Strong Bids at Steve Album Auction

Stephen Album Rare Coins held its Auction 47 on September 14-17, 2023, where strong bidding brought the total price realized to $2.32 million (including buyer’s fees) on an estimate of $1.7 million. The sell-through rate was 93%. A few highlights from the auction follow (prices include buyer’s fees):

Lot 652.

• Lot 652. China: Republic: AR dollar, Central Mint, Tientsin, ND (1914), Y-322, L&M-858, K-642, 39mm Regular Strike type, Commemorative for the Founding of the Republic of China; facing bust of Yuan Shih Kai in military attire and tall, plumed hat // value within wreath, a lovely rainbow toned example! PCGS graded MS64. Sold for $66,000.

Lot 1578.

• Lot 1578. World: United States: AR dollar, 1836, Judd-60, “Gobrecht Dollar Pattern”, original strike, an attractive proof example with original deep toning, PCGS graded Proof 62. Sold for $31,200.
• Lot 642. China: Republic: AR medal, year 1 (1912), KM-X528, L&M-941, bust of General Chang Hsi-luan (Zhang Xiluan) in military uniform; “Giorgi” signature at lower right, reeded edge, zhí lì du du zhang above // zhong huá mín guó yuán nián above crossed Five-colored flags with Chinese characters above, tooling and repair in the obverse left field, which was done separately from the official post-striking effacing done to the characters on the reverse, attractive steel gray toning, an overall attractive example of this very rare medal, PCGS graded AU details, RR. Sold for $21,600.

Lot 1233.

• Lot 1233. World: Bulgaria: Ferdinand I, 1887-1918, AR 2 leva, 1894-KB, KM-17, struck at the Kremnitz (Kremnica) mint, an attractive mint state example, PCGS graded MS62. Sold for $21,600.
• Lot 975. India: British India: Victoria, Queen, 1837-1876, AV mohur, 1841(c), KM-462, S&W-3.7, Prid-22, East India Company issue, small date, number “4” without serif, with dot after date, an attractive mint state example! PCGS graded MS61. Sold for $15,600.
• Lot 980. India: British India: Victoria, Empress, 1876-1901, AR 1/2 rupee, 1879-C, KM-491, S&W-6.176, Prid-263, a lovely mint state example and thus rare! PCGS graded MS63, RR. Tied for finest graded example at both NGC and PCGS! Sold for $15,600.

Lot 42.

• Lot 42. Ancients: Phoenicia: Tyre, AR shekel (14.31g), year 12 (115/4 BC), DCA-919, HGC-10/357, laureate head of Melkart right // eagle standing left on prow, palm frond over right wing, BI (date) above club to left, ZB monogram to right, Phoenician B between legs, lightly lustrous with subtle toning, a superb specimen of tremendous eye appeal! Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, NGC graded AU* (star). Estimated at $1,000 to $1,500. Sold for $5,500.

COO Mike Barry was happy with the results. “All categories in this auction performed very well. It was nice to see strength in the market. The group lots and the internet sessions also saw strong prices.”

The firm is now taking consignments for its auctions that will be held in 2024.