(Lincroft, NJ—May 18, 2017)—Legend Rare Coin Auctions conducted its 21st Regency Auction on the evening of May 18. The sale consisted of 520 hand selected, quality rare coins featuring several important collections. Included among these was Part 2 of the Bob Simpson Collection of Standard Silver Patterns, selections from JK’s Mirror Collection, the Linda Collection of Mint State Trade Dollars, and Part 4 of the Northern Lights Collection. Regency Auction XXI saw decent prices overall, with areas of surprising strength, showing that truly special coins, properly marketed in our boutique venue, will bring “beyond moon money.” Numerous price records fell during the session as numismatists from across the globe competed for their prized new purchases.
Two portions of the sale saw especially heavy bidding. “We were astonished at some of the prices realized for some of the Proof Franklin half dollars from JK’s Mirror Collection,” explained Julie Abrams. “These more modern issues really are not our bailiwick, but lots 288, 295, and 297 brought exceptionally strong prices realized.” (1951 PCGS PR66 DCAM CAC, 1959 PCGS PR67 DCAM, 1961 DDR PCGS PR67) brought $13,512.50, $9,987.50, and $5,757.50 respectively.
“Of course, the other area of strength was in the monster toned Morgan dollars,” declared Laura Sperber, founder of Legend Auctions, “the prices can be divided into two categories, ‘record prices’ and ‘insane, beyond moon money prices!’ Coins in the latter category were:
Lot 338 1879-S PCGS MS67+ CAC ‘SUPER FLY’, which realized $27,025 on a $7,500+ estimate
Lot 344 1881-S PCGS MS66+ CAC ‘KRYPTONITE’, which realized $17,625 on a $4,000+ estimate
Lot 347 1882-S PCGS MS67 CAC ‘WOWSER BOWSER’, which realized $15,275 on a $3,000+ estimate
Lot 348 1882-S PCGS MS67+ CAC ‘HIGH ANXIETY’, which realized $15,862.50 on a $10,000+ estimate
Lot 354 1886 PCGS MS67 CAC ‘OUTRAGEOUS’, which realized $21,737.50 on a $7,000+ estimate.”
Sperber continued, “It does amaze us how extreme the depth of the market is for these amazing works of art. The demand for the simply stupefying amazing toned dollars is just never ending. There really is a parallel between exceptional quality rare coins and other valued collectibles. As we were conducting our sale, Sotheby’s sold a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat for $110,500,000—the highest price ever paid for a work by an American artist at auction. Collectors, whether they collect high end coins, or high end art, will do fierce battle to acquire the objects of their desires.”
Other strong prices realized include:
Lot 87 $3 1871 J-1167. PCGS PR66 RB CAC, realized $18,212.50
Lot 95 1C 1793 WREATH. LETTERED EDGE. PCGS MS64 BN CAC, realized $293,750
Lot 112 1C 1909-S V.D.B. PCGS MS66+ RD CAC, realized $22,912.50
Lot 133 2C 1870 PCGS PR66+ RD CAM CAC, realized $24,675
Lot 173 10C 1797 16 STARS. PCGS MS62 CAC, realized $31,725
Lot 198 25C 1824/2 PCGS AU55 CAC, realized $25,850
Lot 199 25C 1825/4/3 PCGS MS64 CAC, realized $15,275
Lot 249 50C 1873 NO ARROWS, CLOSED 3. PCGS PR65 DCAM, realized $8,812.50
Lot 438 $1 1927-S PCGS MS65 CAC, realized $15,275
Lot 445 1C-$1 1886 ORIGINAL PROOF SET, PCGS PR66-67, realized $55,812.50
Lot 446 G$1 1849 NO L. PCGS MS66 CAC, realized $15,862.50
Lot 489 $10 1913-S PCGS MS62 CAC, realized $17,037.50
Lot 490 $10 1908 MOTTO. MATTE. PCGS PR67 CAC, realized $146,875 (a record price for the issue!)
“Legend Rare Coin Auctions continues to grow with each sale,” said Greg Cohen, Senior Numismatist, said. “This sale did see a record number of registered bidders participating in the sale, bidding prior to and during the sale online.”
Julie Abrams continued, “our niche spot in the rare coin auction business, as the boutique venue that offers only the finest and freshest, hand selected coins enables bidders to participate with full confidence that they will only be getting the best quality coins for their collections. With the results of Regency Auction XXI, we have proved once again that Legend Rare Coin Auctions is the small auction house that gets big results!”
Legend has a robust auction schedule for the remainder of 2017, including monthly Premier Sessions Internet only auctions and Regency Auctions in July, October, and December. Contact Julie Abrams or Greg Cohen if you would like to discuss consigning. Time and space are limited, so act now. Legend offers the finest customer service, competitive commission and cash advance terms and generous finders fees on qualified consignments. You can reach Julie at julie@legendauctions.com or 845-430-4378 or Greg at greg@legendauctions.com, or 732-935-1168. For more information visit www.legendauctions.com.