Sale brings big money in Big Easy

Legend Rare Coin Auctions conducted its 21st Regency Auction May 18 for PCGS members at Harrah’s New Orleans.

The sale consisted of 520 coins and featured several collections including Part 2 of the Bob Simpson Collection of Standard Silver Patterns, selections from JK’s Mirror Collection, the Linda Collection of Mint State Trade Dollars and Part 4 of the Northern Lights Collection.

Legend describes the sale as seeing “decent prices overall, with areas of surprising strength.” Numerous price records fell during the session.

Two portions of the sale saw especially heavy bidding.

“We were astonished at some of the prices realized for some of the proof Franklin half dollars from JK’s Mirror Collection,” said Julie Abrams, Legend president. “These more modern issues really are not our bailiwick, but lots 288, 295 and 297 brought exceptionally strong prices realized.”

Lot 288, a 1951 Franklin half dollar, PCGS PR-66 DCAM CAC, realized $13,512.50.

Lot 295, a 1959 Franklin half dollar, PCGS PR-67 DCAM, brought $9,987.50.

Lot 297, a 1961 Franklin half, DDR PCGS PR-67, went for $5,757.50 .

“Of course, the other area of strength was in the monster toned Morgan dollars,” said Legend founder Laura Sperber.

Morgan dollar highlights include:

• Lot 338: 1879-S PCGS MS-67+ CAC, realized $27,025 on a $7,500+ estimate.

• Lot 344: 1881-S PCGS MS-66+ CAC, realized $17,625 on a $4,000+ estimate.

• Lot 347: 1882-S PCGS MS-67 CAC, realized $15,275 on a $3,000+ estimate.

• Lot 348: 1882-S PCGS MS-67+ CAC, realized $15,862.50 on a $10,000+ estimate.

• Lot 354: 1886 PCGS MS-67 CAC, realized $21,737.50 on a $7,000+ estimate.

“It does amaze us how extreme the depth of the market is for these amazing works of art,” said Sperber.

Other strong prices realized include:

• Lot 490: 1908 Motto $10, matte, PCGS PR-67 CAC, realized $146,875, a record price for the issue.

• Lot 87: 1871 $3, J-1167, PCGS PR-66 RB CAC, realized $18,212.50.

• Lot 95: 1793 Wreath cent with lettered edge, PCGS MS-64 BN CAC, realized $293,750.

• Lot 112: 1909-S V.D.B. cent, PCGS MS-66+ RD CAC, realized $22,912.50.

• Lot 133: 1870 2-cent, PCGS PR-66+ RD CAM CAC, realized $24,675.

• Lot 173: 1797 dime with 16 stars, PCGS MS-62 CAC, realized $31,725.

• Lot 198: 1824/2 quarter, PCGS AU-55 CAC, realized $25,850.

• Lot 199: 1825/4/3 quarter, PCGS MS-64 CAC, realized $15,275.

• Lot 249: 1873 No Arrows, Closed 3 half dollar, PCGS PR-65 DCAM, realized $8,812.50.

More Collecting Resources

• The Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000 is your guide to images, prices and information on coinage of the 1900s.

• Start becoming a coin collector today with this popular course, Coin Collecting 101.