US Coins

Heritage's 2016 auctions total $850 million

By Colin Sallee

Published: Feb 7, 2017, 6 AM

This 1894-S Barber dime was among the most expensive coins sold by Heritage during 2016. It sold for just under $2 million at the 2016 FUN auctions.

Original images courtesy of Heritage Auctions

Heritage Auctions’ 2016 performance as a company achieved some numbers that might look familiar.

In 2016, more than $850 million changed hands between Heritage and collectors in all of the hobbies it serves, falling only slightly short of the firm’s $860 million total for 2015.

It was the company’s third-best year ever in terms of prices realized, according to the firn.

Of the $850 million worth of items sold by Heritage in 2016, more than $190 million worth were U.S. coins. The Professional Numismatists Guild annual survey reports the Heritage total is 56 percent of the entire U.S. coin auctions market for 2016.

Heritage's world coin auctions chipped in $47 million, while the paper money auctions hauled in $29 million.

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January 2017 saw $70 million in prices realized for the firm, which includes the 2017 FUN convention auctions.

Heritage, which just opened a new Chicago office, deals in all sorts of collectibles. Of the $850 million, fine art made the biggest leap, jumping 28 percent in total sales from 2015 to 2016.

Heritage co-chairman James Halperin touted his firm’s transparency and overall client-oriented approach.

“Through diversity, transparency and ardent attention to our clients, Heritage solidified and increased its commanding lead as the largest auction house founded in America,” Halperin said.

Below are some other notable categories that helped Heritage record its third-strongest year ever:

— Heritage’s Sports auctions grew from $42 million in 2015 to $57.4 million in 2016.
— Heritage’s Comics and Comic & Animation Art Auction category saw prices realized jump from $34 million to a record $43 million.
— Fine Jewelry, Timepieces and Luxury Accessories at Heritage combined for more than $41.7 million in auction totals, versus more than $26 million in 2015.

Halperin said he is encouraged with last year’s sales, and anticipates a fruitful 2017, too.

“We are already seeing extremely positive results from the first coin auctions of the year,” he said. “Meanwhile, our plans to expand into other markets and geographic regions are on track.”