Auction Catalogs: Who Uses/Buys Them ?

Are they that rare ? I know some were Top Pop or close to it, but I thought others were maybe a notch below.

Not familiar with them, unless the catalog said EXCSSIVELY RARE I assumed most had many comparable coins out there by now (if not in 1950).

Yup, great catch, Conder !! I take it there's a huge price/pop distinction between the two coins.

 

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The 1853 and 53 O half come with arrows and rays and the 53 O without arrows and rays. The with arrows for both is common, At the time of that sale there were only 3 1853 O no arrow and rays halves known. I believe the finest was a Fine or VF. One more turned up in 2005 or 2006 (First new specimen in 108 years. It was pulled out of circulation in the 1930's) The VF sold in 2006 for $368,000. Even in Good it's over $100,000 now.

I could swear the listing before you updated it mentioned the no arrows.

 

I may have altered the details, but it was inadvertent. Or maybe I didn't ? Not sure...

FWIW, the 1853-O is WITHOUT rays and arrows. Only coin I believe without an Estimated price.

Complete Listing:

"Without rays and arrows...an extremely rare coin which is seldom offered and for which the Standard Catalog lists no value. Not in the famous WGC, Atwater, Neil, Dunham, Geis, Higgy, Oslen, or Stickney collections. While this coin is only in very good condition, its rarity does not permit of a choice. It is most advisable to acquire the date in any condition whenever offered."

An 1853-O with rays and arrows fold for $2 with an estimate of $3.

 

Does anybody have the David Akers book on auction results for Double Eagles ?

 

Picked up a 2005 Morse Saints Catalog.

 

Phillip H. Morse Collection: Just arrived today.....it's the Platinum Night November 2005 Heritage catalog of his collection of Indian Head Eagles and Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles which was the basis for the Morse coinage book which became the basis for RWB's Saints Book.

Not as much useful information as the 2012 Duckor catalog, but I actually think the photos are better (better light angling, IMO) and it was not that expensive a catalog so I pounced.

 

That Morse catalog cost $50 at the time it was issued. It had a slick glossy front-and-back cover which is nicer than the 100% paper one they went to a few years later for the Duckor and later catalogs.

I picked it up BTW for about $12 or so. You can get some good bargains if you like these things.