Central States Auctions Close at $33.7 Million

The Central States Numismatic Society Convention in Chicago featured four distinct Heritage auctions during the period April 24-29, covering U.S. Coins, World Coins, U.S. Currency, and World Currency. Overall, these…

The Central States Numismatic Society Convention in Chicago featured four distinct Heritage auctions during the period April 24-29, covering U.S. Coins, World Coins, U.S. Currency, and World Currency. Overall, these auctions raised over $33.7 million for their consignors during the festivities. All prices realized include a 20% Buyer's Premium.

The Signature auction of U.S. coins provided for the bulk of the sales at the convention, realizing close to $19.5 million overall. The top lot in the auction was a 1792 Silver Center cent, listed as Judd-1 and graded SP35 by PCGS. A mere twelve examples are known of this piece, an experimental issue generally believed to be the first produced inside the walls of the US Mint. This coin sold for $336,000.

A 1792 Silver Center cent, graded SP35 by PCGS sold for $336,000.

Additional highlights among U.S. coins included examples such as the following:

  • 1792 Disme, Judd-10, SP25 PCGS sold for: $186,000
  • 1905 $20 PR65+ Ultra Cameo NGC sold for: $180,000
  • Blake & Co. Gold Ingot. 19.15 Ounces sold for: $168,000
  • Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 48.74 Ounces sold for: $144,000
  • 1914 $2 1/2 PR67+ PCGS. CAC sold for: $138,000
  • 1851 Humbert Fifty Dollar, Lettered Edge, 880 Thous. MS61 NGC. Kagin-2, Without '50' On Reverse sold for: $132,000
  • 1915-S Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 NGC sold for: $120,000

The Signature world coin auction saw just short of $8 million in numismatic rarities change hands. Its top lot was a 1642-dated Triple Unite from the reign of Charles I. The iconic Triple Unite denomination is the largest hammered gold coin to ever be produced in England, and this awe-inspiring example was certified an incredible MS61 by NGC. It changed hands for $180,000. Additional highlights included treasures such as:

Of all the Charles I 'Declaration' coins, none are so impressive nor celebrated as the Triple Unite represented here in incredible Mint State.
  • Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded To Aage Niels Bohr 1975, UNC sold for: $108,000
  • LYDIAN KINGDOM. Croesus and later (ca. 561-546 BC). AV stater. NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5. "Light" standard, ca. 553-539 BC. sold for: $90,000
  • Brazil: Pernambuco. Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) gold Klippe 3 Guilders (Florins) 1645 MS63 NGC, KM5.3, Fr-3 sold for: $66,000
  • Great Britain: Mary I (Sole Regnant, 1553-1554) gold "Fine" Sovereign of 30 Shillings 1553 AU58 NGC, Tower mint, Pomegranate mm, S-2488 sold for: $60,000
  • Great Britain: George V gold Sovereign 1917 MS65 NGC, KM820, S-3996 sold for: $50,400
Less than 20 of these notes are known from all districts combined, making them much scarcer than their 1934 counterparts.

High denomination notes led the results as the Signature Currency auction raised close to $4.3 million overall. A Series 1928 $5000 Federal Reserve Note, graded Choice Very Fine 35 by PCGS and printed for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, led all results with a hammer price of $156,000. Fewer than 20 series 1928 $5000 notes are known from all districts combined, making them much scarcer than their 1934 counterparts - two of which were also offered in this auction. Top lots in this auction included:

The Fr. 2221-E $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG About Uncirculated 55 shown here sold for $144,000. Another specimen, Fr. 2221-G $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG Very Fine 30, sold for $72,000.
  • 2231-G $10,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG About Uncirculated 55 sold for: $114,000
  • 1220 $1,000 1922 Gold Certificate PMG Choice Very Fine 35 EPQ sold for: $66,000
  • 320 $20 1891 Silver Certificate PMG Superb Gem Unc 67 EPQ sold for: $50,400

Offerings in the World Currency Signature Auction raised nearly $2 million, highlighted by a Specimen Book from the Banque de Syrie (Syria), featuring a total of twenty-four rare specimen notes glued into its pages. This unusual item sold for $60,000.

Heritage’s next signature auction of U.S. coins is scheduled for June 5-10 in Long Beach, while offerings of both World Coins and World Currency are scheduled for June 26-28 in Hong Kong. View these auctions now at coins.HA.com and currency.HA.com. All images courtesy of Heritage Auctions.