10-08-2011 – 11-08-2011
Signature U.S. Coin & Platinum Night Auction
1855-S Proof $ 3 brings $ 1,322,500 in Chicago
A unique proof 1855-S three dollar gold piece, a supreme rarity in the world of numismatics, brought $ 1,322,500 – along with applause in the auction room – as the top lot of Heritage Auctions’ August 11-12 Signature U.S. Coin & Platinum Night Auction at the Marriott-Chicago O’Hare. All prices include 15% Buyer’s Premium.
Overall the auction realized more than $ 31 million, as 5,154 bidders vied for 7,370 lots, translating into an impressive through rate of 91 % by total lot value and 95 % by total lots. These are great results with strong showings in every corner of the market. Collectors are continuing to come to Heritage to pursue the top rarities gathered for each auction and non-traditional buyers are looking to temper their portfolios against the tumult of world financial markets. The combination resulted in final figures that were nothing short of remarkable.
1855-S Proof Three Dollar Gold Piece. PR65 Cameo.
Directly illustrating the interest across the spectrum of types, a trio of diverse coins rounded out the top quartet of the auction.
Morgan Silver Dollar 1893-S. MS67.
An 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar, MS67 NGC, pedigreed to the Norweb and Jack Lee Collections, and the highest-graded NGC-Certified specimen, took the second spot in the auction, realizing $ 546,250 and giving collectors of the ever-popular Morgan Dollars something to cheer about.
1863 $ 10. PR65.
An 1863 $ 10 PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS, CAC, the sole finest at PCGS, charmed collectors into several rounds of intense bidding before finishing the auction at $ 299,000 and an historic 1796 $ 2 1/2 No Stars MS61 PCGS, CAC, the finest that Heritage has offered in three years, realized $ 276,000.
Another branch mint proof, the 1855-S 50C Arrows PR65 NGC, WB-1, Ex: Golden Gate Collection, was one of the auction’s most anticipated lots as one of three known and the only example available to collectors. The coin did not fail to impress as the price rose quickly amidst spirited bidding to find a final price realized of $ 276,000.
Further highlights include, but are certainly not limited to:
* 1855-S 25C Arrows PR64 NGC. CAC. Ex: Golden Gate Collection: Unique Branch Mint Proof, believed to be the first San Francisco Mint Quarter. Realized: $ 276,000.
* 1879 $ 4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1635, Pollock-1833, R.3, PR65+ Cameo PCGS, CAC: Realized: $ 253,000.
* 1802 H10C AU50 NGC. V-1, LM-1, R.5.: A Landmark rarity, possibly the finest known. Realized: $ 212,750.
* 1864 $ 20 MS64+ NGC: The single finest known. Realized: $ 207,000.
* 1893-CC $ 1 PR64 Cameo PCGS, CAC: Realized: $ 184,000.
You can find the auction’s catalog here.