Heritage's Philadelphia 2000 Sale Undeniable Rarities, Unsurpassable Prices

Dallas, Texas: Heritage Numismatic Auctions' Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale was conducted August 6-7 and realized a staggering $4,582,856.00. "Our staff, as well as our faithful bidders, predicted a strong auction performance," stated Bob Korver, Heritage's Director of Auctions. "No amount of anticipation, however, could have prepared us for either the total prices realized or the ease with which certain coins shattered previous numismatic records. I myself am flushed with excitement."

The single most publicized coin in the sale, the coin that drew Philadelphia reporters to the Marriott Courtyard at 21 North Juniper on both days of the auction, was the Sacagawea dollar-Washington quarter mule error. "The media's interest in this coin was unflagging since the moment that it arrived at our Dallas world headquarters," noted Heritage VP Greg Rohan. "The press coverage included television and radio stations across the country as well as every major network in Philadelphia. This advertising campaign undoubtedly deserves most of the credit for the mule's strong realized price of $31,050. The buyer, a West coast collector, wishes to remain anonymous."

Of equal significance to national media is the 1836 Name Below Base Gobrecht dollar, Judd-63 Restrike, Pollock-63 that was offered as lot 6174. This coin also received considerable press coverage, no doubt due to its status as a 'rediscovery' piece. According to Heritage Cataloger Jeff Ambio, "This coin disappeared from the numismatic spotlight after its appearance in a 1968 Lester Merkin Sale. Unfortunately, its subsequent owner(s) were unaware of its identity as one of only three known examples of the Judd-63 Restrike variety. The story resumes in 1979-1980 when a Michigan Philanthropist received the coin along with several common Morgan dollars as payment for a debt owed to him. He recently donated several of his numismatic holdings to the Lake Michigan Academy. Luckily, the treasurer of this organization, Pat Mullen, is an avid coin collector who recognized the Gobrecht dollar as a significant rarity. With the help of Michigan dealer Steve Friedman, Mullen submitted the coin to PCGS where it was properly attributed and graded PR 62. It was consigned to our Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale shortly thereafter."

The current importance of the Gobrecht dollar surrounds its auction performance. "In addition to surpassing our estimate by more than $50,000 and realizing a staggering $98,900, the Judd-63 Restrike was also a wonderful example of the myriad services that Heritage offers to its bidders," continued Korver. "By the close of Internet bidding, seven bidders had entered bids for this coin. Heritage employees subsequently telephoned the two top Internet bidders from the auction floor, where they vigorously competed against one another to drive the realized price to the aforementioned sum. The proceeds from the sale of this coin are being donated to the Lake Michigan Academy, a school for learning disabled children."

The Senator C. Louis Bassano Collection of Mercury Dimes realized an astonishing $741,155, or 274% of the Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter (commonly referred to as the "Bluesheet") bid. The single highest realized price in this collection belongs to the PCGS-certified 1919-D MS 66 Full Bands, which became an object of fixation for two advanced collectors. "The auction room was a flurry of activity during the bidding for Senator Bassano's 1919-D dime," noted Ambio. "As the auctioneer called out each subsequent increment, every head in the room was turning back and forth between the two bidders with increased anticipation. One of the bidders even leaped to her feet with excitement. The eventual winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, displayed some of the most masterful bidding that I have ever seen at a Heritage auction."

Highlights from the Dr. Jeff Hosford Collection:

• 1807 Draped Bust half dollar, MS 62 NGC. O-105, R.2. Realized: 4,485.
• 1836 Gobrecht dollar, PR 61 PCGS. Name on Base. Judd-60 Original, Pollock-65, R.2. Realized: $8,338.
• 1895 Morgan dollar, PR 61 PCGS. Realized: $18,975.
• 1798 Capped Bust Right, Large Eagle half eagle, XF 45 PCGS. Small 8. B. 4-F, Miller-29, R.4. Realized: $3,565.
• 1811 Capped Bust Left half eagle, AU 58 NGC. Small 5. B. 1-B, Miller-116, R.4. Realized: $4,205.
• 1813 Capped Head Left half eagle, AU 58 NGC. B. 1-A, Miller-119, R.5. Realized: $4,025.
• 1907 Liberty eagle, PR 64 PCGS. Realized: 15,525.
• 1900 Lafayette dollar, MS 65 NGC. Realized: $10,638.

Highlights from the Barry Southerland Collection of Liberty double eagles:

• 1855-S, MS 63 PCGS. Realized: $25,300.
• 1881, PR 62 PCGS. Ex: Trompeter. Realized: $27,025.

U.S. silver coinage highlights:

• 1900-O Barber quarter, MS 68 NGC. Ex: Eliasberg. Realized: $14,375.
• 1906-D Barber quarter, MS 67 PCGS. Ex: Eliasberg. Realized: $9,775.
• 1911-D Barber quarter, MS 67 PCGS. Ex: Eliasberg. Realized: $16,100.
• 1797 Draped Bust half dollar, Fine 12 PCGS. O-101a, R.5. Realized: $17,250.
• 1806 Draped Bust half dollar, MS 64 PCGS. Pointed 6, Stem. O-115a, R.2. Realized: 18,400.
• 1870-CC Seated half dollar, AU 50 PCGS. Realized: $18,400.
• 1873-CC Seated dollar, AU 53 PCGS. Realized: $31,625.
• 1876-CC Trade dollar, MS 63 NGC. Realized: $12,075.

U.S. gold coinage highlights:

• 1864 Liberty quarter eagle, PR 64 Cameo NGC. Realized: $13,225.
• 1896 Liberty quarter eagle, PR 66 Cameo NGC. Realized: $23,000.
• 1908 Indian quarter eagle, PR 66 NGC. Realized: 13,800.
• 1855 three dollar, MS 66 NGC. Realized: $25,875.
• 1872 three dollar, PR 64 PCGS. Realized: $14,950.
• 1888 three dollar, PR 66 Cameo NGC. Realized: $23,000.
• 1879 Flowing Hair four dollar, PR 63 PCGS. Judd-1635, Pollock-1833, R.3. Realized: $52,900.
• 1805 Capped Bust Right, Large Eagle half eagle, MS 63 PCGS. Ex: Bass. Realized: $11,213.
• 1864 Liberty half eagle, PR 64 Cameo NGC. Realized: $23,288.
• 1859-O Liberty eagle, AU 53 PCGS. Ex: Bass. Realized: $13,225.
• 1867 Liberty eagle, PR 65 Cameo NGC. Ex: Trompeter. Realized: $49,450.
• 1884 Liberty eagle, PR 65 NGC. Ex: Trompeter. Realized: $33,350.
• 1906 Liberty eagle, PR 66 PCGS. Ex: Trompeter. Realized: $31,625.
• 1867 Liberty double eagle, PR 65 Cameo NGC. Ex: Trompeter. Realized: $86,250.
• 1908-S Saint-Gaudens double eagle, MS 63 PCGS. Realized: $12,075.
• 1920-S Saint-Gaudens double eagle, MS 64 PCGS. Realized: 44,850.
• 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle, MS 62 NGC. Realized: $44,275.
• 1925-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle, MS 64 NGC. Realized: $12,650.

More information on consigning to upcoming auctions can be obtained by contacting the Heritage Consignor Hotline at 1-800-US COINS (800-872-6467) Ext. 222, or by visiting the Heritage website at HeritageCoins.com.