DALLAS, TX.- Over $9.8 million in rare U.S. coins crossed the auction block in
Heritage Auctions' offerings of April 4-6, held at its Dallas headquarters. In total, over 4,100 lots found new homes during this auction. The auction had a 100 percent sell-through rate; prices realized include a Buyer's Premium of 17.5%.
A 100 percent sell-through rate is a good indicator that the coin market is experiencing a resurgence, said Jim Halperin, Co-founder of Heritage Auctions. All but 12 coins met their reserve in the Live auction, and most of those 12 have already received close offers in the Post-Auction period. We were extremely pleased to see collectors' bidding intensify during this auction we think it bodes well for the rest of the year.
Two lots tied for top honors with sale prices of $76,375. A 1892-S Morgan dollar, graded MS63 by NGC, reached this amount when bidding had ended, as befitting its status as a seldom available condition rarity in the MS63 grade. While circulated examples of this date are fairly common, only 13 coins have been assigned Select status by the two major grading companies combined, with another 33 coins finer. In a series as heavily collected and contested as Morgan dollars, the competition for a condition rarity at this level is stiff.
Also selling for $76,375 was a 1795 half dime, graded MS66 by PCGS, and certified by CAC. This coin, from the relatively available LM-9 variety, is ideal for a high-level type set, with only seven coins of all 1795 varieties certified in finer numerical grades.
A 1908-S double eagle, the lowest mintage With Motto issue in the entire Saint-Gaudens series, was represented by an NGC-graded MS66 example, surpassed in numerical grade by only five coins at the major grading services combined. Most examples of this date found the channels of commerce and stayed there, but high grade examples, when found, tend to be quite pleasing to the eye. This coin crossed the auction block at $70,500.
Just a few of the many other highlights of this auction included:
· 1929 $20 MS65 PCGS: Realized: $61,687
· 1873-CC $20 MS61 NGC: Realized: $55,239
· 1891 $20 AU58 PCGS Secure: Realized: $54,080
· 1870-CC $5 AU53 PCGS: Realized: $54,050
· 1895 $1 PR63 Cameo NGC: Realized: $54,050
· 1652 Pine Tree Shilling, Large Planchet, No Pellets at Trunk, Noe-2, MS64 NGC: Realized: $52,875
· 1652 Pine Tree Shilling, Large Planchet, Reversed N, Noe-4, MS65 NGC: Realized: $51,700
· 1909-D $10 MS66 PCGS: Realized: $44,650
· 1820/19 50C Square Base 2, O-101, MS65 PCGS Secure: Realized: $42,300
· 1889-CC $1 MS63 Deep Prooflike NGC: Realized: $42,300