Heritage 2007 Survey Prizes Awarded:

Mint State High Relief $20
ANA Life Membership
More than 35 Other Winners!

Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries has selected more than 40 winners in their 2007 Auction Survey. The Grand Prize winner, East coast collector Dave Guerra, will receive a High Relief Saint-Gaudens $20. Additionally, an ANA Life Membership was awarded to a numismatist from Pennsylvania, five ANA members won five-year memberships, and twenty one-year ANA memberships were awarded. Another ten ANA members won $100 gift certificates to the ANA Gift Shop/ catalog. Five Second Prize winners won the ability to auction $100,000 with no Sellers Fee, and ten Third Prize winners can auction $50,000 with no Sellers Fee. Five additional winners received Mint State Saint-Gaudens $20 gold coins.

"When we called Mr. Guerra," explained Leo Frese, Heritage's Director of Consign­­ments, "we were naturally eager to give him the great news. Unfortun­ately, his wife explained that he couldn't come to the phone (or Internet!) for 3-4 weeks as he was in Africa working on a special forestry project! This is the first time something like this has happened in more than a decade of awarding High Relief twenties. When we did finally got in touch, he was ecstatic to have won."

"What a great way to end a fantastic trip," enthused Mr. Guerra, "by hearing about winning from Heritage! I enjoy helping other countries responsibly develop their natural resources, and this felt like a nice 'thank you' after the typically uncomfortable living conditions I have had to endure. I've entered Heritage's survey contest several times, but never thought I would be lucky enough to win."

Dave has been a collector since the 1960s when he was a paperboy, collecting out of the change given by his customers; although the coins weren't worth much more than silver content, he has kept some for sentimental reasons. Active collecting was on hold during college and starting his career, but he did collect some foreign currency on his overseas travels. When he moved back east in the 1980s, he became more serious. Reviewing his early assortment of paper route coins, he was thrilled to discover among the bullion coins an elusive 1942/1 Denver dime. He eventually sold that rarity to fund his growing interest in early commemoratives, colonials, early proof type, and Canadian coins."

Dave noted that he "was looking for a challenge in early 2000 when I saw a lovely Red Proof-64 2-cent piece at a local coin show. I felt they had more eye appeal and value than regular issues, and I began a five-year quest for a silver/nickel proof type. I'm really fussy about my coins, seeking eye appeal and strong mirrors (preferably with cameo contrast). I finished my type set last year, and have been considering my next area of pursuit. I will probably keep the High Relief for awhile, and enjoy the history and beauty associated with it; that's what collecting coins is for me. I always stress to new collectors that coins may go up in value and you may make money from them, but profit shouldn't be why you collect."

Dave concluded: "Heritage is one of my favorite auction companies, especially for their personal service. They have worked with me over the years with access to great experts, and honest verbal descriptions of coins. Their staff have gone the extra mile in several cases, and I have never been disappointed in a coin won in their auctions."

Images, descriptions, and prices realized from all of Heritage's previous auctions are available in the Permanent Auction Archives at the Heritage website, www.HA.com.

To reserve a copy of the catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Client Services, Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467.