Final bids for the finest sets of Flying Eagle cents, Indian cents, and Barber dimes ever compiled reached nearly $5 million in November, continuing the Stewart Blay Collection's record-setting performance at GreatCollections.
The dates of sale for the coins were November 12th and 19th at GreatCollections. Three notable realizations stand out: an 1856 Flying Eagle cent graded PCGS MS-66 fetching $343,125, an 1877 Indian cent graded PCGS MS-66+RD fetching $340,875, and an 1893-O Barber dime graded PCGS MS-68PL fetching $140,625
The selling price of a PCGS MS-65RD gradated 1955 double-die Lincoln cent was $123,750. In terms of both date and grade, these all became records. More than doubling the prior record set in 2001, the MS-65RD 1955 dual die set a new standard.
With 16,645 bids, a total of $4,960,436 was realized for the 673 graded coins that were up for auction.
The renowned New York-based numismatist and artist Stewart Blay, who passed away in 2016, amassed the prestigious collections over the course of fifty years. A number of world records were broken earlier this year when the Blay Lincoln Cent Collection was auctioned off by GreatCollections for over $7.7 million.
"Amazon of serious collectors swooped in to bid on pieces from the Stewart Blay Collection — some hadn't bought a coin in years, because there was nothing of this caliber available," remarked Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections.
The realized prices prove that the numismatic community agreed with the exceptional quality that Stewart had accumulated over his life. Even among today's numismatists, the pedigree is among the most revered, therefore it's sure to last.
Unfortunately, Stewart's untimely death occurred last Thanksgiving, Ian continued. The gift of this once-in-a-generation collection from Stewart and his estate is deeply appreciated.
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