NGC Graded Tacasyl Collection Sets World Records

The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) certified "Tacasyl Collection of Magnificent United States Proof Gold Coins" was sold by Bonhams in Los Angeles on September 23 with several world record prices achieved. This collection of 27 lots represented a nearly complete type set of every major US gold design issued in Proof between 1836 and 1915 and achieved $10,778,040 at auction with every lot sold. The astounding $399,186 lot average represents a world record for a rare coin collection on a per lot basis and nearly doubled the previous record.

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"I am absolutely thrilled with Bonhams results of the NGC graded Tacasyl Collection of Magnificent United States Proof Gold Coins,” said the owner of the collection, who wished to remain anonymous. “I put this collection together to have the finest known proof gold type set ever formed, and once this task was completed, I was happy to reoffer them to the collecting public. I was really gratified by the professionalism and expertise of Paul Song and his colleagues at Bonhams, as well as the grading service, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, who worked closely with Bonhams to make the auction of my coins a truly historic event."

The 1880 Coiled Hair $4 Stella graded NGC PF 67 Cameo led the sale. This example is tied for the finest known of this extremely rare issue and brought an astonishing $2,574,000 - more than doubling the presale estimate. This Stella is now one of the ten most expensive US coins ever sold at auction.

The NGC PF 67 Cameo 1879 Coiled Hair $4 Stella nearly doubled the previous high for the design and date, realizing an astonishing $1,041,300. And the 1880 Flowing Hair Stella graded NGC PF 67 also doubled the previous record for the type selling for $959,400. Along with the 1879 Flowing Hair $4 Stella in NGC PF 67 Cameo, this four coin set of Stellas sold for an incredible total of $4,855,500.

Other highlights from the collection included the 1891 Proof Double Eagle (NGC PF 68 Ultra Cameo), which set a new world record as the most valuable Liberty Head Proof Double Eagle ever sold at auction at $655,200. In addition, the Tacasyl example of the Saint-Gaudens 1907 High Relief Double Eagle in NGC PF 69 set a new world record for the type when it sold for $573,300. It is a remarkably well preserved example of what many consider to be the most desirable US coin design.

The 1863 Type One Liberty Head Double Eagle graded NGC PF 65 Cameo brought $345,150 and set an auction record for the date. The last two lots of the sale, both Saint-Gaudens double eagles, easily exceeded their pre-sale high estimates: the 1909 (NGC PF 68) brought $184,860 and the 1911 (NGC PF 68) brought $157,950.

“These prices realized represent a significant landmark for the rare coin market,” said Mark Salzberg, chairman of NGC. “We are honored that the entire collection was graded by NGC and congratulate Paul Song and Bonhams on a phenomenal sale.”

The entire collection can be viewed in the NGC Tacasyl Gallery.

Visit our YouTube Channel to see Paul Song, Director of Coins and Medals at Bonhams discuss the Tacasyl Collection.