Simpson, Paramount Offerings Lead $20 Million Auction
Despite Heritage Auctions’ February U.S. Coin Signature sale being delayed by weather, the results did not suffer. Nearly $20.6 million in rare coins changed hands during the Feb. 23-25 sales….
Despite Heritage Auctions' February U.S. Coin Signature sale being delayed by weather, the results did not suffer. Nearly $20.6 million in rare coins changed hands during the Feb. 23-25 sales. (All prices include a 20 percent buyer's premium.)
The auction opened with an offering of 309 selections from the Bob R. Simpson Collection, part four of the firm's ongoing offerings of the collection. All told, these coins sold for just under $7.9 million, led by the finest known 1795 O-117 half dollar, which sold for $552,000.
This coin, graded MS-65+ by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), is the finest of the O-117 early die state variety by two grade points, and one of a mere five of any 1795 variety certified in MS-65 by the major grading services combined.
Additional results from the Bob R. Simpson Collection included:
1943 cent struck on a bronze planchet, MS-62 Brown PCGS. CAC. Sold for: $372,000.
1815 25C B-1, MS-67+star Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). CAC. Sold for: $198,000.
1855 G$1 Type Two MS-67+ PCGS. CAC. Sold for: $156,000.
1794 half dime in copper, Judd-15, R.8, MS-64 Brown PCGS. CAC. Sold for: $156,000.
1851 G$1 MS-68+ PCGS. CAC. Sold for: $108,000.
1873 T$1 Trade dollar, Judd-1303, R.8, PR-65 Cameo PCGS. CAC. Sold for: $108,000.
1916-S $5 MS-66 PCGS. Sold for: $105,000.
1838 $1 Name Omitted, Judd-84 restrike, R.5 struck over an 1859 silver dollar, PR-64 PCGS. CAC. Sold for: $102,000.
The Paramount Collection, represented more fully in Heritage's March 25-27 auction of World Coins, contributed a small number of important coins to this auction as well. Primary among these was the 1907 Ultra High Relief double eagle, graded Proof-68 by NGC, which sold for $3.6 million.
The 1907 Ultra High Relief double eagles are among the rarest and most valuable coins in the U.S. series, but their classic beauty and artistic appeal set them apart from all other numismatic treasures. This coin, pedigreed to the Norweb collection, exhibits three-dimensional sculptural design elements that show sharp definition.
"It possesses a combination of almost perfect technical quality, tremendous visual appeal, and intense historic interest," Heritage describes.
A second Paramount Collection coin, the 1880 Coiled Hair stella, graded PR-67 Cameo by NGC , topped the seven-figure mark at $1,860,000.
All told, the Paramount Collection realized more than $6.5 million in this auction alone.
For complete details, visit Heritage online.
