$20 gold stolen in transit

The finest known 1870-CC $20 gold piece was apparently taken from a Brink’s shipment to Heritage Oct. 17, the Texas firm reports.

Graded AU-58 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corp. with NGC Certification ID 3414402-001, the coin went missing in a shipment to Heritage from the Professional Coin Grading Service.

“When we opened the Brink’s bag, it was evident that the shipping box had been sliced open and the PCGS box within was empty,” said Paul Minshull, Heritage chief operating officer. “We immediately called PCGS, who confirmed that their security surveillance video showed that the box and package with the coin were shipped as usual and in good order. At that point, we contacted Brink’s security and our insurance company, and their investigations have started. We have also reached out to the FBI.”

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The coin is fully insured.

“In my 29 years at Heritage I have not heard of a coin loss in a Brink’s shipment before,” said Minshull, “so this is an extremely rare incident.”

The coin was scheduled to be sold at the Florida United Numismatists Platinum Night auction January 2012 in Orlando.