1838-O Branch Mint Proof Reeded Edge Half and Husak Large Cents Lead "Incredible" Heritage Auction Bidding described as "astronomical," "incredible," "feverish," and "stunning" greeted the long awaited Large Cent Collection of Walter Husak at Heritage's Official Auction - February 14-16, 2008
News-Antique.com - Feb 20,2008 - Dallas, TX. Bidding described as "astronomical," "incredible," "feverish," and "stunning" greeted the long awaited Large Cent Collection of Walter Husak at Heritage's Official Auction of the February 14-16, 2008 Long Beach Coin Expo. Prices Realized from the Husak consignment exceeded $10.7 million, and another $4.6 million from the Southwest Collection, with these two incredible consignments (out of 220 consignors) accounting for half of the proceeds. After adding proceeds from the Token and Medal session, the Final Session Auction and all Post Auction Buys, the total prices realized are expected to exceed $25 million. Images, descriptions, and prices realized are currently posted at Heritage's HA.com website.
"In some ways, our Long Beach auction proceeded as expected," commented Heritage President Greg Rohan. "We expected the PR63 1838-O half dollar, one of the classic American rarities, to be the most expensive item sold - little did we know that 2 Large Cents would tie it at $632,500 each.
Lot 600: 1838-O 50C PR63 Branch Mint PCGS. CAC. JR-1, R.7.
We also expected prices for the Husak Collection of Early U.S. Large Cents to be high - very high - but we, and most bidders in the room and those bidding through Heritage Live, were simply shocked at most of the prices realized. The greatest collection of early Large Cents ever formed (including virtually every Sheldon number in the 1793 to 1814 series), realized the greatest prices ever for these marvelous coins - with many coins realizing multiples of previous records. Husak spent years searching for Condition Census examples, and many of coins were the finest known, as well as having exceptional pedigrees. They deserved these amazing prices."
"The Southwest Collection," continued Rohan, "was also expected to attract wide attention, with its emphasis on gem-quality rarities with eye-appeal. Here again many prices were simply amazing. The Southwest Collection was meticulously assembled by a connoisseur of cultural artifacts of many types who sought to procure the best; again, the search for quality was rewarded by the marketplace."
Lot 11: 1797 Half Dime 16 Stars, MS64 NGC, V-4, LM-2, R.4. CAC.
It is conjectured that the 16 star half dimes were issued in anticipation of Tennessee being admitted to the Union as the 16th state. From The Southwest Collection.
Price Realized: $38,813
http://www.HA.com/Coins/common/prlink.php?Sale_No=460&Lot_No=23&type=prte-pr012808a
Lot 23: 1837 Small Date (Flat Top 1), No Stars Half Dime MS68 NGC, V.6
The finest graded at NGC, this is an absolutely splendid example of an 1837 No Stars half dime. >From The Southwest Collection.
Price Realized: $19,550
http://www.HA.com/Coins/common/prlink.php?Sale_No=460&Lot_No=83&type=prte-pr012808a
Lot 83: 1827 Dime, MS67 PL NGC, JR-12
The finest-graded of any 1827 dime, this wonderful example of the JR-12 variety clearly shows the joining of the final A in AMERICA and the adjacent arrowhead. From The Southwest Collection.
