Gold rarities provided the vast majority of the highlights as Heritage’s August 3-9 Dallas Signature Auctions saw more than $33 million USD in rare coins and currency change hands.
The bulk of the action took place in the August 3-9 US Coins Auction, which raised over $18.7 million, with the August 5-7 World and Ancient Coins Auction delighting its consignors with prices realized approaching $11.2 million, as well as the August 3 US Currency Platinum Night Auction nearing $3.2 million in total hammer prices.
All prices realized include a 20% Buyer’s Premium.
US Coins Signature Auction
The McCoy Family Collection of Capped Head Half Eagles provided many of the highlights of the US coin auction, with a Gem 1819 Wide Date half eagle topping all results at $444,000. Graded MS65 by PCGS, it is the finest known of the variety, which in total is believed to number 16-20 coins known.
A second coin from the collection, the 1821 half eagle in MS63+ PCGS, represents the second-finest available to collectors of an equally small population. It sold for $312,000.
An 1870-CC double eagle, graded AU50 by NGC, represented a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire this legendary rarity in a high circulated grade, as no fully Mint State examples are known. It tied for second honors at $312,000.
A few of the many additional highlights of this auction included:
- 1826 $5 BD-1, MS65 PCGS. CAC – Sold for: $264,000
- Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 112.23 Ounces – Sold for: $264,000
- 1930-S $20 MS66 NGC – Sold for: $252,000
- 1828 $5 BD-4, MS62 PCGS – Sold for: $222,000
- 1831 $5 Large 5D, BD-2, MS64 PCGS. CAC – Sold for: $216,000
- 1920-S $20 MS65 NGC – Sold for: $198,000
- 1927-S $20 MS65 PCGS – Sold for: $180,000
- 1810 $5 Small Date, Small 5, BD-2, MS62 PCGS. CAC – Sold for: $156,000
World and Ancient Coins Auction
World and Ancient coin results were spearheaded by two British gold rarities. A William & Mary five guineas from 1692 represented one of only two examples of this large gold coin certified as high as MS63 by the major grading services combined. A pattern issue from King George III, the 1768 2 Guineas, is, at an NGC-certified grade of PR64+star, likely the single finest of this rare issue. Each of these coins set world records for their respective types at $384,000 when the dust cleared.
A few other examples from the long list of highlights included:
- Italy: Vittorio Emanuele III 74-Piece Lot of Certified Collectors’ Issues – Sold for: $348,000
- Great Britain: George II gold “East India Company” 5 Guineas 1729 MS63 NGC, KM571.2, S-3664 – Sold for: $216,000
- British India. William IV gold Proof Restrike 2 Mohurs 1835.-(c) PR66star NGC, Calcutta mint, KM452.1, Fr-1592b – Sold for: $204,000
- Great Britain: George IV gold Proof 5 Pounds 1826 PR62 NGC, KM702, S-3797 – Sold for: $198,000
- Bohemia: Ferdinand II gold 10 Ducat 1635 MS62 NGC, Prague mint, KM319, Fr-38 – Sold for: $168,000
- Great Britain: Victoria gold Proof 5 Pounds 1887 PR65+ Deep Cameo PCGS, KM769, S-3864 – Sold for: $156,000
- Curacao: British Occupation gold Counterstamped 6 Pesos ND (c. 1815) AU53 PCGS, KM20 (Unique), Fr-2 – Sold for: $144,000
US Currency Platinum Night Auction
The Currency Auction, although small at 99 lots, provided the highest-selling lot of the week – a fantastic lot comprising both face and back Proofs of Series 1914 and 1918 Federal Reserve notes of each denomination: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1000, $5000, and $10,000, all housed in a specially prepared, custom binder. All are rare, but the $5000 and $10,000 are only collectible as part of this set, with no issued examples at all in private hands. This amazing lot sold for $504,000.
Other highlights included:
- Fr. 2231-A $10,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ – Sold for: $216,000
- Fr. 2221-H $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 – Sold for: $162,000
- Fr. 122 $10 1901 Legal Tenders Uncut Sheet of Four PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ – Sold for: $156,000
- Serial Number 1 Jacksonville, IL – $1-$1-$1-$2 Original Fr. 380/Fr. 387 Uncut Sheet The First National Bank – Sold for: $144,000
Our next auctions of US coins and currency will open for bidding soon at HA.com.
Long Beach Auction Moved to Dallas
As you likely know, the September Long Beach Expo originally scheduled for September 16 – 19, 2020, has been canceled. Accordingly, Heritage Auctions has officially moved our auctions of U.S. Coins and U.S. Currency and World Paper Money from Long Beach to Dallas.
The auctions will take place in Dallas September 17 – 21, 2020. We will host lot viewing for these auctions at our Dallas office By Appointment Only, September 8 – 10, 2020. Email [email protected] to schedule your appointment for lot viewing by Thursday, September 3rd. RSVP will be required so we can control the occupancy and provide a safe environment.
We will then host U.S. Coin lot viewing in Las Vegas at the Bellagio Hotel. The lot viewing room will be adjacent to The PCGS Members Only Show, September 16 – 18, 2020 from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM for both the US Coins Auction # 1319 and The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part I Auction # 1310. Lot pick-up will be available in Las Vegas by request only on Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 8am-10am. If you are attending our lot viewing in Las Vegas and are looking for a hotel, please contact the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.
These auctions are packed with a feast of numismatic treasures — approximately 2000 lots representing over $30 million in value (see below for a few highlights). As a Heritage Auctions client, you are aware that you can bid online at HA.com or by phone, fax, mail, and using our app. Also keep in mind that HA.com lets you get as close a look as possible to every last detail of each coin with high-resolution images, pan-and-zoom photographs, and, in some instances, 360-degree videos. It’s like holding the lot in the palm of your hand.
But what you may not have known is that Heritage also has eight professional numismatists on hand to answer questions about specific lots via phone or email. Simply send your list to [email protected]. Our numismatists are available to provide unbiased guidance and savvy strategies. Most of them have previous experience working for NGC and/or PCGS and all have spent decades trading rare coins.
Heritage will be following CDC Guidelines in order to protect the health of our lot viewers and employees:
Temperature Checks will be required daily upon arrival by PCGS.
Social distancing.
- All tables will be spaced to allow at least six feet (6′) between neighbors.
- Plexiglass Dividers to be placed on each client-facing table.
Masks.
- Masks ARE Mandatory the entire time you are in lot viewing.
- We will be providing everyone with a KN95 every day.
Gloves.
- Gloves will be available upon request at Heritage Lot Viewing.
Large Hand Sanitizer pumps will be placed in various locations around the room.
