Castle Collection of Indian Head Cents Could Bring Seven Figures

DALLAS, Texas (June 5, 2019) — Heritage Auctions is honored to announce it has been chosen to present The Castle Collection of Indian Cents — the world's finest examples obtainable of this widely collected 19th century set — at the ANA's World's Fair of Money in August. The Castle Collection is estimated to bring seven figures when it makes its auction debut, based on its completeness and rare issues in extraordinary condition.

"In all the years I've seen complete sets, none compare to the standout pieces in The Castle Collection," said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. "This is truly a magnificent collection that many of the most advanced collectors have never seen. The current owner of the Castle Collection is very savvy and it's easy to see that he took a true connoisseur's approach to acquiring these coins."

Far beyond advertisements, Heritage executives are strategizing and executing a uniquely tailored marketing campaign for the equally unique collection. Features include:

Assigning Heritage's coin experts to review every piece and, in some cases resubmitting many for regrading and seeking Certified Acceptance Corporation evaluation
Exhibiting the collection during June's Long Beach Coin Show and at the summer Florida United Numismatics Convention Expo in July
Accommodating clients and dealers visiting its Dallas headquarters to preview the collection, and arranging for special viewings at Heritage's New York City and Beverly Hills offices
Meeting one-on-one with clients who have the potential to become new Indian cent collectors

The dedicated attention is built around the understanding that copper is notoriously difficult to obtain with intact original surfaces, and the early years from the 1860s and 1870s are rarely encountered. All of the regular issues from these early years are represented in The Castle Collection by full red, high-grade pieces.

1873 Cent, MS65 Red and Brown. Snow-1, FS-101, Doubled LIBERTY. Tied atop the condition census. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)

Among the most challenging issues in the Indian cent series are the 1873 Doubled LIBERTY, MS65 Red and Brown, a coin that is rarely found in mint condition, much less with any original mint luster.

1877 Indian Cent, MS66 Red. This example is tied for the finest known of this key issue. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)

The low-mintage, key 1877 is an MS66 Red coin, the seldom-encountered 1888/7 is represented by an MS64 Red and Brown example and the 1894 Doubled Date cent grades MS66 Red.

1888/7 Cent, MS64 Red and Brown: Colorful, Semiprooflike Snow-1, FS-301 coin. It’s the single finest certified. The variety features clear remnants of an underlying 7 above and below the last 8 in the date. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)

1899 Indian Cent, MS68 Red. The finest coin in the series. Both sides appear to be blemish-free with fabulous mint luster. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)

All the coins in the Castle Collection are PCGS certified (several in old green holders) and the majority of the coins have received CAC and Eagle Eye Photo Seal endorsement. The Castle Collection is in the PCGS Hall of Fame, and is the #1 set in both the Basic Set and Major Varieties Categories. It received the Gold Award Winner as All-Time Finest in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. The set was also a Platinum Award Winning set in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

1909-S Indian Cent, MS67 Red. The only superb gem at either service. While contemporary collectors have been bee provided several circulating low-grade Mint state examples, the 1909-S with rare full Red color, remains rare in grades exceeding MS64. (Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)

Other highlights in this finest-known set include:

1860 cent, MS67+ PCGS. CAC
1868 cent MS66+ Red PCGS. CAC. Ex: Joshua and Ally Walsh Collection
1869 cent, MS66+ Red PCGS. Ex: Joshua and Ally Walsh Collection
1871 cent, MS66 Red PCGS, Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1872 cent, MS66 Red PCGS, Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1873 Doubled LIBERTY cent, MS65 Red and Brown PCGS, Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1877 cent, MS66 Red PCGS. CAC, Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1882 cent, MS67 Red PCGS, Ex: Joshua and Ally Walsh Collection
1886 Variety 2 cent, MS66 Red PCGS. CAC, Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1887 cent, MS67+ Red PCGS. CAC
1888/7 cent MS64 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC, Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1888 cent, MS67 Red PCGS, Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1893 cent, MS67 Red PCGS. CAC, Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1894 Doubled Date cent, MS66 Red PCGS. CAC, Eagle Eye Photo Seal, Ex: Heathgate Collection
1896 cent, MS67 Red PCGS, Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1897 cent MS67+ Red PCGS. CAC
1899 cent, MS68 Red PCGS. Eagle Eye Photo Seal
1909-S cent, MS67 Red PCGS, Ex: Joshua and Ally Walsh Collection

Heritage Auctions' presentation of The Castle Collection of Indian Cents will take place during auctions held in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money, Aug. 13-20, in Chicago. Pre-auction bidding on the collection begins approximately July 25 on HA.com and the entire collection will be on full preview Aug. 11-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd., Rosemont, IL 60018.

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Numismatic News StaffAuthor