An 1876-CC Twenty Cent Piece, MS65 PCGS sold for $690,000 to lead Heritage’s ANA US Coins Signature® Auction to $36,841,730 August 12-18, and a stunning George V gold Sovereign 1920-S MS63 PCGS brought a winning bid of $552,000 to lead Heritage’s ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction to $16,683,933 August 15-17.
When the hammer fell for the final time, the events amassed a combined total of $53,525,663 and accounted for a slew of new auction records.
"The 1876-CC Twenty Cent Piece has always been considered one of the finest known examples of this important U.S. silver series," says Todd Imhof, Executive Vice President at Heritage, "and that was backed up by the 118 bids from elite collectors that poured in for this magnificent coin."
A breathtaking double-struck 1794 S-28 Head of 1794 Cent, MS66 Brown NGC might have been imperfect in its creation, but it was a must-have treasure to the collectors who poured in more than three dozen bids before it ended at $588,000 — a price that was as appropriate as it was spectacular for this magnificent coin. This example is exceedingly rare for the grade, tied for the finest examples of the S-28 pair.
A 1931-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, MS66 PCGS brought a winning bid of $360,000, erasing the previous auction record for the date of $253,000 for the Price-Morse specimen that was set at Heritage in 2008. The mintage of the 1931-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle was the sixth-lowest mintage of the series, at just 106,500 pieces, and of those, it is believed that probably only 125 pieces exist today, with nearly all examples seen in Uncirculated grades. Now the 1931-D is considered the second-rarest issue from the Denver facility, behind the 1927-D. Coins at the Gem level are decidedly rare, and examples are extremely rare any finer.
The auction featured several collections, including the Benedict Family Collection, a 70-lot trove replete with an exceptional selection of type coins and important rarities. The top result from the Benedict Collection was an 1887 Liberty Double Eagle, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC that also reached $360,000.
Just behind was the $348,000 brought by an 1883 Liberty Double Eagle, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC to break the previous auction record for that proof issue of $336,000 that was set at Heritage in 2021.
Other top results from the Benedict Family Collection included, but were not limited to:
- $264,000: an 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC
- $240,000: an 1895 Liberty Double Eagle, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC, breaking the previous auction record of $234,000 that was set at Heritage in 2020
- $204,000: the only CAC example of an 1895 Morgan Dollar, PR68 Cameo PCGS
1895 Morgan Dollar, PR68 Cameo
A 1920-S Indian Ten, MS64+ PCGS. CAC drew 29 bids before it closed at $312,000. The most elusive Indian Eagle in Mint State, this issue originally included 126,500 coins, a higher total than that of the 1908 No Motto, 1911-D, 1911-S and 1913-S productions. But very few of these coins were actually released from the San Francisco Mint, and most were melted after the passage of the Gold Recall Act in 1933, and those that did survive are typically in lower Mint State grades.
Other record-setting lots included:
- $252,000: a 1910 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, PR67 NGC — breaking the previous auction record of $218,500, set by Heritage for the Morse specimen in 2005
- $240,000: an 1895 Liberty Double Eagle, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC — surpassing the previous auction record of $234,000 that was set by Heritage in 2020
- $204,000: an 1821 JR-7 Bust Dime, PR65 NGC. CAC — more than doubling the record for an 1821 proof of $94,000 that was set at Heritage in 2015
Another collection featured in the auction was the Byron Milstead Collection of Philippines Pesos, an assemblage led by a 1906-S Philippines Peso, MS63 PCGS that brought a winning bid of $156,000 that shattered the auction record for a US Philippines business strike coin.
Complete results from the U.S. Coins auction can be found at HA.com/1376.
World and Ancient Coins
Coming from the James D. Wolfensohn Collection of Australian Sovereigns, the George V gold 1920 Sydney Sovereign that topped the event, in which multiple records were set, is one the rarest circulation-strike sovereigns from anywhere in the British Commonwealth, and the rarest from Australia.
This date and mint pairing is so rare that it has earned the title of "King of Australia’s Sovereigns" and was hailed in the Quartermaster catalog as "Australia’s rarest circulating Sovereign."
"This is a magnificent trophy for collectors of Australia’s rarest gold emissions, worthy of each of the superlatives attached to it," says Cris Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage. "This date and mint pairing is exceedingly rare, and the condition is exceptional. The winning bidder has just won a tremendous addition to any collection."
Highlights from the Wolfensohn Collection of Australian Sovereigns included, but were not limited to:
- $78,000: an exceedingly rare Type 1 British Colony gold "Adelaide" Pound 1852 AU55 PCGS
South Australia. British Colony gold "Adelaide" Pound 1852 AU55 PCGS - $52,800: a Victoria gold Sovereign 1866-SYDNEY MS63 Prooflike PCGS
- $50,400: a Victoria gold 1/2 Sovereign 1866-SYDNEY MS63 Prooflike PCGS
The Wolfensohn Collection was one of several significant collections in the auction, among them the Carpathian Collection of Romanian Coins, and is one of the finest troves of coins from the European nation ever assembled and a trove from which highlights included a Carol I gold Specimen Pattern 20 Lei 1868 SP63 Deep Cameo PCGS that sold for $456,000 to establish a new world record for a Romanian coin. A choice rarity, it is one of the most celebrated in all of Romanian numismatics and the finest piece known at either major grading service. Only 100 were minted, but it is believed that far fewer survive today, with those in major collections and museums typically faring as "circulated." This example is believed to be the finest known example.
Other standouts from the Carpathian Collection included, but were not limited to:
- $99,000: a Carol II gold "Angel over Arms" 100 Lei 1939 UNC Details (Rim Filing, Cleaned) NGC
Carol II gold “Angel over Arms” 100 Lei 1939 UNC Details (Rim Filing, Cleaned) NGC - $52,800: a Carol I Leu 1870-C MS67 PCGS
- $48,000: a Carol II gold "Jubilee" 100 Lei 1940 UNC Details (Repaired) NGC
- $44,400: a Carol I 2 Lei 1901 MS63 PCGS
Carol I 2 Lei 1901 MS63 PCGS
British coins are exceedingly popular among collectors, a trend that continued in this auction when one of the finest Anne gold 5 Guineas 1709 MS61 PCGS graded by PCGS sold for $228,000. Among the most difficult post-union issues to find at auction, this example is just the fourth to come through Heritage Auctions.
A dozen bids drove a William & Mary gold 5 Guineas 1692 MS63 NGC to $204,000. This coin features a rare tier of preservation for such a large gold coin of William and Mary, one of just two examples certified at a Choice assignment between NGC and PCGS combined of the largest denomination produced during the period.
Ancient coins fared exceptionally well and were among the event’s record setters. Topping the ancient coins in the auction was a Maximinus I (AD 235-238). AV aureus (21mm, 6.56 gm, 7h). NGC Choice XF★ 5/5 – 3/5, brushed that sold for $408,000, nearly tripling the previous world record for a Maximinus aureus. This rarity is just the fifth example to come to market in the last two decades, and the only one graded by NGC.
Another ancient coin that found its way into the record books was a Vespasian (AD 69-79). AV aureus (19mm, 7.40 gm, 6h). NGC MS 5/5 – 2/5, brushed that set a record for the type with its winning bid of $168,000. It is an extraordinary example of an important coin from the Judaea Capta series, which was created after the Roman Empire’s victory in the Jewish-Roman War to celebrate Rome’s conquest of Judea.
The expansive event even featured a 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which was awarded in 2008 to virologist Harald zur Hausen that ended at $192,000.Zur Hausen received the award for his research that led to the isolation of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA from cervical cancer cells.
The auction included the Otoh Collection of Physical Cryptocurrency, Part II. Leading the Otoh — or "On The Other Hand" — Collection, which was named after the online handle of the consignor and is the most significant offering of physical cryptocurrency ever brought to auction, was a Casascius gold-plated brass "Storage Bar" Bearer Bar Loaded (Unredeemed) 3 Bitcoin (BTC) 2011 Genuine PCGS that drew a winning bid of $180,000.
Other top selections from the Otoh Collection included, but were not limited to:
$66,000: a Casascius silver Proof Loaded (Unredeemed) 1 Bitcoin (BTC) 2013 PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC
$55,200: a Casascius gold Unloaded (Unfunded) "Gold Cas" 1000 Bitcoin (BTC) 2012 PR68 Ultra Cameo NGCa
All in all, the ancient coins in the auction performed well at all levels, from the record-setting Maximinus I aureus to the SICILY. Camarina. Ca. 420-405 BC. AE tetras (18mm, 4.11 gm, 2h). NGC MS★ 5/5 – 5/5, Fine Style that smashed the previous auction record when it sold for $4,080.
Complete results from the World & Ancient Coins auction can be found at HA.com/3118.
About Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Heritage also enjoys the highest Online traffic and dollar volume of any auction house on earth (source: SimilarWeb and Hiscox Report). The Internet’s most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has more than 1,750,000 registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of more than 6,000,000 past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. Reproduction rights routinely granted to media for photo credit.
Well there you go East Coast Guru,
One of your top 5 rarity picks right at the top this article!
The 1876-CC Twenty Cent Piece, nice work!
Today I made a new coin discovery and it has more face value so there lol…
The 2024-P Patsy Mink 25 Cent Piece!
Discovery location: Wendy’s drive thru, Palm Beach, FL…
Rick,
As to the first point I believe you are not only deserving of kudos but also the “Attention to Detail Award”.
In regard to point two for the “it has more face value” comment, the “Innovative Observation Prize’ is yours.
Well Kaiser,
I’m not sure if I was more excited about observing the new quarter, or the ice cold Dr Pepper treat in what I would call a deeply humidified rainforest-like environment down here…
⊙﹏⊙
Rick,
I do believe you were indeed twice-blessed, what with finding a new AWQ in the wild, so to speak, while being cooled off and refreshed with a delightfully chilled Dr.Pepper. Who in Florida could possibly ask for more?
Rick, I’ve been finding these out of the bill changer at the local laundromat. They obviously need a large stock of quarters, since that’s the only denomination their machines take. They have 2 changers; probably several $K in each one. I picked up a couple of nice examples just today! Oddly, today’s Patsy Mink’s were both P mint, whereas most of the previous AWQ’s in our area have been D mint. We’re in NC, so I’d expect more Philly coins than Denver, but who can tell what reasoning the US Mint uses! These AWQ’s seem to have a brighter, more… Read more »
Sam it makes sense that a Laundromat gets the newer quarters since they order a bunch to keep things running. I don’t actively seek out circulation coins (I’ll keep the copper 1 & 5C)but if I did it would make sense to hit the Laundromat!
It was fun to see a new shiny coin out in the wild though!
Rick and Sam-I-am,
Laundromats, like pizza parlors, are mob money cleaning sites, thus the shiny coins.
Kaiser,
I like the use of “cleaning sites’ in your comment, as in laundering $$$. Good one!
Craig,
Thank you for the compliment! Now that you’ve mentioned it specifically, it leads me to think back on Fight Club and “Clean food only.”
Sam-I-am,
“Area Man Abandons US Mint for Nicer Coins from Local Laundromat Bill Changer”
Kaiser,
That’s a headline I’d understand!
Sam-I-am,
Do you mean that in an inherently numismatic context or as a reference to the good old trope of the Onion’s “Area Man” concept, or in fact both?
Both!
Well then hurrah, huzzah and kudos to you, Sam-I-am!
My laundromat coin changers seem efficient at recirculating coin they get from the washer/dryers. There is a occasional quarter in better condition, but most the AWQ are pretty dinged up and the ATBs are dinged and worn. I mentioned here or MNB before I got that silver 1976 proof bicentennial quarter from the changer. It definitely had many dings and scratches. I got curious and NGC price guide doesn’t seem to price anything lower than PF-60
VinnieC, I think you may have come up with a whole new variety for the TPGs to label and slab: Laundromat State LS.
Major D and VinnieC,
DETAILS: DRY CLEANED
Rick, Here is what I look for in my change…. Lincoln Cents: Instant Pay Dirt 1. A 2001-D Lincoln cent obverse and a Roosevelt dime reverse on a Lincoln cent planchet. The present lot (Heritage, 9/2024). 2. Another. MS66 Red PCGS. Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 6/2021), lot 3158. 3. A 1999 Lincoln cent obverse and a Roosevelt dime reverse on a Lincoln cent planchet. MS66 Red PCGS. Bellaire Collection; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2006), lot 5271. 4. A 1993-D Lincoln cent obverse and a Roosevelt dime reverse on a Lincoln cent planchet. MS65 Red PCGS. Alfred V. Melson Collection; FUN… Read more »
E 1,
Very nice looking dime…er…cent…er…dime…er…cent. Oh whatever…it’s amazing!
E !,
What is the value of the 2001 D with the dime reverse? That’s an awesome find.
Craig,
That 2001-D is currently up for auction at Heritage – $7,200 was the last bid. However, the obverse has a fingerprint.
E 1,
It may be way past time to run that fingerprint through the FBI database.
I miss the days before Fred Weinberg retired. Going to his booth at a coin show was like visiting a candy store. I think he would often have similar Roosevelt/Lincoln mules. They were just spectacular. I would look at the price and then look at the penny on the dime planchet. Ultimately I settled on a PCGS AU55 nickel on a penny planchet. So to find the mule in pocket change would be incredible. The Royal Mint stamped out so many 20p no date transitional mules. Those could probably have been found in pocket change in the UK at one… Read more »
VinnieC,
I’m all for finding them in my change. But buying them is a different story.
E 1,
Wiser words have never been said. There is after all no deal like a freebie!
True Dat.
VinnieC.
Demand drives prices, so they’re pricey because that’s what the market will bear.
I just wasn’t going to find a nickel struck on a penny planchet loose change. I has happened yet. I don’t expect it to happen in the future.
E1,
I’ve never seen those and they’re the bomb! I’ve seen those 1C on a dime planchet before..
How do you mule those up? The guys in the back must have been playing around and puffing on something!?
I’ll be on the lookout
Do you have one of those 1/10C mules above? I’ve seen a couple of your off center mint errors.
Here’s my best “error” hanging out, wanting another shot at a cross to PCGS – might have crack it out though..
w(°ｏ°)w….
Rick, I have a number of slabbed error coins. Cents, nickels, dimes, and some dollars. However, I just don’t have the energy to pull them out and start taking pictures at the moment. I’ve been using my iPhone for my coin pictures out of convenience. But, the results have been mixed. I think I may dig out my old Nikon and tripod for any future pics. I just need to find a cable, some batteries, and my old photo box. . I don’t have a mule yet. They are always on my radar. They appear systematically every two to three… Read more »
Recently this…..
And that….
Huh those are interesting indeed, A debris/wire type and a bad die? I haven’t gotten into errors, but many are out there, and many rare gems like mules..Some sellers prey on the gullible with ridiculous error claims when it’s just a funky bag mark lol. The V coin gets plenty of those types of scams. The ANACS “V” photo above was taken by Great Collections and I copied it. I won it last April for ”only” $795. There hasn’t been any V’s over there since. I think the seller may have been disappointed with the $795 sale? But I was… Read more »
That has got to be the Aqualung coin (a la Jethro Tull).
Major D,
What a spectacular catch. Even the children getting off at every station would likely give you a rousing cheer for that one!
I can’t tell if the 2018 is incuse and may be a strike through error. The second one doesn’t look incuse and seem like it is something on the die. Errors can be so hard to price sometimes.
VinnieC,
Typically they need to be in a high grade for them to be worth anything. The higher the denomination, the greater the value too. I did soak the 2018-P in Linders Coin Cleaner. Most of the spots came out. I think they were glucose (sugar) based. But, the abrasion in the field at 4 O-clock on the obverse remains. Not worth slabbing, but worth keeping. However, if slabbed, the TPG would designate the error type (embedded metal, die scratch).
I wonder who at the Mint thought it was a good idea to have one quarter jammed on the left side of each P&D card in the Uncirculated set. Could have easily had all 5 quarters on the right side arranged like the “5” on dice. That way it would have been easy to cut the card in half and have the quarters together, for those that wanted to sell just the quarters, or vice versa.
Yeah that’s different, the dime would’ve been better over there and more balanced.
Double 5’s would have been great, with the dime in the middle on the left as you say.
.
Still trying to figure that one out. A screw up by Package Engineering? Doesn’t affect me though. I’ll be buying the singles on-line in about a week.
E 1,
In the case of this sort of display item Packaging would follow the Art Department’s lead. Dollars to donuts that turned out exactly the way it was intended to.
A double die twenty cent piece. I didn’t know those existed.