Anchored by the Franklin Dean Collection, Superior Galleries? January 2006 Orlando, Fla., Elite Auction realized more than $4 million.
The total, which included the 15 percent buyer?s premium, exceeded Superior?s pre-sale estimates, according to the company.
?We are so pleased to have had the opportunity to offer the Franklin Dean Collection, along with other private collections in our inaugural auction of 2006,? said Larry Abbott, executive vice president and COO of Superior. ?The unqualified success of the auction is a testament to both the freshness of the material and the strength of the overall numismatic marketplace.?
Held Jan. 2, just prior to the 2006 Florida United Numismatists Convention in Orlando, the auction featured fewer than 1,390 lots.
Session II featured the top lot, an 1878 Trade dollar, graded Proof-68 Professional Coin Grading Service, which secured a bid of $120,750. Originally, Superior had estimated that the coin from the Franklin Dean Collection would bring in $20,000 to $35,000. Soon after the start of bidding, the figure rose beyond $50,000 and eventually topped out at six figures.
Silver dollars were prevalent in Session II. A 1795 Flowing Hair dollar, graded AU-58 by Numismatic Guaranty Corp., realized $32,200, while an 1836 PCGS Proof-64 Gobrecht dollar fetched $67,850.
Session I was highlighted by an 1805 dime, graded MS-67 by NGC, that sold for $88,550. In the early copper section, an 1812 cent, in NGC MS-66 condition, garnered $31,050. In the small cent section, a 1909-S Lincoln cent, graded MS-67 by PCGS, brought in $42,550.
Also featured in the sale were Morgan dollars, including the Portia Collection, the Property of a Gentleman and Part IV of the Battle Creek Collection of Rainbow Morgan dollars. The most notable Morgan lot was an 1884 Morgan dollar, graded Proof-68 by PCGS, that realized $44,850.
For more information about this auction or to consign to a future Superior auction, contact Paul Song, vice president of auctions, by calling (310) 203-9855, or by sending an e-mail to paulsong@sgbh.com.
To learn more about Superior Galleries, visit www.sgbh.com. Next up for Superior is its Feb. 5-7 sale featuring the Allan Mandelstamm Collection of U.S. Type coins.
