“Trump Effect” Lifts 2016 U.S. Rare-Coin Market, Reports Professional Numismatists Guild
Reposted from a press release Coin Update:
(Temecula, California)—The optimism that disposable income may increase with the election of Donald Trump lifted the U.S. rare-coin market in the last two months of 2016, according to the Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org). The PNG, a nonprofit organization composed of many of the country’s top rare-coin and paper-money experts, conducts an annual compilation of results of major auctions of U.S. rare coins.
“After several years of higher prices and the spectacular sales of several legendary coin collections, the U.S. rare-coin market softened in 2016,” said PNG president Dana Samuelson. “But after the November elections, there was a notable increase in demand for high-quality rare coins, including those priced at $100,000 or more.”
The aggregate prices realized for U.S. coins sold at major public auctions in 2016 totaled $341,815,542. The totals were $439 million in 2015; $536 million in 2014; and $393 million in 2013. One firm, Heritage Auctions, accounted for $192 million of the 2016 total. All totals include the buyer’s premium to reflect the actual, full prices paid by winning bidders.
“In our annual survey of major numismatic auction firms, the consensus estimate is that the overall U.S. rare-coin market for auctions and direct sales in 2016 was about $4 billion, not including bullion coins, such as gold, silver, or platinum American Eagles, and not including sales by the United States Mint,” explained Samuelson.
“Over the decades the U.S. rare-coin market moves in cycles, and the long-term trend is up. We believe 2017 will be an opportunity for astute collectors to be buying,” said Robert Brueggeman, PNG executive director.
Four coins sold for $1 million or more at auction in 2016, compared to a record-setting 17 during 2015. A fifth coin crossed the million-dollar mark in a private sale in late 2016, and although the purchase price was not disclosed, it was reported that the coin is insured for $8 million for a planned public display in early 2017.
The four million-dollar coins sold at public auction in 2016 are:
- 1894 San Francisco silver dime, graded PCGS PF-66, $1,997,500, sold by Heritage Auctions.
- 1879 Quintuple Stella (pattern $20 gold coin), PCGS PF-64 Deep Cameo, $1,888,000, sold by Legend Rare Coin Auctions.
- 1833 Capped Head Left, Large Date half eagle ($5 gold coin), PCGS PF-67, $1,351,250, sold by Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
- 1795 Draped Bust silver dollar, PCGS SP-66, $1,057,500, sold by Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
The auction firms that responded to the PNG survey are Bonham’s; Ira & Larry Goldberg Auctioneers; GreatCollections Coin Auctions; Heritage Auctions; David Lawrence Rare Coins; Legend Rare Coin Auctions; Scotsman Coin & Jewelry; and Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
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