The Eliasberg specimen 1913 Liberty Head nickel sold for $5 million in a private treaty sale. The unnamed California buyer took possession of it April 25.
It is a record price for the coin and the second highest price ever paid for any rare coin.
?The new owner is a long-time Southern California resident and a dedicated collector,? said Santa Barbara coin and jewelry merchant, Ronald J. Gillio, who negotiated the sale between the collector and the sellers, Legend Numismatics of Lincroft, New Jersey and Washington state business executive, Bruce Morelan.
Legend and Morelan jointly purchased the coin from New Hampshire dealer, Ed Lee, in May 2005 for a then-record price of $4,150,000. It is graded Proof-66 by Professional Coin Grading Service, and is the finest of the five known 1913 Liberty Head nickels.
Gillio said he talked with the collector about the coin for over three months.
?We spoke many times in recent months about the coin?s legendary numismatic status, and he agreed to purchase it for $5 million,? explained Gillio who recently was named Numismatic Acquisition Coordinator for Spectrum Numismatics International and Bowers and Merena Auctions, and continues his role for Collectors Universe as General Chairman of the Long Beach and Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expos.
The unnamed collector took possession of the coin at an undisclosed Southern California location on Wednesday, April 25.
