Two extremely rare coins from The Poulos Family Collection – an 1876-CC twenty-cent piece and a Proof 1975 dime without the S mintmark – sold for $456,000 each as Heritage’s September 4-9 numismatic auctions at the Long Beach Coin and Collectibles Expo realized well over $30 million in total. All prices realized include a 20% Buyer’s Premium.
U.S. coins raised close to $18.2 million, led by the aforementioned rarities. The 1876-CC twenty cent piece is a famous melt rarity, produced in some quantity at the fabled Nevada mint, yet almost the entire mintage was melted. Fewer than 20 examples are known today. The piece in this auction is a PCGS-graded MS64 example, formerly of the Battle Born collection. The 1975 No S dime is an extreme modern rarity, caused by the S mintmark being left off the die used to strike this proof coin in San Francisco. Only two proof 1975 dimes are known without the mintmark (circulation strikes without a mintmark were struck in Philadelphia and are very common). This piece is the finer of the two, grading PR68 according to PCGS.
Other highlights from this auction included:
- Henry Hentsch Gold Ingot. 176.25 Ounces – Sold for: $324,000
- 1889-CC $1 MS64 Deep Mirror Prooflike PCGS. CAC – Sold for: $204,000
- 1893-S $1 MS61 PCGS – Sold for: $204,000
- Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 87.17 Ounces – Sold for: $204,000
- 1892-S $1 MS64 PCGS. CA – Sold for: $192,000
- 1817/4 50C O-102a, High R.7 XF Details NGC – Sold for: $156,000
The Long Beach Signature auction of World and Ancient coins saw in excess of $5.9 million cross the auction block, led by a Cuban Proof 1915 20 Pesos coin dated 1915. This issue is believed to have had a mintage of only twenty or so examples, and it is considered a 20th-century rarity as a proof issue. For collectors of U.S. coinage, interest in this piece stems not only from the fact that it was struck in Philadelphia, but also that it was designed by Charles Barber, designer of so many U.S. issues. This coin, graded Proof 62 Cameo by NGC, sold for $37,200.
Additional highlights from among the world and ancient coin offerings in Long Beach include:
- LYDIAN KINGDOM. Croesus (561-546 BC). AV stater. NGC MS 4/5 – 4/5 – Sold for: $31,200
- Roman Imperial: Avitus, Western Roman Empire (AD 455-456). AV solidus. NGC XF 5/5 – 3/5 – Sold for: $31,200
- South Korea. Republic 12-Piece Certified gold & silver Won Proof Set KE 4303 (1970) Ultra Cameo NGC – Sold for: $30,000
U.S. Currency crossed the block in Long Beach to the tune of nearly $4.7 million, highlighted by a Fr. 2404* $50 1928 Gold Certificate. PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 EPQ. This newly discovered star note is one of a mere three to be certified in any uncirculated grade, and is the second finest known of the three. It sold for $90,000.
Further US Currency highlights included:
- San Francisco, CA – $10 Original National Gold Bank Note Fr. 1143 The National Gold Bank & Trust Company Ch. # 1994 PMG Very Fine 25 – Sold for: $43,200
- T15 $50 1861 PF-1 Cr. 79 PMG Choice Uncirculated 63. – Sold for: $38,400
- Fr. 9 $10 1861 Demand Note PMG Very Fine 25. – Sold for: $36,000
The Long Beach World Currency Signature auction was responsible for nearly $1.9 million in sales, led by a very rare Palestine Currency Board 50 Pounds 30.9.1929 Pick 10b graded Very Fine 30 by PMG. Examples of this high denomination rarity have been graded a mere five times in total by PMG. This note changed hands in Long Beach for $78,000.
Other highlights of the World Currency auction included:
- East African Currency Board, Mombasa 1000 Shillings or 50 Pounds 15.12.1921 Pick 18 PMG About Uncirculated 53 – Sold for: $72,000
- East African Currency Board, Mombasa 200 Shillings or 10 Pounds 15.12.1921 Pick 17 PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 – Sold for: $63,000
