Unique $3 brings $1.3 million

A unique 1855-S $3 coin brought $1,322,500 – along with applause – as the top lot in Heritage Auctions’ Aug. 11-12 sale held at the Marriott-Chicago O’Hare prior to the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money.

The coin, pedigreed to the Golden Gate Collection, is graded Prf-64 Cameo by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.

Overall, the auction realized more than $31.3 million as 5,154 bidders vied for 7,370 lots, translating into a sell-through rate of 91 percent by total lot value and 95 percent by total lots.

“These are great results with strong showings in every corner of the market,” said Greg Rohan, Heritage president. “Collectors are continuing to come to Heritage to pursue the top rarities that we gather for each auction and non-traditional buyers are looking to temper their portfolios against the tumult of world financial markets.”

Illustrating the interest across the spectrum of types, a trio of diverse coins rounded out the top quartet of the auction.

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An 1893-S Morgan silver dollar, MS-67 NGC, from the Norweb and Jack Lee Collections, and the highest-graded NGC-certified specimen, took the second spot in the auction with a $546,250 price realized, giving collectors of the ever-popular Morgan dollars something to cheer about.

An 1863 $10 graded Proof-65 Deep Cameo by Professional Coin Grading Service, CAC, led to several rounds of bidding before finishing the auction at $299,000.

A 1796 $2-1/2 No-Stars MS-61 PCGS, CAC, realized $276,000.

An 1855-S 50c Arrows Proof-65 NGC, WB-1, Ex: Golden Gate Collection, is one of three known proofs of this coin, and the only then-available specimen. The coin prompted spirited bidding among collectors, realizing a final price of $276,000.

Further highlights included:

• 1855-S 25C Arrows Proof-64 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, Proof-65+ Cameo PCGS, CAC. Realized: $253,000.

•1802 H10C Almost Uncirculated-50 NGC. Realized: $212,750.

•1864 $20 MS-64+ NGC. The finest known. Realized: $207,000.

•1893-CC $1 Proof-64 Cameo PCGS, CAC. Realized: $184,000.

For a complete list of prices realized and color photos of the lots, visit www.ha.com.