Press Release: Heritage Auctions: $38+ Million Sold in U.S. & World Coins and Currency at ANA

DALLAS – Heritage Auctions sold more than $38 million worth of U.S., World & Ancient Coins and Currency at auction at the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money, Aug. 9-13 in Anaheim, California. Sell-through rates exceed 95 percent across the board, with U.S. Coins seeing a startling 98.7 percent lots sold; 92 percent of all World & Ancient Coins sold; while Currency sales were 94 percent sold by value.

“Heritage’s ANA auctions saw an incredibly active bidder participation rate,” said Jim Halperin, Co-chairman of Heritage Auctions. “$38 million in sales includes two world records and a total sell through rate of over 95 percent sold by value and 97.6 percent sold by lot.”

U.S. coins dominated the week with more than $27,106,752 in total sales and more than 6,520 bidders participating. Top lots include the 1792 P1C Birch Cent, Judd-5, Pollock-6, R.8 MS61, for $517,000, which garnered headlines around the world. A 1880 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1657, Pollock-1857, R.6, PR65 NGC, ended at $352,500 and a 1792 P1C One Cent, Judd-1, Pollock-1, High R.6, SP35 PCGS Secure cleared $352,500. A total of 17 lots brought six-figure selling prices.

World & Ancient Coins realized $9,217,626 in total sales, as a Great Britain William & Mary gold “Elephant & Castle” 5 Guineas 1692, MS63 PCGS, chased by six bidders, sell for $258,500.

Two world records were set during Heritages’ World Coins auctions: One of seven known 1933 George V penny set a world record for a coin of its type when a British phone bidder bested two American floor bidders with a $193,875 bid. The auction price nearly doubled the previous world record for a 1933 George V penny. A 1732 Mexican Philip V 8 Reales, considered America’s first milled “silver dollar,” set the week’s second world record when it ended at $152,750.

Ancient coins performed well as a Jewish War Year 5 Shekel, found at Masada, sold for $211,500 and a superb specimen of a Ptolemy I Soter gold sater, as founding King of Ptolemaic Egypt (305-282 BC), brought $94,000.

The Aug. 11 Currency auction saw $1,817,050 in total sales. Three top lots included a classic $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64, which sold for $152,750; a $10,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG About Uncirculated 55 brought $129,250. A rare, $50 1864 Compound Interest Treasury Note PMG Very Fine 30 Net – a discovery note – ended at $129,250.

“We always schedule special pieces for these annual auctions, and bidders responded,” Halperin said.