$41 Million in Total US Coin Sales in FUN Auction with $25 MIllion from Platinum Night
Two examples of the fabled four dollar gold piece highlighted the results as just short of $25 million in US coins crossed the block during Heritage’s Platinum Night on January 4. Platinum Night was the feature event in the January 3-8 Heritage US Coin FUN auction, held in conjunction with the Florida United Numismatists convention in Tampa. All results include a 20% Buyer’s Premium.
Four dollar gold pieces, or Stellas, were intended to circulate internationally alongside other commonly accepted trade coinage such as sovereigns. Never struck for circulation, pattern examples only were struck only in 1879 and 1880, with 1880 being far rarer. Two obverse designs were used each year. All Stellas, regardless of date or variety, are highly prized. An example of the 1880 Stella with the Flowing Hair obverse, graded Proof 67 Cameo by NGC, was the highest selling lot in the auction, reaching a final price of $750,000. A similar and similarly graded coin dated 1879 sold for $312,500 . Both Stellas were from The Burgess Lee Berlin, M.D., J.D. Collection of Important United States Rarities.
Another classic rarity of US numismatics is the 1838-O half dollar, one of perhaps nine or 10 examples known from an original mintage of a mere 20 coins from the first year of the New Orleans Mint’s existence. The Atwater specimen, graded Branch Mint Proof 63 by PCGS, hammered for $444,000. It came to auction as a part of The Jenkins Family Collection.
A few of the many additional highlights of this auction include:
- 1793 1/2 C C-4, B-4, MS65 Brown PCGS. Price Realized: $240,000
- 1793 1C Chain, AMERICA, S-2, B-2, MS63 Brown PCGS Secure. CAC. Price Realized: $300,000
- 1919-D 50C MS65 PCGS Secure. CAC. Price Realized: $240,000
- 1879 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1635, PR66
Ultra Cameo NGC. Price Realized: $240,000 - 1795 $5 Large Eagle, BD-14, MS62+ PCGS Secure. CAC. Price Realized: $276,000
- 1856-O $20 AU50 NGC. Price Realized: $288,000
- 1861-O $20 MS60 PCGS Price Realized: $312,000
- 1870-CC $20 XF45 PCGS Secure. Price Realized: $300,000
- 1864 $20 PR64 Cameo PCGS. Price Realized: $240,000
- 1915-S Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS66+ PCGS Secure. Price Realized: $288,000
Overall, the early January FUN Auction and NYINC events are expected to raise over $65 million for their consignors.
The next US Coin signature auction will open for bidding soon at coins.HA.com!
