Bowers Southern Mint Gold auction results

DesertLizard

Anyone collect southern mint gold {i.e. Charlotte, Dahlonega, NO} ?

The BM sale had alot of nice pieces and many of the higher end pieces went unsold, maybe prices have gotten out of hand? The lower end F-XF, where I collect for now on these, had a few bargains. I was only able to pick up 2 new additions. Anyone have better success?

pmh1nic

I'm not in the buy mode right now (well at least I'm trying to exercise some discipline ) so I didn't really pay a lot of attention to the sale. That said I've enjoyed reading about the establishment and the relatively short history of the southern branch mints. If you're interested the Doug Winter and Birdsall books have a lot of reference material on southern branch mint coinage. Of course I'm of the opinon that no collection is complete without having at least one coin from each of the branch mints .

tjkillian

I collect a little bit of southern gold, but I have to stay in VF and lower as they get way too pricey quick. Have any common date Charlotte half eagles you'd like to unload?

Tom

DesertLizard

I have a bunch of Winter's books and they are all very informative.

This is a tough area to collect as many of the coins are in bad shape and they are graded on a different scale in my opinion. Some really ratty looking coins have graded AU when I would have guess VF. So I just go for nice looking with a decent strike.

The FUN auction has a ton up for sale up and down the grade line. I hope to get a few more in Jan!

DaveG

I just checked the prices realized for the auction and all I can say is that the XF-45 1854-O half eagle that sold for $1100 (plus 15%) looks worse than the NGC-45 1854-O that I bought last month for $725.

By the way, have you folks joined the Southern Gold Society?

(I know pmh1nic has.)

steviewonder

Gotta love that D mint Dahlonega gold!!!
Have any of you ever been to Dahlonega? It's such a small town. You really get the gold fever when you see the complete set of D mint coins in the Courthouse Museum and see the location of the actual mint building that burnt down back in the 1870's.
Dealer Al Adams has a nice store on the square that he is closing at the end of the year, unfortunately.

Dog97

So that's 4 people we know that collect Southern Gold now, huh PMH?

Dahlonega

Nope it's five people Dog and it is madness... regarding southern gold Dahlonega gold remains strong especially key dates, type and affordable grades. Charlotte about the same not quite as strong and New Orleans is quiet. Found a nice 39-O quarter eagle green label PCGS-40 with original surfaces and medal turn on the floor in Baltimore. Very affordable and suspect one day it will be very sought after...?
My understanding Al Adams is closing the antique and furniture portion of his store but is keeping the coin part open with emphasis on Dahlonega/southern gold and key date coins.