The Central States Numismatic Society Convention in Chicago featured four distinct Heritage auctions during the period April 24-29, covering US Coins, World Coins, US Currency, and World Currency. Overall, these auctions raised over $33.7 million for their consignors during the festivities. All prices realized include a 20% Buyer’s Premium.
The Signature auction of US coins provided for the bulk of the sales at the convention, realizing close to $19.5 million overall. The top lot in the auction was a 1792 Silver Center cent, listed as Judd-1 and graded SP35 by PCGS. A mere 12 examples are known of this piece, an experimental issue generally believed to be the first produced inside the walls of the US Mint. This coin sold for $336,000.
Additional highlights among US coins included examples such as the following:
- 1792 Disme, Judd-10, SP25 PCGS – Sold for: $186,000
- 1905 $20 PR65+ Ultra Cameo NGC – Sold for: $180,000
- Blake & Co. Gold Ingot. 19.15 Ounces – Sold for: $168,000
- Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 48.74 Ounces – Sold for: $144,000
- 1914 $2 1/2 PR67+ PCGS. CAC – Sold for: $138,000
- 1851 Humbert Fifty Dollar, Lettered Edge, 880 Thous. MS61 NGC. Kagin-2, Without ’50’ On Reverse – Sold for: $132,000
- 1915-S Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 NGC – Sold for: $120,000
The Signature world coin auction saw just short of $8 million in numismatic rarities change hands. Its top lot was a 1642-dated Triple Unite from the reign of Charles I. The iconic Triple Unite denomination is the largest hammered gold coin to ever be produced in England, and this awe-inspiring example was certified an incredible MS61 by NGC. It changed hands for $180,000. Additional highlights included treasures such as:
- Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded To Aage Niels Bohr 1975, UNC – Sold for: $108,000
- LYDIAN KINGDOM. Croesus and later (ca. 561-546 BC). AV stater. NGC Gem MS 5/5 – 5/5. “Light” standard, ca. 553-539 BC. – Sold for: $90,000
- Brazil: Pernambuco. Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) gold Klippe 3 Guilders (Florins) 1645 MS63 NGC, KM5.3, Fr-3 – Sold for: $66,000
- Great Britain: Mary I (Sole Regnant, 1553-1554) gold “Fine” Sovereign of 30 Shillings 1553 AU58 NGC, Tower mint, Pomegranate mm, S-2488 – Sold for: $60,000
- Great Britain: George V gold Sovereign 1917 MS65 NGC, KM820, S-3996 – Sold for: $50,400
High-denomination notes led the results as the Signature Currency auction raised close to $4.3 million overall. A Series 1928 $5000 Federal Reserve Note, graded Choice Very Fine 35 by PCGS and printed for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, led all results with a hammer price of $156,000. Fewer than 20 series 1928 $5000 notes are known from all districts combined, making them much scarcer than their 1934 counterparts – two of which were also offered in this auction.
Other top lots in this auction included:
- Fr. 2221-E $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG About Uncirculated 55 – Sold for: $144,000
- Fr. 2231-G $10,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG About Uncirculated 55 – Sold for: $114,000
- Fr. 2221-G $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG Very Fine 30 – Sold for: $72,000
- Fr. 1220 $1,000 1922 Gold Certificate PMG Choice Very Fine 35 EPQ – Sold for: $66,000
- Fr. 320 $20 1891 Silver Certificate PMG Superb Gem Unc 67 EPQ – Sold for: $50,400
Offerings in the World Currency Signature Auction raised nearly $2 million, highlighted by a Specimen Book from the Banque de Syrie (Syria), featuring a total of 24 rare specimen notes glued into its pages. This unusual item sold for $60,000.
Our next signature auction of US coins is scheduled for June 5-10 in Long Beach, while offerings of both World Coins and World Currency are scheduled for June 26-28 in Hong Kong. View these auctions now at coins.HA.com and currency.HA.com!
