. "Every major coin collector of American cents was either there in person, bidding online or on the telephone. "The coins came from the collection of Burbank resident Walter J. Husak, the owner of an aerospace-part manufacturing company. Husak became interested in collecting at age 13, while visiting his grandparents who paid him in old coins for helping with chores.There were 168 successful bidders and the auction gallery got 15% of the total.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Vanity plate sold for $14 million in UAE
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A license plate with nothing but the number "1" on it went for a record $14 million at a charity auction Saturday.
Saeed Khouri, a member of a wealthy Abu Dhabi family, wouldn't say how many automobiles he owned or which of them might carry the record-breaking single-digit plate.
"I bought it because it's the best number," said Khouri, whose family made its fortune in real estate. "I bought it because I want to be the best in the world."
The oil-rich UAE began auctioning off vanity license plates last May.
Ordinary automobile license plates issued to drivers here — and even most other vanity series plates — carry both Arabic and Western numerals and script, defining the issuing city and country.Khouri's plate, however, has only the Western numeral and no letters.The record sale surpassed the $6.8 million that was paid for an Emirati license plate at an earlier auction with the Western number 5 on it — also without Arabic numerals or letters.Proceeds from the auctions, which are held in a lavish hotel here, go to a rehabilitation center for victims of traffic accidents.
On Saturday, 90 license plates were auctioned off in all, raising a total of $24 million. The previous five such events raised more than $50 million.
Saeed Khouri, a member of a wealthy Abu Dhabi family, wouldn't say how many automobiles he owned or which of them might carry the record-breaking single-digit plate.
"I bought it because it's the best number," said Khouri, whose family made its fortune in real estate. "I bought it because I want to be the best in the world."
The oil-rich UAE began auctioning off vanity license plates last May.
Ordinary automobile license plates issued to drivers here — and even most other vanity series plates — carry both Arabic and Western numerals and script, defining the issuing city and country.Khouri's plate, however, has only the Western numeral and no letters.The record sale surpassed the $6.8 million that was paid for an Emirati license plate at an earlier auction with the Western number 5 on it — also without Arabic numerals or letters.Proceeds from the auctions, which are held in a lavish hotel here, go to a rehabilitation center for victims of traffic accidents.
On Saturday, 90 license plates were auctioned off in all, raising a total of $24 million. The previous five such events raised more than $50 million.
How deep is your love? Passion phones know
SEOUL (Reuters) - Valentines Day in South Korea means chocolates, romantic dinners and a high-tech mobile phone device that can secretly check the passion in the voice of a lover.The "Love Detector" service from mobile operator KTF uses technology that is supposed to analyze voice patterns to see if a lover is speaking honestly and with affection."We created this service because we thought people would want to know what others were feeling about them," said Ahn Hee-jung, a KTF official.Users who speak by pointing their mobile phones at themselves for video conferences can see a "love meter" bar on the screen of their handset during a conversation.They later receive an analysis of the conversation delivered through text message that breaks down the amount of affection, surprise, concentration and honesty of the other speaker.The service costs subscribers a flat fee of 1,500 won ($1.59) a month for unlimited use or can be accessed at 300 won for each call, KTF said."The caller is paying the money, so the information is provided only to him or her," said Ahn.
(Reporting by Lee Jiyeon; Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by David Fogarty)
(Reporting by Lee Jiyeon; Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by David Fogarty)
He's dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
TAMPA, Fla. - This is one Elvis impersonator who's definitely singing the blues after Tampa police charged him with fraud. Authorities say Elvis tribute artist Frederick Denmark told people his house had burned so they would organize a benefit concert.The concert, held at American Legion Post 138 in September, raised more than $2,000 in cash, as well as clothes and household items.
But police say there never was a fire.And now Denmark, 47, who performs under the name Fred Alberts, is charged with felony organized fraud and felony grand theft.
Denmark, of Fort Lauderdale, is free on $4,000 bail.
But police say there never was a fire.And now Denmark, 47, who performs under the name Fred Alberts, is charged with felony organized fraud and felony grand theft.
Denmark, of Fort Lauderdale, is free on $4,000 bail.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Cat flees fire, ends up 240 miles away
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A cat that fled a house fire is back home in Albuquerque, N.M., after turning up some 240 miles away. The black and white cat named Miko disappeared in December, on the night of the fire.
About two weeks ago, Miko's owner got a call from an animal shelter in Pueblo, Colo., saying her cat was safe.
Officials at the shelter speculate that the cat, trying to keep warm, hopped a tractor-trailer and rode it to Colorado.
When they found her, her collar was missing. But shelter officials scanned the microchip in her neck and came up with her owner's name.
About two weeks ago, Miko's owner got a call from an animal shelter in Pueblo, Colo., saying her cat was safe.
Officials at the shelter speculate that the cat, trying to keep warm, hopped a tractor-trailer and rode it to Colorado.
When they found her, her collar was missing. But shelter officials scanned the microchip in her neck and came up with her owner's name.
Canine blood donor to be honored
HOWELL, Mich. - He's donated blood 20 times and is being honored by the Livingston County chapter of the American Red Cross.
Not bad for a 200-pound, 2-year-old English mastiff who answers to the name Lurch. He'll receive the chapter's "Pet's Best Friend" award at an event here Thursday.
"We're doing something different this year," executive director Diane Serra said. "We're honoring Lurch because he's actually donated blood."
Lurch's owner, Joni Melvin-Thiede, said Lurch donates blood for other canines about once every four weeks. His blood has helped dozens, including saving one dog who got into some rat poison.
"You really don't end up knowing which dogs he helps, but his little picture goes on each bag so the person that gets it will actually know it."
Besides being cooperative with nurses, Lurch is also friendly with his housemates: four pugs, seven cats and the occasional litter of kittens. There's also an American mastiff named Lucas, who teams with Lurch to eat about 200 pounds of food per month.
"Mastiffs are just like 200-pound pugs," Melvin-Thiede said. "They're just as friendly and just as goofy except they have a couple more zeros at the end of the weight."
Not bad for a 200-pound, 2-year-old English mastiff who answers to the name Lurch. He'll receive the chapter's "Pet's Best Friend" award at an event here Thursday.
"We're doing something different this year," executive director Diane Serra said. "We're honoring Lurch because he's actually donated blood."
Lurch's owner, Joni Melvin-Thiede, said Lurch donates blood for other canines about once every four weeks. His blood has helped dozens, including saving one dog who got into some rat poison.
"You really don't end up knowing which dogs he helps, but his little picture goes on each bag so the person that gets it will actually know it."
Besides being cooperative with nurses, Lurch is also friendly with his housemates: four pugs, seven cats and the occasional litter of kittens. There's also an American mastiff named Lucas, who teams with Lurch to eat about 200 pounds of food per month.
"Mastiffs are just like 200-pound pugs," Melvin-Thiede said. "They're just as friendly and just as goofy except they have a couple more zeros at the end of the weight."
Church urges hanky panky among members
YBOR CITY, Fla. - A southwest Florida church issued a challenge for its married members: Hanky panky every day. Relevant Church head pastor Paul Wirth issued the 30-day sex challenge to take on high divorce rates.
"And that's no different for people who attend church," Wirth said Sunday. "Sometimes life gets in the way. Our jobs get in the way."
The challenge doesn't extend to unwed congregants, however.
"And that's no different for people who attend church," Wirth said Sunday. "Sometimes life gets in the way. Our jobs get in the way."
The challenge doesn't extend to unwed congregants, however.
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