Treasures from the California Gold Rush era were the main attraction as Heritage’s October 11-14 Signature Auction of US Coins raised close to $7.2 million for its consignors. All prices realized include a 20% Buyer’s Premium.
Many of the outstanding California gold offerings in this auction came from the Marcello Collection, including an 1855 Kellogg & Co. Fifty Dollar piece, graded PR63 by NGC . This “King of Territorial Gold Coins” was struck only in a proof format, and unlike most California fifties was round rather than octagonal. Only 14 examples of this rarity are currently traced. It sold for $444,000.
The finest certified K-4 1851 Humbert Fifty, Lettered Edge, 887 Thous, 50 reverse, brought an outstanding result of $360,000 in its first public offering in 24 years. Graded MS63 ★ by NGC, this iconic octagonal “slug” typifies the large gold rush issues of the period.
Beyond the fifty dollar pieces, all of which were technically ingots rather than coins, several assayers also issued gold in bar form, and a large number of such ingots were recovered in the S.S, Central America shipwreck. Five such bars were offered in this auction, each garnering sale prices of over $100,000. The largest ingot in this auction, from the rarest issuer among all assayers represented in the S.S. Central America salvage, was an 83.54 ounce Henry Hentsch ingot , which brought a sale price of $241,200.
Just a few of the additional highlights of this auction included:
- Harris Marchand & Co Gold Ingot. 56.65 Ounces
Sold for: $240,000 - 1864-S $10 AU55 NGC
Sold for: $219,005 - Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 61.89 Ounces
Sold for: $162,000 - Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 40.64 Ounces
Sold for: $138,000 - Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 48.30 Ounces
Sold for: $132,000 - 1854 $20 Large Date MS64 NGC. CAC
Sold for: $102,000 - 1851 Humbert Fifty Dollar, Lettered Edge, 887 Thous., 50 Reverse,
AU55 NGC. Kagin-4
Sold for: $96,000 - 1852 Assay Office Fifty Dollar, 900 Thous. AU55 NGC. K-14
Sold for: $60,000 - 1794 $1 B-1, BB-1 VF Details NGC
Sold for: $57,600
Our next Signature auctions of US coins are scheduled for November 7-11 in Dallas. Bid on them now at coins.HA.com!
