Goldberg auctions get strong prices on nice copper

It is hard to believe more than three years have gone by since the sale of the Naftzger collection of middle date large cents. Some readers may recall my posts about going to the live auction and getting six nice coins. At the time, my middle date registry set was lacking only the pricy 1821 and 1923 keys and an 1828. My prime target in the sale was an 1828. But I did not get it because I was late getting to the auction.

Goldberg auctions held their usual pre-Long Beach sale last week. It included a nice collection of middle and late date large cents, called the Northwest Collection. Several of the best middle dates were nicer than my examples. In particular, one of the 1828 coins was in fact the same coin that I wanted three years ago. So as usual, I planned my auction strategy for getting one or two upgrades.

Also as usual, the details made things potentially hairy. My 1828 is a Newcomb 6, NGC graded MS64BN, which I think is about right. The one in the auction is also N-6, but PCGS graded MS65BN, and I do recall it being a very nice coin. But the auction also included an 1826 graded MS66BN, also a former Naftzger coin. My 1826 is graded MS64BN and okay, but I decided to go after the one in the sale. It would surely require a bid that would make it my most expensive coin. I also planned to bid on a nice 1822 that would upgrade my 62BN to 64BN.

Because things are offered in date order but my priorities were not in that order, and because my funds are not infinite, I could not enter competitive bids on all three before the sale. I needed to be able to react to live events, so I called to request live phone bidding, and was able to participate that way.

Unfortunately, all three coins sold for prices that I think are way too high. I was not the buyer for any of them. Oh well...

The next day, there was an 1890 quarter eagle, PCGS MS63 & CAC.

I wanted to get this for my son as a college graduation present. (He was born in 1990, and I gave him an 1890 set, cent through dollar, as a high school graduation present [except that I still have not gotten the half dollar].) The estimate was $1000-$1100, which seemed fair. I wanted to go higher, though, because it was a nice example. I bid $1300 ($1495 with juice), but was outbid. Oh well...

But on a positive note - In the past, I and others have experienced what seemed like tremendous lag in the Goldberg's live internet bidding system, making it pretty much useless. This time, while on the phone, I was watching live on-line and could hear the live action over the phone. It matched up very well. I commented about this to the guy on the phone with me, and he said they had made improvements.

Although I was shut out in the Goldberg auction, I did win two lots in Heritage auctions later in the week. Each one has a story. One of those stories is not over yet! Details to come...

Happy collecting to all.

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