Gold Glows At Long Beach, Heritage’s Signature Auction

Long Beach, Calif.

:For the 59th time, Heritage Auction Galleries conducted a sale at the Long Beach Coin Expo, February 14–17. As expected, gold rarities engendered highly competitive bidding, resulting in a total of more than $14 million, once the online portion of the auction closed.

With several outstanding collections of gold being offered, Heritage President Greg Rohan thought there would be, "some incredible bidding opportunities. A pair of exceptional rarities shared top honors — a certified extra fine, 1854-S $2.50, and a 1795 $10, each sold for $345,000. Another dozen pieces of gold realized over $50,000 each."

The first to reach top lot status was the 1854-S $2.50, which, for collectors of the Liberty quarter eagles, is considered the ultimate issue. Not to be outshone, an extraordinary example of the early $10, which did not carry an actual denomination as part of the design, was the 1795 $10 with 13 leaves, which also went to $345,000. The 1854-S $2.50 came from the Rio Rancho collection, the 1795 $10 came from the Freedom collection.

Other consignors in the Long Beach catalog included the Matt and Susan Brown family collection of Saint-Gaudens double eagles; Great Falls collection; Dale A. Konigsburg collection, part two; Lanterman's Mill collection, part two; Frank J. McCarthy Jr collection; Rocky Top collection of Bust Half Dollars; Edward Sacks collection; Southern collection; and Twin Hollows collection, part two.

Other high flyers included an 1802/1 $2.50, with an obverse die that is called an overdate (a misstatement, according to Heritage's catalog), which brought $161,000; a 1930-S $20, a classic example of this rare date from the Brown family collection of Saint-Gaudens double eagles, which realized $126,500; the 1841 $2.50 is a proof-only quarter eagle and has been known almost since the day it was made, this example sold for $109,250.

As part of the Long Beach auction, Heritage had an offering of numismatic tokens, medals and "so-called" dollars, which also posted impressive results, realizing $282,557 for 817 lots offered.

"This is a fascinating field that grows stronger and stronger with each auction," said Harvey Gamer, consignment director for Heritage. "Each piece represents a fascinating glimpse into America's history, and provides an opportunity for dedicated numismatists to expand their collecting horizons beyond traditional coins."

Token, medal and "so-called" dollar highlights of the February auction included a 1959 Hawaii Statehood gold medal that sold for $10,350; two 1826, Erie Canal Completions were among the top lots, realizing $8,625 for one with an MS61 rating from NGC and the other, with an MS60 rating, achieved $5,750. From British South Africa, an 1877-8-9 military medal awarded posthumously had an 1877-8-9 bar, and also sold for $5,750.

All prices given include the buyer's premium. Heritage Auction Galleries are at 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th floor, Dallas, Texas.

For more information, 800-872-6467, extension 272, or www.HA.com.