Konstantine Collection Bust Half Dollars, Sommelier Collection Early Walkers, and a Stunning Finest Known 1958 Franklin Half Dollar Lead to New Record Prices at Legend Auctions 28th Regency Half Dollar Session
Legend Rare Coin Auctions presented a special half dollar session of their 28th Regency Auction on the evening of September 26, 2018. The 207-lot session, held in conjunction with the PCGS Members Show, saw record bidding on this historic offering. For the first time that we can recall, a complete “Red Book Variety Set” of Capped Bust half dollars sold in a single auction, the Konstantine Collection has attracted the attention of Bust Half Nuts from all over the United States.
“The instant we let people into the room, it was standing room only! It was a record number of people in the room; and those that were there came to bid,” explained Julie Abrams, President of Legend Rare Coin Auctions. “
Our pre-sale reception was attended by about 70 people who had to register to bid to attend. After the reception they were ready to do battle. In many cases fierce competition between floor, internet, and phone bidders broke out.” Matthew Bell, the Executive VP added, “The room was buzzing with a standing room only crowd and a record number of floor bidders.
The fireworks quickly began with lot one, opening at $33,000 and after a fierce round of bidding, the exceptionally choice AU53 Bearded Goddess sold for an incredible $58,875, the room burst out with uproarious applause, setting the tone for the amazing sale to follow.”
The highest price realized in the Konstantine Collection came just three lots later, when lot 4, the Col. Green – Eric Newman 1807 O-114 in PCGS MS65 CAC that commanded a final price of $188,000. Truly every coin in the Konstantine Collection, as the #1 PCGS Set, is a highlight and when the hammer fell on the final lot, the total including the 17.5% buyer’s fee exceeded $1.34 million (and does not include the 1817/4)! Just take a look at these particularly strong results:
Lot 1 1807 Bearded Goddess, O-111B. PCGS AU53 CAC realized $58,750
Lot 2 1807 50/20, O-112. PCGS MS63 realized $18,213
Lot 12 1811 Large 8. O-103. PCGS MS64 realized $12,338
Lot 14 1812/1 Large 8, O-101. PCGS AU50 realized $31,725
Lot 15 1812/1 Small 8. O-102A. PCGS MS64 CAC realized $17,038
Lot 17 1813 50C/UNI. O-101. PCGS MS64 realized $15,863
Lot 22 1815/2 O-101A. PCGS MS63 realized $55,813
Lot 23 1817/3 O-101A. PCGS MS63+ realized $22,913
Lot 29 1818 O-107. PCGS MS66 realized $27,025
Lot 30 1819/8 Small 9. O-101. PCGS MS64+ realized $12,925
Lot 37 1820 Sq. 2, Lg. Date, No Knob. O-106. PCGS MS64 realized $17,038
Lot 39 1822 O-114. PCGS MS65 CAC realized $17,625
Lot 41 1823 Broken 3. O-101. PCGS MS64 CAC Ex Green/Newman realized $38,775
Lot 44 1823 O-107. PCGS MS65+ realized $15,863
Lot 46 1824/various dates. O-103. PCGS MS64 realized $18,213
Lot 47 1824/4 O-104. PCGS MS65 CAC realized $18,800
Lot 51 1827/6 O-102. PCGS MS66 CAC Ex Pogue realized $36,425
Lot 52 1827 O-104. Square 2. PCGS MS65 CAC realized $17,625
Lot 55 1828 Curl Base, Knob 2. O-107. PCGS MS65 CAC realized $24,675
Lot 62 1830 Large Letters. O-114. PCGS XF45 CAC $8,225
Lot 64 1831 O-102. PCGS MS65+ CAC realized 22,325
Following the Konstantine Collection were 134 lots of high quality Early, Seated, Barber, Walking Liberty, Franklin, and Commemorative halves from many different consignors.
The Walkers were anchored by the Sommelier Collection, an early date short set (1916-1933-S), all PCGS/CAC and mostly GEM grades, and brought a strong $401,000, led by lot 125 a gorgeous 1921-S in PCGS MS65 CAC that realized $117,500.
Franklin half dollars and classic commemorative issues rounded out the session with a record shattering $129,250 for the FINEST KNOWN and monster toned 1958, graded PCGS MS67+ CAC. Arguably this is the finest of all Mint State Franklins and it far surpasses the record for any coin of the type, which was previously under $90,000!
“This result was completely shocking,” explained Julie Abrams. “We had record bidding on this Superb Gem almost the moment the sale went live. This result was beyond moon money—the result is just unbelievable! Never did we think a Franklin would sell for such a strong bid, it was over 9 times the low estimate!”
Other highlights include:
Lot 110 1917-D Obverse. PCGS MS65+ CAC realized $21,150
Lot 115 1918-D PCGS MS65 CAC realized $27,025
Lot 121 1920-D PCGS MS65 CAC realized $27,025
Lot 128 1928-S PCGS MS65 CAC realized $15,863
Lot 142 1920 PCGS MS66+ CAC realized $31,725
Lot 146 1929-D PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $82,250
Lot 150 1938-D PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $41,125
Lot 156 1943 PCGS MS68 CAC realized $35,250
Lot 161 1947-D PCGS MS67+ realized $34,075
Lot 166 1949-S PCGS MS67+ FBL CAC realized $31,725
Lot 188 1935 Hudson. PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $22,913
“The feedback for this sale had been hugely positive prior to the auction, and those consignors who attended the auction in person were extremely pleased with their results in the Half Dollar session.” Julie Abrams explained.
“The Sommelier collector looked back at me at one point and just gave a ‘thumbs up.’” LRCA founder, Laura Sperber noted, “Coming into the session, I had high expectations. After the close of the auction, I was stunned!”
Thursday, September 27, at 4:30 PM PT will feature the remaining 458 lots of the Regency Auction, and is anchored by the Hallett Collection of Mercury Dimes. Do not forget to get your bids in now!
Highlights include:
Lot 210: 1C 1794 S-32. Head of 1794. PCGS MS65+
Lot 225: 1C 1877 PR66 RD
Lot 238: 1C 1911-D PCGS MS67 RD
Lot 251: The Legend Collection of 2C Proofs, 1864-1873. PCGS PR66 RB CAC
Lot 292: 5C 1926-S PCGS MS65+ CAC
Lot 304: H10C 1795 PCGS MS66 CAC
Lot 461: 25C 1916 PCGS MS67 FH
Lot 482: $1 1869 PCGS PR65 DCAM
Lot 497: $1 1885-O PCGS MS67 CAC
Lot 543: $1 1896 PCGS PR67+ DCAM CAC
Lot 564: $2.50 1857-S PCGS MS63 CAC Ex S.S. Central America
Lot 570: $2.50 1866 PCGS PR65 DCAM CAC
Lot 584: $3 1881 PCGS PR66 CAM CAC
Lot 585: $5 1802/1 PCGS MS64 CAC
Lot 589: $5 1820 Square 2. PCGS MS63 CAC
Lot 621: $20 1870-S PCGS MS63 CAC
Lot 649: $1 1836 J-65. Restrike. PCGS PR64+ CAC
Lot 660: 50C 1879 J-1599. PCGS PR67 CAM CAC
Be ready for tonight, the auction begins at 4:30 PM PT. Good Luck!
