I remember seeing on the Stack's website last month that they were going to be offering the Eliasberg specimen of the 1913 Liberty Head (V) Nickel at auction on January 2, 2007. I was thinking about that today and wondering... what did it wind up selling for? I was surprised that some news hadn't been reported here or elsewhere. I thought that perhaps I had the date of the sale wrong. Well, it sold... not. The opening bid was $4.5 million and there were no bidders. I was a little surprised... not that I would have been in the running for it, but I guess no one else saw value at that price (plus buyer's premium, etc.)
There is a thread about it in Coin Chat---it seems that the owner paid $4.15million and the highest the bidding got the other day was $3.8million....and I could be a few points off...but it was below $4million. I heard tell that the owner was saying the other day that history had proved that no one that ever owned a 1913 V Nickel had ever lost money on the deal---in other words the coin always sold for higher than you bought it---I guess he is eating those words Speedy
I seem to recall the same thing happened once with the King of Siam set in the late 80's. If I remember right it never met the 5 million reserve. And yet someone or something paid 140 million for this "creation." http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/jonathan_jones/2006/11/jpno5.html It looks like the dead leaves in my backyard.
he actually talked about his decision on pcgs forum. said he would rather hang on to it at that price.and that he truly enjoyed owning it, so good for him!!..... however , i heard all the potential bidders are holding on to their money....they are going after ms70 and prf70 first spouse and presidential coins!!!!
Someone needs to explain to him that money is made in coins when buying, not selling, and that overpaying for a coin (no matter how famous) is not a wise move. Or maybe he should have chosen a different auction house (I can be a little bit biased here, can't I). lol
Not really, he hasn't lost any money on it yet. If he had SOLD it, then he would be eating crow. Of course it is kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you refuse to sell unless you make money, then you will never lose money buying it.
