PCGS-Certified Rarities Star as Heritage Smashes ANA Records; July 2008 Baltimore Auction Passes $40 Million
Dallas, TX. A host of six-figure PCGS-certified coins played starring roles as Heritage Auction Galleries set the record for the most valuable ANA Auction ever! Significant and classic rarities from all series in American numismatics, most of them offered in the Platinum Night catalogs, smashed the previous record of $27.7 million set last year by Heritage at the Milwaukee ANA event. The auction was held in Baltimore July 30–Aug. 3, in conjunction with the World’s Fair of Money summer convention of the American Numismatic Association. Total prices realized for the American coins are currently $41,471,262, and will rise further as post auction buys are finalized.
“This was Heritage’s 38th Official ANA Auction, a record in itself!” enthused Heritage C.E.O. Steve Ivy. “We were very pleased with our results in Milwaukee last year, and we think Baltimore has demonstrated the absolute strength of the market for important and high quality coins. Such high prices realized also mean a record-setting check will be provided to the ANA to support their educational and membership programs. We also take great pride that our total was 50% higher than our previous ANA record, and double that accomplished by any other ANA auctioneer. Heritage delivered for the ANA.”
“The great rarities included in this auction were simply dazzling,” commented Heritage President Greg Rohan. “Among the 400 consignors participating, several of the ‘named’ collections did especially well. Before the auction we predicted that many records would be set, and we were not disappointed! Ed Price’s marvelous – and unique – collection of early dime and quarter eagle varieties realized $5.7 million, Stephen Stokely’s Registry Collection of $20 Saint-Gaudens exceeded $2 million, Part Four of the Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets brought in another $1.4 million, and the DMPL Morgans of the "Gift of Undeserved Favor" Collection realized a similar total. Of course, the ANA-donation luncheon with Jim Halperin topped $12,000!”
Highlights from Heritage’s Baltimore ANA Signature® and Platinum Night Auctions:
Lot 1468: (1615-16) Sommer Islands Shilling, Small Sail, VF20 PCGS.
This is the first coinage struck in the new world, and a significant rarity.
Realized: $43,125
Lot 1500: 1793 Chain cent, AMERICA, S-2, B-2, High R.4 AU55 PCGS.
The S-2 die marriage immediately followed the S-1 Chain AMERI variety, and was probably included in the coiner's very first large cent delivery of March 1, 1793, consisting of 11,178 coins. Ex: Norweb, now From The Aspen Collection.
Realized: $149,500
Lot 1502: 1793 S-8 Vine and Bars Wreath Cent, MS64 Brown PCGS. S-8, R.3.
Wreath cents are known with a Vine and Bars edge design, like the earlier Chain cents, and also with a Lettered edge, like the later Liberty Cap cents. From the Joshua Collection.
Realized: $143,750
Lot 1544: Unique 1864 L on Ribbon Indian Cent, PR64 Red PCGS. Snow-PR3.
The proof 1864 With L Indian cent is a legendary rarity, one that has been well known and well respected since shortly after its production.
Realized: $109,250
Lot 1588: 1792 Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4, AU55 PCGS.
The Mint Act of April 2, 1792, established a Mint at Philadelphia (the nation's capital at the time), and President Washington referred to making "a small beginning in the coinage of half-dismes" in his address to Congress on Nov. 6.
Realized: $172,500
Lot 1632: 1827/3 Restrike Quarter, PR63 PCGS. B-2.
Despite a recorded original mintage of 4,000 pieces for this fabled rarity, most (or perhaps all) of those coins were actually dated 1825. Apparently ten or so Originals can be accounted for today, with perhaps fifteen silver Restrikes and a few copper pieces.
Realized: $55,200
Lot 1668: 1796 Half Dollar 15 Stars, O-101, R.5, AU58 PCGS.
This near-Mint 1796 15 stars half is a truly exceptional coin that will make a handsome addition to a high-grade type set or a date/variety collection of early half dollars. Ex: Anderson Dupont Collection, R.L. Miles Collection, Dr. E. Yale Clarke Collection, and now From the Bayside New York Collection.
Realized: $207,000
Lot 1766: Ten-Piece 1866 Proof Set
A fabulous, complete, high grade, ten-piece proof set and a date that is rarely seen as a complete set; grades range from PR64 to PR66 PCGS, and mostly Gem.
Realized: $63,250
Lot 1932: 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, PR64 Cameo PCGS. Judd-1635, R.3.
All of the four gold stella variants are considered among the most desirable U.S. coins.
Realized: $195,500
Lot 2106: 1921 $20 MS64 PCGS. CAC.
The 1921 is a classic rarity in the Saint-Gaudens double eagle series, and this is one of the finest known. Ex: Morse Collection, now From the Stephen Stokely Collection, Part Five.
Realized: $474,375
Lot 2129: 1930-S $20 MS66 PCGS.
A remarkable and elusive example of the 1930-S Saint, in Condition Census and tied for the finest certified.
Realized: $253,000
Lot 2132: 1931-D $20, MS66 PCGS. CAC. Ex: Price; Morse.
There was little demand for twenty dollar gold pieces in 1931, two years into the Great Depression, and the nadir of that massive economic downturn. From the Stephen Stokely Collection, Part Five.
Realized: $253,000
Lot 2172: Heavy Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot, 126.44 Ounces
Kellogg & Humbert was well known to collectors long before the recovery of the S.S. Central America treasure in 1988.
Realized: $253,000
Platinum Night treasures from the Ed Price Collection, the first and only complete collection of early Dime and Early Quarter Eagle varieties, featuring all of the shared reverse dies.
Lot 1418: 1798/97 Dime, 13 Stars Reverse, JR-2, R.6, MS63 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $103,500
Lot 1421: 1800 Dime, JR-1, R.4, AU58 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $32,200
Lot 1422: 1800 Dime, JR-2, R.5, Double Struck, MS63 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $51,750
Lot 1425: 1801 Dime, JR-1, R.4, Double Struck, AG3 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $2,185
Lot 1427: 1801 Dime, JR-2, R.5, AU58 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $40,250
Lot 1428: 1801 Dime, JR-2, R.5, MS61 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $44,563
Lot 1436: 1803 Dime, JR-1, R.7, XF40 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $19,550
Lot 1448: 1807 Dime, JR-1, R.2, MS64 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $37,375
Lot 1449: 1807 Dime, JR-1, R.2, Curved Clip, MS66 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $69,000
Lot 1450: 1796 $2.50, No Stars, BD-1, High R.7, XF45 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $207,000
Lot 1451: 1796 $2.50, No Stars, B-2, R.4, MS61 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $276,000
Lot 1463: 1806/4 $2.50, 8x5 Stars, BD-1, High R.4, AU55 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $27,600
Lot 1464: 1806/5 $2.50, 7x6 Stars, BD-2, High R.5, AU55 PCGS. From the Ed Price Collection.
Realized: $74,750
To discuss consigning coins or currency to an upcoming auction, please call the Heritage Consignor Hotlines at 800-872-6467 ext. 1000 (Coins); or ext. 1001 (Currency).
Heritage Auction Galleries is the world’s third largest auction house, and by far the largest auctioneer of rare collectibles, with annual sales over $600 million, and 375,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage's auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.