Legend Rare Coins Rounds Out Year with Regency Auction 35

Legend Rare Coin Auctions conducted its final Regency Auction of the year on Dec. 12. It marked the firm’s 35th sale as the official auctioneer of the PCGS Members Only Show. Held at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the sale of 611 coins drew buyers from far and wide to bid on coins from the Valley View, Trzaska, Cullen B., and Piedmont Numismatics collections as well as other consignments.

One of the top-selling lots was Lot 254, a 1795 Flowing Hair Liberty dime graded MS-66 by PCGS, certified by CAC. In the catalog, it is described as having lustrous and beautifully toned surfaces. Also, “a Wealth of deep rose and teal-blue hues cover the centers, with accents of gold and silver near the rims,” according to Legends’ auction catalog.

With a description like that, it’s no surprise bidders were eager to get their hands on this coin. It sold for nearly $10,000 over its pre-sale estimate of $70,000-75,000, for a total price realized of $79,312.50.

Another coin that sold for the same price was Lot 527, a 1934-S Peace dollar. The catalog says, “this lustrous beauty has a delicate dusting of iridescent, pastel toning that clings to the highly satiny surfaces.” Though it sold for the same price as Lot 254, it hammered well below its pre-sale estimate of $90,000-$100,000.

The most surprising lot was Lot 353, a 1943-S Walking Liberty half dollar graded MS-67+ by PCGS. The catalog says, “The pearly silver surfaces have a thick satiny sheen that is a genuine delight to behold. A trace of the palest powder blue iridescent toning caresses the smooth surfaces.”

Even though it is not the top-selling lot, it is significant in that it sold for $32,000 over its estimate of $20,000-$22,000. Its total price realized was $52,875.

The standing-room-only crowd, coupled with phone and a record number of online bidders, resulted in a sale that set more than 20 new world-record prices realized. One of these lots was 368, a 1961 Doubled Die Reverse graded PR-67+ by PCGS, certified by CAC. It is “tied with just one other as finest in the designation,” according to Legend.

“Ultra-deep mirrors contrast nicely with the sharp devices. The doubling is most noticeable on E PLURIBUS UNUM and other letters.”

Estimated at $9,000-$10,000, the lot sold for $4,500 over its estimate with a total price realized of $14,687.50.

Another notable lot was Lot 220, a 1915-S Buffalo nickel graded MS-67 by PCGS, certified by CAC. This piece was last sold in July 2009 and realized $43,125. The catalog describes it having “a wonderful mint brilliance on both sides, accenting a better than average strike … a light pastel iridescent tone embraces both the obverse and reverse, the shades of blue, gold, and peach are enlivened by the brilliance of the mint luster.”

The coin sold for a total of $55,812.50, more than $15,000 over its estimate of $36,000-$40,000.

Other notable lots include:

Lot 7: 50C 1942 MS-68 CAC. Realized $28,200.

Lot 26: 50C 1940 PCGS PR-68 CAC. Realized $18,800.

Lot 122: 1C 1910 PCGS PR-67+ RD CAC. Realized $52,875.

Lot 153: 5C 1877 PCGS PR-67 CAM CAC. Realized $20,562.50.

Lot 219: 5C 1914 PCGS MS-67+ CAC. Realized $27,025.

Lot 220: 5C 1915-S PCGS MS-67 CAC. Realized $55,812.50.

Lot 277: 10C 1897 PCGS PR-67 DCAM CAC. Realized $21,737.50.

Lot 353: 50C 1943-S PCGS MS-67+ CAC. Realized $52,875.

Lot 357: 50C 1946-S PCGS MS-67+ CAC. Realized $22,912.50.

Lot 368: 50C 1961 Doubled Die Reverse PCGS PR-67+ CAC. Realized $14,687.50.

“The crowds were huge, especially for the Valley View and Trzaska Collections,” explained Julie Abrams, president of Legend Rare Coin Auctions. “We had to bring in extra seats for the attendees. Registrations jumped in the last 48-72 hours before the sale, and continued to grow during the sale, as record numbers of internet attendees participated.”

“Overall, the results were much stronger than I had anticipated,” said Laura Sperber of Legend. “With the market slowing a bit, we are more than thrilled to see a new collector base continuing to develop through our Regency sales. I am proud to say we now have several collectors exclusively building new major collections through LRCA. When done they will rival the very best! A vast majority of the coins sold went to collectors or their agents – we love that!”

Abrams concluded, “This auction was a fantastic way to end the year, as our boutique-style sales continue to garner more and more attention from the collecting public. We look forward to continuing this momentum in 2020 so that we can keep providing a showcase of top-quality coins for the market.”

Legend’s next sale is the Jan. 30 Regency Auction 36. The consignment deadline is now passed, and cataloging and photographing is well underway. Expect the sale to be live online around the beginning of January, with a watchlist being posted in the coming days. Consignments are being sought for Regency Auction 37, being held in March in Philadelphia. For more information about what is consigned to these two sales, or to consign to a future LRCA Regency Auction, call (732) 935-1168 or email info@legendauctions.com. 

To view all lots from Regency Auction 35, click here.