NEW YORK, NY.- The second installment of The Eugene H. Gardner Collection brought $13.75 million when it crossed the block in New York on Oct. 27, 2014. Combined with Part I of the collection, which sold in June, Gardner's extraordinary coins have realized more than $33 million, with two additional auctions scheduled for 2015. All prices include a 17.5% Buyer's Premium.
Rare Seated Liberty coinage made up three of the top four individual results from the auction: An 1842 small date quarter, graded Proof-65 by PCGS, shared top honors when it sold for $282,000. The 1842 small date is only known as a proof, with seven examples accounted for. This coin is the second finest of five available to collectors.
Another proof Seated Liberty quarter, the 1839 No Drapery, brought $270,250. This coin is unique in proof format and is one of only two proofs of the No Drapery subtype known. It is graded Proof-65 by NGC. Matching this result at $270,250 was an 1871-CC dime graded MS65. This coin, encapsulated as a Gem by NGC, is unsurpassed in numerical grade at either of the two major grading services and may be the sole finest graded. Probably between four and seven mint state examples of the 1871-CC dime are known.
A 1796 half dollar with 15 stars on the obverse, graded MS62 by NGC, was the only outsider among the Seated coinage in the top four of this auction, matching the top price realized in the auction and selling for $282,000. The 1796 half is under heavy demand from type collectors, date collectors and variety collectors, and brings high prices in any grade. Fewer than 4000 examples of the type were minted.
Other highlights include, but are not limited to:
• 1804 Quarter, MS63 NGC, the Norweb-Ariagno Specimen, struck from the very rare late-state dies.
• 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter, MS65 PCGS Full Head, a remarkable strike rarity and series key.
• 1801 Draped Bust Half Dime, MS67 NGC, single finest known.
• 1838 No Drapery Dime, Incredible PR67 Cameo NGC, likely unique, the Kaufman Example.
• 1804 Quarter MS63 NGC, the Norweb-Ariagno specimen, struck from the very rare late-state dies.
