Legend-Morphy launches

Two collectibles experts, auction house owner Dan Morphy and antique coin authority Laura Sperber, have joined forces to establish Legend-Morphy Rare Coin Auctions. The new firm will produce a minimum of two rare coin auctions per year, according to a June 6 announcement.

Morphy is CEO and owner of Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pa., and Sperber is a U.S. coin expert and founding owner of Legend Numismatics Inc. The third key player behind the new operation is Julie Abrams, who co-founded the digitized coin-auction company Teletrade in 1986. Abrams will serve as president of Legend-Morphy, overseeing all executive matters and day-to-day operations.

Morphy said the new company will take an innovative approach to numismatic sales. “As I see it, the coin auction world has always been about business and numbers. What it has lacked is personalized service at both ends of a transaction – for the customer who is buying just as much as for the consignor who is selling.

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“Morphy-Legend will certainly be run like a world-class rare coin business if Laura and Julie are involved. They’re consummate professionals, both in their business acumen and knowledge of coins. But the three of us are also committed to injecting excitement and passion into the process of buying and selling fine coins.”

Legend-Morphy’s auctions will be conducted live at Morphy’s southeastern Pennsylvania gallery and other venues, with some of the auction dates and locations chosen specifically to coincide with major coin shows. All forms of bidding will be available at the company’s sales, including absentee, phone and live via the Internet. Morphy’s staff will handle pre- and post-event duties, catalog production and shipping.

Legend-Morphy will launch its new operation with a Sept. 27 sale at Morphy’s gallery. The company’s website, www.legendmorphy.com, was expected to go live in late June. To inquire about consigning, call (717) 335-3435, or e-mail juliea@legendmorphy.com.