Record prices were achieved by the sale of The Richard L. Lissner Collection called Aug. 1-2 at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare, just prior to the annual summer convention of the American Numismatic Association.
Total of prices realized was $6,993,661 (including the 21 percent buyer’s fee), three times pre-sale estimates. All 2,183 lots were sold.
The auction of the Lissner collection was conducted jointly by St. James’s Auctions, LLC (Knightsbridge Coins), of London, England, and Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., of Lancaster, Pa., and London with cataloging by the M. Louis Teller Numismatic Company of Encino, Calif.
“This was without a doubt the most exciting sale that we have ever had,” said Stephen Fenton, director of St. James’s Auctions.
Mark Teller said, “Although one or two coins fell short of what we had anticipated, the vast majority left us awestruck.”
Victor England, U.S. director at Classical Numismatic Group, said “When an important collection is brought to market and it is presented with great photographs and conservative estimates, the results are usually outstanding.”
Realizing $114,950 was a Colonial piece from Colombia issued by Fernando VI, 1759-No Ro JV AR 8 reales, Nuevo Reino (Santa Fé de Bogotá) mint. Juan de Chávez and Victoriano del Valle y Mendoza, assayers. KM 33; Gilboy SF-8-1. It is in Numismatic Guaranty Corporation encapsulation graded MS- 62 WINGS APPROVED.
Bringing $108,900 was a piece from the Chilean Republic. 1828-TH AR “Fine Type” Peso. Coquimbo mint. Gregorio Cordovez, mintmaster. Theodor Hagen, assayer. KM-88. In NGC encapsulation graded MS-63 WINGS APPROVED.
Also reaching $108,900 is a coin from Vietnam (Annam), French Cochinchina. 1879-A Proof AR Essai de Piastre. Guilloteau 3938; VG, Coloniales 8; KM E12. In NGC encapsulation graded PF- 66 WINGS APPROVED.
At $78,650 was a gold piece from Guatemala, Central American Republic. 1824-NG M AV 8 Escudos. Nueva Guatemala mint. Manuel Eusebio Sanchez, assayer. Friedberg 26; KM-8. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 62 WINGS APPROVED.
Next is $72,600 fetched by a gold piece from Bolivia described as Republic. 1852-PTS FP AV 8 escudos. Potosí mint. Fortunato Equivar, assayer. KM-115; Friedberg 33; Y A14. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 62 WINGS APPROVED.
At $66,550 is a coin of Napoléon I of France, 1804-1814. 1815-A Proof AV 20 francs Cent Jours (Hundred Days) issue. Paris mint. VG 1025a; KM 705.1; cf. Friedberg 522 (for business strike). In NGC encapsulation graded PF-65 Cameo WINGS APPROVED.
Selling for $60,500 was a Venezuelan Republic 1879 AR 1/5 Bolivar. Brussels mint. Crude letters. KM (Y) 19.1. In NGC encapsulation graded MS-63.
A Costa Rican gold piece realized $52,425. It was described as: Central American Republic. 1828-CR F AV 8 escudos. San José mint. KM 17; Cr 10; Friedberg 1. In NGC encapsulation graded AU-58.
The same price was achieved by a Romanian issue: Principality. Carol I. As Domnitor, 1866-1881. 1870-C AV 20 lei. Bucharest mint. KM 7; Friedberg 2. In NGC encapsulation graded MS-67 WINGS APPROVED.
Printed catalogs are available with prices realized. Visit cngcoins.com and visit the Lissner Collection page under The Coin Shop category. Catalogs are $75 to North American addresses and $100 to the rest of the world. Payment may be made by U.S. dollar check or Visa/MasterCard.
For further details please contact CNG, Inc. by email: cng@cngcoins.com.
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