Did the commercial market pause to digest recent gains at the American Numismatic AssociationWorld’s Fair of Money Aug. 16-19 in Denver, or is it the beginning of a slump?

Steven L. Contursi and Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, Calif., will publicly display the King of Siam proof set Oct. 5-7 at the the Atlanta Show in Georgia.

A rare set of five silver and gold coins made in 1915 at the San Francisco Mint to commemorate that year's Panama-Pacific International Exposition will return to the Bay area for the first time in 91 years.

Steven L. Contursi dropped the $8.5 million check onto the counter last week before handing it over - just to make sure it wouldn't bounce.

Steve Contursi, holds up his rare, 1803 Draped Bust silver dollar, insured for $1 million, at the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, in Santa Clara, Calif.

A coin collector paid a record $8.5 million for a set of rare coins said to have been a gift from former President Andrew Jackson to the King of Siam.

Steven L. Contursi dropped the $8.5 million check onto the counter Tuesday before handing it over - just to make sure it wouldn't bounce.

A set of coins that belonged to the King of Siam, the inspiration for the musical The King and I, was sold yesterday for a record $8.5 million (£4.8 million).

The King of Siam set has traveled from the hands of royalty to the descendants of a British governess to the world of rare-coin collecting.

The Brasher Doubloon, a gold coin insured for $6 million, will be publically displayed at the New York Invitational Coin Show, June 30 and July 1.