Significant Auction Announcement
In a significant event for cryptocurrency collectors, Stack’s Bowers Galleries announced plans to auction a valued Casascius physical token, containing a half Bitcoin (0.5 BTC), during its Showcase Auction set for June 18, 2026. This particular token, minted on July 4, 2013, coincides with the 237th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting the historical significance of the piece.
Token Details
Graded MS-66 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), only 15 tokens share this high rating, with an additional 11 tokens graded even higher at MS-67. The noteworthy aspect of this token is that it remains funded, meaning the Bitcoin attached to it is both intact and redeemable.
Produced by Mike Caldwell, a software engineer from Utah, the Casascius series began minting in 2011, with each coin featuring a private key behind a tamper-proof hologram, ensuring real Bitcoin was loaded at creation. However, in 2013, Caldwell was compelled to halt production after regulatory issues arose, deeming his operation a potential unlicensed money transmission entity. This has resulted in a limited number of these coins, and the rarity has been further compounded as some owners have “peeled” their coins, redeeming the Bitcoin inside and consequently destroying their numismatic value. High-grade funded coins like this one are now a rarity in the market.
Auction Highlights
The upcoming auction will not focus solely on this one token; it features a comprehensive selection of over 120 crypto collectibles, with a cumulative intrinsic value exceeding $500,000. Highlights from the auction include pieces from not only the Casascius series but also BTCC, Lealana, and newer lower-mintage releases by Mybits, Satori, Denarium, Ballet, and Freedom Bitcoin.
Additionally, Stack’s Bowers will showcase its first venture into crypto trading cards with offerings from Topps’ Allen and Ginter series, potentially attracting sports card collectors who monitor this distinct line outside of the cryptocurrency niche. Complementing the crypto collectibles will be early editions of Bitcoin Magazine, including Issue No. 1 and a set of Issues 9 through 15.
Industry Expertise
With over 90 years in the industry and belonging to A-Mark Precious Metals Inc., Stack’s Bowers Galleries is well-versed in numismatic auctions and is recognized as an official auctioneer for major events like the ANA World’s Fair of Money. James McCartney, Director of Numismatics at the firm, expressed the deep historical ties between American coinage and the nation’s ongoing quest for liberty, underscoring the fitting context for offering this unique July 4th Bitcoin token.
Buyer Considerations
Clients should be mindful of buyer’s premiums, which often exceed 20% in premium auctions, and the collectible’s value is calculated independently from Bitcoin’s current market price, both of which will inform final bids. This auction, positioned close to America’s 250th anniversary and amidst active Bitcoin trading, presents a rare prominence for the physically minted token in the collectibles market.
Related Developments
In a related move, State Street Investment Management recently initiated a dedicated money market fund specifically designed for stablecoin issuers, marking its entry as the fourth company in this bourgeoning sector since June 8, 2026.
