Comprised of colorfully toned commemoratives and other U.S. coins, the Robert Michael Prescott Collection helped American Numismatic Rarities realize more than $5 million in its Jan. 3 auction in Orlando, Fla.
Held just prior to the Florida United Numismatists show, the ANR sale was held at the Renaissance Orlando Resort Hotel. In all, the auction took in $5,056,589.60, including the 15 percent buyer?s premium.
Among the top lots, the first rarity to change hands was a Mint State 1794 half cent that sold for $80,500 to a private collector who is building a collection with the help of ANR. The coin, graded MS-65 BN by Numismatic Guaranty Corp., brought an opening bid of $30,000.
ANR reports that early copper continued to be strong as a 1795 Lettered Edge cent, graded MS-65 by Professional Coin Grading Service, the Sheldon-75 brought $74,750 to an ANR phone bidder.
Topping them all was a fully red 1803 S-254 cent, graded MS-64 by PCGS, that sold for $92,000. The Draped Bust large cent opened at $18,000, then rose to $30,000, and $40,000, until it hit the $92,000 mark. The same coin had sold for $10,000 back in 1981.
Gold coins attracted heavy interest. Three early gold rarities brought big sums in the Orlando event. Competition was keen for a pair of early gold half eagles graded MS-64 by PCGS, as an 1806 Breen 5-E sold for $64,400 and an 1808 Breen 4-A saw a final bid of $46,000. A famed rarity in the series, according to the ANR cataloger, a 1834 Crosslet 4, Capped Bust $5 in NGC MS-62 sold for a substantial $69,000.
The Prescott Sale also featured rare silver. An 1822 dime, graded MS-63 by PCGS, realized $23,000.
The next ANR auction event is slated for Baltimore, Md., in March. To consign to an upcoming ANR sale, contact Dr. Richard A. Bagg or John Pack at P.O. Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH 03894 or call (866) 811-1804. ANR?s Web site, www.anrcoins.com, includes results from this and previous ANR auctions.
