One of only two known complete proof sets from the early years of United States proof mintage’s sold for an impressive $1 million. A private collector residing in Ohio purchased the set after learning about it in a magazine article. This set and the 1834 King of Siam set, which sold for $3.1 million in late 1998, are the only known sets of this era.
A colleague of mine, Mr. Hendelson, who owns a coin company in New Jersey, had acquired the set from a family of which the set had been passed down for at least three generations. Like the King of Siam set, the eight coin 1836 proof set is believed to have been assembled as a gift to Asian rulers in an effort to establish trade.
Upon purchasing the set, Mr. Hendelson submitted the coins to Numismatic Guaranty Corporation for certification. The coins rank among the top 1836 proofs NGC or PCGS has ever seen. The coins were graded by NGC in the following grades:
- 1836 Proof Set
- Denomination/Grade/Detail
- Classic Head Half-Cent/Proof-66 BN /Finest Known!
- Coronet Large Cent/Proof-65 BN/Only 8-10 coins exist in any condition!
- Capped Bust Half-Dime/Proof 64/Only 6 of these coins are known!
- Capped Bust Dime/Proof-62/Only 3 are known to exist!
- Capped Bust Quarter/Proof-63/Only 5 are known!
- Capped Bust Half-Dollar/Proof-64/Only 10-15 coins known!
- Quarter Eagle/Proof-66 Cam/Finest known of only 4-6 coins!
- Half Eagle/Proof-65 Cam/Finest of only 2 known!
The sale of this set, and the following auction prices realized for coins at this years ANA Money Show, is further evidence of how hungry the market remains for extreme rarity and historically significant coins.
Bidders enthusiastically raised their hands setting many new records for coins within their variety, type and grades. The following chart lists only a few but very impressive hammer prices.
| Denomination | Grade | Service | Price Realized |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1793 Wreath Cent | AU58 | Raw | $29,900 |
| 1970-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent | MS65RD | PCGS | $16,100 |
| 1867 Shield Nickel | PR64 | PCGS | $46,000 |
| 1918 7-D Buffalo Nickel | GEM BU | Raw | $103,500 |
| 1801 Draped Bust Dime | MS65 | NGC | $50,600 |
| 1919-D Mercury Dime | MS66 | FB | $218,500 |
| 1828 Capped Bust Quarter | MS65 | PCGS | $20,700 |
| 1926-D Standing Quarter | MS66FH | PCGS | $20,700 |
| 1837 Reeded Edge Bust Half | MS65 | PCGS | $13,800 |
| 1795 Flowing Hair Silver $1.00 | AU58 | PCGS | $23,575 |
| 1838 Gobrecht $1.00 | PR63 | PCGS | $31,050 |
| 1895-O Morgan Dollar | MS64DMPL | PCGS | $57,500 |
| 1900 Morgan Dollar | PR67 | NGC | $23,000 |
| 1921-D Morgan Dollar | MS67 | PCGS | $10,925 |
| 1855-D Ty. II Gold $1.00 | XF45 | NGC | $17,250 |
| 1808 Bust $2.50 | AU53 | PCGS | $34,500 |
| 1834 Capped Bust $5.00 | AU58 | NGC | $32,200 |
| 1909 $5.00 Indian Satin Proof | PR67 | NGC | $52,900 |
| 1795 Draped Bust $10.00 | AU55 | NGC | $52,900 |
| 1801 Draped Bust $10.00 | MS62 | PCGS | $20,700 |
| 1907 Wire Rim $10 Indian | MS64 | PCGS | $28,750 |
| 1860-O $20 Liberty | XF45 | PCGS | $10,925 |
| 1907 $20 Saint-Gaudens High Relief | MS63 | NGC | $17,250 |
| 1910 $20 Saint-Gaudens | PR64 | PCGS | $39,100 |