Hungry for new material, bidders in Bowers and Merena?s official auction of the March 2006 Baltimore Coin & Currency Convention pushed total sales over the $4 million mark.

Leading the way was a 1909-O Indian half eagle that realized $175,375.

?While we witnessed strong prices realized for all U.S. coin series, there were two types of consignments that performed exceptionally well in our Baltimore Auction: those with fresh material and/or seldom-offered types, and those with classic numismatic rarities,? said Bowers and Merena President Steve Deeds.
The final total of the sale, conducted in three sessions on March 16 and 17, includes the 15 percent buyer?s premium.

The 1909-O piece is graded MS-64 by Professional Coin Grading Service.

Other highlights included a St. Patrick farthing in PCGS VF-30 condition that realized a price of $10,638. St. Patrick farthings were used in colonial America.

A historic sandblast proof striking of the 1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial commemorative half dollar, graded Proof-66 by Numismatic Guaranty Corp., was another top performer, realizing $65,550.

Jeff Ambio, director of numismatics for Bowers and Merena, said there was also strong bidding on ?classic rarities? in the sale.

?A key-date 1892-S Morgan Dollar that PCGS certified as MS-63 traded hands for $60,950 despite a Coin Dealer Newsletter (commonly referred to as the Greysheet) bid of $42,000 in this grade,? said Ambio.

Among gold rarities, a 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle in PCGS MS-62 condition brought $134,550.

Of the sale, Ambio said, ?It exceeded our expectations. There was lots of strong activity, with one section of the sale starting off strong and that was the Colonial and early federal section.?

For a complete list of prices realized, visit Bowers and Merena on the Internet at www.bowersandmerena.com.

To consign to a future auction, call Bowers and Merena at (800) 458-4646.