1870 Carson City Double Eagle brings $188,000

Famous rarities were the name of the game in Heritage’s US Coins Signature® Auction, Oct. 8-13, held in New York in conjunction with the PNG New York Invitational. The auction raced to a more than $11.1 million total.The auction featured six coins selling for more than $100,000, led by an 1870-CC double eagle, graded VF30 by PCGS, which sold for $188,000.

1870-cc-$20“The 1870-CC double eagle is considered one of the keys to the entire Liberty double eagle series, and is by far the rarest double eagle struck in Carson City,” said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage. “With only 35-45 pieces known overall, and no examples known in mint state grades, pieces in any grade attract spirited bidding and high prices, as well evidenced by the bidding in New York.”

An 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, graded Proof-64 by PCGS crossed the block for a solid $165,675 price realized. The Stella, or $4 gold piece, is an odd denomination struck in an early attempt to create an international currency. Although technically patterns, Stellas have long been listed in the Red Book and they enjoy great popularity and corresponding high prices.

The 1796 quarter – a coin that is highly sought-after by top level collectors – is the first example of the denomination produced by the US Mint; a one year type coin with a tiny mintage of just over 6,000 pieces. The auction featured two mint state examples of this issue, both graded by PCGS – a Mint State 64 example that sold for $164,500 and an MS63 piece that brought $152,750. A third example graded Fine-12 sold for $21,737.

Further highlights include, but are not limited to:

  • 1872 $20 PR64 PCGS CAC: Realized $135,125.
  • 1907 $20 High Relief PR67 NGC: Realized $129,250.
  • 1921 $20 MS61 PCGS Secure: Realized $99,875.
  • 1858 $3 PR65 PCGS. CAC. Ex: Trompeter, finest certified at PCGS: Realized $94,000.
  • 1831 10C PR66 Cameo PCGS CAC, possibly unique as a Proof: Realized $70,500.
  • 1867 $10 PR64 Cameo NGC CAC: Realized $54,344.

Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of more than $900 million, and 850,000+ online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.

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