Central States Auctions Surpass $47 Million

Fresh-to-market coins and historical rarities pushed Heritage Auctions’ Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) event to $47,783,690 across several sales of U.S. coins and currency, a 42 percent increase from the auctioneer’s 2020 CSNS auctions and the highest total sold in the last five years.

The sales offered more than 15,800 lots April 22-25 in Dallas, where the auctions were relocated after the convention itself was cancelled.

“This was a season for numismatic history,” said James Halperin, co-founder of Heritage Auctions. “It’s no exaggeration that this year’s auctions offered a once-in-a-lifetime selection for experienced collectors, the likes of which we may not see in a generation or more.”

The event offered important highlights from powerhouse collections, including the Donald G. Partrick Collection and the Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part V.

Three coins broke the million-dollar mark. A 1792 quarter dollar, Judd-13, Pollock-15, High R.7 AU-58 NGC, one of four known, sold for $1,260,000. The piece was put up for auction by the New-York Historical Society and was never previously offered for public sale.

One of two examples known, a 1776 Continental dollar, CURENCY, Silver, Newman 1-C, Breen-1091, Hodder 1-A.3, W-8450, R.8, VF-35 NGC. CAC, from the Partrick Collection, ended at $1,140,000.

From the Simpson Collection, an 1866 $1 No Motto Seated dollar, PR-63+ PCGS. CAC. Judd-540, Pollock-605, R.8, the only example available to collectors, brought $1,050,000.

The Simpson Collection also offered the 1794 No Stars Flowing Hair dollar in Copper, Judd-18, Pollock-27, Unique, VF-25 PCGS, an experiment in copper widely considered to be the first dollar struck at the fledgling U.S. Mint, a prototype for silver dollars to come. It sold for $840,000, well above its $500,000 high estimate.

A rare 1793 Washington President Oval Peace Medal by Philadelphia silversmith Joseph Richardson, Baker 174 Unlisted, Belden 8-B, Prucha 31, Gilcrease 6.12, graded genuine by NGC, ended at $630,000 following 42 bids. A standout piece from the Partrick collection, it is one of the few surviving examples of the Washington engraved peace medal available outside of institutional settings.

An 1884 Trade dollar, PR-63+ Cameo PCGS. CAC, a classic rarity in American coinage, with a population of only 10 examples in all grades, sold for $480,000, and a Cameo example of an 1878 Liberty Head half eagle, struck in gold, Judd-1570, PR-65+ PCGS. CAC. Unique, Ex: Newlin-Green-Farouk, brought $456,000.

Two additional historic coins from the Partrick collection presented rare opportunities for collectors as a 1796 No Pole half cent, the third-finest known, graded C-1, B-1, MS-63+ Brown NGC. CAC, sold for $432,000, and the 1796 With Pole half cent, C-2, B-2a, High R.4, MS-65 Red and Brown NGC. CAC, a coin tied for the finest ever graded, sold for $384,000.

Fresh-to-Market U.S. Currency Find Sets World Record April 23

Among the $5,591,888 in U.S. currency that traded hands during the one-day auction, several choice rarities were offered to collectors for the first time. A spectacular new discovery, the first reported Kansas City District 1928 $10,000 Note, PMG Very Fine 30, sold for $456,000, setting the world record as the most expensive small size note ever sold at auction.

The new entrant to the census of just 10 known 1928 $10,000 Federal Reserve Notes becomes number 11 and also adds another district to the known side of the ledger. Fortuitously for collectors, it is a pleasing, evenly circulated piece displaying good color and just honest wear.

A highly sought-after $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note, PMG Choice Uncirculated 64, brought $168,000, the most expensive note of its kind ever sold at Heritage. These $5,000 and $10,000 notes are listed in the Top 100 Greatest United States Notes. A second $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note, PMG Choice About Unc 58, from Dallas, sold for $144,000, also besting prices previously achieved for notes of its kind.

The finer of only two known, a 1255a Federal Reserve 10¢ Third Issue Hand Signed Green Back, PMG Extremely Fine 40, sold for $108,000. It took top lot honors among the 362-lot important Tabacco Family Collection.

The second uncut sheet of four notes, produced for the $1 1896 Educational Series, ended at $108,000. A penned courtesy notation along the bottom margin reads, "Issued July 23, 1896 Washington, DC 12:30 PM D(aniel) N. Morgan." Uncut sheets of large size type notes are all rare and the desirability kicks up considerably when the notes are of an important personality note type. Morgan served as Treasurer of the United States from June 1, 1893, to June 30, 1897.

Heritage’s next Platinum Night sale is its May 6-7 presentation of World and Ancient Coins, followed by five, special online auctions throughout the month and featuring the Don Bonser Error Collection, Part 3.

For more information on upcoming auctions and prices realized, visit Heritage Auctions’ Rare Coins portal at Coins.ha.com.