Legend Rare Coin Auctions Informational Pamphlet

2018·1.7 MB·English

by  Legend Rare Coin Auctions

-EGEND
RARE COIN AUCTIONS
fter three decades of being a major player in Here are several examples of what Legend Rare Coin
auctions and spending hundreds of millions Auctions actually does:
of dollars in them, our Founder, Laura
Sperber was tired of sitting through major • Holds up to 650 lots for Regency Auctions.
sales until l-2am. In addition, the thought of seeing so
• Conducts Monthly Premier Sessions Internet Only
many retreads and “stuff” that fill typical phone book
Sales-Featuring 150-300 lots.
size auctions was not appealing, nor did she feel it
allowed sellers to realize maximum financial potential • Rejects coins deemed unsuitable for sale because of
for their consignments. With these thoughts in mind, reserves, quality, etc.
Laura decided on a smaller boutique-style auction, • We strive to have little to no duplication lots.
hence the creation of Legend Rare Coin Auctions. • Produces a beautiful hardbound catalog as a
keepsake for each Regency Auction.
Being the founder of Legend Numismatics Laura
• To date, all major Legend Regency Auctions have
developed one of the biggest and most quality oriented
been held in conjunction with the PCGS Members
dealerships in the coin business. Her customers
are unquestionably the “who’s who” of todays Only Shows, of which Legend is the official
numismatics. They range from single $1,000 coin auctioneer. Stand alone, single consignor sales can
buyers up through the biggest active buyers today. also be scheduled in addition to the scheduled
Many of the collections that Legend Numismatics has PCGS Members Only Shows.
built are in the Hall of Fame on the PCGS Registry. • Legend Rare Coin Auctions has TWO fulltime
bourse floor trained numismatists on staff.
The high standards of quality and service at Legend
• Every coin is listed with a full description and
are unquestionable. With over 3,200 active customers,
Laura felt it was time to create an auction house quality images.
not only to serve Legend Numismatic customers, • Last, ALL Legend Regency and Monthly Premier
but to offer the numismatic world a smaller more Sessions Sales are aggressively patronized by the
personalized and reactive boutique-style auction powerful customer base of Legend Numismatics.
company where they can buy and sell with complete
confidence. After many years of headaches from Since its inception five years ago, Legend Rare Coin
participating in huge auctions Laura knew she had to Auctions has been highly successful and rapidly
create a smaller auction venue with a platform that was growing with every sale. We firmly believe our vision,
safe, relaxing and fun for buyers and sellers alike. quality, and standards are the highest and best in the
auction business today. See our Mission Statement for
Everything from customer service to the quality of the further information on our standards.
offerings had to meet the highest of standards.
EsmaoBOH
Legend Rare Coin Auctions was created to be different. Unlike other firms who only care about numbers, our motto
is, “A happy buyer makes a happy seller.” We strive for not only complete customer satisfaction, but the absolute
highest in numismatic standards and integrity.
In the upcoming pages of this brochure, you will see the different options we can offer to you for the liquidation of
your coins. Our highly experienced team will work with you from the time you contact us about consignment until
you receive your generous settlement check after the sale of your coins.
The auction company was founded and is owned by Laura Sperber, the owner of Legend Numismatics, who is
currently the undisputed retail leader in handling top coins and building the world’s greatest collections. These
collections include: Simpson, Morelan Bust, Trade and Seated, Law Half Dimes and Barber Dimes, Coronet #1 MS
Morgan Collection and more. For Legend Rare Coin Auctions, she has assembled a diverse and very capable world
class team of experts to work with collectors to uphold these same standards.
We insist Legend Rare Coin Auctions offers an unprecedented level of quality dealings, trust and of course the
ultimate in satisfaction.
Laura Sperber-Partner
A native of central New Jersey, Laura Sperber began collecting coins in 1976, after being
enamored with the 1976 ANA Auction given to her by her high school softball coach. She
attended that convention, and was amazed by the coins—their history, value and rarity. Af¬
ter a year at Monmouth University, she decided to pursue a career in numismatics full time.
In 1986, she opened Legend Numismatics, a retail coin firm that was dedicated to offering
collectors the absolute finest in quality coins and customer service. As the business evolved,
she became instrumental in aiding collectors in building top tier collections. She made
history by conducting one of the largest numismatic transactions in history, the $38,000,000
pattern deal in 2008 that she created, negotiated and brokered.
Over the years, when it came time for her collectors to sell, some of these collections ended up being consigned
to auction. She was very disheartened by what she saw as a “quantity over quality” approach that many auction
firms took. The great coins got mixed in with lower quality coins, lost in phone book sized catalogs replete with
duplication, overgraded and doctored coins, which hurt the value of those customers’ coins. She saw a need in
the market for a boutique auction firm that would be focused on the quality conscientious collector—whether
they are buying or selling. Thus in 2012, Legend Rare Coin Auctions was born. Laura built a team that shares her
passion for numismatics while offering the finest in both quality coins and customer service.
Bruce Morelan-Partner
Bruce started collecting coins when he was only six years old and by the time he was in high
school his dream was to be a coin dealer. But life intervened and instead, Bruce went into
business. By chance, he became Legend Numismatics’ financial backer in 1996. His great
grandmother had given him three coins when he was young, one of which being a Trade
Dollar, so he set out to build the finest Trade Dollar set. After a few years with ultra rarities, Bruce
returned to his love of dollars and completed both a set of Gobrechts and a set of Seated Dollars.
After selling those sets, Bruce recently returned to dollars with a new Gobrecht set and a
spectacular early dollar set capped by his dream coin, the Amon Carter 1794 Dollar. Not many collectors can say
they have completed not only the finest 1794-1885 Dollar Sets and have over the years owned such coins as two
1913 Liberty Head Nickels, an 1894-S Dime, 1876-CC Twenty Cent piece, 1827 Original and Restrike Quarters,
1838-0 Half Dollar, two 1885 Trade Dollars and four 1884 Trade Dollars and now the Dexter 1804 $1!
I Julie Abrams-President
I Julie Abrams has been immersed in numismatics since 1986 when she joined forces with
| the entrepreneur and visionary Bernard Rome to launch Teletrade, the first computerized
I auction company. Back in the pre-internet era, Teletrade developed a groundbreaking coin
I trading method, using state-of-the-art digitized voice board technology to run live
I auctions. As President of Teletrade, Julie helped expand the company, increased the
frequency of auctions, and grew annual sales to $24 million within a few years. In 1999,
Teletrade was purchased by GMAI, a publicly traded company, and Julie became GMAI’s
1 Executive Vice President of Sales. In addition to her role as President of Teletrade, her new
responsibilities included marketing to buyers and consignors and integrating Teletrade into GMAIs wholesale
and retail operations. In 2004, Julie joined Stacks Bowers, modernizing this traditional auction house by
enhancing its e-commerce presence and online bidding platform. She also secured consignments from dealers
and institutions such as banks, museums, and universities. .
Julie is a member of the American Numismatic Association, the Central States Numismatic Association, and
Florida United Numismatists.
Matthew Bell-Executive Vice President
Matthew joined Legend Rare Coin Auctions in 2017 as the Controller for both LRCA and
its sister company Legend Numismatics. In May 2018 he was promoted to Executive Vice
President. His priority is to cultivate the continued growth of Legend Rare Coin Auctions
through carefully examining the processes and opportunities available to the company. He
is constantly looking at ways to improve the auction experience for consignors and buyers
while maintaining the level of quality people have come to expect from the Legend brand.
A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Matthew graduated from High Tech High School before
going on to Ithaca College where he graduated magna cum laude with degrees in Finance, Marketing, and
Accounting. Prior to joining LRCA, he held the role of Senior Accountant for a multinational flavor and
fragrance distributor, where he was an integral part of the decision-making team for entire company and strived
to situate the company with an emphasis on the future. His efforts led to unprecedented growth which he was
able to additionally compound through several cost saving initiatives, further increasing profitability. He brings
that knowledge to his role at LRCA, allowing him to offer unique solutions to many of the situations that arise.
Serena Myers-Director of Administration
Serena joined the Legend Auctions team May of 2017. Her main priority is to ensure that
Legend Rare Coin Auctions is a venue where bidders can bid with confidence on quality
coins in a boutique-style setting with world-class rarities and the finest handpicked
i collectible coins.
- / - fW Serena has a very diverse business background with corporate level experience in marketing,
* | „ |//I management, human resources and operations. She graduated magna cum laude as a double
major with a BS in Marketing, Management and Fine Art from Lebanon Valley College
in 2003. Starting back in 2002 Serenas resume includes corporate level management experience from Under
Armour and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles where she championed brand awareness and marketing techniques
for two different billion dollar industries. Expanding further in 2006, Serena moved on to be the Vice President
of Sales & Operations for Morphy Auctions, LLC, a small town Pennsylvania auction company specializing in
high end general antiques. Throughout her 11 year tenure with Morphy Auctions, Serena was an integral part in
growing the company from a $4 million a year company in 2006 to a $45 million a year company in 2017.
H
Greg Cohen-Senior Numismatist
A collector since childhood, Gregs interest in coins deepened while in high school. Growing
up in Northern New Jersey, he would frequently go to New York to visit Stacks and other New
York firms when off from school. His first foray into professional numismatics was during
college. While attending the 2004 ANA convention, he met dealer Dave Wnuck, whose firm
was local to Quinnipiac University. For the next two years, Greg worked on a freelance basis
with Dave, assisting at coin shows and in the office. After graduating in 2006 with a B.A. in
History and dual minors in Political Science and Economics, Greg took a position at R.M.
Smyihe & Co. in New York, where he would work both in the retail and auction departments
from January 2007 to March 2008. In April 2008, Greg joined the staff at Stacks, where he served as a numismatist
and consignment director, specializing in U.S. and World coins. Greg developed a vast working knowledge of all
areas of American numismatics, including colonial, territorial, pattern, and federal issues.
Greg joined Legend Rare Coin Auctions in December 2015. Serving as Senior Numismatist, he is responsible for
consignment solicitation and cataloging, as well as assisting in marketing and auction production. In the decade
plus that Greg has been involved in numismatics full time, he has personally handled well in excess of ten
million dollars’ worth of numismatic properties.
Jessica Berkman-Consignment Coordinator
Jessica heralds from the Lone Star State where she earned her BA in Art History from the
University of North Texas. Her interest in Fine Art led her to seek employment at Heritage
Auctions. As fate would have it, the role available was in Numismatics. Equally passionate
about History, the opportunity sounded intriguing and turned out to be a great fit. It wasn’t
long before Jessica was entrenched in the rare coin industry and earned a solid reputation
for providing outstanding customer service while adeptly managing coin consignments.
After six years and life taking its course, she explored the world of bullion and precious
metals before returning to the auction landscape. Jessica is thrilled to be a member of the
Legend Rare Coin Auctions team where she will continue to expand and grow her numismatic horizons while
providing the top notch level of service that Legend is known to deliver. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys
travelling around the world, creating pottery and spending quality time with her furry and not so furry pets.
Patrick Braswell-Art Director
Patrick joined Legend Rare Coin Auctions in 2014 and is responsible for designing all of
our catalogs and marketing material. Patrick always tries to challenge himself by thinking
of new and interesting ways of showcasing coins and collections by bringing out their own
uniqueness and history.
Patrick graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2011 with a BA in Graphic
Design. Once graduated from one of the most prestigious art colleges in the country, it
proved to not disappoint. Working his way up the ladder in the design field, he landed a
job as the Art Director for Viking Yacht Company where he was working with million dollar yachts. At Viking
he was responsible for all print material including, ads, invitations, magazines, photography and video which
proved to be beneficial where he is at today.
Ann Marie Van Pelt-Office Manager
Ann Marie serves as our Office Manager. Prior to joining LRCA, Ann Marie worked a host of
different bookkeeping and customer service positions. At Legend, she is the friendly voice you
hear when you call our office. Additionally, Ann Marie handles auction invoicing, settlements,
packing and shipping of lots and other important day to day office tasks.

MISSION STATEMENT OF LEGEND RARE COIN AUCTIONS
DEDICATION TO QUALITY AND FRESH TO THE MARKET AUCTIONS
We promise to offer the finest certified rare coins. It is our goal to have fresh to the market offerings
at all our auctions. Every coin in a Legend Rare Coin Auctions sale will be hand vetted by two rare
coin industry veterans.
TRANSPARENCY
Our goal is to be totally transparent. There will be no hidden reserves or gimmicks. We are
a strong believer in transparency and providing a safe auction for collectors.
im ACCURATE DESCRIPTIONS
We pledge that our rare coin descriptions and images will be accurate. Our descrip¬
tions are not limited to a star or a single word, we want you to know everything about
the coin. This way, you can bid with total confidence each and every time. This
policy is the cornerstone of our extremely high level of consumer satisfaction and
customer retention.
COMMUNICATION
All questions will always be answered promptly and honestly. Open communication
| is the critical link for our customers and our business. We answer our emails 24/7.
t RESPECT
I We realize that without the collector, we would not be in business. It doesn’t matter
if you bid on one coin or $10 million worth of coins; we treat every customer with
the utmost respect.
TRUST
' We are focused on hard work, strong ethics, and quality. We believe trust is built, not
bought, sold, or fluffed up in ads. We know that with every sale, every lot sold, our
reputation is on the line. Having collectors’ confidence is a must!
/ STAY INFORMED
r Even after a combined 25+ years in this business, we are still learning. If we don’t
r know something, we will not lie and say we that we do. Instead, we will contact an
expert we trust for a second opinion. Our resources for education are from the very
best numismatists working today.
CREATE A BETTER EXPERIENCE
Legend Rare Coin Auctions was formed to be boutique and provide a better experience for
both buyers and sellers. Our goal is complete customer satisfaction.
CULTIVATE A BETTER NUMISMATIC COMMUNITY
We are not the police, but when we see questionable behavior that affects collectors, we will try our
best to notify the proper authorities. We are dedicated to seeing the numismatic world grow and pros¬
per legitimately and ethically. As many of you know, our founder, Laura Sperber has been an outspoken
critic and fighter against coin doctors-even banning several from buying or selling in our sales.
T
here is no more 100% or right for the collector, we on dozens of world class sets that
powerful base of tell them. Legend Numismatics call for some additional nifty
active quality oriented customers on average have bought coins. In addition to building
collectors than what 65-75% of the coins from all sets, Legend’s active “Want List”
our sister company, Regency Sales and in many cases has averaged $20,000,000.00 for
Legend Numismatics has created. smash record prices! And we can the last two years. You want your
They do not have 100,000, or even point out multiple record prices coins exposed to these collectors!
10,000 people. Instead, they have Legend paid in everyone else’s
the undisputed top active buyers auctions as well. The bottom NO collection is too large! We are
today (and we all know in any line is if you are a consignor, you proud of the fact Legend
auction it only takes two to make need to know that we HAVE the Numismatics which has SOLD,
prices soar). It is a fact that because collectors who are as serious as NOT auctioned, more $1 million
of their intense customer base, the they come. No coin is too large dollar coins to many different
principals of Legend Numismatics and remember it was Legend people than any other dealer-ever!
have been the biggest buyers in who bought the $10,000,000.00
EVERY major auction this past Cardinal/Morelan 1794 $1 PCGS If you think a phone book size
decade! SP 66 out of an auction. sale where your coins get lost and
the buyers are random is for you
Knowing us, and knowing what Legend Numismatics is world then go for it. If you want to sell
we do to ensure our customers are famous for building some of the your coins for absolute top dollar
buying quality, our buyers listen greatest collections ever. We have in the ultimate boutique auction
to what we say. If we love a coin more #1 sets listed on the PCGS with a true aggressive world wide
and it is the right fit-you can’t ask Registry then any active dealer. customer base then call or email
for better bidders. If a coin is not Plus, we are currently working Legend Rare Coin Auctions today!
“When it is time to sell, I highly recommend selling through Legend Rare Coin Auctions. I was able to complete my Hall of Fame
Civil War Collection through Regency Auction purchases. Having both the Regency and Session sales allows consignors the
flexibility of selling various value coins while maximizing their return. Legend maintains a high standard of quality and customer
care which is evident through their attention to detail from handpicked US rarities to their professional relationships with all
consignors and buyers. With the power of Legend Numismatics’ customer database backing the auction company, your coins are
sure to bring record prices and you will be delighted with the honesty and integrity of their operation.”
MW
L
WHY CONSIGN? • 5-6 Annual Regency Auctions with World Class
Offerings:
egend Rare Coin Auctions WILL get you
- U.S. Coins consisting primarily of top-quality
the most money for all your coins! We have
PCGS-graded coins with exceptional eye appeal
created the Regency Auctions as a venue to
- Featuring the most sought-after coins with a
make this happen. Our auctions are smaller
minimum value of $2,500 per coin and $15,000 per
by design so they reap maximum benefits
consignment
and in many cases, we get more money for coins than
• Utilizes the Foremost Experts in the Industry for
our competition. From the first auction, our boutique
Inventory Assessment & Catalog Descriptions
style sales stand out by focusing on quality coins
• Personal Service- a Legend Representative will travel
instead of mass quantities.
to you for any collection valued at $100k or more
• Legend can accommodate large and small
Our numismatic experts provide superior collection
collections and provide the best venue for maximum
assessment and cataloging to guarantee maximum
results
buyer participation. Legend Rare Coin Auctions also
• Unmatched Customer Service
benefits from being the sister company of Legend
• Buy & Sell with Confidence-Secure Bidding
Numismatics which has one of the most undisputed
Platform & Auction Venue
top collector bases in the business.
• Multiple Bidding Options- Live, Absentee, Phone,
Fax, Email and Internet
Legend is equipped to handle all sizes of collections; no
• Full-Color Hardbound Catalogs
collection is too big or too small to attain record prices.
• In-House Graphic Design Team
As witnessed by our sale of the Quintupple Stella in
• Professional Photography
2016 for a record breaking $1,880,000.00, and our sale
• Comprehensive Worldwide Marketing & PR
in 2016 for the record shattering Coronet Collection
Campaigns
of Morgans realizing over $5,000,000.00. The next few
pages contain why you should consign to Legend Rare • Easy to Use- State of the Art Website- Live Online
Coin Auctions for the sale of your coins. Bidding, Catalog, Images & Absentee Bidding
• Legend Auctions- Mobile Friendly App- Android &
ADVANTAGES IOS
• Exclusive Auction House for the PCGS Members • Lot Preview- at Major Coin Shows Throughout the
Only Show-Regency Auctions are open to PCGS Year and PCGS Members Only Shows
Authorized Dealers & Collector Club Members • Competitive Consignment Rates
• Boutique Style Auction- Maximum of 800 coins per • Generous Advances at Reasonable Rates
Auction • Referral Fees for Consigned Collections
• Single Consignor Auctions Customized for Major • Record Prices Realized
Collections *Contact our numismatic experts for consignment
deadlines for upcoming auctions.
COMPREHENSIVE MARKETING Our photographer, who is a lifelong coin collector,
Legend understands the importance of a customized provides high quality, color correct photos of all the
marketing and advertising campaign that will ensure auction inventory for web and catalog use.
proper exposure of upcoming auction consignments
and maximum buyer participation on auction day. 4. Catalog-A professionally designed, hardbound
Utilizing a targeted mailing list of top collectors and catalog is created in house by our in-house graphic
buyers, Legend provides ample notification of the designer for each auction. Legend will showcase your
upcoming auctions through a variety of media outlets coins in a full-color catalog that is unlike any other
from email blasts to a complimentary full-color hard¬ numismatic catalog in the industry. Complimentary
bound auction catalog. Legend is currently the only catalogs are mailed to our list of collectors and buyers
auction venue offering a professionally designed, hard¬ approxi- mately 2-3 weeks prior to the auction date.
bound catalog for all premier coin sales. A marketing To request a complimentary catalog call 732-935-1168.
campaign is devised, targeting popular trade maga¬ Our online catalog also provides potential buyers the
zines and other influential media and Internet outlets. opportunity to view all upcoming auction lots and pre¬
bid prior to the auction date.
Legend also promotes through www.legendauctions.
com, our user friendly, state of the art Website. The 5. Website-Legend Rare Coin Auctions offers an easy
Website features full color online catalogs, upcoming to use and up to date website with current market
auctions and show schedules. reports featuring numismatic information, online
auction catalogs, auction archives, absentee bidding
CONSIGNMENT PROCESS options and a LIVE online bidding platform. The
bidding platform allows bidders to conveniently bid
1. Contact Us-The first step in the process is to contact from the comfort of their home from the time a sale
a representative at Legend Rare Coin Auctions. Our goes live until the end of the sale. Auctions are posted
numismatic experts can conduct a valuation of your approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the sale date.
coins and provide you with the current auction dead¬
lines and dates. There are multiple ways to contact us 6. Marketing & Advertising- Customized campaigns
regarding a potential consignment. and distribution of catalogs to top buyers and collec¬
tors. Media campaigns are devised in conjunction with
• You can arrange a consultation by calling the marketing campaigns for each sale. Print media
732-935-1168. targeting popular antique and numismatic publica¬
• Consult with a representative of Legend at any time tions and Internet marketing is done via e-blasts/web
by phone, email or in person at one of the nation¬ banners and participation in various newsletters and
wide coin shows or PCGS Members Only events. market reports. In addition to traditional marketing.
• Fill out an online Consignment Contact Form at Legend has the marketing power of PCGS behind each
www.legendauctions. com. sale. PCGS graciously provides a spectacular video that
they post on their website for each Regency sale on the
2. Consignment/ Inventory-All consignments are behalf of Legend Rare Coin Auctions.
entered in to a numismatic inventory system and
an auction database for proper documentation and 7. Preview-Auction preview is offered at the PCGS
tracking information. Throughout the entire process, Members Only Shows prior to each Regency sale and
your coins are fully insured from the time Legend has the major nationwide numismatics shows as the sched¬
possession of the goods until ownership is passed on ule allows. Private preliminary auction previews are
the sale date. also available, by appointment only, contact a represen¬
tative at 732-233-0719.
3. Descriptions/ Photography-Legend employs the top
numismatic experts in the industry to provide de¬ 8. Selling at Auction-On the specified auction date,
scriptions and estimates for all auction consignments. Legend will hold a live auction in conjunction with