Several NGC-graded US Coins Expected to Realize Six Figures in Heritage Sale

An impressive selection of rare US coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) are part of the FUN US Coins Signature Auction presented by Heritage Auctions. Online bidding is already underway for the sale, which will be held January 20-24, 2021.

The centerpiece of the sale is a 1787 New York-Style Brasher Doubloon graded NGC MS 65★ and pedigreed to the Donald G. Partrick Collection. More than two weeks before the auction, bidding had already reached $3.6 million. Learn more about this coin and other rarities from the Partrick Collection that are likely to realize six figures here.

Heritage Auctions' January FUN sales are always a highlight of the auction calendar, and this year is no exception. In addition to the Partrick rarities, the auction also features several other NGC-certified coins likely to sell for over $100,000.

In fact, over a week before the auction, a 1796 Quarter graded NGC MS 65 had already attracted a bid of $125,000, with price guides suggesting that bidding will go much higher.

1796 Quarter graded NGC MS 65 Click images to enlarge

The US Mint struck a mere 6,146 examples of the inaugural quarter with the 1796 date and did not issue them again until 1804. Though the design of the initial quarter was disappointing, they are eagerly sought by collectors today for their numismatic value. Of the 188 in the NGC Population Report, only four are reported in higher grades than this example.

Another silver highlight is an 1884-S Morgan Dollar graded NGC MS 65, one of the Keys in the beloved series and one of the finest known. Of the thousands of 1884-S Morgans in the NGC Population Report, it is surpassed by only a single example.

1884-S Morgan Dollar graded NGC MS 65 Click images to enlarge

Looking at gold coins in the auction, an 1873 Open 3 $3 graded NGC PF 65 Ultra Cameo is an intriguing rarity. Only 25 Proofs were reportedly struck for the 1873 $3, which are divided into two varieties: Open 3 and Closed 3. In the Open 3 variety, the knobs on the 3 in the date are more widely spaced; in the Closed 3 variety, the digit resembles an 8.

1873 Open 3 $3 graded NGC PF 65 Ultra Cameo Click images to enlarge

An additional condition rarity in the sale is a 1910 Indian Half Eagle graded NGC PF 68+ and pedigreed to the Simpson Collection. It is the finest known from a mintage of 250 and a surviving population believed to be only a fraction of that.

1910 Indian Half Eagle graded NGC PF 68+ and pedigreed to the Simpson Collection Click images to enlarge

Finally, the auction features several examples of the Panama-Pacific $50 commemorative, the largest denomination ever issued by the US Mint. They are led by a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round $50 graded NGC MS 66, one of the highest-graded examples. These commemoratives were struck in Round and Octagonal formats for the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition in San Francisco celebrating the Panama Canal and that city's rebirth after a devastating earthquake. Only 1,128 of the $50 pieces were sold and buyers preferred the novel Octagonal format, making the Rounds rarer today.

1915-S Panama-Pacific Round $50 graded NGC MS 66 Click images to enlarge

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale include:

• an 1893-O Morgan Dollar graded NGC MS 66 and pedigreed to the Eliasberg Collection
• a 1914 Quarter Eagle graded NGC PF 68 and pedigreed to the Simpson Collection
• an 1834 Cross 4 Capped Head Half Eagle graded NGC MS 64
• an 1875 Half Eagle graded NGC AU 50
• an 1887 Half Eagle graded NGC 65 Ultra Cameo and pedigreed to the Simpson Collection
• a 1907 Indian Periods Wire Rim Eagle graded NGC MS 66
• a 1911 Double Eagle graded NGC PF 67+
• an 1851 "880" No "50" Augustus Humbert $50 graded NGC MS 61
• another 1851 "880" No "50" Augustus Humbert $50 graded NGC MS 61
• a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal $50 graded NGC MS 65
• a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round $50 graded NGC MS 65+
• a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round $50 graded NGC MS 65