MIDDLETOWN — Middletown Christian School will realize more than $1 million from the recent auction of rare coins donated by businessman Phil Flannagan, who heads the school's fund-raising foundation.

        “Obviously, (Mr. Flannagan) is our largest giver, but we also have many, many other people helping us,” said Mark Spradling, the school's acting principal.

OPEN HOUSE

Middletown Christian School, 3023 N. Union Road, Middletown, will hold an open house 12:30-2 p.m. today to show off progress on construction. Information: (513) 423-4542.

        “It's a wonderful way for the Lord to provide for the school. It is our desire to see all the people in the area working together toward our goal, and that is happening.”

        Mr. Flannagan of Lebanon donated a 23-coin collection, which was auctioned Nov. 30 by Bowers and Merena Galleries of New Hampshire. The major attraction of the collection was a rare 1804 silver dollar, known as the “King of Coins,” which went for a record $874,000, including auction fees.

        “I was amazed at the way (the auction) went,” Mr. Flannagan said. “Some of the large coins brought a lot less than I paid originally, and the smaller coins went for more than I expected.”

        Christine Karstedt, vice president of Bowers and Merena, said the $874,000 “is a world record for that coin. That price puts it in the elite category — No. 8 among the top 10 world record prices for (all) U.S. coins.”

        The 23 coins sold for a total of just over $2 million, including auction fees and premiums. The gavel price for the 1804 silver dollar was $760,000, but the amount paid by the successful bidder, collector Donald Kagin of Tiburon, Calif., was $874,000.

        The money goes toward the estimated $5.5 million cost of the school's new building. The school now shares the campus of Grace Baptist Church.

        The new school will eventually house grades K-12, Mr. Spradling said. The school will open in August with grades K-8.

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