The fourth auction of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, named the "Masterpieces of United States Coinage, Part IV," realized $16,749,038.
Part IV was presented jointly by Stack’s Bowers Galleries and Sotheby’s in New York City on May 24. Its more than $16.7 million total came from 61 lots for a per coin average exceeding $274,000, according to the two auction houses.
"At $85,318,218.50 the Pogue Collection is now far and above any other collection ever sold at auction in total proceeds," reported P. Scott Rubin, statistician for the coin hobby. "Eleven coins pedigreed to the D. Brent Pogue Collection Part IV will now be included in the Top 250 Auction records."
The Farouk-Pittman 1833 Proof half eagle led sales at $1,351,250. A 1795 Draped Bust silver dollar also surpassed the million-dollar mark, hammering in at $1,057,500.
A record $10,575,000 was bid for the finest known 1804 silver dollar, the highest price ever offered for any coin, but the bid failed to meet the reserve price.
The only collectible specimen of the extremely rare 1822 $5 half eagle received a phone bid of $7,285,000, an amount surpassed among gold coins by only the 1933 double eagle $20 gold piece that realized $7.59 million in 2002. The level, however, did not meet the rarity’s reserve.
Eight other coins sold for more than a half million dollars. Leading the charge was the finer of two known 1825/4 half eagles, bringing $940,000. Three other half eagles brought $822,500 each:
- the 1829 Small Planchet $5,
- the 1832 12 Stars $5, and
- the 1835 Proof $5.
A 1795 Draped Bust dollar brought $763,750. The same sum purchased an 1829 Large Planchet half eagle.
The first half dollar of the New Orleans Mint, the extremely rare 1838-O, realized $493,500.
The finest known 1838-C half eagle, struck in the first year of production at the Charlotte (NC) Mint, brought $235,000 against a $60,000-$90,000 estimate.
For more information, visit www.stacksbowers.com.
