Apr 3, 2020 | Auctions, News
(Lincroft, NJ—March 27, 2020). With the uncertainty and chaos that the current Covid-19 global pandemic is bringing to the markets and people’s everyday lives, numismatics seems to be providing a safe haven and comfort to collectors all over. Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ 37th Regency Auction was scheduled to take place at Le Meridien in Philadelphia. Two weeks prior to the sale, with various orders from different entities, federal, state, and local, Legend made the decision to hold the auction in the firm’s New Jersey offices, as a live, webcast only auction, with no floor bidders. Unsure how the situation would play out, email reminders were sent out daily to bidders. Every effort was made to ensure that people who could not come to the office to view to see the coins as close to in hand as possible. Thanks to modern technology, text messaging videos or utilizing Facetime, this is easier now than ever before. In the end, these efforts paid off, as a record number of online bidders registered to participate in the auction. This proved, yet again, that the demand for rare coins from collectors is deep, and despite the uncertain times, this demand can be insatiable when the coins are fresh and high quality.
Anchoring the auction was the extensive Seattle Collection. Assembled by a very dedicated collector over the course of the last two decades, the Seattle Collection featured complete sets of Mint State two-cent, three-cent silvers, three-cent nickels, Liberty and Shield nickels, and related patterns. From the outset, bidding for these coins was intense, actively bid on by hundreds of different bidders from across the country. Strong prices were realized across the board, with the 1884 three-cent nickel graded PCGS MS66 CAC (lot 58) realizing a world record price of $42,300 and the 1870 Shield nickel, also graded PCGS MS66 CAC (lot 69), realizing a world record price of $10,281. All told, the Seattle Collection realized over $504,000.
“Numismatics is the world’s greatest hobby!” exclaimed Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ founder, Laura Sperber after the auction. “Even in times of global crisis, collectors find comfort in collecting. Paper assets, are just that,” she continued, “but tangible assets offer something more than just a store of value. From collector oriented series like the Seattle Collection to Pan-Pac $50 slugs, every area saw quite a bit of action!”
“Tonight was a great night for Legend Auctions, not just because we had another successful sale,” echoed Matthew Bell, CEO of LRCA, “but also because it showed what this community is capable of. We have always prided ourselves on having the best customer and consignor relationships in all of numismatics, and we proved that with this auction. We want to thank everyone who participated in Regency 37 for helping make tonight a success.”
While the entire sale displayed strength given the current situation, there are a number of lots that really do stand out and include the following highlights:
- Lot 1 – 2C 1864 LARGE MOTTO. PCGS MS65 RD CAC $2,291.25
- Lot 36 – 3CS 1872 PCGS MS66+ CAC $19,975
- Lot 57 – 3CN 1883 PCGS MS65 CAC $12,337.50
- Lot 58 – 3CN 1884 PCGS MS66 CAC $42,300
- Lot 69 – 5C 1870 PCGS MS66 CAC $10,281.25
- Lot 235 – 5C 1914 PCGS PR68 $17,625
- Lot 319 – 50C 1942 PCGS MS68 $18,800
- Lot 321 – 50C 1942-D PCGS MS68 $21,737.50
- Lot 372 – $1 1935-S PCGS MS66+ CAC $9,693.75
- Lot 386 – $50 1915-S PANAMA-PACIFIC ROUND. PCGS MS64 CAC $114,562.50
- Lot 391 – G$1 1889 PCGS MS68+ CAC $24,675
- Lot 398 – $5 1834 CLASSIC. PLAIN 4. PCGS MS64+ CAC $37,600
- Lot 422 – 50C 1921 PILGRIM. PCGS MS67+ CAC $7,050
Legend Rare Coin Auctions is set to announce the full lot list for their upcoming Regency Auction 38 within the next two weeks. That sale is already anchored by the Blue Hill New Orleans Silver Dollar and Twenty Collections, the BigMo Civil War Set, Part I, and the Ogden Avenue Ladies collection of Proof Liberty Nickels. They are currently accepting consignments for The Regency Auction 39, set for July 2020. Contact them at info@legendauctions.com, or call 732-935-1168 to learn how you can consign to the incredible Regency Auction.
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’s impressive record also includes setting over 120 world record prices in 2019. To consign to an upcoming auction, visit www.legendauctions.com and contact a consignment specialist today.
Mar 26, 2020 | Auctions, News
(March 25, 2020) – Known as “The King of American Coins,” an 1804 United States Draped Bust Dollar certified by Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) as PCGS PR55 was sold for $1,440,000 by Stack’s Bowers Galleries on March 20, 2020. The Class III 1804 silver dollar was from the estate of the prominent late collector D. Brent Pogue and previously had been in a dozen other great collections, including those of the Garrett family and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
The buyer is Blake Duncan of Houston-based U.S. Coins, who bought the coin for a client who wishes to remain anonymous.
This Class III 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar, certified PCGS PR55, was sold at auction by Stack’s Bowers Galleries for $1,440,000 on March 20, 2020. (Images courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service
www.PCGS.com.)
“The 1804 Dollars are well-known for their rarity and historic significance among collectors as well as many non-collectors,” PCGS President Brett Charville remarked.
Because of the health concerns due to the virus pandemic, the auction was relocated from the planned site of the Spring Whitman Expo in Baltimore, Maryland, to the Stack’s Bowers Galleries headquarters in Santa Ana, California. “Even with virtually no bidders physically present on the auction floor and the sudden economic uncertainty – things nobody could have predicted just a few weeks earlier – the outstanding sale of this 1804 Draped Bust Dollar unequivocally demonstrates that collectible coins graded by PCGS have perennial value, security, and liquidity,” stated Charville.
Although dated 1804, the coin was struck sometime between 1859 and the late 1870s, according to researchers. There are only 15 known genuine 1804 U.S. dollars, and only six of them are Class III examples. One of those six is permanently housed in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
The 1804 Draped Bust Dollar first gained prominence after a handful of Class I examples were included in special coin sets given to heads of state as diplomatic gifts on behalf of President Andrew Jackson during the 1830s.
While the 1804 Draped Bust Dollar stole the spotlight at the Stack’s Bowers Galleries March 2020 D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII auction, it wasn’t the only PCGS-graded coin to cross the seven-figure threshold. The 1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle, a gold coin with a face value of five dollars and the first such coin struck at the San Francisco Mint, realized $1.92 million at that same sale. Graded AU58+ by PCGS, the gold coin was once in the famed Louis Eliasberg Collection and had not been offered for sale for nearly 40 years.
About Professional Coin Grading Service
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is the premier third-party coin and banknote grading company that was launched in 1986. Over nearly 35 years, PCGS has examined and certified some 43.3 million U.S. and world coins, medals, and tokens with a combined value of more than $37.2 billion. For more information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, please visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.
Mar 1, 2020 | Auctions, News
(Atlanta, Georgia) – A small gold coin with a face value of $2.50 when it was struck in northern Georgia in 1830 sold for a record price of $480,000 to an anonymous Georgia collector in an auction in Atlanta Thursday night, February 27, 2020. It is one of the finest known of less than two dozen surviving examples privately struck by Milledgeville, Georgia cotton gin mill manufacturer Templeton Reid during the state’s historic 19th-century gold rush.
rare Georgia gold rush-era Templeton Reid $2.50 denomination gold coin made in 1830 was sold at auction in Atlanta for a record price of $480,000 by Kagin’s, Inc. of Tiburon, California on February 27, 2020. The buyer is a Georgia-based collector who wants to remain anonymous, according to the auction house. (Photo courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service www.PCGS.com.)
“The Georgia and North Carolina gold rush period started in 1828, about two decades before the California Gold Rush, and this important gold piece was made in 1830 to help alleviate a coin shortage at the time in Georgia,” explained Donald Kagin, Ph.D., president of Kagin’s, Inc. (www.Kagins.com) of Tiburon, California, the auction house that sold the coin.
The previous record price for an example of this type of coin was $329,000 in 2013. The name of the winning bidder who paid $480,000 for this one was not disclosed.
“Reid was a multi-talented entrepreneur, a cotton gin manufacturer, gunsmith, metallurgist and assayer who struck coins in denominations of $2.50, $5 and $10. These historic items were the first privately issued gold coins in the United States,” explained Kagin, author of the reference book, Private Gold Coins and Patterns of the United States.
Only a little larger than a modern five-cent denomination coin, the Templeton Reid $2.50 gold piece was independently authenticated by experts at Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) and certified Mint State 61 (on a 1 to 70 grading scale).
“It had been part of private coin collections the Midwest and on the West Coast for more than 50 years, but now this piece is coming back home to Georgia,” said Kagin.
“Despite his inventiveness, Templeton Reid’s gold coins eventually and unfortunately were shunned by the public when a critic falsely claimed they did not contain enough gold. He halted production just a few months after he began striking them,” explained Kagin. “But today, they are national numismatic treasures.”
The auction was conducted in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association 2020 National Money Show (www.NationalMoneyShow.com), February 27- 29, in Atlanta.
Feb 13, 2020 | Announcements, Auctions
Unique 1900 Lesher Dollar, HK-1016, Z-17, graded NGC MS 64. Image courtesy of NGC.
Lesher, a silver mine owner, was an advocate of the wider use of silver, the value of which was suffering at the end of the 19th century. By making the medals, Lesher was skirting US laws against private coinage. The term “referendum” in their name meant that Lesher suggested that the public decide on their own whether to accept them. In fact, all the medals include a price of either $1 or $1.25, well above what their silver content was worth at the time.
The Henderson-Marchase Collection was previously owned by William C. Henderson, a longtime ANA treasurer and mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who was instrumental in convincing the ANA to locate its headquarters there. The set was submitted to NGC for certification in 2017 by Christopher Marchase, Henderson’s grandson.
“We were delighted that these medals were already attributed and certified by NGC when they were consigned to us,” said Don Kagin, president of Kagin’s. “NGC is the premier grading service for so-called dollars and other tokens.”
Learn more →
Jan 18, 2020 | Announcements, Auctions
Magnificent Fenton Collection of New Zealand Coins Headlines New York International Numismatic Convention Auction
(January 18, 2020) – A collection of rare and popular New Zealand coins certified by Professional Coin Grading Service (http://www.PCGS.com) is turning heads at the New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) this week, where it will be offered for sale by Stack’s-Bowers Galleries (http://www.StacksBowers.com) on January 18, 2020. The Fenton Collection, named for renowned Australian PCGS Set Registry Member George Fenton, contains a wide variety of rare New Zealand coinage dating back to 1933, when the first official coins struck for the British Commonwealth nation.
This amazing numismatic cabinet of approximately 200 coins represents the reigns of three British monarchs, including King George V, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II. The collection, covering the gamut of British Commonwealth-era New Zealand coinage, includes more than 45 finest-known coins and several elusive specimens that rarely make auction appearances.
Among the highlights is a 1949 Royal Visit Crown graded Proof-66 by PCGS. This coin, just one of three specimens known and housed in a PCGS Gold Shield holder, is tied with only one other example at that grade for finest known. The coins were struck to honor King George VI’s trip to New Zealand, which was cancelled due to health issues. The last time an example of this rarity was known to have appeared at auction was in 2015, when it realized $18,000.
1949 Royal Visit Crown graded Proof-66 by PCGS
Another outstanding piece is a 1936 King George V Florin, graded PCGS MS66. The single finest-known example of its kind and exhibiting exceptional strike and satiny surfaces, this 1936 Florin is fit to serve as a crown jewel in any top-caliber PCGS Set Registry of coinage from New Zealand.
“The collection was originally assembled in the 1980s by noted Australian collector Chris Meilon and sold in its entirety to another famous Australian collector, Wayne Borg,” Scott Waterman, director of Australia’s Imperial Coins, explains of the set’s provenance. “Wayne is really relevant in the Australian PCGS grading world, as it was his collection sold in 2011 that sparked the rapid growth and acceptance of PCGS and the PCGS Set Registry in Australian coins. Many of the prices realized in that sale still stand as the record price for numerous key-date Australian coins.” He adds, “it was our belief the coins would realize stronger prices at auction in fresh PCGS Gold Shield holders, and it also gave us a chance to have the collection named and photographed with PCGS TrueView®, which has a very cool effect on the complete collection.”
PCGS President Brett Charville says certifying the prestigious Fenton Collection represents the strong commitment his firm has to serving as the globe’s leading third-party numismatic grading firm. “We at PCGS are excited to have had the opportunity to certify the rare and exquisite coins of the Fenton Collection. We look forward to expanding our reach ever further to offer collectors of coins from Australia, New Zealand, and other nations from around the world our full suite of world-class grading services,” he remarks. “We also will continue providing many new and exciting avenues for those in the global numismatic community to build their collections and compete with fellow numismatists on the PCGS Set Registry.”
About Professional Coin Grading Service
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is the premier third-party coin and banknote grading company that was launched in 1986. Over nearly 35 years, PCGS has examined and certified some 42.5 million U.S. and world coins, medals, and tokens with a combined value of more than $36 billion. For more information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, please visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.
Dec 15, 2019 | Auctions, News
Fresh, quality conscious collections attract aggressive bidding in the end.
(Lincroft, NJ—12/13/19)—On Thursday, December 12, 2019, Legend Rare Coin Auctions conducted its final Regency Auction of the year, its 35th sale as the Official Auctioneer of the PCGS Members Only Show. Held at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, this sale of 611 coins drew buyers from far and wide to bid on coins from the Valley View, Trzaska, Cullen B, Piedmont Numismatics Collections and other important consignments. The standing-room-only crowd, coupled with phone and a record number of online bidders, resulted in a sale that set more than 20 new world-record prices realized. Included among these were:
- Lot 7 – 50C 1942 MS68 CAC realized $28,200
- Lot 26 – 50C 1940 PCGS PR68 CAC realized $18,800
- Lot 122 – 1C 1910 PCGS PR67+ RD CAC realized $52,875
- Lot 153 – 5C 1877 PCGS PR67 CAM CAC realized $20,562.50
- Lot 219 – 5C 1914 PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $27,025
- Lot 220 – 5C 1915-S PCGS MS67 CAC realized $55,812.50
- Lot 277 – 10C 1897 PCGS PR67 DCAM CAC realized $21,737.50
- Lot 353 – 50C 1943-S PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $52,875
- Lot 357 – 50C 1946-S PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $22,912.50
- Lot 368 – 50C 1961 Doubled Die Reverse PCGS PR67+ CAC realized $14,687.50
“The crowds were huge, especially for the Valley View and Trzaska Collections,” explained Julie Abrams, president of Legend Rare Coin Auctions. “We had to bring in extra seats for the attendees. Registrations jumped in the last 48-72 hours before the sale, and continued to grow during the sale, as record numbers of internet attendees participated.”
“Overall, the results were much stronger than I had anticipated,” Laura Sperber said. “With the market slowing a bit, we are more than thrilled so see a new collector base continuing to develop through our Regency sales. I am proud to say we now have several collectors exclusively building new major collections through LRCA. When done they will rival the very best! A vast majority of the coins sold went to collectors or their agents—we love that!”
Julie Abrams concluded, “This auction was a fantastic way to end the year, as our boutique-style sales continue to garner more and more attention from the collecting public. We look forward to continuing this momentum in 2020 so that we can keep providing a showcase of top-quality coins for the market”
Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ next sale is January 30, 2020, Regency Auction 36. The consignment deadline is now passed and cataloging and photographing are well underway. Expect the sale to be live online around the beginning of January, with a watchlist being posted in the coming days. Consignments are being sought for Regency Auction 37, being held in March in Philadelphia. For more information about what is consigned to these two sales, or to consign to a future LRCA Regency Auction, call us at 732-935-1168 or email info@legendauctions.com.
Nov 20, 2019 | Auctions, News
(Lincroft, NJ—November 8, 2019) Legend Rare Coin Auctions has done it again! Capping off a very successful 2019 is Regency Auction 35, being held at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on December 12. The auction, the official auction event for the PCGS Member’s Only Show consists of 611 lots from the Valley View, Trzaska, Cullen B, and Piedmont Numismatics Collections, along with other important consignments.
Starting the sale is the Valley View Collection, a selection of high end, wildly toned late date Walking Liberty half dollars and classic commemorative half dollars, Proof Walking Liberty half dollars and assorted type coins.
The Trzaska Collection is the #2 PCGS Registry Set of Proof Nickels, 1866-2019. This historic offering of many top grade Gem and higher quality Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, and Jefferson nickels has a lot to offer collectors, regardless of their level of sophistication.
The Cullen B Collection of Morgan Dollars is a partial set of PCGS-graded, CAC-verified examples, in popular grades for collectors. The collection is focused on high quality coins, the vast majority fall in the $1,500-$4,000 range. Featuring VAMs, a few nicely toned pieces, and some PL and DMPL pieces for the added interest.
The Piedmont Numismatics Collection is an “investment portfolio” type of collection, featuring high end type coins, assorted gold coins (including a Gem Proof 1882 quarter and half eagle), and commemoratives. These coins purchased over a decade ago are now being offered at auction for the first time since at least early 2009.
Between these exceptional anchors are hundreds of other coins from other important consignors. Sale highlights abound and include, but certainly are not limited to the following:
- Lot 7. 50C 1942 PCGS MS68 CAC From the Valley View Collection
- Lot 32. $1 1900 Lafayette. PCGS MS66+ CAC From the Valley View Collection
- Lot 67. 1/2C 1808 PCGS MS64+ BN CAC
- Lot 82. 1C 1877 PCGS MS66+ BN CAC
- Lot 141. 5C 1867 Rays. PCGS PR64+ CAC From the Trzaska Collection
- Lot 237. 5C 1937-D 3-Legs. PCGS MS66
- Lot 322 50C 1808 PCGS MS66+ CAC
- Lot 426. $1 1888-O Scarface. PCGS MS63+ CAC From the Cullen B Collection
- Lot 511. $1 1921 Chapman. PCGS PR67
- Lot 534. 10C 1796 PCGS MS63 CAC From the Piedmont Numismatics Collection
- Lot 548. $2.50 1882 PCGS PR66 DCAM CAC From the Piedmont Numismatics Collection
- Lot 570. $2.50 1834 PCGS MS64+ PL PCGS CAC
- Lot 609. $20 1916-S PCGS MS66+ CAC
Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ president, Julie Abrams commented, “We are amazed at what a strong variety of coins we have assembled yet again to offer the collecting public! Where else are you going to find an offering like this?! In today’s market, nowhere.”
“Our team really did a marvelous job bringing in some of the coolest coins for this auction, and there are coins in all areas of federal coinage in all price points. This selection of coins will really excite all kinds of collectors!” declared Laura Sperber, founder and partner of LRCA. “Our bidders can be assured that I looked at and approved every single coin in the auction, so you can be sure that each and every coin is Legend Quality!”
Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ Regency Auction 35 is now live for bidding online and will take place on the evening of Thursday, December 12 at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas as the official auction of the PCGS Members Only Show.
Legend’s next auction is Regency 36, which will be held on January 30, 2020 and is now open for consignments. To consign, contact one of the firm’s consignment specialists.
Sep 27, 2019 | Auctions, News
(Lincroft, NJ—September 27, 2019) Legend Rare Coin Auctions presented its 34th Regency Auction on the evening of September 26, 2019 at the Bellagio, and as usual, high end quality performed very well. Online, in person, and phone attendance at the auction, which was held as the official auction for the PCGS Members Only Show, set another record for the firm. Since its founding, LRCA has presented the finest, curated boutique auctions that focus on high quality rare U.S. coins, attracting today’s most advanced and sophisticated collectors to participate as both consignors and buyers. This matching of the best coins from the best sources to the best buyers has resulted in exceptionally strong results. Regency Auction 34 was no exception to this trend.
Taking top honors was lot 165, a Gem MS65+ 1926-S nickel graded by PCGS and endorsed by CAC, realizing $246,750—a record for any PCGS-graded example of the date. (Note: all prices included in this press release include the firm’s 17.5% buyers’ premium). This amazing coin, tied for finest PCGS certified, is now a part of a world class collection of nickels.
“Even though the overall market seems somewhat sluggish, our sale was very healthy” said Julie Abrams, president of LRCA. “Trends that we have seen over the last year or so are consistent, and we think that the market for ‘average’ coins has finally found its bottom. Nickels seemed to draw the most attention as a denomination. The Meridian Collection of Proof Liberty Nickels saw some of the most active bidding in the entire sale. The results proved that high quality and eye appealing coins, even if they are not Top Pop will still bring very strong results. We saw this elsewhere in the sale as well,” Ms. Abrams continued.
“Exciting coins,” explained the firm’s founder Laura Sperber “created exciting results. There were a number of record shattering prices realized, which when added to the 92 record breakers that we had in the first half of 2019, will bring the total to well in excess of 100 new all-time world record prices realized in auction by the firm this year.”
“While activity prior to the sale showed that bidding activity would be strong, it is very interesting how big a surge of bidding took place during the sale, and there were many lots that saw protracted bidding wars break out between phone and floor bidders or several online bidders going up against each other.” Matt Bell, executive VP of LRCA said. “Overall, we had a very successful auction and we are pleased with the results! Just look at these incredible prices realized:”
- Lot 5. 1C 1856 Flying Eagle. PCGS PR66 CAC realized $70,500
- Lot 107. 5C 1876 PCGS PR67 DCAM realized $17,625
- Lot 125. 5C 1892 PCGS PR67+ CAM CAC realized $18,213
- Lot 150. 5C 1896 PCGS PR67+ CAC realized $15,275
- Lot 165. 5C 1926-S PCGS MS65+ CAC realized $246,750
- Lot 180. 5C 1936 Brilliant. PCGS PR68+ realized $39,950
- Lot 215. 10C 1939-D PCGS MS69 FB CAC realized $42,300
- Lot 236. 25C 1899-S PCGS MS67 CAC realized $9,694
- Lot 255. 25C 1950-D PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $7,638
- Lot 271. 50C 1845 PCGS MS64+ realized $16,450
- Lot 282. 50C 1883 PCGS PR66 CAM CAC realized $9,694
- Lot 303. 50C 1940 PCGS MS68+ CAC realized $29,375
- Lot 311. 50C 1949-S PCGS MS67+ FBL CAC realized $18,213
- Lot 324. 50C 1963 PCGS MS66+ FBL realized $85,188
- Lot 399. $1 1885-S PCGS MS66+ CAC realized $19,975
- Lot 407. $1 1889-CC PCGS MS63+ PL CAC realized $99,875
- Lot 422. $1 1897 PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $24,675
- Lot 434. $1 1904-O PCGS MS67 CAC realized $15,275
- Lot 450. $1 1926-S PCGS MS66+ CAC realized $41,125
- Lot 451. $1 1927 PCGS MS66 realized $30,550
- Lot 463. $2.50 1893 PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $27,025
- Lot 468. $2.50 1883 PCGS PR66+ DCAM CAC realized $52,875
- Lot 498. $20 1892-S PCGS MS65 realized $19,388
“What we can tell from these results is the Set Registry program is bringing more and more people to bid in auction for top grade specimens, especially in popular 20th century series,” said Greg Cohen, senior numismatist of Legend Rare Coin Auctions. “Top grade Proof Liberty nickels, top pop Mint State 20th century coins, especially Franklin half dollars have over performed. Just look at the 1939-D dime in MS69 FB CAC and the 1963 Franklin half in MS66+ FBL!”
Legend Rare Coin Auctions next sale is a special Regency Event, called Exclusively Legend, which features the properties of five of Legend Numismatics’ long time customers and will be held on Thursday, October 24, at the New Orleans PCGS Members Only Show. Consignments are now being sought for the December Regency Auction 35. For more information about these auctions, or to consign, contact Legend’s consignment specialists: Julie Abrams, President, at julie@legendauctions.com; Greg Cohen, Senior Numismatist, at greg@legendauctions.com; or Jessica Berkman, Consignment Director, at jessica@legendauctions.com.
A final note from Laura Sperber: “We have already received so much great feedback from consignors and successful bidders, many of whom said they cannot wait to participate in the next Regency Auction. Space is filling up quickly, we already have over 250 coins in house for the December sale, so get your coins to us as soon as possible to ensure your place in Regency Auction 35!”
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’s impressive record also includes 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.
Sep 16, 2019 | Auctions, News
September 16, 2019 – The most valuable United States modern coin ever sold at auction, a 1975 proof No S dime, changed hands twice in less than a week, both times for record prices.
The finer of the two known 1975 proof dimes without the San Francisco S mint mark was jointly purchased on September 6, 2019 for $456,000 by modern coin specialist Mitch Spivack along with his son, Justin, owner of MonsterCoinMart (www.MonsterCoinMart.com) in Orange County California, and with collector Steven Heller also as a partner on the deal. They then sold it five days later through agent Nick Cascio for $516,000 to an avid Roosevelt dime collector who wants to remain anonymous.
The record-setting 1975 No S proof Roosevelt dime graded PCGS PR68. (Photo courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service www.PCGS.com.)
Graded PCGS PR68 and ranked in first place in the book, 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins, this 1975 proof No S dime is now the highlight of the Halcyon Collection, one of the all-time finest collections of Roosevelt dimes in the PCGS Set Registry®.
“I purchased the 1975 no S ‘Roosie’ out of the Heritage Auctions sale in Long Beach, California along with Steven Heller and my son Justin as partners. We received an offer for the dime the very next day, and a few days later consummated the sale of the dime,” explained Mitch Spivack, a leading expert in modern United States coinage, 1932-to-date.
“It was a great honor for me to own the finest known 1975 No S Dime if even for just a few days,” he added. “As the owner of the unique 1976 No S silver Eisenhower dollar for many years now, the most valuable and rare U.S. modern coin in existence, I always dreamed of also owning the 1975 No S dime. That dream became a reality to me!”
This coin and the only other known 1975 proof No S dime originally were discovered by a California woman who purchased five proof sets from the United States Mint in 1975.
Justin Spivack stated: “When we were approached by our long-time good friend Nick Cascio on behalf of the owner of the Halcyon Collection, who is a very good customer of ours, I knew that he was the perfect person to own this crown jewel of modern numismatic history. His passion for Roosevelt dime collecting is truly second to none and as far as I’m concerned, the finest known ’75 No-S could not be going to a better home.”
Lifelong Roosevelt dime collector Heller, who partnered with the Spivacks to purchase the dime at auction, said “The ‘Roosie’ community is a very compatible group of dedicated collectors who have shared a long history of working together to help each other toward achieving the best sets possible. I am happy I was able to again assist a truly dedicated Roosie collector to acquire the coin of his dreams for what should soon be the first Hall of Fame Registry collection for Roosevelt dimes.”
Cascio, a collector of Roosevelt dimes for over 30 years, said his “greatest and proudest moment” was acquiring from the Spivacks and Heller “the rarest of all Roosevelt dimes on behalf of an astute collector who already has a world-class collection. With the addition of the ’75 No-S I have little doubt his set will become the first Roosevelt dime collection awarded Hall of Fame status by PCGS.”
Additional information about the fascinating acquisition of the coin and background about those involved in the history-making numismatic transactions is available online at www.MonsterCoinMart.com.
Jul 19, 2019 | Auctions, News
An extremely rare gold medal graded by NGC that traveled on the Apollo 11 mission to the moon realized $2,055,000 at an auction held on the mission’s 50th anniversary. It is one of the highest prices ever paid for a medal, and it is the highest price realized to date for any item from the Armstrong Family Collection™, which comprises items saved by astronaut Neil Armstrong and his immediate family members.
The gold medal is called a Robbins Medal; astronauts had these medals struck to bring on their missions, starting with Apollo 7. On the obverse side, the Robbins Medals feature the insignia of the mission they were made for, so the Apollo 11 ones show an eagle landing on the lunar surface. This design was later adapted for the reverse of the Eisenhower and Susan B. Anthony dollars.
Only three Apollo 11 Gold Robbins Medals were struck, one for each astronaut on the mission. This one was brought along by Armstrong, who became the first man to walk on the moon’s surface on July 20, 1969.
NGC graded the medal NGC MS 67, while an affiliated company, CAG, certified its provenance to the Armstrong Family Collection.
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