BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2004--Superior Galleries, Inc. (Pink Sheets:SPGR - News) announced today that prices realized from its Pre-Long Beach Elite rare coin auction, held on January 25 through 27, 2004, exceeded $6.4 million.

Among the highlights of the auction was the Russian Classics Collection. This comprehensive collection of rare Tsarist Russian coinage attracted a large cadre of bidders from around the world. Bidders battled back and forth to attain one-of-a-kind items that, once removed from the marketplace, may be unavailable for a generation or more.

Particularly noteworthy, a 1 1/2 Rubles (10 Zloty) featuring a bust portrait of Czar Nicholas I on the obverse and Tsaritsa Alexandra Fedorovna on the reverse surrounded by the encircled heads of the Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses brought $109,250 in very competitive bidding. A similar piece, but one where the heads of the Imperial family surrounding the Tsaritsa are not encircled, sold for $52,900. In all, the 192-lot Russian Classics Collection realized $1,264,902.

The Becker Estate of Panama-Pacific Material, essentially a complete set of the Commemorative coins issued by the U.S. for the Panama Pacific Exposition, realized $120,750. The set contains a Half Dollar, a Gold Dollar, a Quarter Eagle ($2.50 gold coin) and two $50 "slugs." One of the slugs is struck with an octagonal border.

Superior Galleries, Inc. is a publicly traded company, acting as a dealer and auctioneer in rare coins and other fine collectibles. The firm markets its products through its prestigious location in Beverly Hills, California and the company's web site at superiorgalleries.com.

Past sales performance may not be indicative of future results. No assurance is given that sales trends or our sales performance on behalf of consignors or customers will continue.

Contact:
Superior Galleries, Inc., Beverly Hills
Paul Biberkraut, 310-203-9855
paulb@sgbh.com