06-09-2011 – 11-09-2011
Combined Long Beach, CA numismatic auction
Heritage Auctions’ Most Successful September Numismatic Auctions Ever
With total prices realized across three auctions – World & Ancient Coins top $20.5 million; U.S. Coins surpass $8.5 million; Currency exceeds $5.5 million – totaling more than $34 million, Heritage Auctions is celebrating its most successful combined Long Beach, CA numismatic auction events ever. All prices quoted below include 15% Buyer’s Premium.
“We’re blown away by these fantastic results across the board as collectors were out in force over the course of the week,” said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. “Rare gold in pristine condition was the main draw and the top collectors didn’t let anything stop them from obtaining their preferred treasures.”
The main draw of the Long Beach Coin, Stamps & Collectibles Expo events was far and away Heritage’s spectacular Signature® World and Ancient Coins Auction, the total of which – over $20 million – constitutes the categories single highest grossing auction since its inception 11 years ago. More than 3,580 bidders vied for the 2,835 lots in the auction, translating into an astounding 97.74% sell-through rate by value.
World & Ancients Coins auction
Lot 24529. Yung Hi gold 20 Won Year 3 (1909), KM1144, J&V AD3, MS64 NGC. Realized: $632,000.
The top lots of the World & Ancients Coins auction included the legendary Yung Hi gold 20 Won Year 3 (1909), KM1144, J&V AD3, MS64 NGC, which realized $632,500 while an incredible “Ides of March” Denarius, struck by Marcus Junius Brutus, Assassin of Caesar and Imperator (44-42 BC), which came in almost exactly at its high estimate, realizing $546,250.
“The market for world and ancient coins has never been stronger,” said Rohan, “and it shows no sign of slowing as emerging nations the world over, along with smart American collectors, capitalize on the incredible value of those beautiful coins.”
Signature® U.S. Coins Auction
While far from Heritage’s strongest offering of U.S. Coins, the September Signature® U.S. Coins Auction showed impressive strength with a total of $8.52 million. The event saw more than 4,000 bidders competing for 3,936 lots, translating into a sell through rate of 95.5% by total value.
Whether it was the continued instability of domestic financial markets, or simply a plethora of great coins available at great prices, top collectors were out in force competing for the auctions’ top lots.
Lot 3003. 1793 1C Liberty Cap AU53 PCGS Secure. S-13, B-20, High R.3. MRB VF35. Realized: $253,000.
The top spot of the U.S. podium was taken by a 1793 1C Liberty Cap AU53 PCGS Secure. S-13, B-20, High R.3. MRB VF35. Ex: Halpern-Boka, the eighth finest of its kind known, which realized $253,000. Gold remained extremely popular and sought-after in the auction, as a Justh & Hunter Gold Ingot, 50.50 Ounces, from the S.S. Central America, ignited collector passion with heated bidding battle resulting in a $166,750 final price realized a magnificent 1910 $20 PR67 NGC, the last of nine pieces in an original 1910 proof set, quickly rose to finish the day at $161,000.
Signature® Currency Auction
Rare paper money showed continued steady strength in the Signature® Currency Auction, bringing in an extraordinary $5.2 million total, as 2,735 bidders hotly contested 3,379 lots, resulting in a 90% sell through rate by total value.
Lot 16875. Fr. 2221-J $5000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Apparent Extremely Fine 45. Realized: 132,250.
The first among equals in the currency auction was a brilliantly colorful and original Near Gem Fr. 2221-B $5000 1934 Federal Reserve Note PCGS Very Choice New 64PPQ, which blew away all other notes in the auction with a final price realized of $132,250, while bright and attractive Kansas City Fr. 2221-J $5000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Apparent Extremely Fine 45 brought much interest from collectors before finishing at $69,000. Matching the $69,000 price realized of the 1934 Kansas City $5,000, was a spectacular Grand Forks, ND – $20 1902 Plain Back Fr. 658 The Northwestern NB Ch. # 11142 Double Denomination, a magnificent example of the “King of Errors,” with this example the only double denomination National Bank Note of any type to have garnered PMG’s grade of Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ, along with a Fr. 165a $100 1862 Legal Tender PCGS Apparent Very Fine 30.
The whole catalog of the 2011 September Long Beach Signature World & Ancient Coins Auction you can find here.
If you are interested in the results of the 2011 September Long Beach Signature US Coin Auction, click here.
For all results and information on the 2011 September Long Beach Signature Currency Auction look at the online catalog.