Bowers and Merena bagged a $15 million auction as the official auctioneer at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money Aug. 5-10 in Los Angeles.
The total was the combined prices realized at the five-session live auction and the online auction conducted by its sister company, Teletrade Certified Coin and Currency Auctions. The online portion was conducted Aug. 9-10.
One of the highlights of the sale was a 1796 quarter with Small Eagle reverse that attracted a bid of $103,500, including a 15 percent buyer’s fee.
The condition census coin was graded MS-64 by the Professional Coin Grading Service.
“We are very pleased with the results of the auction. This was our second largest auction in the past five years by both value and number of lots, and under the present economy I think that speaks volumes,” said Steve Deeds, president of B&M.
A bid of $161,000 captured a gold quarter eagle dated 1808, left-facing Capped Bust graded MS-61 by PCGS. The BD-1, HBCC-3017 variety was called a Rarity-4.
Bringing $126,500 was a PCGS Proof-65 1838 Gobrecht dollar with the name omitted. It was cataloged as a Judd-84 Restrike.
A $94,875 price was realized by a Proof-64 Red 1864 Indian Head cent with the “L” designer’s initial on the ribbon. It is a coin from a unique die marriage and the variety is called Snow-PR3. Mintage for all “L” proofs is estimated at 20 pieces, the catalog said.
Another classic collector coin that many hobbyists fondly remember pursuing brought an incredible price. A 1925-S Buffalo nickel graded MS-66 by Numismatic Guaranty Corp. sold for $87,400.
A $70,150 price was generated by an 1852 Augustus Humbert. $50 gold piece, K-11. Rarity-5. Reeded Edge, 887 THOUS graded PCGS AU-58.
A 1909-D Indian Head $10 gold piece that was graded MS-66 by PCGS weighed with a bid of $53,475.
This condition census coin came from the Annapolis Collection as did a 1916-S Indian Head $10 that fetched $47,150.
For more information, telephone (800) 458-4646. Prices realized for all past auctions are available at www.bowersandmerena.com.
