Here's another glimpse into a Heritage auction from years back whose catalog included a pair of high-grade Lafayette Silver Dollars for which beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I saved the catalog because of the color images included, not because I was a bidder!Advanced collectors of the classic US commemorative coin series understand that the 1900 Lafayette Memorial Silver Dollar in grades of MS-65 and above are pricey coins that can reach into five figures for choice examples.
The September 2009 Heritage Long Beach Signature Auction included a pair of Lafayette Silver Dollars with technical grades at the Gem+ level but were not as visually appealing as some might expect.
2009 Heritage Long Beach Signature Auction - Catalog Cover
The first coin offered was Lot #1223. It was a PCGS MS-66 example and, IMO, was the more attractive of the two high-grade coins offered. It was a toned example, with the strongest toning found at the rim. Overall, the coin retained reasonably bright surfaces - most notably at the center - and exhibits little in the way of distracting marks/abrasions. I think many collectors would be pleased to have the coin as part of their collection.
The coin attracted 10 bids and had a final price, including a buyer's fee of 15%, of $17,250.00. (This indicates a hammer price of $15,000.00.)
1900 Lafayette Memorial Silver Dollar - PCGS MS-66
An NGC MS-67 coin followed as Lot #1224. The coin's surfaces might be "clean," but my eyes don't find its toning attractive -I find it too mottled and uneven. It's not a coin I would pursue for my collection!
The owner of the NGC MS-67 example thought highly of the coin and set a reserve of $45,000 for it; the reserve was not met, however, and the coin did not sell.
1900 Lafayette Memorial Silver Dollar - NGC MS-67
(Image Credit: Auction images courtesy of Heritage Auctions, Here's my "lowly" PCGS MS-64 example:
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 05/02/2024 10:02 am
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