One of America’s greatest numismatic treasures has traded hands in a private-treaty sale. The finest-known “Ultra-High Relief,” graded Proof-69 both by NGC and PCGS, was purchased by Certified Assets Management (CAMI) of Wilmington, Delaware, from Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas acting on behalf their client-owner, who remains a significant owner and collector of American numismatic rarities.

This rarity was last offered publicly in the Heritage auction of the Philip Morse collection of St. Gaudens twenties in November of 2005, where it realized $2,990,000, a record at the time.

While the actual price was not disclosed, both parties confirm that the new price substantially exceeds the previous auction price.

Heritage will conduct the official American Numismatic Association auction in Milwaukee, and a Platinum Night event will be featured on Aug. 9, during which the first part of the Phil Kaufman collection will be offered.

Kaufman assembled one of the top all-time collections of proof Seated Liberty coins, many of which were earlier in some of the best collections ever. One highlight is Kaufman’s 1853 quarter, with arrows and rays, that is certified Proof-66 Cameo by Numismatic Guaranty Corp.

Kaufman’s collection will be sold in parts, with additional selections tentatively planned to be offered at Heritage’s September Long Beach auction and at the January Florida United Numismatists auction in Orlando. Earlier in this decade, Heritage sold many (or all?) of Kaufman’s proof Seated Liberty coins dating from 1859 to 1891. My impression is that Kaufman then retained his coins dating from the 1830s to 1858. Proofs from the 1838-1858 period are very rare.

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(Virginia Beach, VA) John Feigenbaum, President of David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC, agent for Buyer) and Mitchell J. Spivack (wondercoins.com; agent for seller), jointly announced today the completion of DLRC’s purchase of the finest known 1894-S Barber Dime. The transaction was completed in a private treaty transaction between the collector (seller), Daniel Rosenthal and his professional representative, Mr. Spivack on the one hand, and DLRC on behalf of their buyer, who wishes to remain anonymous.

This is the third time John Feigenbaum and David Lawrence Rare Coins have successfully sold this important numismatic rarity. According to Feigenbaum, “this is the one coin that most defines my numismatic legacy. My father, David Lawrence Feigenbaum, originally wrote a detailed pedigree on the 1894-S dime in 1990, and it was his life’s ambition to own this specimen. It is the finest of the nine known examples, and both PCGS and NGC have graded it Proof 66 on several occasions. Even at the current market level, I think this piece remains underrated, especially considering its peers in other collectibles. Being the finest example among a top-5 U.S. coin is truly special. Frankly, I think it’s right up there with the 1913 nickel and 1804 dollar in desirability.”

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