NGC-graded Silver Dollar Stands out in Heritage Chicago Sale
Posted on 7/29/2019
In a sale packed with six-figure gold rarities, it may be a silver dollar graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) that attracts the most attention at Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night sale of US coins on Aug. 14. The 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar graded NGC XF 40 is one of less than a dozen known survivors of the rarest regular-issue silver dollar.
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| An 1870-S Dollar graded NGC XF 40. Click images to enlarge. |
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These coins were apparently struck to celebrate the laying of the cornerstone of the new San Francisco Mint building. This included assembling a set of 1870 US coinage to be buried in a time capsule.
NGC-graded gold rarities in four denominations are likely to realize impressive prices, as well.
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| This 1830 $5 graded NGC PF 63 is one of only three known proofs of this issue and the only one identified of the Large D variety. Click images to enlarge. |
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An 1830 $5 graded NGC PF 63 is one of only three known proofs of this issue, and the only one identified of the Large D variety. It comes from an era when proof production was extremely limited. More than two weeks before the auction, bidding has already exceeded $160,000.
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| This 1879 Coiled Hair $4 graded NGC PF 63 is among the coins known as Stellas for the star on their reverse. They were an unsuccessful attempt at a new coin for international trade, and all are rare. Click images to enlarge. |
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An 1879 Coiled Hair $4 graded NGC PF 63 is among only about a dozen known examples. A coin with a similar design, an 1879 Flowing Hair $4 graded NGC PF 65 Cameo, comes from a relatively larger pool of survivors. These coins, known as Stellas for the star on their reverse, were an unsuccessful attempt at a new coin for international trade. The gold patterns were struck only in 1879 and 1880, and all are rare.
Meanwhile, two NGC-graded examples of the 1856-O $20, of which only 25 survivors are known, will appear in succession during the auction. The first is graded NGC AU 50, while the second is graded NGC AU Details. Struck two years earlier at the same mint, an 1854-O $20 graded NGC AU 53 is also expected to generate lively bidding.
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| 1907 Wire Rim with Periods Indian $10, graded NGC MS 68 Click images to enlarge. |
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The auction also features a 1907 Wire Rim with Periods Indian $10 graded NGC MS 68, with only one finer in the NGC Census. From a mintage of only 500, this is believed to be the finest-ever offered at auction.
NGC-graded rarities in the sale are not limited to gold and silver coinage.
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| This Higley copper coin was struck in the 1730s by Samuel or John Higley using copper mined in Connecticut. This example is graded NGC VF 30 BN. Click images to enlarge. |
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A unique example of a Higley copper coin struck in the 1730s is graded NGC VF 30 BN and pedigreed to the famous Garrett and Partrick collections. It has a wheel on the obverse surrounded by the text THE WHEELE GOES ROUND. The reverse has an ax surrounded by the words J CUT MY WAY THROUGH. Samuel Higley struck these from copper he mined in Connecticut, and his brother John continued the coinage after Samuel’s death in 1737.
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| All 1943 Cents were supposed to be struck on zinc-coated steel planchets to conserve copper during World War II. But bronze examples were accidentally struck at all three branches of the mint. Only six are known from San Francisco, including this one graded NGC AU 53 BN. Click images to enlarge. |
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A more familiar copper rarity is the 1943-S Bronze Cent graded NGC AU 53 BN. All 1943 Cents were supposed to be struck on zinc-coated steel planchets to conserve copper needed for other purposes during World War II. Nevertheless, bronze examples were accidentally struck at all three branches of the mint. Only six are known from San Francisco, including this one.
Two amazing collections account for most of the above coins: the Poulos Family Collection (1879 Coiled Hair $4; 1854-O $20; 1943 Cent) and the Joan Zieg Steinbrenner Collection (1830 $5; 1879 Flowing Hair $4; 1907 $10). Joan Zieg Steinbrenner is the widow of former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
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| 1893 Declaration of Independence Medal graded NGC MS 63 PL Click images to enlarge. |
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In addition, a fascinating NGC-graded medal should create some excitement at the show, given its connection to another major event held in Chicago: the World’s Columbian Exposition. Graded NGC MS 63 PL, the 1893 Declaration of Independence medal was presented to President Grover Cleveland, who attended the opening of the expo in May 1893.
Other NGC-graded highlights in the Platinum Night auction include:
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