Northern Lights Collection: Prices Realized

On September 29, Legend Rare Coin Auctions offered an array of spectacularly toned Morgan dollars in its Regency Auction XVIII in Las Vegas. The 67 coins were divided into three groups: a general selection (lots 43–72), coins from the Flannagan collection (lots 92–109), and the featured Northern Lights collection (lots 73–91, presented in conjunction with Coin Week).

The Northern Lights collection sold well: 15 of the 19 coins exceeded expectations—only one (#76) fell short, and that just slightly. The estimated total for the collection ranged between $70,750 and $82,450; when the evening was over, part 1 of the Northern Lights collection had fetched $93,100. Star of the Northern Lights Collection: #91, an 1881 PCGS PF-67 CAC. With its excellent condition, low Proof mintage of 984, and “glorious obverse toning…layered in bands,” it brought $18,500.

Many buyers left with bargains from the general selection of coins that went up before the Northern Lights. The total estimated minimum for lots 43 through 72 was $114,350, but the final amount realized was $76,500. Star of the General Selection: #52, an 1881-S PCGS MS-68 CAC. Predicted to bring $12,500+, it hammered at $22,000.

The Flannagan coins, which followed in the wake of the Northern Lights selection, did well, besting their upper estimate of $60,300 with a final total of $69,275. Star of the Flannagan Selection: #100, an 1882-S PCGS MS-68 CAC described in the catalog as “Mother Nature’s Monster.” Expected to bring $15,000+, it realized $21,000. Honorable Mention: #95, which brought $6,250—more than three times its upper estimate of $2,000.

Scroll down for prices realized for all toned Morgan dollars in the sale.

For further study:

 

 

Prices shown do not reflect the 17.5% buyer’s premium:

	ESTIMATE
LOT NO.	Low	High	REALIZED
General Selection
43	2,200	2,400	1,550
44	400	500	500
45	8,500	9,000	passed
46	3,800	4,200	2,700
47	3,500	4,000	3,900
48	800	1,000	650
49	1,500	2,000	1,550
50	700	900	450
51	1,000	1,250	1,250
52	12,500	15,000	22,000
53	1,000	1,500	1,650
54	4,000	4,500	passed
55	2,500	3,000	3,000
56	1,500	2,000	1,550
57	1,000	1,200	1,100
58	1,000	1,150	775
59	1,000	1,200	575
60	7,500	8,500	7,250
61	1,000	1,200	1,150
62	22,000	24,000	passed
63	7,500	8,500	passed
64	6,000	6,500	5,250
65	3,000	3,500	2,000
66	3,700	4,000	4,000
67	10,000	12,500	5,500
68	500	600	575
69	2,750	3,000	2,700
70	1,500	1,800	3,200
71	500	550	325
72	1,500	2,000	1,350
Total:	114,350	131,450	76,500
Northern Lights Collection, Part 1
73	10,000	12,000	10,500
74	3,000	3,500	4,200
75	1,500	1,750	2,100
76	3,500	4,000	3,100
77	3,000	3,500	6,000
78	3,000	3,500	4,100
79	4,000	4,500	5,500
80	2,500	3,000	3,300
81	2,000	2,200	3,800
82	2,500	3,000	3,100
83	3,500	3,750	4,300
84	4,500	5,000	7,000
85	1,500	2,000	2,600
86	1,500	1,750	3,200
87	2,000	2,500	3,900
88	1,250	1,500	2,400
89	2,500	3,000	3,900
90	1,500	2,000	1,600
91	17,500	20,000	18,500
Total:	70,750	82,450	93,100
Flannagan Collection
92	750	1,000	600
93	1,250	1,500	3,700
94	750	1,000	2,400
95	1,500	2,000	6,250
96	2,500	3,000	1,650
97	3,500	4,000	4,400
98	15,000	17,500	17,500
99	2,000	2,500	1,100
100	15,000	17,000	21,000
101	500	750	425
102	750	1,000	750
103	500	750	600
104	1,250	1,750	1,400
105	2,500	3,000	3,500
106	1,250	1,500	1,550
107	500	650	775
108	250	400	925
109	750	1,000	750
Total:	50,500	60,300	69,275
Grand Total	235,600	274,200	238,875

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