05-09-2017 – 11-09-2017
Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature Auction
Heritage’s U.S. Coins auction exceeds $9.1 million
More than $21.5 million worth of U.S. coins, world & ancient coins and currency changed hands during Heritage Auctions’ as more than 99 percent of U.S. coins by value and quantity were sold. The September 6-12 auctions, held in conjunctions with the Long Beach Coin & Collectibles Expo, saw intense bidder interest in 18th Century copper coinage and rare Russian coinage of discernable quality.
“Near-complete sell-through rates are important to our clients and serve as a barometer to the overall health of the collecting market,” said James Halperin, Co-founder of Heritage Auctions. “Bidders are eager to fill collections and still pursue excellent examples of rare mintages.”
1795 1C Reeded Edge, S-79, B-9, Low R.7, PCGS Genuine. Realized: 192,000 USD.
Hot Market for Padula Family Collection
The auction’s offering of U.S. coins sold for more than $9.1 million. The top lot in the auction was a 1795 Reeded Edge Cent, certified as Genuine by PCGS. Only 10 examples of this odd variety are known, and this coin, from The Padula Family Foundation Collection, was discovered a mere seven years ago. It sold for $192,000 when the bidding was complete.
Large Cents from The Padula Family Collection included standout lots such as 1793 1C Liberty Cap S-15, B-22, High R.6, VG10 NGC, which sold for $102,000. A 1794 1C Head of 1794, S-37, B-24, High R.6 VF Details NGC ended at $60,000, and a 1795 1C Jefferson Head, Plain Edge, S-80, B-11b, Low R.5 VF Details PCGS hammered for $52,800.
1792 P10C Disme, Judd-10, Pollock-11, High R.6 AU50 PCGS. Realized: 180,000 USD.
A remarkably bold strike of a 1792 Copper Disme, Judd-10, Pollock-11, High R.6 AU50 PCGS crossed the block as the eighth-finest of 19 known examples. A splendid example displaying faint bluish olive-brown toning with hints of tan drew interest from eight bidders, who pushed the auction price to $180,000.
1879 $4 Flowing Hair Four Dollar, Judd-1637, Pollock-1835, High R.7, PR67 PCGS. CAC. Realized: 120,000 USD.
A superb 1879 Aluminum $4 Flowing Hair Four Dollar, Judd-1637, Pollock-1835, High R.7, PR67 PCGS, formerly of the H.W. Bass, Jr. Collection, sold for $120,000. The soaring auction price can be attributed to its impeccable provenance as well as the fact that aluminum strikings are estimated to be 50 times rarer than their gold counterparts – only a half dozen or so are known in aluminum.
Nicholas I Proof Rouble 1831. PR64 NGC. Realized: 45,600 USD.
World & Ancient Coins surpass $5.4 million
An extraordinarily rare 1831 Russian Proof Rouble, PR64 NGC – one of only four pieces certified by NGC and PCGS combined – sold for $45,600 to take top-lot honors among world coins. A 1900 Russian Nicholas II Proof Rouble, PR65 Cameo NGC sold for $38,400 as the single best-known example of four known to exist. The auction of world and ancient coins resulted in a strong 96 percent sell-through rate.
Mexico. Republic gold 20 Pesos 1900 Mo-M MS65+ NGC. Realized: 38,400 USD.
High-quality coins in impeccable condition claimed the remaining top-lot honors. A 1900 Mexico Republic gold 20 Pesos, Mo-M MS65+ NGC, an important coin for the quality, sold for $38,400. Seven bidders pursed a 1908 Kang-hsu Dollar ND MS64+ NGC, an impressive near-gem Empire dollar, and pushed the auction price to $31,200.
Additional world coin highlights include:
- Liechtenstein: Johann II gold Essai 20 Kronen 1898 MS67 NGC: $28,800
- Russia: Nicholas I Proof Pattern 2 Kopecks 1828-S.P.B. PR66 Red and Brown NGC: $24,000
- Great Britain: George I Crown 1718/6 MS63 PCGS: $20,400
IONIA. Ephesus. Ca. 133-88 BC. AV stater (20mm, 8.43 gm, 12h). NGC MS 5/5-3/5. Realized: 18,000 USD.
Noteworthy ancient coin offerings spanned:
- An extremely rare Ephesus Stater – IONIA. Ephesus. Ca. 133-88 BC. AV stater (20mm, 8.43 gm, 12h). NGC MS 5/5-3/5.: $18,000
- Splendid Mithradates VI Portrait Stater – PONTIC KINGDOM. Mithradates VI the Great (120-63 BC). AV stater (21mm, 8.41 gm, 11h). NGC MS 5/5-4/5: $15,000
- An Important Capricorn Denarius – Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (18mm, 3.86 gm, 6h). NGC MS 5/5 – 4/5: $14,400
Noteworthy ancient coin offerings spanned: 4
Noteworthy ancient coin offerings spanned:
- An extremely rare Ephesus Stater – IONIA. Ephesus. Ca. 133-88 BC. AV stater (20mm, 8.43 gm, 12h). NGC MS 5/5-3/5.: $18,000
- Splendid Mithradates VI Portrait Stater – PONTIC KINGDOM. Mithradates VI the Great (120-63 BC). AV stater (21mm, 8.41 gm, 11h). NGC MS 5/5-4/5: $15,000
- An Important Capricorn Denarius – Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (18mm, 3.86 gm, 6h). NGC MS 5/5 – 4/5: $14,400
Fr. 2231-B $10,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Very Choice New 64. Realized: 144,000 USD.
Rare specimens lead currency offerings
A 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note, PCGS Very Choice New 64 sold for $144,000 to lead $5.4 million in auction totals for the Long Beach event’s currency auction. A scarce $2 denomination from The Salt Lake City National Bank of Utah hammered for $60,000. The rare specimen stands out as not only a $2 bill but was also offered at auction for the first time in 100 years. The auction’s selection realized a 96 percent sell-through rate.
A stunning 1905 $20 Gold Certificate, PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ – one of America’s most beloved currency designs – sold for $50,400 while a 1905 $20 Gold Certificate PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 Net brought $48,000.
Additional currency highlights include:
- La Crosse, WI – $2 1875 Fr. 391 The La Crosse NB: $36,000
- Fr. 1133-L $1,000 1918 Federal Reserve Note PMG Choice Very Fine 35: $31,200
- Fr. 2405 $100 1928 Gold Certificate. PCGS Gem New 65PPQ: $30,000
Zanzibar Government 10 Rupees 1.2.1928 Pick 3. Realized: 72,000 USD.
A choice selection of world currency realized $1.51 million with a 92 per cent sell-through rate by value. A colorful Zanzibar Government 10 Rupees 1.2.1928 Pick 3 realized $72,000.Continuing a trend of rare Canadian notes achieving impressive auction prices, a rare 1920 $100 Port of Spain Royal Bank of Canada Trinidad Issue brought $36,000. A Very Elusive Pick 5s 50 Dinars Specimen – nearly impossible to find in any format – is decorated with King Abdullah I Ibn Hussain on the front with a view of Aqaba Beach on the back. The excellent specimen sold for $16,800.
To find out more about Heritage Auctions go to the Heritage website.
You can browse through the auction catalog here.