Numismatics Realizes over $1.2 Million
On May 21 Leslie Hindman Auctioneers conducted the sale of Numismatics from the Estate of Scott E. Strahan II, which realized over $1.2 million with all lots sold. Competitive bidding throughout the sale shows strength in the market for coins, a category that Leslie Hindman Auctioneers continues to expand. The auction firm conducted its first Numismatics sale in 2016 and now offers at least two auctions annually in the category, in addition to significant single-owner sales such as the Strahan collection.
Scott E. Strahan II had a nearly complete collection of $20 liberty coins, which the United States began producing in 1850 following the California gold rush and produced until 1907. Throughout its history, the coin was struck at mints in Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City and Denver. The extensive collection of $20 liberty coins offered May 21 drew competitive bidding from collectors and enthusiasts in the United States and abroad. Examples include a United States 1858-O Liberty Head $20 gold coin with a presale estimate of $15,000 to 25,000 that sold for $26,400; a United States 1885-CC Liberty Head $20 gold coin that sold for $21,600 against a presale estimate of $15,000 to 25,000; and a United States 1850-O Liberty Head $20 gold coin that sold for $16,800 with a presale estimate of $10,000 to 15,000.
The top lot of the sale was a United States 1907 Saint-Gaudens: High Relief-Wire Edge $20 gold coin that sold for $28,000 against a presale estimate of $20,000 to 30,000. Sculptor and architect Augustus Saint Gauden designed the coin in 1904 at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt. The coins were in circulation between 1904 and 1933. Widely considered one of the most complex and beautiful coins struck by the United States, these coins have a large collector base willing to pay well above the gold content for rare dates and uncirculated examples.
Head of Sale Nick Coombs stated, “The success of this sale can be attributed not only to Scott E. Strahan II’s meticulous and life-long passion for numismatics but also the focus and energy our firm is devoting to the category.”
Immediately following the sale of Numismatics from the Estate of Scott E. Strahan II, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers conducted a Numismatics online only auction. Highlights from this sale include a group of twenty United States 1879-S Morgan silver dollar coins with a presale estimate of $500 to 700 that sold for $1,440; a group of twenty United States 1879-S Morgan silver dollar coins which sold for $1,320 against a presale estimate of $500 to 700; and a group of twenty United States 1879-S Morgan silver dollar coins that sold for $1,200 against a presale estimate of $500 to 700.
The next Numismatics auction will be offered in November at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. The department is currently accepting consignments for sale. For more information on this and other sales, visit lesliehindman.com.