Jim Bisognani: The Pulse of the Coin Market Is Strong
Posted on 1/23/2025
![]() |
Well, my friends, as we have turned the calendar to 2025, I can report the pulse of the numismatic market is strong and very healthy. The Winter FUN, the bellwether show that is often the barometer of the market, has gotten raves from collectors and dealers. Words like “fantastic” and “the best show that I’ve had in over 20 years” are just a few of the accolades. Suffice it to say this was indeed a fabulous show for both dealers and collectors.
While reports from fellow collectors and dealers in attendance at FUN have echoed that it was a fantastic show, the same spirited revelry has been championed for the just-concluded NYINC and Houston Money Show!
To further amplify the mood, not only have those coindexters and ardent numismatists traipsing the bourse floor been freely spending cash to acquire quality coins of every type; the prices realized at the associated auctions for the events have been exceptional.
One of my fellow coindexters informed me that he was a bit overwhelmed with the seeming glut of active auctions to start the new year, but he had picked up 11 lots in the Heritage NYINC Auction.
One prize was this glorious Leo I Solidus, which realized $16,800. This amazing coin, which is graded NGC Ancients Gem MS, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface, is a golden marvel, having remained unscathed for nearly 2 millenium. A mere handful of this type of coin in like grade has appeared over the last decade.
Demand for these tremendous and meticulously preserved coins has accelerated with each passing appearance at auction as savvy ancient collectors have been vying for the ultimate cream of the crop. This example claimed a “bargain” price of $2,820 at the fall Long Beach sale in 2016.
The current record for this coin in like grade is $21,600. This example sold in January 2021, also at the NYINC!
That said, given the penchant for Gem MS, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface ancient coins, the same coin bearing Choice MS, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface seems to be a rather attractive option, I say, as this piece from the same NYINC Heritage sale realized $3,600. A great choice for the collector looking to start or build on an ancient collection.
This wonderful Regensburg City View Taler graded NGC MS 62, which fetched $10,200 on January 21 as part of the Heritage NYINC Signature sale, was another fortuitous acquisition in my opinion, as it has been nearly 6 years since a similar coin had appeared on the market. To me, it has every "regal" look to it for the assigned grade.
My fellow coindexter from the Garden State also shared this exceptional near-Gem-quality France 1691D Louis XIV Louis d'Or graded NGC MS 64, which he snagged in the Stack’s Bowers 2025 NYINC Showcase Auction — truly a museum-quality type coin! Nearly 335 years old and just as fresh and vibrant as the day it left the hand-striking by the mint master in Lyon, realizing $5,280 seems like a true bargain in the present market bent on high-grade rare type coins. In fact, the 5,280 number in the price realized is also the same number of feet in a mile, and you would surely have to walk more than that to find this coin’s equal!
A personal favorite of mine was this superb 1697 William III 6 Pence graded NGC MS 65, which realized $456 during the Stacks Bowers NYINC Showcase auction (Session 8). Coins from over the Great Pond of this era, in this condition, are still so underrated in my opinion. Take this third bust type of William III 6 pence as an example. At present, 118 examples are in the NGC Census. Of that total, only eight examples are graded MS 65, with only a pair at MS 66 graded higher. Just reflecting on what a “like” US colonial or early federal US coin would fetch in comparable state of preservation is certainly food for thought. Interestingly, this exact coin appeared several times in the last three years, bringing $720 in January 2022, then $480 on October 2023 and just now a bargain $456!
Wow! World coin auctions in association with the NYINC and standalone events have totaled well over $35 million, with some sessions still remaining!
Back to the US market. The just-concluded Heritage 2025 FUN Auction (Jan. 14-19) featured 3,748 lots that realized $63,773,619. This equates to $17,000 per lot, certainly an amount not collector-friendly for the average coindexter. But wait a minute as I digest the data from the sale. Of this total, an impressive 95 lots exceeded six figures and 5 easily eclipsed the million-dollar level. So if I subtract those 5 coins claiming over a million smackers ($11.7 million total), that brings the average price per lot down nearly 20% to $13,900. Still the high-rent district, you say? Well, fear not — there was opportunity, my fellow coindexters, as 82 lots brought between $100 and $1,000, with a fabulous run of Capped Bust Half Dollars including the following trio:
This totally original 1821 Capped Bust Half Dollar graded NGC AU 53 was a value, in my estimation, at $960:
This lively and lovely, peripherally toned, nearly Mint State 1824 Capped Bust Half Dollar captured $660:
Rounding out the trio of these workhorses of commerce of the early 19th century was this 1829 Small Letters Capped Bust Half Dollar graded NGC AU 55, coming in at $552. A truly eye-popping coin for the grade and price, in my humble opinion.
Another 153 lots realized between $1,000 and $5,000, too. So, all in all, the auction held something for every coindexter’s budget.
NGC standouts at the highest level were all gold, except for this finest-known 1921-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar graded NGC MS 66, which rolled to $132,000:
The top prize was this majestic Civil War-era Double Eagle, which led the way as the 1863 NGC PF 65 example captured $480,000. Truly an awe-inspiring golden relic minted during the depths of the Civil War, understandably only 30 coins were struck as Proof for collectors. To find any that have survived is truly miraculous. At present, perhaps a third of that total remains in various states of preservation.
Well, my fellow coindexters, try to keep warm this winter season. I suggest sitting down in your favorite chair with a cup of tea, a coin catalog and a few favorite coins to ogle! Hey, it works for me.
Until next time, be safe and happy collecting!
Want to see more articles like this? Subscribe to the free NGC Weekly Market Report.
Stay Informed
Want news like this delivered to your inbox once a month? Subscribe to the free NGC eNewsletter today!