Category Archives: Greg Reynolds

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What Do Coin Auction Prices Mean?

Auction Prices for Rare Coins.
Image: CoinWeek.

By Greg Reynolds for CoinWeek …..
Though auction prices are often cited as market prices, not enough has been written about the nature and meaning of auction prices and how these relate to market prices. In this article, I’m not talking about bullion items or generic coins like the 1924 $20 double eagle or the 1881-S Morgan dollar. Instead, I’m referring to pre-1934 coins that are rare or at least very scarce. How do auction results for pre-1934 U.S. coins relate to market prices? Are auction prices market prices?

What Do Auction Prices Mean?

To help answer that question, I asked some experts.

Kris Oyster of Dallas Gold and Silver Exchange finds that “most auction prices are somewhere in the middle of wholesale prices and retail prices.”

Similarly, Mark Feld, a longtime coin business veteran and an expert grader, states that “auction prices are a blend of wholesale and retail prices,” depending upon the motivation and knowledge of the respective bidders.

For our purposes, “Wholesale” can be thought of as what dealers are willing to pay in dealer-to-dealer transactions, and “retail” is the price that dealers offer to collectors that they don’t have a previous working relationship with. Often, but not always, an auction price will be in the upper register of a wholesale price range or in the lower part of a retail price range for a respective coin. As to why “retail” is the higher of the two, keep in mind that a dealer likely has their own capital tied up in the purchase of the coin for their inventory and must cover those costs in any given sale (one dealer buying from another can even be seen as lowering the first dealer’s inventory costs).

So one factor influencing this pricing between wholesale and retail might be that while an auctioneer is paid a commission from the buyer and the seller of a coin, they otherwise have no financial interest in what the coin costs to either party.

But an exception to this middle-ground pricing is when extremely rare coins are sold at auction. On average (but not always), these realize stronger prices than coins that are not as distinctive. Consider, as examples, Capped Head $5 half eagles from the 1820s, U.S. Patterns, 1854-S $2.50 quarter eagles, and extremely rare die varieties of Bust dimes or early large cents. Are the markets for these defined by auction prices?

No, there are plenty of cases of extremely rare patterns, Capped Head half eagles, or early large cent die varieties being purchased by dealers who, not long afterwards, sell them to collectors for 5% to 40% over their respective auction prices. In some cases, the auction result for an extremely rare item will be a retail price and, in other cases, it will be a wholesale price (the markets for rare coins can be thinly capitalized). It doesn’t make sense to consider auction prices realized in both categories to be “market prices” or “true values”. Even for extremely rare items, auction prices may substantially differ from market prices.

John Albanese
CAC founder John Albanese. Image: John Albanese / CoinWeek

In general, CAC President John Albanese strongly maintains that it is almost impossible to draw a conclusion about the meaning of most auction prices for scarce or rare coins. In 1987, Albanese was the sole founder of NGC, and in 2007, he founded CAC.

“Usually, you do not really know why a coin sells for a price at auction,” Albanese states. “It could have been in an old [PCGS or NGC] holder and be bought just to upgrade. A dealer who is getting his 5% commission may push a collector to buy a coin so the [dealer-agent] gets paid. A coin may also bring too low a price at auction if only wholesalers, not collectors or retailers, bid on it. I do not rely on auction prices – auction records are number four on my list of sources to price a coin.”

Similarly, Matt Kleinsteuber asserts that many auction prices are not reflective of market prices. He regards market prices for coins to be the prices that prevail in dealer-to-dealer transactions, which I (this writer) refer to as “wholesale”. Matt is the lead grader and trader for NFC Coins (Numismatic Financial Corporation).

At auctions, Kleinsteuber says that “some coins are beyond great bargains and some stuff brings ultimate dollar. [Indeed,] some coins bring way too much and others not nearly enough,” less than wholesale prices. “As an example,” Matt mentions that he buys “rainbow toned silver coins at auctions and then sells them two or three days later to other dealers for 50% more” than the auction prices realized. In other cases, “rainbow toned silver coins bring 100% more” than wholesale prices for such coins.

Like Albanese, Kleinsteuber does NOT rely on auction prices to value coins.

“It is necessary to take many factors into consideration,” he said. “I need to know what the coin looks like. Just knowing its [type, date, and] certification is not enough.”

When Collectors Buy for Their Collections

Often at auctions, collectors buy coins for their respective collections. When an auction lot sells directly to a collector, the price realized should be interpreted much differently than when a coin is acquired by a wholesaler who stays in the shadows and does not wish to sell directly to collectors.

1936 Albany Half Dollar. CAC-approved MS67. Image: GreatCollections.
1936 Albany Half Dollar. CAC-approved MS67. Image: GreatCollections.

When a coin is acquired at auction by a wholesaler, the coin may eventually be sold by a telemarketer for a price that is 20% to 75% higher than the price the same coin realized at auction. Therefore, in the same auction, some coins will sell directly to collectors and others will eventually be sold to retail clients for 20% to 75% more than the auction results.

A substantial percentage of auctioned coins will eventually sell for prices in the range of 5% to 30% over their respective auction results. Even so, it does not make sense to refer to both the auction price for a coin that a collector buys directly and the auction price for a coin that will soon be sold for 20% to 30% more as a “market price”.

Mark Feld raises the issue of dealers losing money on auction purchases, which I know to be a common occurrence. If a dealer outbids a collector, and the dealer later loses money on the coin, Feld suggests that the “price paid might have been retail.”

Clearly, when more than one collector is seriously competing for a coin at auction, the result is likely to be a retail price for the coin. But then again, if not-so-serious collectors or even zero collectors bid on a coin, the auction result could still be a retail price.

When Collectors Are Represented by Dealers

To acquire coins at auction, a collector may be represented by a dealer. A fee is usually paid for this service, typically 5% of the hammer price. Such representation occurs often at major coin auctions. In my personal opinion, it would make sense for the collector and his representative to negotiate a different arrangement, one that is not based on a percentage of the price realized. Nevertheless, the standard fee for such a service has always been 5% of the hammer price of the coins that the collector actually buys.

Coin dealer Laura Sperber bids on behalf of a client. Image: CoinWeek.
Coin dealer Laura Sperber bids on behalf of a client. Image: CoinWeek.

The dealer/agent may either use a separate bidder number for a collector/client or they may just place their own purchases and their clients’ on one bidder number. In many cases, it’s not apparent to other participants or even to the auction company that a dealer is representing a collector. Nonetheless, when dealers/agents are competing with collectors and/or other dealers, the coins purchased are likely to sell for prices in the retail range.

When Dealers Bid on Coins with a Customer in Mind

It is not unusual for a dealer to buy a coin at auction with a collector/customer already in mind. In such a situation, the dealer doesn’t know for certain that this collector will buy the coin, but it’s likely. The collector may wish to examine each coin before making a final decision. In this category of auction bidding, the dealer is thus assuming more risk than one would be if they were representing a collector for a 5% fee. So in this situation, the dealer will probably offer the coin to the collector they had in mind for 6% to 15% over the auction result.

Man thinking. Image: Adobe Stock.
Image: Adobe Stock.

In the event that the targeted collector fails to buy the coin, the dealer will likely offer it to other collectors for 6% to 30% over the auction result, depending on the nature of the coin and the relative strength of the particular auction result. If the dealer paid a retail or almost retail price for the coin at auction, then he may sell it at a loss to another dealer. Indeed, it would not be rare for a dealer to incur a loss in such a situation.

So far, three kinds of collector-oriented bidding have been covered: collectors bidding for themselves, collectors bidding through agents, and collectors indirectly (and sometimes unknowingly) influencing the bidding of dealers. Bidding in all three of these categories will often push auction prices into the retail price range.

When Dealers Buy to Upgrade

Though it pushes prices upward, the saddest and most harmful reason for a dealer to buy a coin at auction is to upgrade it.

Uncirculated and Proof coins are graded on a scale from 60 to 70, and one grade increment can equate to a substantial or even tremendous increase in value. For extremely rare coins, a jump in a circulated grade, perhaps from VF-35 to EF-40 may also result in a marked increase in value.

If a coin that is PCGS- or NGC-certified as grading 65 is ‘cracked out’ and re-submitted, it may be awarded a 66 grade. Crackouts have been occurring since the PCGS was founded in 1986. The era of severe grade-inflation, roughly from 1997 to 2006, led to many coins being upgraded by one, two or even three grade increments. For example, it is not unusual for a gold rarity that formerly graded EF-40 to be certified as grading AU-53 now.

While the problems caused by grade-inflation are significant, coin doctoring is even worse.

It is important to emphasize that most dealers who play the ‘crackout’ game lose money. Likewise, there are a fairly small number of coin doctors who can successfully deceive professional third party graders. The point in this context is that when bidders want to upgrade a coin that is being sold at auction, the price realized may not correspond to either a wholesale or a retail level relating to the PCGS- or NGC-certified grade of the coin in question. A coin that is certified as grading MS64 may be graded “MS66” by two bidders who seek to upgrade it.

When Dealers Buy to Sell to Collectors

Curiously, many mainstream dealers (in rare U.S. coins) attain most of their inventories at auction. By this, I mean a situation where the dealer/buyer is seriously planning to sell his auction purchase for a profit within one year of purchasing it. When a dealer keeps a coin purchased at auction for more than one year, especially if he figures he is likely to do so, he really becomes a speculator or a collector in regard to the purchase of that coin.

Generally, when a dealer buys at auction with the idea of selling to a collector in less than one year, he should be a collector-oriented dealer who has knowledge of the demands of his customers and potential customers. Auction results that fall into this category are often in the upper reach of the wholesale range or even in the retail range proper if the collector-oriented dealer thinks they can pay a retail price and then charge still more. Some dealers have an advanced understanding of the markets for particular kinds of coins and/or a strong clientele for such coins.

When Dealers Buy to Sell to Other Dealers

From the time that I started writing about coin auctions, this category of auction buyers has puzzled me. Although I maintain that the activities of coin doctors and even non-doctoring crackout artists are harmful to collectors and to the long-term health of coin markets, I have always understood their activities.

I am curious about the wholesalers who are not crackout artists and have no collectors as customers. Most of them don’t even want to meet collectors. There are wholesalers who trade exclusively with other dealers. When these dealers buy coins at auction, it is usually true that the prices realized are at wholesale levels, or even below wholesale.

Conclusions

Are most auction results in wholesale price ranges? Yes, undoubtedly so.

Many collectors do not participate in auctions, or at least not as often as they purchase coins privately. There are many collectors who wish to physically examine coins for themselves before making a decision. Furthermore, there are collectors who do not feel comfortable making the snap decisions required of an auction setting. Coin collectors frequently take a leisurely approach to acquisitions. Moreover, in many instances, collectors are persuaded by dealers to buy specific coins. The dynamics of an auction are different from the characteristics of a private sale, in which collectors are willing to pay more than pertinent auction results.

CAC Certified Coin Prices Realized in October 2023.Is it possible to know the meaning of a specific auction price for a rare coin? Many clues are available to anyone who devotes a lot of time to researching coins. After auctions, many auction purchases can be seen at dealers’ tables on the bourse floors of shows and conventions.

How about the connection between auction prices and estimated values in price guides? I asked Laura Sperber of Legend Numismatics about the usefulness of price guides.

There are NO accurate price guides,” she responded – with emphasis upon the word NO!

Regarding rare coins, I tend to agree. Some guides are more accurate than others for specific series and/or grade ranges.

Matching an auction price to a price guide value would not prove that both are accurate in such a case. It may be a consequence of two bidders employing incorrectly high price guide values to factor bids.

As for my own research and analysis, I find that some (not all) dealers and collectors are happy to discuss their auction purchases and unsuccessful bids with me after the auction, sometimes a week later. Furthermore, I frequently talk to dealers about private transactions, and I sometimes report on them. To understand market prices, and the correlation between market prices and auction prices, I learn about private transactions, dealer asking prices, and the availability of particular categories of coins.

There is no simple formula for analyzing auction prices. I hope that my discussion here contributes to an understanding of bidding behavior and auction phenomena.

* * *

The post What Do Coin Auction Prices Mean? appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

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Legend Rare Coin Auctions Regency XXII Sale: Lots You Need to Know

By CoinWeek ….. Handpicked high-eye-appeal U.S. coins are the hallmark of Legend Rare Coin Auctions (LRCA) and on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the New Jersey-based firm will offer 515 PCGS- and NGC-certified coins at their Regency XXII Sale. Many are either conditionally rare or rare in […]

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Classic US Coins – Is the Vintage Commemorative Coin Market Sunk?

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #380 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Vintage silver commemorative coins were minted from 1892 to 1955. Except for the Isabella quarter (1893) and the Lafayette silver dollar (1900), all are half dollars. Prices for these have never come […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 15: Two Cent Pieces

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #283 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds….   [Originally published on June 24, 2015. --CW] Like Three Cent nickels, Two Cent Pieces tend to be interesting topics for conversations, even among non-collectors. Many people are astonished or curious to learn that […]

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Circulated Liberty Head Double Eagle $20 Gold Coins, Type 1

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #379 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Liberty Head double eagle $20 gold coins were minted from 1850 to 1907. Before 1850, the largest U.S. coin denomination was the $10 gold piece (the eagle). This discussion is about collecting […]

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Classic US Coins – Proof Morgan Silver Dollars for Less Than $5,000 Each

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #378 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Proof Morgan silver dollars were minted in Philadelphia from 1878 to 1904 and possibly in 1921. Branch Mint Proofs and non-Proof special strikings are different topics. For less than $5,000 each, attractive […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Coin Collection, part 23: Surprisingly Strong 5th Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #377 A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds… The Pogue V sale by Stack’s-Bowers was held the evening of Friday, March 31st at the Evergreen House, the former residence of the Garrett Family Coin Collection. This auction was […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Coin Collection, Part 21: Copper Type Coins in 5th Sale

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #374 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. For new collectors or seasoned collectors seeking new projects, there will be opportunities in the Pogue V sale on March 31, in Baltimore. An explanation of the venue and an overview of […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Coin Collection, Part 21: Copper Type Coins in 5th Sale

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #374 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …..   For new collectors or seasoned collectors seeking new projects, there will be opportunities in the Pogue V sale on March 31, in Baltimore. An explanation of the venue and an overview […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Coin Collection, Part 20: Overview of the 5th Sale

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #373 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. The fifth in a series of auctions of the Pogue Family Coin Collection will be conducted on Friday, March 31, in Baltimore by Stack’s-Bowers in association with Sotheby’s and in conjunction with […]

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1843-O Liberty Seated Quarters and the Eliasberg-Gardner Coin

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #371 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Only one currently identified 1843-‘Large O’ quarter is clearly uncirculated, the Eliasberg-Gardner coin. This PCGS-graded “MS-63+” 1843-O just sold for $16,450 USD in a Heritage auction at the Winter 2017 Long Beach […]

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U.S. Coin Patterns for Less Than $5,000 Each, Part 5: “Standard Silver” Dimes

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #371 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. It is not practical to cover all dime patterns in one discussion. The topic here is Liberty Head, “Standard Silver” dime patterns that cost less than $5,000 each. These are dated 1869 […]

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Fresh Extremely Fine 1943 Copper Cent in Goldberg Pre-Long Beach Auction

1943 Lincoln 1C PCGS EF45 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #370 Just prior to the winter Coin, Stamp & Collectible Expo in Long Beach, California, the Goldbergs will conduct an auction of a wide variety of coins, medals […]

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Rare Gold Coins under $5000 Each, Part 11: ‘With Motto’ Liberty Head ($5 Gold) Half Eagles

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #369 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Liberty Head half eagles (U.S. $5 gold coins) were minted from 1839 to 1908. The ‘No Motto’ type was covered in Part Nine of this series. The ‘With Motto’ type dates from […]

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Rare Gold Coins under $5000 Each, Part 11: ‘With Motto’ Liberty Head ($5 Gold) Half Eagles

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #369 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Liberty Head half eagles (U.S. $5 gold coins) were minted from 1839 to 1908. The ‘No Motto’ type was covered in Part Nine of this series. The ‘With Motto’ type dates from […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for Less Than $500 Each, Part 27: Capped Bust Half Dimes

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #368 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. This discussion of Capped Bust half dimes is in line with a past discussion on Capped Bust half dollars and a recent piece on Capped Bust quarters. It is not difficult to […]

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British, Russian & Dutch Coins Lead Stack’s Bowers Auction in NY

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #367 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. During the evenings of January 13 and 14, Stack’s-Bowers Galleries (SBG) conducted one of the official auctions of the New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. A […]

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Healthy Prices Realized for FUN Platinum Night Auction Coins

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #366 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. During or just prior to major coin conventions, Heritage conducts two to four U.S. coin Platinum Night events each year, each as a part of an auction extravaganza that includes additional coins […]

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Healthy Prices Realized for FUN Platinum Night Auction Coins

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #366 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …..   During or just prior to major coin conventions, Heritage conducts two to four U.S. coin Platinum Night events each year, each as a part of an auction extravaganza that includes additional […]

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1905-S Dimes Overlooked: Superb Coin in 2017 FUN Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #365 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. On January, 4, 2017, in the upcoming FUN auction, Heritage will offer a PCGS-graded MS-66 1905-S dime that has not received much attention and could be an excellent value for a collector-buyer. […]

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1905-S Dimes Overlooked: Superb Coin in 2017 FUN Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #365 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. On January, 4, 2017, in the upcoming FUN auction, Heritage will offer a PCGS-graded MS-66 1905-S dime that has not received much attention and could be an excellent value for a collector-buyer. […]

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Spanish Empire “Royal” Potosí Mint 1652 Eight Reales Silver Coin to be Auctioned

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #364 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …..   In the upcoming Heritage auction of the Moore Collection of high-quality world coins on January 9, at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York, a major attraction is a 1652 Eight Reales […]

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World Coins – Affordable Fourpence Silver Groats of King Henry VIII

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #361 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Henry VIII is the most famous king in the history of England, and perhaps had the most impact on history of any English king. His second daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, may be […]

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Classic U.S. Coin for Less Than $500 Each, Part 26: Capped Bust Quarters

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #360 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. This series of articles is aimed at collectors who do not wish to spend more than $500 for any one coin yet seek to build meaningful, enjoyable and noteworthy collections of classic […]

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Silver Coins of Gran Colombia: One Real (12½¢) and Two Reales

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #359 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Gran Colombia[1] was a formal confederation from 1819 to around 1830, though it existed in parts well before 1819. Beginners may enjoy collecting One Real and Two Reales Gran Colombia coins by […]

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Million Dollar Coins, Part 3: Half Cents

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #358 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. This discussion is about those U.S. half cents that are or were worth more than $1 million each, or may realistically retail for that much in the near future. As markets for […]

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Coin Collecting Strategies – Building a Type Set of U.S. $10 Gold Eagle Coins

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #357 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Just seven coins are needed for a regular type set of gold eagles (U.S. $10 Gold eagle coins). The purpose here is to discuss building such a set without spending a fortune, […]

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Classic U.S. Coin for Less Than $500 Each, Part 25: Liberty Head Nickels

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #355 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Publicly distributed, Liberty Head nickels were minted from 1883 to 1912. A set of business strike Liberty Head nickels may be completed without spending as much as $500 on any one coin. […]

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Gold Coins of the Central American Republic: Costa Rica & Guatemala

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #355 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. The CAR gold coins of the independent societies of Costa Rica and Guatemala were first minted while these nations were part of a loose federation called the Central American Republic (CAR for […]

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Classic US Coins: 1870-S Coins for Budget-Minded Collectors

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #354 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. In the realm of classic U.S. coins, the most exciting and mystifying date may be the 1870-S. For collectors who cannot afford one of the rarest silver dollars, the only 1870-S half […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for Less than $500 Each, Part 24: Barber Dimes

Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #353 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. The theme here is completing a set of Barber dimes in Very Fine to Almost Uncirculated grades, without spending as much as $500 on any one coin. Naturally toned and pleasant representatives of one or two of the scarcest […]

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Million Dollar Coins, Part 2: U.S. Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars

Analysis of scarce coins, markets, and the coin collecting community #352 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds In part 1, 1792 patterns that are worth more than $1 million each were covered. The present topic is million dollar silver dollars, including both classic U.S. silver dollars (1794-1935) and trade dollars (1873-85). Although trade dollars […]

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U.S. Coin Patterns for Less than $5,000 Each, Pt. 3: Three Cent Pieces

Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #351 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. This is the third in a series on collecting U.S. patterns without spending as much as $5,000 USD on any one piece. Although patterns are not coins, some did circulate as coins and patterns are often collected along with […]

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Rose-Ryals, 30 Shilling Gold Coins of King James I

Lot 1008 – James I, third coinage, rose ryal, mm. spur rowel (1619-1620) A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #350 As part of a major sale on September 30, 2016, St. James Auctions in London will offer a Rose-Ryal, 30 Shilling gold coin from the third […]

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World Coins – Rose-Ryals, 30 Shilling Gold Coins of King James I

Lot 1008 – James I, third coinage, rose ryal, mm. spur rowel (1619-1620) A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #350 As part of a major sale on September 30, 2016, St. James Auctions in London will offer a Rose-Ryal, 30 Shilling gold coin from the third […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for Less than $500 Each, Pt. 23: Proof Shield Nickels

A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #349 The emphasis here is on PCGS- or NGC-certified, Proof-64 or -63 ‘No Rays’ Shield Nickels dating from 1867 to 1883, Choice Proofs. This is the 23rd installment in a series on classic U.S. coins that cost less than $500 […]

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Strong Hammer Prices at Goldberg Auction Reflect Early American Copper Market Strength

CoinWeek Auction Analysis ….. Led by the Fred Iskra Collection of Large Cents, copper coins made up more than 600 of the 2,600 lots offered by Goldberg Auctioneers in their September 4-7 Pre-Long Beach Auction. With prices realized ranging from strong to superior, the results are yet another indicator of what CoinWeek’s price analysts have […]

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Million Dollar Coins, Part 1: 1792 Patterns

Bushnell-Parmelee-Jenks-Col. Green 1792 Birch Cent – The First American Cent – Choice AU-58 (PCGS) A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #348 This week’s column is about those 1792 patterns that, in my estimation, are likely to be worth more than $1 million in the current market […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for Less Than $500 Each, Pt. 22: Braided Hair Half Cents

A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #347 U.S. half cents were first struck in 1793, and Braided Hair half cents were introduced in 1840. It is generally believed, though, that all half cents dating from 1840 to 1848 are Proofs. Indeed, standard references imply that no […]

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English Gold Noble Coins of Kings Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V

GREAT BRITAIN. Henry IV, 1399-1413. Noble A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #346 This discussion is about the English Gold Noble coins of Richard II (ruled 1377-99), Henry IV (r. 1399-1413) and Henry V (r. 1413-22). A month ago, the topic was the English Gold Nobles […]

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U.S. Coin Patterns for Less than $5,000 Each, Pt. 2: Two Cent Pieces

  Analysis regarding scarce coins,  markets, and coin collecting #345 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. It has already been explained, in Part 15 of a series about classic U.S. coins, that a set of regular issue, business strike Two Cent Pieces may be completed without spending as much as $500 on any […]

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CoinWeek Wins Record Nine Numismatic Literary Guild Awards

Numismatic Literary Guild Awards include Best Website, Best Video & Best Podcast By CoinWeek News Staff ….. On Thursday, August 11, 2016 at the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) World’s Fair of Money, the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) announced the winners of its annual writing competition at the NLG Bash, a dinner banquet attended by scores […]

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World Coins – Early Silver Coins of Argentina

COINS OF ARGENTINA. 2 Reales, 1813-J A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds….. US and World Coin Collecting Strategies  #344 The present topic is the early silver coins of Argentina, during the era of the “United Provinces of the River Plate.”  Early Argentine coins have notable artistic merit and are historically important. A silver type […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for Less Than $500 Each, Pt. 21: Matron Head Large Cents

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #343 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …… For less than $500 per coin, an extensive and impressive collection of early U.S. copper coins could be assembled ‘by date.’ Although Matron Head large cents could be […]

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English Gold Noble Coins of King Edward III (1327-77)

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #342 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …… English Noble gold coins minted during the era of King Edward III are historically important, attractive, intricately designed and modestly priced in contrast to rare gold coins of […]

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Silver Coins of the Central American Republic

Silver Coins of the Central American Republic – GUATEMALA. 8 Reales, 1826 News and Analysis of scarce coins, markets, and the coin collecting community #341 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ……. The present topic is the CAR silver coins of the independent societies of Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras, those minted under the […]

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A Most Distinguished Gentleman: In Memoriam – Gene Gardner

by Greg Reynolds for CoinWeek…. I feel honored to have had the privilege of knowing Eugene H. Gardner, Sr., 80. He was one of the most distinguished, visibly active and enthusiastic collectors in the history of the coin community in the United States. I was saddened to hear of Gene’s passing on July 16, 2016, after […]

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Classic U.S. Coins – Key Date Coins for Less Than $2,500, Pt. 2: Half Dimes

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #340 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …… During the history of coin collecting in the United States, most coin enthusiasts at one time or another have sought to complete, or nearly complete, a set of […]

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Gene Gardner Coins Re-Appear in Summer FUN Auction

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and the coin collecting community #339 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ………   As already reported, “Lily Nicole” dimes and multiple Gene Gardner Coins have re-appeared in the auction at the Houston Money Show last December, shortly after the last Gardner sale in October. Additional Gardner coins […]

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Interpreting Auction Prices for PCGS & NGC “MS-66” Barber Quarter Type Coins

News and Analysis of scarce coins,  markets, and the coin collecting community #330 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …… This discussion is aimed at a wide audience, not just prospective buyers of Barber quarters. Indeed, the broader implications of interpreting auction results for type coins over a five-year period are of interest to […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each: Draped Bust Half Cents

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #329 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. Draped Bust half cents were minted from 1800 to 1808. U.S. half cents were first made in 1793 and last produced in 1857. A set of Draped Bust half cents ‘by date’ can be […]

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Coin Auctions – Gardner Coins, Partrick Early US Pieces & Other Rarities Re-Appear at CSNS

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #327 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ……   In Schaumburg, Illinois, a small city not far from Chicago, the annual CSNS convention will be held April 27-30. In the official auction, which will be conducted […]

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Coin Collecting Tips – Advice for beginning collectors of U.S. coins

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #22 A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds …….. There will not be a live event conducted by any of the leading auction firms of rare U.S. coins in the next couple of weeks. Plus, I am not aware of any private sales […]

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Coin Auctions – Market Realities & Strong Prices Realized in Rarities Night Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #326 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… On Thursday, March 31, at the Baltimore Convention center, Stack’s-Bowers conducted a “Rarities Night” event, as one session in a large auction of a wide variety of items. The […]

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US Gold Coins under $5000 – Liberty Head Quarter Eagles from the 1840s

News and Analysis regarding coins,  markets, and the collecting community #322 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ……… Liberty Head quarter eagles (U.S. $2½ gold coins) were minted from 1840 to 1907. It is practical and logical to limit this discussion to those from the 1840s. During the first decade of this type, quarter […]

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US Gold Coins under $5000 – Liberty Head Quarter Eagles from the 1840s

News and Analysis regarding coins,  markets, and the collecting community #322 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ………   Liberty Head quarter eagles (U.S. $2½ gold coins) were minted from 1840 to 1907. It is practical and logical to limit this discussion to those from the 1840s. During the first decade of this type, […]

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US Coins – Pogue Family Coin Collection, part 16 – Capped Bust Dimes

1834 Capped Bust Dime. John Reich-5. Rarity-1. Large 4. Mint State-67+ (PCGS). News and Analysis regarding scarce coins,  markets, and the coin collecting community #321 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …… On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Stack’s-Bowers, in association with Sotheby’s, conducted the third in a series of auction of the Pogue Family Coin […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Coin Collection, part 14: Successful Third Auction Given Uncertain Market Conditions

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #318 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…….. The third in a series of auctions of the Pogue Family Coin Collection was conducted by Stacks-Bowers on February 9, at Sotheby’s world headquarters in Manhattan. There were 158 coins in this sale. This […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Coin Collection, Part 13: Probable Finest Known ‘Broken 3’ 1823 Capped Bust Half Dollar

LOT 3047 – 1823 Capped Bust Half Dollar  Broken 3  Mint State-65+ (PCGS) Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #317 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …… On Tuesday, February 9, Stack’s Bowers, in cooperation with Sotheby’s, will conduct the third in […]

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US Coins – Offerings of Great Half Dollars Characterized The Year 2015

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #311 ……. A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ……..   In the history of coin collecting, 2015 will be remembered as a year when a large number of extraordinary, classic U.S. half dollars were auctioned. Indeed, […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each – Part 18 – Classic Head Large Cents

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #308 – A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …… As next week’s piece will concern classic U.S. coins that cost less than $100 each and expensive rarities do not tend to emerge ‘in the news’ during the month of December, it […]

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Shireman’s Finest Known, Intact Set of Gem Quality, Barber Half Dollars To Be Auctioned

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #307 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …….. The Barber half dollar collection assembled by Dr. Peter Shireman is, by far, the finest intact set that is known to the coin community and was built during a period of more than […]

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Shireman Finest Known Set of Gem Barber Half Dollars To Be Auctioned

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #307 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…..   The Barber half dollar collection assembled by Dr. Peter Shireman is, by far, the finest intact set that is known to the coin community and was built during a period of more than […]

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Amazing Barber Dimes Highlight Stack’s Bowers Baltimore Coin Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #303 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds The most exciting coins in the upcoming Stack’s Bowers auction are Barber dimes. On Thursday, November 5, these and other valuable coins will be offered in a Rarities Night […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Coin Collection, Part 9 – US Gold Coin Rarities Bring Strong Prices

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #298 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …….. The second in a series of auctions of the Pogue Family Collection was conducted by Stacks-Bowers, in association with Sotheby’s, on September 30, at Sotheby’s world headquarters in […]

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Pogue II: Rare Coin Market Roars; a Look at the Numbers

By Charles Morgan for CoinWeek…. The Night That Was On Wednesday evening, Stack’s Bowers, in a limited partnership with Sotheby’s, offered the second grouping of coins from the D. Brent Pogue family collection. The second sale featured 105 lots and focused most of its attention on Capped Bust half dollars, Flowing Hair dollars, Capped Bust […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Collection, Part 6: A Sleeping Rarity, the 1798 ‘Small Eagle’ $5 Gold Coin

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #293 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. On September 30, 2015, the Pogue II sale will be conducted by Stack’s-Bowers, “in association with Sotheby’s,” in New York. The rarest coin in the sale is the 1798 […]

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Classic Silver, Dahlonega $2½ Gold, and Carson City U.S. Coins Highlight Stack’s Bowers’ ANA Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #289 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. Stack’s Bowers and Heritage Auctions are both conducting official auctions this month at the summer ANA convention, which will be held the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, very close to […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 16: Indian Head Half Eagles

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #284 A Weekly Coinweek Column by Greg Reynolds…. For less than $500 per coin, a set of Indian Head half eagles ($5 gold coins) may be assembled that is missing just three dates. Indian Head half eagles […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Coin Collection, part 3: Finest Known 1794 Half Dollar

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #276 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds The focus here is on the 1794 Flowing Hair half dollar in the Pogue Collection, which is definitely the finest known. Indeed, there does not seem to be another […]

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CoinWeek Celebrates Its First 10,000 Facebook Fans

By CoinWeek…. As of May 1, Coinweek now has 10,000 fans on Facebook *Doing our best Sally Field impersonation* You like us, you really like us! It’s been a good year for us at CoinWeek.com. We’ve greatly expanded our reach and scope, and had a lot of fun doing it. Whether it’s breaking news, insightful […]

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Exceptional 19th century U.S. Gold Coins in Central States Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #272…. A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds….   In Schaumburg, Illinois, a small city not far from Chicago, the annual CSNS convention will be held from April 22 to 25. In the official auction, which will be […]

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Exceptional 19th Century U.S. Gold Coins in Central States Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #272…. A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds…. In Schaumburg, Illinois, a small city not far from Chicago, the annual CSNS convention will be held from April 22 to 25. In the official auction, which will be conducted […]

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Early American Rare Coins & Patterns in Kendall Collection Bring Solid Prices in Baltimore

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #271 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds Early American, pre-1793 rarities tended to bring moderate to strong prices overall in the auction of the Kendall Collection in Baltimore on March 26th. The Kendall Foundation consignment alone […]

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Early American Rare Coins & Patterns in Kendall Collection Bring Solid Prices in Baltimore

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #271 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds Early American, pre-1793 rarities tended to bring moderate to strong prices overall in the auction of the Kendall Collection in Baltimore on March 26th. The Kendall Foundation consignment alone […]

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Gem Quality Shield Earring Quarter Pattern Coin to be auctioned at the Central States Coin Convention

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #268 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. Broadly defined, a wide variety of items fall into the category of pattern, experimental and trial pieces. Patterns, narrowly defined, are design concepts that should logically have been considered, […]

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Classic U.S. Silver Coins highlight Winter ANA Coin Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #267 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds Among major, ‘live’ coin auctions, smaller events with relatively modest offerings tend to draw more attention to coins that are not extremely expensive. In large events, six-figure coins often […]

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Classic U.S. Silver Coins highlight Winter ANA Coin Auction

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #267 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds Among major, ‘live’ coin auctions, smaller events with relatively modest offerings tend to draw more attention to coins that are not extremely expensive. In large events, six-figure coins often […]

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The Marvelous Pogue Family Coin Collection, part 1: Finest 1796 – ’97 Draped Bust Half Dollar

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #264 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… This is the first in a series on the Pogue Family Collection, probably the greatest set of pre-1840 U.S. coins ever assembled. This collection will be offered by Stack’s-Bowers […]

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Stunning 1900-O Barber Quarter in Stephen Winthrop’s Type Set

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #263 A Weekly Coinweek Column by Greg Reynolds…. The stunning 1900-O Barber Quarter in Stephen Winthrop’s collection is almost irresistible. This coin is PCGS graded MS-66 and CAC approved. It is more attractive than 97% of the […]

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Stunning 1900-O Barber Quarter in Stephen Winthrop’s Type Set

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #263 A Weekly Coinweek Column by Greg Reynolds…. The stunning 1900-O Barber Quarter in Stephen Winthrop’s collection is almost irresistible. This coin is PCGS graded MS-66 and CAC approved. It is more attractive than 97% of the […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each – Copper-Nickel Indian Cents

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #261 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …….. From 1793 to 1857, one cent coins were about the size of quarters. During the 1850s,‘ups and downs’ in markets for copper, as a metal, and a growing […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, part 12: Copper-Nickel Indian Cents

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #261  A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… From 1793 to 1857, one cent coins were about the size of quarters. During the 1850s,‘ups and downs’ in markets for copper, as a metal, and a growing dislike […]

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Rare U.S. Coins Fare Well in FUN Auction: Coin Market Levels Remain Stable

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #260 by Greg Reynolds for CoinWeek …….. There are widely circulating rumors, some voiced by insiders who I know, that prices for rare U.S. coins and patterns markedly fell during the second half of 2014 and are further falling. The ‘good news’ […]

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Proof British Gold Coins star in New York This Week

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #258 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …… Among the most exciting consignments to the auctions held during this week of the New York International Convention at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel are British Proof sets from past eras, consisting of silver and/or […]

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How will Coin Collectors Interpret Certified Coin Grades in the Future ?

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #257 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …….. There is no doubt that the vast majority of scarce classic U.S. coins, and thousands of common coins, valued at more than $250 each, are PCGS or NGC […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 10: Walking Liberty Half Dollars

  Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #255  A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… For less than $500 per coin, a set of Walking Liberty half dollars ‘by date’ (including U.S. Mint locations) can be completed with circulated representatives of some ‘early […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 9: Buffalo Nickels

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #254  A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… For less than $500 per coin, a set of Buffalo nickels ‘by date’ (including U.S. Mint locations) can certainly be completed, provided that the 1918/7-D overdate and the 1916/1916 […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 9: Buffalo Nickels

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #254  A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… For less than $500 per coin, a set of Buffalo nickels ‘by date’ (including U.S. Mint locations) can certainly be completed, provided that the 1918/7-D overdate and the 1916/1916 […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 8: Mercury Dimes

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #253  A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…   For less than $500 per coin, a set of Mercury dimes ‘by date’ (including U.S. Mint locations) can be completed, with most dates represented by gem quality coins, […]

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The Fabulous Eric P. Newman Collection, part 13: An Extremely Important, Type 2 Double Eagle ($20 Gold Coin)

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #252 A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds The most important Newman Collection gold coin that was auctioned on Nov. 14th was a gem quality, Liberty Head double eagle ($20 gold coin) of the second design type, an […]

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The Fabulous Eric Newman Collection, Part 12: Pre-1793 Patterns for U.S. coins

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #251 A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds The most exciting ‘news’ at the moment is the sale of pre-1793 patterns from the Eric Newman Collection. On Friday, Nov. 14, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, […]

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Eight Gem Unc. 1853 Half Dimes (silver 5¢ coins) Auctioned in a Week

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #250 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… There were eight, gem quality, business strike 1853 Liberty Seated half dimes (5¢ silver coins) in two recent coin auctions, four from each of two collector-consignors. Stack’s-Bowers sold the “1853 Collection” on Oct. 30 […]

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Silver Dollars : Historically Important & Likely Finest Unc. 1853 Silver Dollar

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #249 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds……… On Oct. 30, at the “Winter” (!) Baltimore Coin & Currency Expo, Stack’s-Bowers auctioned an astonishing collection of coins, patterns, tokens and medals from 1853. The focus here is on the PCGS graded and […]

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Part 5 of the Gene Gardner Collection: Finest Known No Motto Liberty Seated Half Dollars

Coin Rarities & Related Topics #248: Special Friday Edition relating to the all-time best collection of 19th century U.S. silver coins to ever be publicly auctioned A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds………. As was reported on Wednesday in part 4 of this series of discussions, the second of four planned auctions of the Gene […]

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The Incredible Gene Gardner Collection, part 4: Second Coin Auction on Monday, Oct. 27

A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds …………. Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #247……. In addition to a very impressive collection of Capped Bust silver coins, some important Draped Bust silver coins, the all-time greatest collection of Barber Quarters, and highly ranked […]

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A Softly Spoken Great Rarity: 1853-O ‘No Arrows’ Liberty Seated Half Dollar

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #246 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… At the upcoming Baltimore Coin & Currency Expo, Stack’s-Bowers will auction an astonishing collection of coins and related items from 1853, an extremely important year in the monetary history of the United States. A […]

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Classic U.S. Coins: The Rarity of 1843-O Liberty Seated Dime

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #244 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… In a discussion in 2012, I noted that people do not often think about the rarity of 1846 Liberty Seated Dimes. The 1843-O is a little more recognized than the 1846, though most collectors […]

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The Quiet 1805 Half Dime, with discussion of the Pittman coin in the upcoming Stack’s Bowers Auction

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #243 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. Most people have never heard of half dimes, which are much different from five cent nickels. Actually, nickels are typically 25% nickel and 75% copper. Three Cent Nickels were struck in 1865 before five […]

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Rare Gold Coins under $5000 each, Part 6: Three Dollar Gold Coins

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #242   A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds… U.S. Three Dollar Gold coins were minted from 1854 to 1889. There is just one design type of this denomination. In addition to the fact that some non-rare […]

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Rare Gold Coins under $5000 each, Part 5: ‘With Motto’ Liberty Eagles ($10 Gold Pieces)

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #241 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds   Liberty Eagles were minted from 1838 to 1907. There are three types or subtypes. Gobrecht, also called ‘Head of 1838,’ Eagles  were produced during just two years, 1838 […]

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Not Fully Appreciated, Norweb 1796 Quarter Sells for $411,250

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #240 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…… At the recently concluded Long Beach Expo, Heritage conducted a surprisingly large auction extravaganza, less than one month after the conclusion of the ANA Convention in Illinois, which included […]

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The 1681 Royal African Company Halfcrown of King Charles II

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #239 A CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds Halfcrowns, 2½ Shillings silver coins, of English King Charles II are not rare overall. Thousands survive of those minted during his reign from 1660 to 1685. The 1681 Halfcrown ‘in […]

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Rare Gold Coins under $5000 each, Part 4: ‘No Motto’ Liberty Eagles ($10 Gold Pieces)

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #238 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. Liberty Eagles were minted from 1838 to 1907. These are sometimes termed ‘Liberty Head Eagles.’ Similar, Liberty Head Quarter Eagles ($2½) and Half Eagles ($5 gold coins) were minted […]

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Key 1896-S Barber Quarter in Stack’s-Bowers Auction, A Tremendous Condition Rarity

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #235 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. Barber Quarters are a popular series of U.S. coins. When I was a kid, I was extremely interested in them. Even now, heavily circulated, non-rare Barber Quarters are available […]

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Key 1896-S Barber Quarter in Stack’s-Bowers Auction, A Tremendous Condition Rarity

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #235 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. Barber Quarters are a popular series of U.S. coins. When I was a kid, I was extremely interested in them. Even now, heavily circulated, non-rare Barber Quarters are available […]

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Key 1849-O Quarter in SBG Auction, an Unnoticed Rarity

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #234… A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. One of the finest 1849-O quarters is ‘in the news’ as it will be offered by Stack’s-Bowers on August 6th, at the ANA Convention in Rosemont, Illinois. The 1849-O […]

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The Spectacular Newman-Jung Coin and other 1818/5 Capped Bust Quarters

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #233 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds The most exciting consignment to the Heritage ANA auction is the pre-1840 U.S. material from Oliver Jung. Last week’s column covered the Jackman-Jung 1794 Apple Cheek Large Cent. Earlier, […]

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The Cutest of Apple Cheeks: The Jackman-Jung 1794 Large Cent

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #232 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds…. In early August, Heritage will auction a group of type coins consigned by Oliver Jung, including the finest known 1794 Apple Cheek Large Cent. Among coin collectors, Jung is […]

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Rare Gold Coins for less than $5000 each, Part 3: 19th Century One Dollar Gold Pieces

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #219 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ……… United States One Dollar Gold coins were minted from 1849 to 1889. Early 20th century, commemoratives One Dollar Gold pieces are a different species; they were minted to […]

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1797 Dimes ‘in the news’ and general information for collecting Draped Bust Dimes

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #218 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ……….. As 1796 is the first year of dimes, which were a novel and mysterious denomination at the time, and because 1796 dimes are less scarce than 1797 dimes, 1796 dimes […]

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“The Riverboat Collection” of Private & Territorial gold coins to make big waves at Central States Auction

News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community #217 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ……….. On Thursday, April 24, at a convention center near Chicago, Heritage will offer “The Riverboat Collection” of private and territorial gold coins, as part of the official auction of the CSNS Convention. This is one […]

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The Rarest 20th Century, Regular U.S. Coins: 1927-D Saint Gaudens Double Eagles ($20 gold pieces)

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #216 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ……….. Double Eagles are U.S. $20 gold coins, and regular issues were minted from 1850 to 1933. ‘Liberty Head’ or Liberty Double Eagles date from 1850 to 1907. Saint Gaudens Double […]

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Rare US Coins: Gem Quality, Norweb Family 1833 Dime

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, coin markets, and the coin collecting community, #215 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ……….. Over a period of two afternoons, I spent a few hours viewing the U.S. coins that will be offered tomorrow in a Stack’s-Bowers Rarities Night event in Baltimore. […]

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