Dealers and Collectors Converge on Long Beach

Wednesday, February 17, 1999

        The latest Long Beach Expo attracted the largest attendance in over ten years. Thursday was the opening day and crowds of collectors were seen viewing, buying and selling with the hundreds of dealers who had bourse tables. We even had the opportunity to observe as a few dealers were buying rather large collections and accumulations from the public. It looks like the coin market is rising in a manner that is enticing some new sellers. Business was steady throughout the first day; Friday was nearly the same with the exception of retail business, which tended to slow down about mid afternoon. Saturday was again a constant sea of activity all day long. The dealers who came to sell coins to the public were mostly satisfied as want lists were being tendered. Those who traded among themselves were generally busy most of the show trying to consummate deals that found many coins changing hands. The scope of trades included coins from a dollar to over a hundred thousand dollars, as many dealers were delighted to see high priced coins moving rather briskly. The Heritage Auctions, both the Bullet and Signature Sale, also attracted a myriad of activity from floor bidders as well as mail bidders. The total of the two sales realized over $6.6 million.

        Besides the many educational seminars and specialty collector forums, the top grading services were in attendance to accept coins for certification. All reported stimulating business activities as dealers were trying to get some of their more valuable new purchases in holders (many as upgrades) so they could attempt to sell them before they left the show. Spectrum Numismatics displayed one of the finest known 1907 St. Gaudens Patterns, in Extremely High Relief. Their displays always attract an onslaught of onlookers. As we navigated the bourse room for three days, we spoke with hundreds of dealers about the current state of the coin market. The majority of dealers feel that this is the strongest coin market we have seen in over 10 years. Prices continue to rise above previous levels in some series while the overall market remains steady. Dealers have long want lists and collectors are looking to advance their numismatic holdings. The Y2K scenario remains an easy sell to the investors who are traveling on this crusade and many dealers continue to sell "packages" to these prognosticators. Gold and Silver sales are extremely active, which helps the overall coin market.

        No matter what you are collecting in the way of numismatics, you should have been able to find something for your area of interest. With the hundreds of dealers in attendance and the thousands of auction lots from which to choose, there was no end to what one could find. The Heritage Signature Sale highlighted the William Miller Collection of Charlotte and Dahlonega Gold along with several other well-known collections. When the final gavel hit the podium, this sale realized $6,377,315. Included is a list of highlights. You may also find a complete list on the Heritage web site at www.heritagecoin.com.

Denomination	Grade	Price Realized
1793 Wreath Cent Vine & Bars	NGC AU50	$8,050
1841 Large Cent	PCGS PR66 BN	$9,487
1858/7 Flying Eagle Cent	NGC MS64	$7,475
1877 Indian Cent	NGC MS65 RB	$6,037
1866 Three Cent Silver	PCGS MS67	$3,565
1836 Bust Dime	PCGS MS66	$6,210
1895 O Barber Dime	PCGS MS64	$8,337
1896 O Barber Dime	PCGS MS66	$7,475
1821 Bust Quarter	PCGS MS67	$51,750
1849 Seated Quarter	PCGS PR66	$21,850
1918/7 S Standing Lib Quarter	PCGS MS63	$25,300
1821 Bust Half	NGC MS66	$10,925
1835 Bust Half	PCGS MS67	$26,450
1799 Bust Dollar	PCGS MS64	$69,000
1851 C $1 Gold	PCGS MS66	$31,050
1855 D $1 Gold	NGC AU55	$16,100
1856 D $1 Gold	PCGS AU58	$14,375
1858 D $1 Gold	NGC MS65	$46,000
1796 No Stars $2 1/2 Gold	PCGS AU55	$85,100
1840 C $2 1/2 Gold	NGC MS62	$31,050
1842 C $2 1/2 Gold	NGC MS65	$90,850
1854 D $2 1/2 Gold	PCGS MS62	$63,250
1855 D $2 1/2 Gold	NGC AU55	$26,450
1866 $2 1/2 Gold	PCGS PR66	$30,475
1854 D $3 Gold	PCGS XF45	$24,150
1804 Small 8 $5 Gold	NGC MS64	$33,350
1839 C $5 Gold	NGC MS63	$37,950
1843 C $5 Gold	PCGS MS64	$41,400
1846 D/D $5 Gold	NGC MS64	$24,150
1849 C $5 Gold	PCGS MS63	$33,925
1849 D $5 Gold	PCGS MS62	$18,975
1851 C $5 Gold	NGC MS63	$46,000
1855 C $5 Gold	NGC MS65	$67,275
1856 D $5 Gold	NGC MS64	$34,500
1930 S $10 Indian Gold	NGC MS64	$13,225
1891 $20 Gold	PCGS PR64	$33,350
1907 High Relief $20 Gold	NGC MS65	$23,000
1920 S $20 St. Gaudens	PCGS AU55	$14,950
1921 $29 St. Gaudens	NGC AU50	$16,675
1930 S $20 St. Gaudens	PCGS MS62	$24,150
1931 $20 St. Gaudens	NGC MS63	$21,850
1931 D $20 St. Gaudens	PCGS MS60	$14,375