Finest Known 1920-S Eagle of Dr. Duckor Realizes $1,725,000 in Charlotte ANA Signature Auction

Dallas, TX: Prices realized from the Charlotte 2007 Signature Auction (March 15-16, 2007) climbed above $11,009,718, with the final prices expected to exceed $12 million after results are posted from Post Auction Buys and the Final Session (formerly OnLine Session). The catalog was prepared by Heritage Auction Galleries, and the auction was conducted by Robert Korver.

"Clearly the star of the auction was the astonishingly beautiful 1920-S Indian Eagle consigned by Dr. Steven Duckor," noted Bob Korver. "This came as no surprise to anyone who took advantage of lot viewing to examine this extraordinary example of the most important Saint-Gaudens Eagle, now certified as MS67 - and the single finest known - by PCGS. Lot 2134 opened at $600,000 after Internet bidding, and quickly passed the million dollar mark with six active bidders - two on the phones and four in the room. The final three bids involved two floor bidders, both standing in the back of the room, and who were, according to the underbidder, "VERY MUCH aware of each other!" but unable to see other. The hammer price was $1.5 million, and the 15% Buyer's Premium brought the final price to $1,725,000, which is the second highest price ever paid for a regular issue U.S. coin - second only to the $1.897 million paid for the finest known 1927-D $20 Saint in Heritage's Morse Sale in 2005."

"The price realized is indicative of the fine eye and astute collector sense of Dr. Duckor, who purchased this coin in June 1979 for $85,000 (a record at the time!). Several gold specialists have noted that the coin is the equal of other Eagles of other dates that have been certified as MS68 quality. This is the most important and desirable Saint-Gaudens Eagle in existence, and the new owner has a national treasure," concluded Korver.

"A pair of early dollars also realized exceptional prices. Lot 865, a 1795 Flowing Hair dollar of the Three Leaves B-5, BB-27 variety, was certified MS64 by PCGS. This lot realized $212,750, and featured a continuous pedigree for nearly a century, including Ropes, Clapp, Clapp, and Eliasberg.

Lot 889 was an extraordinary 1799 $1 No Berries B-11, BB-161 variety certified MS66 by PCGS, and which realized $379,500. This stunning Premium Gem, gleaming with aesthetic appeal, is probably the finest known 1799 silver dollar of any die variety."

Additional March 2007 Charlotte ANA U.S. Coin highlights:

Lot 278: 1920-D Nickel MS66 PCGS
Price realized: $97,750
A remarkable superior quality Buffalo nickel rarity; none certified finer.

Lot 742: 1797 half dollar XF45 PCGS, O-101a, High R.4
Price realized: $143,750
This two-year type coin saw a minuscule mintage of 3,918 pieces.

Lot 807: 1864-S half dollar MS67 NGC.
Price realized: $74,750
This is the single finest proof 1867 half dollar certified by either NGC or PCGS.

Lot 833: 1867 half dollar PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC.
Price realized: $40,250
This is the single finest proof 1867 half dollar certified by either NGC or PCGS.

Lot 864: 1795 Flowing Hair $1, Three Leaves AU55 PCGS. B-5, BB-27, R.1. Die State III.
Price realized: $23,000
This is the most common of all the 1795 varieties, and an important type coin.

Lot 948: 1851 $1 Restrike PR63 Cameo PCGS.
Price realized: $35,938
These Restrike silver dollars are sometimes also known as the Centered Date dollars, compared to the higher date position of Original strikes.

Lot 958: 1867 $1 PR67 Cameo NGC.
Price realized: $23,000
It seems incredible that there are four different die varieties for the 625 proof dollars struck in 1867.

Lot 1407: 1895 $1 PR66 Cameo NGC.
Price realized: $63,250
A spectacular example of the classic rarity.

Lot 1575: 1864 Indian cent/ 1868 Flying Eagle Cent Mule, Judd-362, PR62 PCGS.
Price realized: $63,250
A mule that combines the regular Indian cent die from 1864 (No L) with the obverse of an 1858 Flying Eagle cent, struck in copper-nickel.

Lot 1582: 1869 5-cent/Indian cent mule, Judd-691, PR64 PCGS.
Price realized: $69,000
Ex: A.S. Jenks (Cogan, 4/1877); Lorin Parmelee (New York Coin & Stamp Co., 6/1890); Brenner-1914 ANS; Waldo Newcomer; Fred E. Olsen (B. Max Mehl, 11/1944); The Palace Collection/Farouk (Sotheby's, 2/1954); Dr. James O. Sloss.

Lot 1821: 1909 $2.50 PR65 NGC.
Price realized: $37,375
The 1909 issue was struck with a satiny finish known to collectors as "Roman Gold"; only six certified finer.

Lot 1888: 1806 $5 Round Top 6, 7x6 Stars MS64 PCGS. Breen-6448, BD-6, R.2.
Price realized: $46,000
This is the only early half eagle die marriage with the obverse stars arranged seven left, and six right, relative to LIBERTY.

Lot 1893: 1812 $5 MS64 PCGS. Wide 5D, Breen-6466, BD-1, R.3.
Price realized: $34,500
1812 is the final date of the Capped Bust Left type, which had been struck since 1807.

Lot 1895: 1814/3 $5 MS64 NGC. Breen-6468, BD-1, High R.4.
Price realized: $48,875
These are the only dies for the date.

Lot 2000: 1888 $5 PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC.
Price realized: $40,250
The Philadelphia Mint produced only 95 proof half eagles dated 1888.Ex: Byron Reed Collection (Spink/Christie's, 10/96), lot 147.

Lot 2030: 1929 $5 MS64 PCGS.
Price realized: $31,050
The final issue of the series, and thus the denomination among regular issue coinage.

Lot 2105: 1907 $10 Wire Rim MS66 NGC.
Price realized: $80,500
The first issue of the Indian eagles, showing the artistic genius of Augustus Saint-Gaudens; only 8 certified finer.

Lot 2227: 1860-O $20 AU53 PCGS.
Price realized: $63,250
Among the finest survivors.

Lot 2332: 1890 $20 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC.
Price realized: $86,250
Just 55 proofs were minted; only two certified finer. Ex: BRS Legacy Collection.

Lot 2339: 1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim MS65 PCGS.
Price realized: $46,000
Multiple strikes at extreme pressure were required to bring up all of the detail on these intricately designed gold pieces.

Lot 2423: 1926-D $20 MS64 PCGS.
Price realized: $69,000
One of the finest known survivors. Ex: Brahin.

Lot 2439: 1852 $50 Assay Office Fifty Dollar, 887 Thous. AU58 PCGS. K-13, Low R.5.
Price realized: $66,700
A high-grade example of this rare territorial "slug."

Lot 2440: 1852 $50 Assay Office Fifty Dollar, 887 Thous. MS61 NGC. K-13, Low R.5.
Price realized: $103,500
NGC has certified only four pieces finer.

Lot 2462: Harris, Marchand & Co. Gold Ingot. 13.52 oz.
Price realized: $129,950
The ingot is stamped HARRIS, MARCHAND & Co., 807. FINE, No 6488, $225.54, and 15.52 OZ.

Lot 2464: Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 92.74 oz.
Price realized: $132,250
Bright yellow-gold coloration with none of the often-seen rust stains.

Lot 2465: Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 103.85 oz.
Price realized: $129,950
This moderate-sized ingot represented almost $2,000 in value in 1857.

Lot 2468: 1855 $50 Wass Molitor Fifty Dollar AU55 NGC.K-9, R.5.
Price realized: $74,750
These massive gold pieces were coined late in the California Gold Rush era.