DGSE Companies, Inc.  today announced its results for Superior Galleries July 26, 2008 Baltimore Elite Auction. This 870 lot event realized $1,249,168 inclusive of the standard 15% buyer’s premium amid active bidding.

Some individual highlights of this auction included:

* Lot 505 – 1907 $10 Indian Wire Rim PCGS MS63 $43,125
* Lot 493 – 1803 $10 Capped Bust Small Reverse Stars NGC MS61 $35,650
* Lot 88 – 1856 Flying Eagle Cent NGC PF66 $35,075
* Lot 448 – 1811 $5 Capped Draped Bust PCGS MS64 $32,487.50
* Lot 449 – 1812 $5 Capped Draped Bust PCGS MS64 $32,231.05
* Lot 522 – 1870 $20 PCGS MS62 $25,875
* Lot 779 – Fr. 127 1869 $20 US Note RCGS Gem Crisp Unc $25,000
* Lot 323 – 1893-CC Morgan Dollar PCGS MS64 $24,150

Commenting on the Superior Baltimore Elite Auction, Senior Vice President of Auctions Paul Song said, “Our strong results are a testament to the attention and care that we have been putting toward creating the finest and freshest auctions in the industry. Personalized marketing to key bidders helped drive prices on important lots.”

Mr. Song continued, “We are now concentrating our efforts on our upcoming 1,000 plus lot September 15-16, 2008 Pre Long Beach Elite Auction to be held in our new Woodland Hills Show Room and Auction Gallery.”

For more information on this auction or on how to consign to one of our future Elite Auctions, please contact Paul Song or Aaron Malone, Consignment Director 800-545-1001 or consign@sgbh.com.

by Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

This is the third part of a series of articles on coins in the auctions that will be conducted before the ANA Convention begins on July 30th in Baltimore.

The first issue of U.S. silver dollars in 1794 is very famous. B&M will be offering a PCGS graded Fine-15 1794 dollar. In the Superior sale, there is a 1794 dollar that is authenticated, though not graded, by the PCGS. It may have serious problems, but is still worth a great deal as there probably are fewer than one hundred and fifty 1794 dollars in existence, and many thousands of collectors demand bust dollars.

Stack’s is offering eight 1795 dollars, three of the Flowing Hair type and five of the Draped Bust type. Superior is offering two of the Flowing Hair type and one of the Draped Bust type. B&M is offering one of each. Someone who cannot afford a 1794 dollar may be able to acquire a reasonably priced 1795 dollar in Baltimore.

Though rare die varieties of silver dollars have been ‘in the news’ over the past couple of years, there is not space here for a discussion of die varieties, or even for a description of one. Those who are interested may wish to learn about the Robert Hesselgesser collection of bust dollars by die variety. It is ranked number one in the PCGS registry and images of Hesselgesser’s coins may be studied at the PCGS website. Some of Hesselgesser’s bust dollars will be on display at the Goldbergs’ table at the ANA Convention.

In the B&M pre-ANA auction, there will be offered a rare die variety of a Draped Bust, Small Eagle 1797 dollar. It is PCGS graded AU-50 and among the finest known of its particular variety.

Although none of the pre-ANA auctions are landmark sales of bust dollars, Stack’s is offering a considerable selection of circulated bust dollars and B&M is offering some notable, high-grade bust dollars, including both a 1799 and an 1800 that are each NGC graded MS-63. Additionally, an 1839 Gobrecht dollar that is NGC certified Proof-63 will ‘come on the block.’

A significant number of scarce or rare Liberty Seated dollars will be auctioned before the ANA Convention begins. Liberty Seated silver dollars of 1851 and 1852 are very rare. Indeed, each may be extremely rare. Stack’s will auction two 1851s, one of which is NGC graded MS-61 and three 1852s that are NGC certified Proof-64 Restrike, AU-58 and MS-62, respectively. The 1853 dollar is almost rare, and Superior is auctioning an 1853 dollar that is NGC graded MS-64.

Both Stack’s and B&M are offering several Proof Liberty Seated Dollars. One of those in the B&M sale is an 1859 that is NGC certified Proof-67. For those who wish to spend considerably less money for a Proof 1959, Superior is selling one that is PCGS certified Proof-64. The catalogue image of the Proof 1870 dollar in the B&M sale suggests that it might be an exceptionally attractive coin, though I do not draw conclusions solely from images. (more…)

by Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

Half dollars will be in abundance in Baltimore. A large number of people collect bust halves, and a fair number of half dollar collectors will travel to Baltimore. Many others will have dealers represent them. The pre-ANA auctions will include ample offerings of bust halves, though less than I expected.

The highlight is the second or third finest known 1797 half dollar. Draped Bust, Small Eagle halves were minted only in 1796 and 1797. Both dates are very rare!

Stack’s will be offering the Norweb 1797 half, which is NGC graded MS-66. It is the second finest 1797 half that I have ever seen, and it is a coin that I very much like. It is certainly surpassed by the Lelan Rogers 1797 half, which is (or was) also NGC graded MS-66.

The Norweb 1797 half was last auctioned in March 2004 as part of the Haig Koshkarian type set. Dr. Haig, as he prefers to be called, purchased this coin ‘in person’ at the Norweb III auction in November 1988. This is the same Norweb auction event in which the highest graded 1861 Philadelphia Paquet Double Eagle was sold. This Philadelphia Paquet will be on display at the Monaco table at the ANA Convention.

The Norweb-Koshkarian 1797 half realized $966,000 in 2004, an auction record for any half dollar that still stands. This Norweb-Koshkarian 1797 half is certainly one of the five finest pieces of the entire 1796-97 type. The Rogers-Whitney 1796 half and the Knoxville 1796 half are also high in the condition rankings, for the type.

Flowing Hair halves of 1794 and 1795 are generally less expensive than 1796-97 Draped Bust, Small Eagle halves. Stack’s is offering multiple 1794 and 1795 Flowing Hair halves. In the B&M sale, there is one 1795 half, which is NGC graded AU-53. Superior is selling a 1795 half that is NGC graded AU-58.

Rich Uhrich is a dealer who specializes in die varieties of bust silver coins. His personal collection was auctioned by Stack’s in February. Uhrich concludes that “1794 and 1795 halves are more popular than Draped Bust halves” with either ‘Small Eagle or Heraldic Eagle reverses. “There is just something about the appeal of coins with dates in the 1700s,” Moreover, Uhrich observes that “there are many people trying to complete sets of all the varieties of Flowing Hair halves but are not collecting Draped Bust half varieties.” Also, Uhrich has found that “a lot of collectors who are not ready to spend the money for a 1794 silver dollar demand 1794 half dollars,” which are much less expensive. (more…)