Coin Collectors News

Many Fierce Bidding Battles Waged To Bring Home Important Numismatic Properties

May 22, 2019 | Auctions, News

Regency Auction 32 proves that top quality reigns supreme in the current market

(Lincroft, NJ—May 17, 2019)—Legend Rare Coin Auctions presented their 32nd Regency Auction, conducted as the official auction for the PCGS Members Show in New Orleans. Featuring over 630 lots, this auction included a separate session for silver dollars, held Wednesday, May 15, while type coins and gold were offered on Thursday, May 16. Important collections were offered, including the Pug Collection, the Issaquah Estate, selections from the Vanderbilt Collection, the Wolverine Collection, the Northern Lights Collection of Proof Buffalo Nickels, and other very impressive properties from many different consignors.

The auction began with tremendous strength when lot 1, a very stunning finest known silver plug that was close to Mint State 1795 silver dollar, sold for $129,250. This very important coin has a pedigree that dates back to the late 1800s and has been thought to possibly have been the first 1795 silver dollar struck. However, the top-grossing coin of the auction was lot 493, the famed “Supernova” 1857-S double eagle from the wreck of the S.S. Central America. Because of its intense, natural toning and lofty MS67 grade, this coin has been the “poster coin” for all of the second round of S.S. Central America. It garnered a record price of $282,000. NOTE: all prices realized include the auction’s 17.5% buyer’s premium.

“We knew this sale was going to be very successful,” said LRCA President Julie Abrams. “From very early on interest from potential bidders was intense. From the moment lots were posted to our website, bidders were out in force with presale bids.”

Adding to this commentary, Terryann Catalupo, the auction director, said, “we had lot multiple lot viewing opportunities around the country, including highlights at the Central States Convention and a full lot viewing at PCGS’s Public Friday event, as well as appointments in our office, and these events were all packed. This came out once we set up lot viewing in New Orleans as well, with standing room only and a line waiting to view coins. All told, we yet again achieved record registrations and bidder participation.”

“This crowd joined us both nights in the auction room, bidding in person,” Ms. Abrams continued. “One collector commented to me how the bidding action reminded him of the “old days” when you had to personally attend the sales. It was great to see! The venue helps, as New Orleans is an underserved area for its collectors, so whenever the PCGS Members’ Show comes to town, the local collectors come out in droves.”

“The market right now is very quality focused,” said Laura Sperber, the firm’s partner and founder. “We have always been quality focused, but we are seeing that now, coins that are all there are bringing very strong bidding. The strength of the bids was directly linked to the quality. Of course, PCGS/CAC coins brought the most consistently strong bidding. Also, freshness counts. The coins of the Issaquah Estate collection did very well, as most of those had been off the market for a decade or more. Wolverine Collection coins, likewise, if they were older purchases that were PCGS/CAC did very well. The numbers speak for themselves, just look at these highlights:”

Lot 1. $1 1795 B-3, BB-11. Silver Plug. PCGS AU55 CAC. From the Pug Collection, realized $129,250
Lot 17. $1 1857 PCGS MS64 CAC. From the Issaquah Estate, realized $34,075
Lot 22. $1 1863 PCGS MS64 CAC. From the Issaquah Estate, realized $21,150
Lot 36. $1 1925-S PCGS MS65 CAC. From the Issaquah Estate, realized $36,425
Lot 67. $1 1878 7TF, Reverse of 1878. PCGS MS66 DMPL, realized $37,600
Lot 75. $1 1879-S Reverse of 1878. PCGS MS65+. Realized $19,388
Lot 86. $1 1881-CC PCGS MS67+ CAC. From the Coronet Collection, II realized $28,200
Lot 92 $1 1882-CC PCGS MS66+ DMPL CAC Realized $18,800.00
Lot 144. $1 1893-CC PCGS MS65 CAC. From the Coronet Collection, II realized $152,750
Lot 181. $1 1921-D PCGS MS67 CAC. From the Vanderbilt Collection, ex Coronet, realized $31,725
Lot 199. 1C 1871 PCGS PR66 RD CAC. From the Wolverine Collection, realized $10,575
Lot 227. 10C 1893-O PCGS MS67 CAC. From the Wolverine Collection, ex Eliasberg/Simpson, realized $9,400
Lot 250. 1C 1857 Flying Eagle. PCGS MS65+ CAC. Realized $18,213
Lot 280. 1C 1907 PCGS PR67 RD. Realized $22,913
Lot 311. 5C 1895 PCGS PR68. Realized $73,438
Lot 342 5C 1942 TYII PCGS PR68 CAC $5,640.00
Lot 348. H10C 1837 No Stars, Small Date. PCGS MS67+ CAC. Realized $36,425
Lot 374. 10C 1942/1-D PCGS MS66+ FB CAC. Realized $73,438
Lot 384. 25C 1806/5 PCGS MS64+ CAC. From the Pug Collection, realized $73,438
Lot 412. 25C 1964-D PCGS MS68 CAC. Realized $27,025
Lot 424. 50C 1873 Arrows. PCGS PR66 DCAM CAC. Realized $55,813
Lot 493. $20 1857-S PCGS MS67 CAC “SUPERNOVA” from the S.S. Central America, realized $282,000
Lot 531. $5 1904 PCGS PR67+ CAM CAC. Realized $102,813
Lot 536. $10 1879-O PCGS AU55. Realized $36,425
Lot 550. $10 1907 Wire Rim. PCGS MS65+ CAC. From the Pug Collection, realized $105,750
Lot 605. 50C 1936-D Columbia. PCGS MS68+ CAC. Realized $15,863
Lot 612. 50C 1921 Missouri 2X4. PCGS MS66+ CAC. Realized $31,725

“Right now, the market is starved for great, quality coins,” explained Laura Sperber. “Today, it does not matter if you are buying a $600 classic commemorative or the absolute finest graded Superb Gem rarity, you have to pay up for quality. This is especially true in this current two-tier market. Add to that PCGS has really tightened up, you know that prices for high end coins not only must go up, but actually are in venues like auctions.”

“Consignors rushed over to tell us how amazed their coins did in the sale, that they have already sent us coins for our June Regency Auction. After 32 Regency Auctions,” continued Julie Abrams, “buyers and sellers have come to expect consistently great coins and results from our small, boutique auctions, which offer top-quality and strictly vetted U.S. coins. During the two-day Regency Auction, yet again, neither side was left disappointed.”

Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ next Regency Auction, number 33, will be held on June 27 in Las Vegas. It will be a “do not miss” numismatic event! We’ll be posting highlights shortly. We will also be bringing highlights to the Baltimore Show.

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.

Kansas Governor Signs Bill Providing Sales-Tax Exemption

May 22, 2019 | ICTA/NCBA, News

On Thursday, May 16, 2019, Kansas governor Laura Kelly signed into law House Bill 2140, which provides a sales-tax exemption on sales of gold and silver coins and on all gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion.

“The outcome is not everything we started with in the original bill, but certainly better than where we were,” said Dean Schmidt (Dean Schmidt Rare Coins). The late Diane Piret, ICTA’s director of legislative affairs, would agree. She always said, “It’s better to get a partial loaf than none. We can always come back for more.”

The dealer and collector communities, in conjunction with ICTA, put a tremendous amount of hard work into the grassroots campaign. Dean Schmidt championed the cause for the last three years, raising capital for the lobbyist and reimbursing ICTA’s expenses, getting the word out to the dealers and collectors, speaking all over the state at shows, sending out emails, attending meetings at the State House, and testifying in both the House and Senate. Many other dealers also attended and testified at House and Senate committee hearings, as well as financially contributing to the efforts: Jeremy Brakenhoff and Josh McCleary (Mass Metals/Ownx), Robin Tummons (The House of Stuart), Robert Dunlap (Equity Standard Numismatics of Kansas), and Rick Raines, representing the Johnson County Numismatic Society—a major financial contributor to the campaign. Several ICTA members and club members of JCNS attended committee hearings. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention past ICTA executive director Kathy McFadden’s helpful testimony in committee hearings last year, and the tremendous help of Pat Heller (Liberty Coin Service), ICTA’s traveling sales-tax exemption guru. Big thanks also go to Travis Lowe and Scott Heidner (Gaches, Braden & Associates), the lobbying firm that worked tirelessly on this legislation.

“Kansas now joins the 38 other states with a sales-tax exemption,” said chief operating officer David Crenshaw. “We thank Dean Schmidt for his continued perseverance and the tremendous support of everyone who helped make this exemption a reality.”

The bill was enrolled on Friday, May 10, and presented to Governor Kelly for her signature. The new law’s effective date is July 1, 2019.

“Supernova” Sinks Previous 1857-S $20 Record

May 19, 2019 | Auctions, News

Gold Rush Treasure “Supernova” Sinks Previous 1857-S $20 Record in Legend Rare Coins Auction

S.S. Central America’s Astonishing, Multi-Toned Double Eagle Sells for a record $282,000

The multi-color toned “Supernova” 1857-S Double Eagle recovered in 2014 from the “Ship of Gold” shipwreck of the S.S. Central America was sold for a record price of $282,000 by Legend Rare Coin Auctions. (Photo courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service, www.PCGS.com.)

(New Orleans, Louisiana) May 18, 2019 – The spectacular 1857-S Double Eagle, recovered in 2014 from the fabled S.S. Central America and nicknamed “Supernova” because of its amazing, unique natural toning, set a record price for any 1857 San Francisco Mint $20 gold coin in a public auction conducted by Legend Rare Coin Auctions (www.LegendAuctions.com) in New Orleans, Louisiana, May 16, 2019.

Described by Legend President Laura Sperber as “the most beautifully and amazingly colorful toned gold coin we have ever seen!,” the sunken treasure Double Eagle, graded PCGS MS67, sold for $282,000.

“Because it has amazing blasts of colors, we named it Supernova after something truly cosmic,” explained Dwight Manley, managing partner of the California Gold Marketing Group (CGMG) which consigned the coin to Legend.

“The Supernova now is part of the Black Cat Collection, a world class set of coins being built exclusively by Legend. The collection’s owner adores the color and the romance of this coin because it is real California Gold Rush treasure that was recovered from more than 7,000 feet under the sea after 157 years,” explained Sperber.

The Supernova was among piles and stacks of coins that originally were in boxes of Double Eagles being shipped to New York by San Francisco businesses.

The previous record price for any 1857-S $20 gold piece sold at auction was $152,750 in 2014. That coin also was recovered from the S.S. Central America, the fabled “Ship of Gold” that sank in 1857.
There is only one finer 1857-S Double Eagle known, graded PCGS MS67+, that also was recovered from the S.S. Central America. It is still held by CGMG as part of a six-coin “Crème de la Crème” type set of the finest known San Francisco Mint Gold Rush-era gold coins assembled by Manley from Ship of Gold treasures brought up in 2014.

CGMG acquired all the sunken treasure brought up in 2014 from Ira Owen Kane, Receiver for Recovery Limited Partnership and Columbus Exploration, LLC in a court-approved transaction. CGMG earlier acquired all of the available treasure that was recovered in the late 1980s.

The S.S. Central America sank in a hurricane in September 1857 off the coast of North Carolina while carrying tons of California Gold Rush coins and gold ingots. There were 578 passengers and crew on board, but only 153 survived.

NLG Announces Awards Competition for 2019

May 16, 2019 | Announcements, Shows & Conventions

The Numismatic Literary Guild (www.NLGonline.org), a nonprofit organization composed of editors, authors and writers who cover news and feature stories about all forms of money, medals and tokens as collectibles, has announced its annual awards competition for 2019.

This year’s competition is being overseen by David Lange, the new NLG Awards Coordinator.

To be eligible for consideration in any of this year’s categories, entries must have been published, released, or posted on the Internet between May 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019. With the exception of the Portfolio category, three (3) copies of each entry must be submitted, and each copy must also be accompanied by a cover sheet listing the category and other information spelled out in the rules.

Only one entry per category is allowed per submitter. Each submission must be accompanied by a cover sheet or label attached to each entry copy and containing the following information:

CATEGORY NUMBER
CATEGORY TITLE
NAME OF PUBLICATION
TITLE OF SUBMISSION
DATE OF PUBLICATION
NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF ENTRANT
NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF AUTHOR IF DIFFERENT THAN ENTRANT

All entries must be received no later than Wednesday, June 12, 2019. They should be sent to the contest coordinator at the following address: David W. Lange, NLG Awards Coordinator, c/o NGC, P.O. Box 4776, Sarasota, FL 34230.

Winners will be announced, and awards presented, at the 2019 NLG Bash and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, August 15, 2019, at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money® in Rosemont, IL.

If you submit an entry and cannot be at the awards ceremony in person, you should indicate on your entry cover sheets the name of designated person who can accept the award on your behalf and deliver it to you.

For information about joining the Numismatic Literary Guild, visit www.nlgonline.org/membership.

Here are the NLG 2019 Awards Competition categories and criteria.

BOOKS:

1. Book of the Year

The printed or electronic media work having the greatest potential impact on numismatics. Criteria include overall reader appeal, research quality, photographic and graphic excellence, cover and typography where applicable. Books submitted in the specialized categories are automatically considered for Book of the Year.

Best Specialized Books

Three printed copies or three digital e-books are required to be submitted for each entry category.

2. United States Coins

3. World Coins (pre-1500)

4. World Coins (1500 to present)

5. United States Paper Money

6. World Paper Money

7. Tokens & Medals

8. Errors or Varieties

9. Numismatic Investments

10. Numismatic History or Personalities

NUMISMATIC COLUMNS OR ARTICLES

Best column, article or series of articles in print or online from U.S. and overseas numismatic media. Three copies, photocopies or PDF files of the submission are required to accompany each entry.

11. U.S. Coins to 1900

12. U.S. Coins 1901 to Date

13. World Coins to 1500 (includes Ancients)

14. World Coins 1501 to Date

15. U.S. Paper Money

16. World Paper Money

17. Tokens & Medals

18. Numismatic Spot News, Marketplace, or Analysis

19. Numismatic History or Personalities

20. Ed Reiter Memorial Award For Best Column or Series – Numismatic Publications

Submit three hard copies or photocopies of three different columns published in a numismatic print publication or online.

21. The Maurice M. Gould Memorial Award for Best Column – Non-Numismatic Publications

Submit three copies or photocopies of three different columns. Entries may be submitted by the publisher, editor or columnist of any coin column appearing regularly in any non-numismatic newspaper, magazine or website.

22. James L. Miller Memorial Award – Article or Story of the Year

The best feature article or news story involving coins, paper money, tokens or medals that was published in print and/or online. Submit three copies or photocopies.

PERIODICALS

23. Best Investment Newsletter

Criteria include overall reader appeal, quality of research and writing, and graphics, as applicable. Submit three copies each of three different issues – total, nine submitted items per entry.

24. Best Professional Periodical

Three copies of two different issues of the for-profit, professional numismatic publication may be submitted by the publisher or editor of any daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual for-profit numismatic publication in the U.S. or overseas. Criteria include overall numismatic appeal, features, departments, graphics, journalistic and editorial excellence as applicable.

25. Best Club or Not-for-Profit Periodical

Open to any local, regional, national or international nonprofit numismatic organization in the U.S. or overseas. Submit three copies of two different issues.

WEBSITES

26. Best Online News Website

Submit link(s) to entry pages or three copies of printed selected entry pages.

27. Best Dealer or Industry Website

Submit link(s) to entry pages or three copies of print out of selected entry pages.

28. Best Non-Trade Website

This category is for web sites maintained by coin clubs and other non-commercial organizations and individuals devoted to the coin hobby. Three copies of the web site home page and all posted items linked to it at the time the copies are made, submitted by the publisher or editor, are required to accompany this submission.

29. Best Numismatic Social Media Platform or Coin Collector Forum

The award will be presented for the best numismatic-themed page or feed posted on a collector forum site (or message board) or social media site such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Google Plus. Entries will be judged based on the quality of articles, external links, and graphics posted. Audience engagement also will be considered by the judges. Submit link(s) to entry pages or three print outs of selected entry pages.

30. Best Blog

This award recognizes the best interactive blog that communicates information and personal commentaries about the numismatic hobby. Please submit hard copies of three complete blog entries.

AUCTION CATALOGS

Three copies of each catalog are required for entry. Criteria includes cover design, overall eye appeal, format, graphics and layout, research and quality of description. Entries may be submitted by auction firm, auctioneer or cataloger. ONLY ONE CATALOG FROM EACH AUCTION FIRM will be considered in each category. Multiple entries in any category will be disqualified.

31. Best U.S. Coins Auction Catalog

32. Best World Coins Auction Catalog

33. Best Paper Money Auction Catalog

34. Best Books or Exonumia Auction Catalog

AUDIO-VISUAL

35. Radio

Best news story, feature report or continuing series involving numismatics. Entries must include three copies of a standard-size CD, flash/thumb drive or URL of a story or feature report or three selections from continuing series, accompanied by written statement citing date(s) of broadcast, call letters and location of radio station.

36. Television

Best spot news story, feature report or continuing series involving numismatics shown on television or cable. Entries must include three standard-size CD, flash/thumb drive or VHS videocassette recording of the television story or feature report broadcast or three selections from a continuing televised series. Entry must be accompanied by a written statement citing date(s) of broadcast, call letters and location of station.

37. Audio

Best audio program or podcast involving numismatics, but non-broadcast. Includes audio tracks from numismatic slide shows, educational tapes, audio newsletters and other presentations such as podcasts. Entries must include three copies of a standard-size CD or flash/thumb drive of the audio, written statement citing date(s) of first use.

38. Short Video – Commercial or Non-Commercial

This category is for video presentations of 10 minutes or less. Best non-broadcast slide film, PowerPoint®, movie film or videotape presentation involving numismatics made for educational purposes. Entry must include three copies of the audio as well as visual materials – either written script or soundtrack of DVD or CD, film, audio or video cassette or flash/thumb drive used in presentation.

39. Long Video – Commercial or Non-Commercial

This category is for video presentations lasting longer than 10 minutes. The submission criteria are the same as for No. 38.

40. Software or App

Best presentation of new numismatic-related software or mobile application published in CD-Rom, DVD, App Store or any other electronic format or electronic delivery system. For physical media, three copies of the work needs be submitted. For digitally distributed software or apps, three copies must also be provided, and if the entry is distributed on the Android or Apple store, written instructions must be provided about how to locate and download the app. Each entry must be accompanied by a written statement citing date(s) of first use.

SPECIAL AWARDS

41. Lee Martin Founder’s Award – Best All-Around Portfolio

Collection of writings and/or photographs and related items demonstrating numismatic writing ability and versatility published within the contest year. The emphasis is on quality, not quantity, and organization and presentation will count as heavily as volume. One copy of the portfolio entry needs to be submitted and can be submitted as PDF files on a flash or thumb drive. Items included in the portfolio may also be submitted in other relevant categories at entrant’s option.

42. Clement F. Bailey Memorial Award

This award was endowed by Jim Miller of Miller Magazines in memory of an especially beloved member of the numismatic writing community and NLG founder, Clement F. Bailey. This award recognizes excellence among new writers in numismatics whose first published writings in this field appeared in hobby publications during the previous year. Nominees are supplied solely by numismatic publishers.

43. The Ribbit

This award recognizes an individual who has achieved prominence in numismatics while maintaining approachability, a sense of humor and essential modesty. The winner is selected by the previous year’s recipient.

44. The Clemy

The winner of this award, the Guild’s highest honor, is chosen by the previous year’s recipient(s) from a list of nominees provided by the NLG Board of Directors.

NLG reserves the right to limit the number of plaques for any given entry, with the number to be determined at its discretion. NLG will provide plaques only for the persons named in an entry when it is originally submitted. Winners living in countries other than the United States, Canada and Mexico will receive certificates and cash awards, rather than plaques. The cash award will be $50 for first place winners.

United States Mint Annual Set of Uncirculated Coins Goes on Sale on May 14

May 14, 2019 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

Latest set is the third to include premium penny from West Point

WASHINGTON — The 2019 United States Mint (Mint) Uncirculated Coin Set® (product code 19RJ) will go on sale starting on May 14 at noon (EDT).

This annual collector favorite contains two folders with 10 coins each—one with coins from the United States Mint at Philadelphia and the other with coins from the United States Mint at Denver. Each folder has the following uncirculated finish coins:

Five America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coins honoring Lowell National Historical Park (Massachusetts), American Memorial Park (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), War in the Pacific National Historical Park (Guam), San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Texas), and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness (Idaho).
One Native American $1 Coin with a reverse design depicting Mary Golda Ross writing calculations. Behind her, an Atlas-Agena rocket launches into space, with an equation inscribed in its cloud. An astronaut, symbolic of Native American astronauts, including John Herrington, spacewalks above. In the field behind, a group of stars indicates outer space. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “$1.” The obverse design (heads) retains the central figure Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean Baptiste. The inscriptions are “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
One Kennedy half dollar
One Roosevelt dime
One Jefferson nickel
One Lincoln penny

The United States Mint strikes its uncirculated coins on dedicated presses that use greater force than those used to produce circulating coins. This technique results in a sharp, intricately detailed image. A blister secures the coins in a folder.

This year’s set includes an additional 2019 Lincoln penny with an uncirculated finish and a “W” mint mark. This special coin is packaged separately in clear United States Mint plastic wrap.

The 2019 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set is the third of three annual sets to include an additional, separately packaged premium penny from the West Point facility this year. The 2019 United States Mint Proof Set® comes with an additional premium penny in a proof finish, and the 2019 United States Mint Silver Proof Set® comes with an additional premium penny in a reverse proof finish.

Customers may place their orders at www.catalog.usmint.gov and 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Visit www.catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html for information about shipping options.

The United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set is also available for purchase through the Product Enrollment Program. Visit http://catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/faqs for information about this convenient order option.