Heritage Auctions’ July 16 to 18 sale of more than 1,400 lots of United States coins held in conjunction with the summer edition of the Florida United Numismatists Convention in Orlando realized prices totaling $12,398,453.
A 22% buyer’s fee was added to the closing price of each lot.
1797 Draped Bust half dollar
A newly documented 1797 Draped Bust half dollar, Overton 101a (cataloged in United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836 by Donald Parsley, based on the original work by Al C. Overton), certified by Professional Coin Grading Service as Very Fine 20, set an auction record for the grade when it sold for $91,500.
Combined mintages for the 1796 and 1797 Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollars totaled just 3,918 pieces, and nearly every surviving example had been traced, according to the lot description. This coin was not listed in the comprehensive roster by numismatist Jon Amato and could not be linked to an auction appearance during the previous quarter century.
Its smooth wear, intact rims and strong remaining definition made it an important addition to the known population.
1861-S Paquet Reverse $20
Certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Co. as About Uncirculated 55, an 1861-S Coronet, Paquet Reverse gold $20 double eagle realized $128,100.
The coin was one of the few collectible remnants of a fascinating experiment in U.S. coinage history, when U.S. Mint Engraver Anthony C. Paquet redesigned the double eagle reverse for the beginning of the 1861 production year. However, officials at the Philadelphia Mint quickly discontinued the design after determining the rim’s design was too narrow.
By the time news of the order to stop production reached the San Francisco Mint, 19,250 Paquet-design double eagles already had been struck. An estimated 200 survived to that time. The issue was included at No. 11 among numismatic author Jeff Garrett’s 100 Greatest United States Coins.
1861 CSA restrike cent
From circa 1874, late 19th century coin dealer John W. Haseltine’s copper restrike of an 1861-dated Confederate States of America cent pattern, graded PCGS Proof 63 brown, realized $32,940.
The obverse featured what Heritage had described as the “French Liberty Head” design with Liberty wearing a pileus on her head. The reverse wreath depicted a bale of cotton along with tobacco, corn, maple and two barrels. The engraver Robert Lovett’s initial was seen on the cotton bale.
The lot description quoted Haseltine’s description of the piece: “The dies...were made by Mr. Lovett, of Philadelphia in 1861. Mr. Lovett says that they were ordered in 1861, for the South, and that the dies were delivered. Previous to delivering the dies, he struck twelve pieces, but showed them to no one and kept the matter quiet, fearing that he might be arrested if it were known.
“It was not until about six months since Mr. Lovett parted with all he had (either ten or twelve) to Dr. E. Maris, of Philadelphia, from whom this one was obtained.
“Although it is evident that the Southern Confederacy did not adopt this piece, still it will always be considered interesting and valuable as the only coinage designed for the Southern Confederacy, and will no doubt bring a high price.
“I have been somewhat particular in giving the facts about this piece, as there are persons who always sneer at and doubt anything new and interesting that is discovered by other than themselves.”
Prices realized for other highlights in the July 16 to 18 auction by Heritage included:
➤ 1888 Coronet gold $20 double eagle, PCGS Proof 64, Deep Cameo, $170,800.
➤ 1930-S Indian Head gold $10 eagle, PCGS MS-64+, with approval sticker from Certified Acceptance Grading Company, $112,850.
➤ 1920-S Indian Head eagle, NGC MS-61, $97,600.
➤ 1795 Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle, gold $5 half eagle, NGC MS-62, $94,550.
➤ 1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. Small Head, pioneer gold $20 coin, recovered from the S.S. Central America, PCGS AU-55, $91,500.
➤ 1920-S Saint-Gaudens double eagle, PCGS MS-62, $91,500.
➤ 1907 Saint-Gaudens, High Relief, Flat Rim double eagle, NGC MS-66, $91,500.
➤ 1870-CC Coronet eagle, NGC EF-45, $91,500.
➤ 1796 Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle Reverse gold $10 eagle, PCGS AU-53, $85,400.