As a general rule here at USCoinNews, I don’t post much about high-end coin auctions. Not because I don’t find them interesting, but more about one of the founding principles of the site: Focus is on those who enjoy the hobby, for the hobby and not necessarily for investments. But everyone once in a while a coin gets sold at auction that is just to impressive to pass on tell others about it. That’s the case for a stunning 1938 Walking Liberty Half Dollar that ended up selling late last month at GreatCollections.
The PCGS graded Proof-68+ CAC 1938 Walker sold for a stunning $81,562 and is considered to be the single finest example of a 1938 Walker.
Below you’ll find the Press Release from GreatCollections on this – and a few other – impressive sale.
May 6, 2020. Irvine, Calif. – After spirited bidding from 11 different collectors and dealers, the finest 1938 Walking Liberty Half Dollar ended up selling for a new all-time record price of $81,562 at GreatCollections on Sunday, April 26th.
The coin, graded Proof-68+ by PCGS and approved by CAC, is the single finest 1938 Walking Liberty Half Dollar known from an original mintage of 8,152.
Ian Russell, owner/president of GreatCollections said: “During these unprecedented times, there is still significant interest in coins, clearly evident with this realization.
“I had the pleasure of speaking with the winning bidder last week, a serious collector who appreciates quality. I also spoke with one of the underbidders who is putting together the finest collection of coins minted in 1938, his birth year.
Brett Charville, president of PCGS added “The exceptional price realized on this 1938 proof Walker perfectly encapsulates the power of PCGS certification. Not only do PCGS coins of all kinds trade for consistently higher premiums in the market, but PCGS is unmatched when unlocking the full value of transcendently beautiful coins such as this.”
Over 3,000 certified coins and banknotes were sold on Sunday alongside the 1938 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Other notable realizations include:
1943-S Lincoln Cent NGC MS-68 – Sold for $1,856
1954 Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-67 RD – Sold for $18,061
1961-D Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-67+ RD – Sold for $4,837
1915-S Buffalo Nickel PCGS MS-66+ – Sold for $8,718
1917-S Buffalo Nickel PCGS MS-66 CAC – Sold for $6,609
1919-D Mercury Dime PCGS MS-66 FB – Sold for $126,562
1952-S Franklin Half Dollar PCGS MS-66 FL – Sold for $2,587
1879-S Morgan Silver Dollar VAM-56 Reverse of 1878 Top 100 PCGS VF-20 – Sold for $6,468
1879 Four-Dollar Gold Piece Flowing Hair Stella NGC Proof-65+ UC CAC – Sold for $222,187
1799 Capped Bust Gold Eagle PCGS MS-64+ – Sold for $135,124
2009 MMIX Ultra High Relief $20 Gold PCGS MS-70 PL – Sold for $3,049
1959 Gold Hawaii Statehood Medal NGC MS-66 – Sold for $14,625
1959 Gold Alaska Statehood Medal NGC MS-66 – Sold for $14,873
Great Britain 1897 Gold 55mm Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal NGC MS-61 – Sold for $9,168
India 1870-(C) Gold 10 Rupees Restrike Mature Bust KM-479 NGC Proof-63 – Sold for $6,187
India 1862-(C) Gold Mohur Restrike KM-480 NGC Proof-63 – Sold for $7,033
Fr. 1215 1922 $100 Gold Certificate Speelman / White PMG Choice About Unc 58 PPQ – Sold for $7,256
Upcoming auction highlights include a significant collection of Mormon Paper Money, the Tahlequah Collection of Indian Gold Quarter Eagles, an extremely scarce 1864 Indian Cent L on Ribbon Proof, some of the finest known Franklin Half Dollars, parts 105, 106 and 107 of the famed Sunset Collection and more.
GreatCollections is always looking for consignments large and small. To find out more about selling your coins, visit www.greatcollections.com/selling or telephone 1-800-442-6467.
Yowsers, not even the ’38-D half. Personally I’d rather have bought a nice set of middle grade coins (anyone say “gold”?). But it certainly is a beautiful coin. I wonder what the typical person in Depression Era America, spending a half just released by the mint would have said about this.
They would have probably been stunned to even try to think about $80,000 let alone a single coin.