A 1920-S $10 Indian gold piece brought $1,725,000 in the Charlotte, N.C., auction conducted March 14-17 by Robert Korver and cataloged by Heritage Auction Galleries.
Graded MS-67 by Professional Coin Grading Service and referred to by sale catalogers as the finest known example of its date, the 1920-S eagle opened at $600,000.
It ?quickly passed the million dollar mark with six active bidders ? two on the phones and four in the room,? said Korver. ?The final three bids involved two floor bidders, both standing in the back of the room, and who were, according to the underbidder, ?very much aware of each other!? but unable to see other.?
Korver said $1,725,000 is the second-highest price paid for a regular-issue U.S. coin, noting that $1.897 million is the highest, paid for a 1927-D $20 in 2005.
Consignor of the 1920-S $10 was Dr. Steven Duckor, ?who purchased this coin in June 1979 for $85,000,? Korver said. ?This is the most important and desirable Saint-Gaudens eagle in existence, and the new owner has a national treasure.?
The overall sale, which was held in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association convention, topped $11 million. All prices reported here include buyers? fees, which vary from 15 percent for floor bids to a maximum of 22.5 percent depending on bidding method.
Two early silver dollars were further sale highlights.
A 1799 no berries dollar, Bolender 11, Bowers-Borckardt 161, sold for $379,500 to an Internet bidder. It was graded PCGS MS-66.
A three leaves 1795 Flowing Hair dollar, B-5, BB-27, graded PCGS MS-64, was bought by a floor bidder for $212,750. This piece?s pedigree extends nearly a century and includes the names Ropes, Clapp and Eliasberg.
These were followed by an early half dollar, a Draped Bust 1797, Overton 101a, graded PCGS XF-45. It was described as having ?delicate bluish-gray, yellow-gold and mauve toning? and ?sharp detail? on ?most of Liberty?s hair and on the eagle?s wing and tail.? It brought $143,750 from an Internet bidder.
Three gold ingots come next, headed by a Kellogg & Humbert 92.74-ounce piece taken by a floor bidder at $132,250, then two that Internet bidders bought at $129,950 each: a Harris, Marchand & Co. 13.52-ounce ingot and a Kellog & Humbert 103.85-ounce ingot.
Territorial gold included an 1852 Assay Office $50, .887 THOUS., Kagin 13, graded MS-61 by Numismatic Guaranty Corp. that fetched $103,500 from an Internet buyer.
A price of $97,750 was bid at the sale for a 1920-D Buffalo nickel in PCGS MS-66 condition.
Further highlights:
- 1890 proof gold $20, NGC Proof-65 Ultra Cameo, $86,250
- 1907 wire rim gold $10, NGC MS-66, $80,500
- 1864 Seated Liberty half dollar, NGC MS-67, $74,750
- 1855 $50 Wass, Molitor & Co. territorial gold piece, NGC AU-55, $74,750
- Pattern 1869 Shield nickel/Indian Head cent mule on nickel planchet, Judd 691, Pollock 748, PCGS Proof-64, 69,000
- 1926-D gold $20, PCGS MS-64, $69,000
- 1852 $50 Assay Office territorial gold, .887 THOUS., K-13, PCGS AU-58, $66,700
- Proof 1895 Morgan dollar, NGC Proof-66 Cameo, $63,250
- Pattern 1864 Indian Head cent obverse/Flying Eagle cent obverse mule on copper-nickel planchet, Judd 362, Pollock 428, PCGS Proof-62, $63,250
- 1860-O gold $20, PCGS AU-53, $63,250
- 1814/3 gold $5, NGC MS-64, $48,875
- 1806 gold $5, PCGS MS-64, $46,000
Further prices realized are available online at www.ha.com. For more information, contact Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Ave., 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219; telephone (800) 872-6467.
