DALLAS, Texas (Sept. 14, 2017) – More than $21.5 million worth of U.S. coins, world and ancient coins and currency changed hands during Heritage Auctions' as more than 99 percent of U.S. coins by value and quantity were sold. The September 6-12th auctions, held in conjunction with the Long Beach Coin & Collectibles Expo, saw intense bidder interest in 18th Century copper coinage and rare Russian coinage of discernable quality.
"Near-complete sell-through rates are important to our clients and serve as a barometer to the overall health of the collecting market," said James Halperin, Co-founder of Heritage Auctions. "Bidders are eager to fill collections and still pursue excellent examples of rare mintages."
Hot Market for Padula Family Collection
The auction's offering of U.S. coins sold for more than $9.1 million. The top lot in the auction was a 1795 Reeded Edge Cent, certified as Genuine by PCGS. Only 10 examples of this odd variety are known, and this coin, from The Padula Family Foundation Collection, was discovered a mere seven years ago. It sold for $192,000 when the bidding was complete.
Large Cents from The Padula Family Collection included standout lots such as 1793 1C Liberty Cap S-15, B-22, High R.6, which sold for $102,000. A 1794 1C Head of 1794, S-37, B-24, High R.6 VF Details ended at $60,000, and a 1795 1C Jefferson Head, Plain Edge, S-80, B-11b, Low R.5 VF Details PCGS hammered for $52,800.
A remarkably bold strike of a 1792 Copper Disme, Judd-10, Pollock-11, High R.6 AU50 PCGS crossed the block as the eighth-finest of 19 known examples. A splendid example displaying faint bluish olive-brown toning with hints of tan drew interest from eight bidders, who pushed the auction price to $180,000.
A superb 1879 Aluminum $4 Flowing Hair Four Dollar, Judd-1637, Pollock-1835, High R.7, PR67 PCGS, formerly of the H.W. Bass, Jr. Collection, sold for $120,000. The soaring auction price can be attributed to its impeccable provenance as well as the fact that aluminum strikings are estimated to be 50 times rarer than their gold counterparts – only a half dozen or so are known in aluminum.
World & Ancient Coins surpass $5.4 million
An extraordinarily rare 1831 Russian Proof Rouble – sold for $45,600 to take top-lot honors among world coins. A 1900 Russian Nicholas II Proof Rouble, PR65 Cameo sold for $38,400 as the single best-known example of four known to exist. The auction of world and ancient coins resulted in a strong 96 percent sell-through rate.
High-quality coins in impeccable condition claimed the remaining top-lot honors. A 1900 Mexico Republic gold 20 Pesos, Mo-M, an important coin for the quality, sold for $38,400. Seven bidders pursed a 1908 Kang-hsu Dollar ND an impressive near-gem Empire dollar, and pushed the auction price to $31,200.
Additional world coin highlights include:
- Liechtenstein: Johann II gold Essai 20 Kronen 1898: $28,800
- Russia: Nicholas I Proof Pattern 2 Kopecks 1828-C.?.?.: $24,000
- Great Britain: George I Crown 1718/6 MS63 PCGS: $20,400
Noteworthy ancient coin offerings spanned:
- An extremely rare Ephesus Stater - IONIA. Ephesus. Ca. 133-88 BC. AV stater (20mm, 8.43 gm, 12h): $18,000
- Splendid Mithradates VI Portrait Stater - PONTIC KINGDOM. Mithradates VI the Great (120-63 BC). AV stater (21mm, 8.41 gm, 11h): $15,000
- An Important Capricorn Denarius - Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (18mm, 3.86 gm, 6h): $14,400
Currency offerings added up to $5.4 million in auction totals for the Long Beach event's currency auction. The auction's selection realized a 96 percent sell-through rate.
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, San Francisco, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Geneva, Amsterdam and Hong Kong.
Article provided by PCGS at www.pcgs.com