(Lincroft, NJ—January 28, 2019)—Beverly Hills, world famous for its high-end boutiques proved to be a great venue for a boutique auction full of high end rare coins. The 491-lot auction drew record numbers of bidders, and the prices more than proved that fact. Important coins from numerous collections, including the Maybach Collection of Buffalo Nickels, the Formula 1 Collection of Barber Half Dollars, the Star City CAC Morgan Dollar Collection, the Sand Hill Collection, and Symphony Collection, all contained highly collectible and sought-after coins that appeal to collectors at all levels, resulting in tens of thousands of views.
The top price in the sale was the Eliasberg-Duckor-Bella-A&A 1909-D Saint Gaudens double eagle in PCGS MS67 CAC, which realized $329,000, smashing any and all previous records for the date in any grade (this and all prices mentioned include the 17.5% buyer’s premium).
“The bidding activity really picked up in the final days before the sale went live,” explained Julie Abrams, “this did not abate at all during the auction, as we had a record number of bidders participating live during the sale. We also have smashed participation records of all kinds. We are very pleased with the results of our first ever standalone auction, the numbers tell the story best. Just look at these extremely impressive results:”
- Lot 10. 1C 1899 PCGS MS67+ RD CAC saw very active bidding, with the final realized price of $29,375 nearly doubling its pre-sale estimate.
- Lot 21. 1C 1909 V.D.B. PCGS PR66 RD CAC realized $70,500, surpassing the previous record for the grade.
- Lot 40. 5C 1879 PCGS PR67+ CAM realized $19,975, the finest graded example, smashed all previous records for the date.
- Lot 62. 5C 1919 PCGS MS65 CAC realized $7,638, a record for the rare “Two Feather” variety that was not noted by PCGS but noted by several sharp eyed series specialists.
- Lot 157. 25C 1966 MS68 realized $11,750. An important Pop Top condition rarity realized more than other similar date coins in similar grades and populations.
- Lot 171. 50C 1895-S PCGS MS67 CAC From the Formula 1 Collection realized $85,188. One of the finest of the date boasting the Duckor/Shireman pedigree.
- Lot 172. 50C 1896-O PCGS MS67 CAC From the Formula 1 Collection realized $123,375. This is the single finest known example with a provenance that goes back to the year of issue when JM Clapp purchased it directly from the mint; later ex Clapp, Eliasberg, Stellar, and Greensboro Collections.
- Lot 189. 50C 1911-D PCGS MS67 CAC From the Formula 1 Collection, ex Eliasberg realized $25,850.
- Lot 212. 50C 1920-S PCGS MS66+ CAC. The sole finest graded example, realized $96,938.
- Lot 228 50C 1946 PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $28,200, more than double its previous record of $12,925 in July 2016.
- Lot 232. 50C 1952 PCGS MS67+ FBL CAC. The single finest example for the date, and among the absolute finest in the series, realized $42,300, double its estimate of $21,000.
- Lot 236. $1 1803 Large 3. PCGS AU58 CAC realized $41,125, a very strong price for the date and grade.
- Lot 317. $1 1893-O PCGS MS64 CAC From the Star City CAC Morgan Dollar Collection, ex Coronet Collection realized $30,550.
- Lot 334. $1 1899-O Mirco O. PCGS MS64+ CAC from the Star City CAC Morgan Dollar Collection realized $23,500.
- Lot 379. $1 1925 PCGS MS64+ CAC, a monster double-sided toned Peace dollar realized $9,106, more than double the pre-sale estimate of $4,500.
- Lot 399. $2.50 1836 Block 8. PCGS MS63+ CAC, a high-end choice example of this scarce date, realized $14,688.
- Lot 433. $10 1893-CC PCGS MS62 CAC, a premium quality example that is among the finest known for the date brought $49,938.
- Lot 476. 50C 1936-PDS Texas Set. PCGS MS67 and MS67+ CAC, an original, matched set realized $7,344
- Lot 491. $1 1878 J-1550B. PCGS PR64 RB CAC, realized $15,863, a very strong price for this popular Morgan pattern, this one, fresh to the market after 31 years in an old collection and housed in a first generation holder.
Julie Abrams continued: “2019 is looking to be a fantastic year for LRCA if the outcome of the Regency 30 is any indicator.”
Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ founder, Laura Sperber added, “There seems to be real life after the FUN show. Collectors were as enthusiastic as we have ever seen them, and the record bidding is a clear testament to that. We really feel that the market for high-end quality coins is only getting stronger.”
Sperber also said that feedback from bidders and consignors was great, “one collector commented after the auction concluded that he was very impressed that there were so many record prices realized, especially for the Formula 1 Barber halves.”
Legend Rare Coin Auctions is now accepting consignments for Regency Auctions 31 and 32. Regency Auction 31 will be anchored by the Young-Dakota Collection (a collection of mostly 19th century and early 20th-century Proof coins, including original matched sets, some of the finest Barber quarters graded by PCGS, and a Gem Branch Mint Proof 1893-CC dollar. The sale will also feature the Prospect Collection of gold coins. The consignment deadline is February 4, 2018. Contact one of Legend’s consignment specialists today by calling Julie Abrams at 845-430-4378, Greg Cohen at 732-935-1168, or Jessica Berkman at 214-909-7732.
Legend Rare Coin Auctions is a boutique numismatic auction company specializing in the finest and rarest U.S. coins. Founded in 2012 by Laura Sperber, the owner and president of Legend Numismatics, the premier rare coin retail firm. LRCA was, from the outset designed to be a different kind of rare coin auction firm. LRCA’s staff of numismatic auction industry veterans includes Julie Abrams, president; Greg Cohen, senior numismatist; and Jessica Berkman, consignment coordinator. The firm’s Regency Auctions serve as the official auction for the PCGS Members’ Shows, held six times per year. Since its founding, LRCA has sold many important collections, resulting in world-record prices, including the Coronet Collection of Morgan Dollars (#1 all-time PCGS set); the David Hall—Bob Simpson Collection of Liberty Head Eagles; the Sunnywood-Simpson Collection of Morgan Dollars; the Phil Flannagan Collection of Territorial Gold, Toned Dollars, and 1795 coins; duplicates from the Gerald Forsythe Collections of Buffalo Nickels and Mercury Dimes; the Bob Simpson Collection of Standard Silver Patterns; the Northern Lights Collection of Monster Toned Morgan Dollars; the Crow River Collections of Indian Head $10s and Peace Dollars; the P.F.M Collection (former #6 PCGS Set of Morgan Dollars with varieties); the Oak Crest Collection of Carson City $5 gold; the Konstantine Collection of Capped Bust Half Dollars, the #1 PCGS Set of Red Book varieties, 1807-1836. The firm recorded the 2nd highest APR in 2016 with the sale of Bob Simpson’s duplicate 1879 $20 “Quintuple Stella” which realized $1,880,000. To consign to an upcoming auction, visit www.legendauctions.com and contact a consignment specialist today.