Ancient & World Coins Auction Realizes $5 Million At Heritage's Sept. 2008 $35 Million Long Beach Event

Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries' Signature® Auction of Ancient and World Coins at the Long Beach Coin Expo realized $5 million, part of a full suite of numismatic auctions also including U.S. coins, currency, and tokens & medals which realized $35 million - a record for Heritage at Long Beach. The Long Beach Signature Auctions were held September 17-21, 2008. Complete auction results are now posted on Heritage's HA.com website, including full-color images, descriptions, and prices realized for all of the Long Beach lots.

"Not surprising, half of the top selling lots in the auction were Russian rarities," explained Warren Tucker, Heritage's Director of World Coin Auctions. "Chinese rarities also continue in strong demand. This has been the case over the last several years, and these trends so no signs of abating, as significant world rarities head home following dollar flows."

"Heritage is currently accepting ancient and world coin consignments for our Official Auction at the January 2009 NYINC," concluded Tucker. "I invite collectors to call for more information at 800-872-6467 ext 1287."

Highlights from Heritage's September 2008 Long Beach Signature Auction:

• Lot 20766: China, 2000 Lunar Series gold 2000 Yuan, KM1327, #6 of 15. Realized $126,500.
• Lot 22454: South Africa Republic gold Pond 1902, KM11, Friedberg 4, MS66 NGC, the famous "Veld Pond" struck under siege at Pilgrim's Rest during the final year of the Boer War. Realized $92,000.
• Lot 22227: Russia Nicholas II, Alexander III Monument Commemorative Rouble 1912, Bit-330, Uzd-4199, MS65 NGC. Realized $80,500.
• Lot 21284: Great Britain Victoria gold Proof 5 Pound 1839 "UNA AND THE LION", KM-742, S-3851, DIRIGE in reverse legend instead of DIRIGIT, 13 leaves in the rear fillet, lettered edge. Realized $43,125.
• Lot 22140: Russia Nicholas I Novodel 1-1/2 Family Rouble 1836, obverse signed П.У., reverse unsigned, Bit-H889, Choice AU. Realized $31,625.
• Lot 20055: Ptolemaic Kingdom. Period of Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VIII, Kings of Egypt, 180-116 BC. Gold Octodrachm (27.65 g), Alexandria. Issued in the name of Arsinoê II. Svoronos 1498-9; SNG Cop. 321-2; SNG Delepierre 3063 (as head of Cleopatra I); Dewing Coll. 2762. Virtually mint state. Realized $28,750.
• Lot 20710: China Kweichow Auto Dollar Year 17 (1928), KM-Y428, L&M-611, variety with different car doors, MS61 NGC. From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection. Realized $27,600.
• Lot 22295: Russia Peter I gold medal Commemorating the Coronation of Catherine I, 18 May 1724, Conjoined busts of Peter I (OK on sleeve) and Catherine I, Diakov 60.4 (R4), 43 mm, XF details, ex: jewelry. Realized $25,300.
• Lot 22036: Poland Alexander I gold 25 Zlotych 1825-IB, KM-C102a, Gum-2528, lustrous XF-AU. Realized $24,150.

To discuss consigning coins or currency to an upcoming auction, please call the Heritage Consignor Hotlines at 800-872-6467 ext. 1000 (Coins); or ext. 1001 (Currency).

Heritage Auction Galleries is the world's third largest auction house, and by far the largest auctioneer of rare collectibles, with annual sales over $600 million, and 375,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage's auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.