With Altoona in the History Books, The Reeded Edge Sets Sights on Raleigh

The first inaugural Battlefield Altoona Coin Show concluded on Saturday, and overall was the most lackluster post-COVID coin show to date. Both Rob and Robbie were in attendance, manning The Reeded Edge’s front and center booth. Even with their ideal location, activity was marginal. Fortunately, the guys set up significant business in advance, and lured several other dealers and collectors into this venue, preventing what could have been a disaster. Last minute ads in both Coin World and Numismatic News also encouraged attendees that otherwise would not have known about this show. Mike Dixon is very receptive to his dealer support base, and we have no doubt that he will improve this show moving forward and make it viable. First time shows in markets with no history or identity can be tough, and Altoona was no exception. Factor in that much of the world is starting to reopen, and many people have traveling on their minds. We will see how this component will affect the upcoming Raleigh Money Expo next week. The market, despite distractions, remains surprisingly active.

Today, the famous 1933 $20 St. Gaudens was sold by Sotheby’s for a robust $16.75 million hammer price. This is the only monetized example of this rarity, and although the number of known examples may make it more common than the 1927-D $20, today’s coin remains the only one that can be legally owned. Obviously, this factor drove the record price, as the anonymous new owner carved his/her notch into the numismatic history annals. Sold alongside two philatelic GEMS, the 1c New Guinea Magenta stamp hammering at $7 million, and the C-3a 24c inverted Jenny plate block hammering for $4 million, this auction proved that high-end collectibles are as strong as ever.