1943 bronze cent error leads auction

The 487-lot Regency Auction VII saw fevered floor, phone, absentee and Internet bidding, with pre-bids pouring in up to the start of the three and a half hour sale May 22 in Las Vegas.

Legend-Morphy partner Laura Sperber was “very pleased with the results of the sale. Bidding was very active in all areas, and we saw a huge number of unique bidders.”

Legend Rare Coin Auctions saw the top lot, the famous 1943 bronze cent mint error PCGS AU-55 CAC bring $329,000. Sperber called it one of the rarest, most famous U.S. rarities in existence.

Dan Morphy returned to the podium to call the sale.

Legend-Morphy Rare Coin Auctions ended its partnership with Morphy Auctions May 22 in Las Vegas, rolling out its largest sale to date.

Total prices realized were $1,644,216.36 with buyer’s premium. Highlights include:

• Lot 12 - 1C 1943 bronze mint error PCGS AU55 CAC, $329,000.

• Lot 151 - 20C 1875 PCGS PR-66 cameo ex Col. Green/Newman, $18,800.

• Lot 190 - 50C 1862 PCGS PR-67 CAM, $35,250.

• Lot 207 - 50C 1921 PCGS MS-65+ CAC, $28,200.

• Lot 384 - G$1 1853 PCGS MS-67 CAC ex Simpson, $22,325.

• Lot 399 - $3 1882 PCGS MS-67 ex Simpson, $94,000.

• Lot 402 - $5 1818 PCGS AU-55 CAC Harry Bass, $30,550.

• Lot 428 - $10 1844 PCGS AU-55, $19,975.

• Lot 435 - $10 1905 PCGS MS-67 CAC ex Simpson/Hall, $58,750.

Sperber said the $5 1818 PCGS AU-55 CAC Harry Bass realized $30,550.00 “after an absolute bidding war, and deservedly so. Nice early gold pieces like that do not appear very frequently. The GSA Morgan Dollar Collection also didn’t disappoint. Most pieces went for strong numbers and had numerous aggressive internet bidders.”

All prices realized are posted on the Legend-Morphy website: http://www.legendauctions.com.

Additionally, this was the first sale to utilize AuctionFlex’s Bidopia, a new and improved online bidding platform from Legend-Morphy’s last several sales.

“We were really pleased with the results. Not only were we able to put on our largest sale to date, the programming upgrades helped make this sale as problem free and seamless as we could have hoped for,” stated Devin Healey, Legend-Morphy Director of Digital Marketing & Auction Operations. “We’re confident that not only the content, but also the technical aspects of our sales, will continue to improve for bidders.”

The Regency Auction VII will be the final sale under the “Legend-Morphy” banner. Beginning with the July 17 Regency Auction VIII, the auction house will officially be known as “Legend Rare Coin Auctions.” The entire Legend-Morphy team “would like to thank Morphy Auctions for all their hard work and dedication over the past two years, as we could never have grown such a successful auction house without them. It’s just time for us to move in a new direction.”

The Regency Auction VIII, the first offered by Legend Rare Coin Auctions, will be held Thursday, July 17 at the PCGS Members Only Show at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Lot viewing will be held June 25 - 27 at the Spring Baltimore Expo.

For information about Legend Rare Coin Auctions or consigning to future sales, e-mail Julie Abrams at juliea@legendmorphy.com, call 845-430-4378, or visit www.legendauctions.com.