Harry Bass, Jr. Gold Collection Realizes a Stunning $18 Million in Proceeds
On October 2-4 at the Park Lane Hotel in New York City, several hundred bidders from all over the world competed for a magnificent selection of gold coins from the Harry Bass, Jr. collection. Most of these rarities had been unavailable to collectors and investors for decades. When all was said and done, over $18 million crossed the auction block.
Following are some of the highlights from this important event:
A very rare 1855-D gold $1 in MS62 hammered at $92,000. An incredible MS67 1838 $2.50 soared to $69,000. The “Little Princess,” one of most famous coins in numismatics, sold for $115,000. The finest known 1854-S $2.50 in AU50 sold for $137,700 after intense bidding. An amazing 1911-D $2.50 brought a crowd pleasing $63,250.
One of the rarities which we were very interested in, because of the specimen being offered in this newsletter, was the 1795 $5 Small Eagle in MS63 which sold for a whopping $138,000. This was followed by a 1797 “15 Stars” Half-Eagle in AU55 which sold for $92,000 and an AU53 of the same variety that sold for $69,000. The 1797 Small-Eagle “16 Stars” variety set the gallery on end when it crossed the block at $115,000. The 1815 $5 in AU58 condition realized $103,500, and an incredible gem 1820 in MS65 sold for $71,300. This one set the room on fire: The 1829 Lg. Planchet $5 in MS65 soared in the bidding and hammered for $241,500!
One might think that anything that followed would be anti-climatic, but this was not the case. There was plenty more to come! An amazing gem 1837 $5 in MS66 sold at $97,750, a gem 1838 $5 brought $115,000, a beautiful 1838-C $5 in MS63 sold for $86,250, and a possibly unique 1864-S in MS65 hammered at $178,250.
Another area of high interest to us were the $10 Eagles and they started the evening with a 1797 in AU58 rocketing to $103,500, and an outstanding gem 1894 in PR66 selling for $63,250. One of my favorites was an 1856-O mint Double-Eagle which shattered expectations and soared to $105,800. Here is one that hurt a little: The 1870-CC EF45 sold for $97,750. The reason it hurts is that I passed on the same coin a little over a year ago when offered one for $65,000 ouch!
I could go on and on especially on the proof gold but I believe the message is clear: The market for rarities is very firm and I, for one, think that the trend is up!