Rarities Headline in Heritage’s $45 Million Auctions
Great rarities from outstanding collections were the headliners as Heritage’s official auctions of the ANA World’s Fair of Money raised nearly $45.5 million, Aug. 14-18 in Chicago. All prices realized include a Buyer’s Premium of 20%.
The U.S. coin auction held Aug.14-18, realized in excess of $32.5 million, with the Aug. 14 Platinum Night realizing just over $24 million by itself. The top lot in this auction - indeed, the top three lots in this auction - were gold rarities from the Joan Zieg Steinbrenner Collection, and each was an outstanding rarity. As many already know, Joan’s husband, George, purchased the New York Yankees in 1973. Within the Steinbrenner collection, the finest known 1837 proof quarter eagle led all lots with a price realized of $576,000; this coin, graded Proof 66+ Deep Cameo by PCGS, carried an illustrious pedigree including the Eliasberg and Bass collections. Another finest-known early proof, an 1843 Eagle graded Proof 64 Deep Cameo, sold for $480,000. While not a proof, a 1907 Wire Rim Eagle graded MS68 by NGC represented the finest example ever offered at auction, and possibly the finest example of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ vision for the ten-dollar gold piece. This ultra-low mintage coin sold for $432,000.
A rare 1837 Classic Head quarter eagle, PR66+ Deep Cameo PCGS CAC is the sole-finest example of this proof-only issue (Variety 18, JD-1, Ex: Parmelee-Eliasberg-Bass). It sold for $576,000. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)
This ultra-rare 19th-century gold proof 1843 ten dollar, in PR64 Deep Cameo sold for an astounding $480,000. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)
With a final selling price of $240,000, this 1907 rolled rim Indian eagle is one of the rarest issues in the series. The example sold here was graded MS64+ PCGS. CAC. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)
The Poulos Family Collection included several desirable coins, including an 1879 $4 Coiled Hair Stella, Judd-1638, graded PR-63 NGC.This is an extremely rare and important issue as there are only 12 to 14 pieces believed to be known.The coin sold for $336,000.
1879 Coiled Hair Stella ($4) from the Paolos Family Collection realized $336,000. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)
An 1854-O Liberty Double Eagle ($20) graded AU-53 is a famous New Orleans rarity with just 3,250 examples of this denomination struck.This piece first surfaced in the mind-1990s and this auction was just the second time it has appeared at public auction since that time.The winning bid was $336,000.
This rare 1854-O $20 is one of just 3,250 struck from the deteriorating New Orleans Mint in 1854. At that time, the Mint facility was undergoing extensive repairs to replace wood components of the structure with iron. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)
Additional highlights of this auction included but were by no means limited to:
1856-O $20 AU50 NGC, from The Genau Collection
Sold for: $408,000
Blake & Co. Gold Ingot. 96.62 Ounces
Sold for: $384,000.
Justh & Hunter Gold Ingot. 159.23 Ounces, from The Marcello Collection, Part VIII
Sold for: $336,000
1884 T$1 PR63 PCGS, from The Poulos Family Collection
Sold for: $336,000
1870-S $1 XF40 NGC, from The Poulos Family Collection
Sold for: $324,000
(1737) Higley Copper, THE WHEEL GOES ROUND, VF30 NGC, from the Collection of a Patriotic American
Sold for: $312,000
The auction of U.S. Currency realized just over $1.9 million, led by outstanding high-denomination issues such as:
Fr. 2220-F $5,000 1928 Federal Reserve Note. PMG Very Fine 30 EPQ.
Sold for: $117,000
Realizing $117,000 during the Currency Platinum Night Auction, this $5,000 1928 Federal Reserve Note is one of just twenty examples known. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)
Fr. 2211-L $1,000 1934 Light Green Seal Federal Reserve Note. PMG Very Fine 25.
Sold for: $114,000
Fr. 1216 $500 1882 Gold Certificate PCGS About New 50.
Sold for: $93,000
For more info on the auction, click here.
