The world famous Eliasberg/Jack Lee specimen of the 1889-CC Morgan dollar, certified as MS68 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), sold for $529,000 in the Bowers & Merena Rarities Sale on January 3, 2001. The spectacular rarity found a new home with one of its previous owners, as Jack Lee himself was the winning bidder. "I simply missed that beautiful coin," Lee admitted, "and I'm ecstatic to have it back."

The coin that created the greatest buzz of all wasn't the '89-CC dollar, though, but a 1953-S Franklin half dollar! Realizing a price that has to be followed with "Yes, that's really what it brought!" or "No, that's not a typographical error!" a PCGS certified MS66FBL [Full Bell Lines] example soared to an unprecedented $69,000.

A few of the many other highlights of the sale: A 1970-S Doubled Die Lincoln cent in PCGS MS66RD realized $24,150; a 1901 Morgan dollar in PCGS MS64 brought $42,550; an 1812 $5 gold piece in PCGS MS64 fetched $19,500 and a 1907 Wire Edge $10 Indian in PCGS MS64 was bid to $24,150.

"Bidding was strong from beginning to end," said Chris Karstedt of the Bowers & Merena staff. "Action was strong in all series from copper coins through gold," she continued. "This sale set a pace that will echo for a long time."

Heritage Numismatic Auctions also conducted an auction in conjunction with the F.U.N. show in Orlando, Florida. In fact, there were three (!) Heritage auctions last week, but it was their Signature Sale that garnered most of the attention. Highlights included an 1880-CC Morgan dollar in PCGS MS67 that sold for $20,700 and an 1889-CC Morgan in PCGS MS64DMPL [Deep Mirror Prooflike] that realized a strong $60,950. Other special prices were for an 1886 Type Two Indian cent in PCGS PR66RD [Proof 66 Red] that soared to $57,500, while a 1798 Large Eagle dollar in PCGS MS63 realized $55,200 and an 1880 Flowing Hair $4 Stella in PCGS PR64 sold for $94,875.

Outside of the auction arena and into the bourse room at F.U.N. the results were still good but slightly short of expectations. "The market is definitely active but still somewhat weak," reports John Dannreuther of JDRC, Inc., in Memphis, Tennessee. "Dealers are reluctant to buy expensive coins unless they already have them sold to a client. Coins up to $2,000 are still selling quickly as long as they meet the requirements of eye appeal and popularity."

The world of numismatics lost a great friend on January 3, 2001 when Helen Carmody-Lebo died in a fire in Huntington Beach, California. Ms. Carmody-Lebo was a familiar and friendly face at coin shows for many years. She promoted the hobby with enthusiasm, sharing her love for all rare coins and especially her personal favorites, commemoratives.

Ms. Carmody-Lebo joined the American Numismatic Association in 1983 and became highly active in the organization. In 1993 she was elected to the ANA Board of Governors, where she served three terms. She stepped down in August 2000 due to health reasons, but she was reportedly making a comeback before the tragic fire took her life.

"She was a loyal friend to everyone and will be remembered always," said ANA President H. Robert Campbell.

Everyone at Collectors Universe is deeply saddened by the loss of this great lady.

Bruce Amspacher has been a professional writer since the 1950s and a professional numismatist since the 1960s. He won the OIPA sportswriting award in 1958 and again in 1959, then spent eight years in college studying American Literature. This background somehow led him to become a professional numismatist in 1968. Since then he has published hundreds of articles on rare coins in dozens of publications as well as publishing his own newsletter, the “Bruce Amspacher Investment Report,” for more than a decade. His areas of expertise include Liberty Seated dollars, Morgan and Peace dollars, United States gold coins, sports trivia, Western history, modern literature and the poetry of Emily Dickinson. In 1986 he was a co-founder of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Today he is a full-time writer for Collectors Universe.

1889-CC Morgan Dollar PCGS MS68 brought $529,000

1970-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent PCGS MS66RD realized $24,150