Greysheet Rare Coin Market Report: February 21, 2025 [Video]

(TL;DR - too long; don't want to read: watch my video newsletter here)

SHOWS
The first two months of the new year are always hectic in the coin business. First, we get the FUN show right out of the chute. In my opinion, FUN is the most important show of the year (here in the US, anyway) and the vibe is critical to the energy of the year. I predicted a strong show given demand indicators of the last quarter of 2024. Dealers told me they needed coins and they came to Orlando to load up. I know of several dealers who essentially came with unlimited checkbooks seeking to buy slabbed coins in the $50-$2000 range. Their focus is 18th-mid-20th century coins with collector appeal. Most anything priced within a reasonable range of Greysheet bid was selling quickly and the show picked up steam each day through Saturday. At least one old-timer told me this was the best FUN show ever (impressive considering the source). Needless to say, peace and love were in the air, and big coins brought demand as well. 
Next up for me was a quick stop to the NYINC in mid-town Manhattan followed by the monster Berlin World Money Fair, which was simply over the top in terms of attendance, and presentation. Please watch my video here for a better explanation.)

AUCTIONS
The auction market has been equally strong for these first two months. Heritageknocked it out of the park with a combined $65 million sold in the FUN sales. The realization of high dollar issues was strong, with GreatCollectionsrepresenting the buyer of the 1927-D Saint Gaudens for an incredible $3.84 million. The same coin sold for a $2.1 million at Heritage in 2020, making this a strong performer. By contrast, the 1894-S dime (an old friend) realized $2.16 million in the same sale. I personally sold this same coin three times back in the day -- the last time was over 10 years ago also around $2 million. It's value has been quite consistent and it's clearly an underrated rarity, but rare gold coins have really outperformed their silver counterparts lately. Proof gold is reallyhot, but that's a good topic for another day... 
In January, both Heritage and Stack's Bowers announced record years for 2024, with $1.867 Billion (with a "B") and $275 million, respectively. In a word -- WOW. Heritage results include many non-numismatic categories, but this is just awesome, and further evidence of the global strength of these two American auction firms and the strength of the numismatic market. 

RANDOM NOTES
A few more interesting headlines you may have missed:

• Our Red Book Podcast #5 with guest David Ryder has shattered viewership records. Clearly we need to take this podcasting thing seriously... Please watch.
• U.S. cents are headied toward imminent extinction. In the Ryder podcast, we discuss this extensively, but Mike Fuljenz also has some interesting thoughts to share.
• The CPG Rare Coin & Currency Market Review has been officially re-branded as the Red Book Quarterly. The first issue is stunning and just came. Kudos to the Greysheet team for putting this together. If you haven't seen it, all you need to do is subscribe to Collect+ (or higher) subscription package.  
• CACG graded the finest known 1794 dollar, valued at $15 Million. 
• Lori Kraft and her team are busy gearing up for the March Whitman Expoin Baltimore. Book your flight and hotel. Email Lorifor table availability or any other questions.

There's much more and I will continue to send these on a regular basis. Please reply back to this email with comments. Thank you.

John Feigenbaum
Whitman Brands, CEO/President
Greysheet Pricing Editor