A $1.61 million top bid for an 1861 Paquet reverse $20 gold piece topped Heritage Auction Galleries? Denver 2006 Platinum Night and Signature coin auctions, held Aug. 13-14 in Denver during the World?s Fair of Money.
As of Aug. 15, Heritage?s Denver sales had realized a combined $29,391,347.
With after-auction sales continuing and an online session set to close Aug. 21, the Denver total is expected to reach above $30 million. All prices in this story include the 15-percent buyer fees.
The Paquet reverse $20 was certified MS-61 by Professional Coin Grading Service.
?This is one of only two known examples,? Heritage president Greg Rohan said. ?The consignor purchased this important rarity at auction less than five years ago for $345,000. The coin was purchased by an unidentified Internet bidder who had placed his bid days earlier.?
Other sale highlights included:
A 1795 half dime, graded MS-67 Star by Numismatic Guaranty Corp., realized $126,500. A 1795 half dollar, two leaves, NGC MS-64, sold for $103,500; a 15-stars 1796 half dollar, PCGS MS-63, fetched $310,500; and an 1893-S Morgan dollar, PCGS MS-62, reached $120,750.
A 1796 gold $2.50, no stars, graded PCGS MS-61, brought $322,000, while a with-stars 1796 $2.50 in PCGS AU-58 went for $161,000. An 1829 $2.50, PCGS MS-67, hit $316,250.
Two Stellas of note were an 1879 $4 Flowing Hair, NGC Proof-67, that went for $402,500, and an 1879 $4 Coiled Hair, NGC Proof-63, that hit $402,500.
Among $20 gold pieces, an 1854-O, PCGS AU-50, brought $301,875; an 1856-O, PCGS AU-50, hit $345,000; an 1870-CC, NGC AU-50, topped off at $359,375; and an 1898, NGC Proof-67 Ultra Cameo, realized $276,000.
?Bidders had a rich assortment of treasures to add to their collections,? said Rohan. ?I cannot recall any previous summer auctions with 22 anchor consignors, or with 500 total consignors. Quality coins brought quality prices in Denver, and many of the collections contained material that had been off the market for decades.?
Images, descriptions and prices realized are available at the Heritage Web site, www.HA.com. For more information, contact Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Ave., 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call (800) 872-6467.
