Stephen Album Rare Coins held its Auction 38 on September 24-27, 2020 at its offices in Santa Rosa, CA.The continued strength of the market was shown as the auction far exceeded expectations. With a totalhammer price of $2.10 million (including buyer's fees), a new record was set for the firm, who hadbroken their record total in their previous auction in June 2020. A sell-through rate of 94.5% for the floorsessions further verified that collectors are clamoring for coins, with more and more coin sales acrossthe world being pushed to internet-based venues.

Many items went for multiples of their estimates, including the following (prices include buyer's fees):

LOT 1169. CHINA: CHIHLI: Kuang Hsu, 1875-1908, AR dollar, Peiyang Arsenal mint, year 29 (1903), Y-73,L&M-462, with deep original color and iridescent rainbow toning on obverse, NGC graded Specimen 65,RRR, ex Richard Bagge Collection. Estimate: $60,000 - 80,000. Realized $202,300.

LOT 1170. CHINA: CHIHLI: Kuang Hsu, 1875-1908, AR dollar, Peiyang Arsenal mint, year 29 (1903), Y-73,L&M-462, with deep original color and iridescent rainbow toning on reverse, NGC graded Specimen 64+,RRR, ex Richard Bagge Collection. Estimate: $50,000 - 70,000. Realized $166,600.

LOT 1523. WORLD: STRAITS SETTLEMENTS: Edward VII, 1901-1910, AR dollar, 1904-B, KM-25, Prid-4,radiant luster on a mirror-like surface, a superb example with tremendous eye appeal, the highestgraded example by PCGS and tied with 4 examples by NGC, PCGS graded MS65.Estimate: $300 - 400. Realized $19,040.

LOT 659. ISLAMIC: QAJAR: Fath 'Ali Shah, 1797-1834, AV presentation toman (4.59g), Isfahan, AH1245,A-2871, KM-763, portrays the king seated on throne, with medallion bearing the ruler's name to the left// mint & date in fancy border, a superb quality example! PCGS graded MS62 (Gold Shield NFC SecureHolder), RRR, ex Dabestani Collection. Estimate: $3,000 - 4,000. Realized $11,305.

LOT 509. ISLAMIC: GREAT MONGOLS: Chingiz Khan, 1206-1227, AV dinar (3.56g), MM, AH62x, A-1964,obverse legend includes his name, al-khaqan / al-a'zam / chingiz khan, with the kalima in the reversefield; the reverse margin text presumably cites the Abbasid caliph, but only the words amir al-mu'mininare legible; some flatness and flan split, unpublished and presumably unique, VF-EF, RRRR.Estimate: $3,250 - 4,000. Realized $7,735.

LOT 893. INDIA: BRITISH INDIA: Victoria, Empress, 1876-1901, AR 1/4 rupee, 1881(b), KM-490, S&W-6.260 (dot), variety with dot, shimmering old cabinet tone, PCGS graded MS64. Estimate: $400 - 600.Realized $5,950.

LOT 1896. WORLD: CUBA: Republic, AR 20 centavos, 1915, KM-13.1, high-relief star, coarse reeding,well struck with nice luster, rare variety, NGC graded MS63, R. Estimate: $900 - 1,100. Realized $5,950.

LOT 8. ANCIENTS: MACEDONIAN KINGDOM: Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC, AV stater (8.52g),Price-172, early posthumous issue, head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet decorated withcoiled serpent // Nike standing left, holding wreath in right hand and cradling stylis in left arm,downward trident head in left field, ALEXANDROU, edge marks, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, NGC gradedchoice EF. Estimate: $2,200 - 2,500. Realized $5,652.50.

Founder Steve Album was happy with the results. "While all areas did well, the Chinese and Worldsections far exceeded our expectations."

The firm is currently taking consignments for its Auction 39 through November 1. That sale will be heldJanuary 21-23, 2021. You can visit the firm's website www.stevealbum.com for more information.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
STEPHEN ALBUM RARE COINS AUCTION 38(https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n36a19.html)