Highlights From Legend’s 34th Regency Sale in Las Vegas

Legend Rare Coin Auctions presented its 34th Regency Auction on the evening of September 26, 2019 at the Bellagio, and as usual, high end quality performed very well.

Online, in person, and phone attendance at the auction, which was held as the official auction for the PCGS Members Only Show, set another record for the firm.

Since its founding, LRCA has presented the finest, curated boutique auctions that focus on high quality rare U.S. coins, attracting today’s most advanced and sophisticated collectors to participate as both consignors and buyers.

This matching of the best coins from the best sources to the best buyers has resulted in exceptionally strong results. Regency Auction 34 was no exception to this trend.

Taking top honors was lot 165, a Gem MS65+ 1926-S nickel graded by PCGS and endorsed by CAC, realizing $246,750 — a record for any PCGS-graded example of the date. (Note: all prices included in this press release include the firm’s 17.5% buyers’ premium). This amazing coin, tied for finest PCGS certified, is now a part of a world class collection of nickels.

"Even though the overall market seems somewhat sluggish, our sale was very healthy" said Julie Abrams, president of LRCA. "Trends that we have seen over the last year or so are consistent, and we think that the market for ‘average’ coins has finally found its bottom.

Nickels seemed to draw the most attention as a denomination. The Meridian Collection of Proof Liberty Nickels saw some of the most active bidding in the entire sale. The results proved that high quality and eye appealing coins, even if they are not Top Pop will still bring very strong results. We saw this elsewhere in the sale as well," Ms. Abrams continued.

"Exciting coins," explained the firm’s founder Laura Sperber "created exciting results.

There were a number of record shattering prices realized, which when added to the 92 record breakers that we had in the first half of 2019, will bring the total to well in excess of 100 new all-time world record prices realized in auction by the firm this year."

"While activity prior to the sale showed that bidding activity would be strong, it is very interesting how big a surge of bidding took place during the sale, and there were many lots that saw protracted bidding wars break out between phone and floor bidders or several online bidders going up against each other." Matt Bell, executive VP of LRCA said.

"Overall, we had a very successful auction and we are pleased with the results! Just look at these incredible prices realized:"

• Lot 5. 1C 1856 Flying Eagle. PCGS PR66 CAC realized $70,500
• Lot 107. 5C 1876 PCGS PR67 DCAM realized $17,625
• Lot 125. 5C 1892 PCGS PR67+ CAM CAC realized $18,213
• Lot 150. 5C 1896 PCGS PR67+ CAC realized $15,275
• Lot 165. 5C 1926-S PCGS MS65+ CAC realized $246,750
• Lot 180. 5C 1936 Brilliant. PCGS PR68+ realized $39,950
• Lot 215. 10C 1939-D PCGS MS69 FB CAC realized $42,300
• Lot 236. 25C 1899-S PCGS MS67 CAC realized $9,694
• Lot 255. 25C 1950-D PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $7,638
• Lot 271. 50C 1845 PCGS MS64+ realized $16,450
• Lot 282. 50C 1883 PCGS PR66 CAM CAC realized $9,694
• Lot 303. 50C 1940 PCGS MS68+ CAC realized $29,375
• Lot 311. 50C 1949-S PCGS MS67+ FBL CAC realized $18,213
• Lot 324. 50C 1963 PCGS MS66+ FBL realized $85,188
• Lot 399. $1 1885-S PCGS MS66+ CAC realized $19,975
• Lot 407. $1 1889-CC PCGS MS63+ PL CAC realized $99,875
• Lot 422. $1 1897 PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $24,675
• Lot 434. $1 1904-O PCGS MS67 CAC realized $15,275
• Lot 450. $1 1926-S PCGS MS66+ CAC realized $41,125
• Lot 451. $1 1927 PCGS MS66 realized $30,550
• Lot 463. $2.50 1893 PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $27,025
• Lot 468. $2.50 1883 PCGS PR66+ DCAM CAC realized $52,875
• Lot 498. $20 1892-S PCGS MS65 realized $19,388

"What we can tell from these results is the Set Registry program is bringing more and more people to bid in auction for top grade specimens, especially in popular 20th century series," said Greg Cohen, senior numismatist of Legend Rare Coin Auctions.

"Top grade Proof Liberty nickels, top pop Mint State 20th century coins, especially Franklin half dollars have over performed. Just look at the 1939-D dime in MS69 FB CAC and the 1963 Franklin half in MS66+ FBL!"

Legend Rare Coin Auctions next sale is a special Regency Event, called Exclusively Legend, which features the properties of five of Legend Numismatics’ long time customers and will be held on Thursday, October 24, at the New Orleans PCGS Members Only Show. Consignments are now being sought for the December Regency Auction 35.

For more information about these auctions, or to consign, contact Legend’s consignment specialists: Julie Abrams, President, at julie@legendauctions.com; Greg Cohen, Senior Numismatist, at greg@legendauctions.com; or Jessica Berkman, Consignment Director, at jessica@legendauctions.com.

Legend Rare Coin Auctions (www.legendauctions.com) is a boutique numismatic auction company specializing in the finest and rarest U.S. coins. Founded in 2012 by Laura Sperber, the owner and president of Legend Numismatics, the premier rare coin retail firm.