Heritage Auctions’ November U.S. Coins Event Achieves Over $14.1 Million in Sales
Heritage Auctions’ U.S. Coins Signature® Auction, held from November 20-24, achieved an impressive total of $14,144,452, led by a record-breaking sale of the finest-known 1856 Flying Eagle Cent, PR67+ PCGS CAC, which fetched $312,000. This result surpassed the previous record of $240,000 set in 2020 at Heritage and set the tone for an auction filled with exceptional rarities, including early U.S. dollars, Seated dollars, Trade dollars, Shield and Liberty nickel patterns, proof coins, and an outstanding selection of early copper and U.S. gold coins.
Todd Imhof, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions, commented on the significance of the sale: “This record-breaking result is a testament to the importance of this coin, and further solidifies Heritage’s reputation as the leading destination for numismatic collectors worldwide.” He explained that the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent represents a pivotal moment in U.S. coinage history, as it was part of the Mint’s early efforts to address economic challenges in the 1850s by experimenting with new alloys and reducing the size of the cent. With only about 1,000 examples minted, this first-year issue is a sought-after key date, and the one sold in this auction is considered the finest ever graded by PCGS.
Another remarkable highlight of the event was the 1915 Buffalo Nickel, PR69 PCGS, which became the highest-certified example of its kind at PCGS and soared to $240,001.20, more than tripling its previous auction record set 19 years ago. With an original mintage of just 1,050 pieces, the 1915 Buffalo Nickel was not initially appreciated by contemporary collectors, and estimates suggest only around 700 examples remain today. The coin in this auction is the finest-certified example, making it a standout in the numismatic community.
The auction also featured a stellar collection of coins from The Greensboro Collection, Part XI, which debuted at the 2012 ANA National Money Show and has since been part of several Heritage events. Notable items from this collection included:
- 1856 Snow-3 Flying Eagle Cent, MS66: Sold for $192,000, surpassing the previous record for a Mint State example set in 2004 at $172,500.
- 1858 Small Letters Cent, PR66 Cameo PCGS CAC: Achieved $156,000.
- 1913 Type One Buffalo Nickel, PR68: Sold for $90,000.
Among other rare treasures in the auction, a 1870-CC Liberty Double Eagle, AU Details NGC realized $216,000. This coin is one of the rarest and most significant in the series, with an estimated surviving population of just 55-65 examples in all grades.
The 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, PR63 Cameo NGC CAC was another key highlight, fetching $156,000. Known as both a type coin and a highly coveted numismatic trophy, the 1879 Stella is part of a pattern series that includes the 1879 goloid dollar and the 1879 goloid metric dollar. Despite the limited mintage of 425 coins, demand for high-quality examples has remained consistently high.
Another notable result was the 1931 Double Eagle, MS64+ PCGS, which brought in $156,000. As one of only 31 examples in this grade, the 1931 Double Eagle is a scarce late-date issue in the Saint-Gaudens series, with only about 110 coins remaining in all grades.
Other significant sales included:
- 1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar, MS64 NGC: $114,000. This coin is one of only 483 examples of the round version issued in conjunction with the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
- 1795 Capped Bust Right Eagle, AU58 NGC: $108,000. A historic early U.S. gold coin, with only around 90-110 examples remaining in all grades.
With these exceptional sales and records, the November auction underscored Heritage Auctions’ status as a leader in the world of rare coin sales. Collectors and investors continue to turn to Heritage as the premier venue for high-quality numismatic treasures.
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About Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house in the U.S. and the world’s largest auctioneer of collectibles. With offices in major cities worldwide, including New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, London, Hong Kong, and more, Heritage offers an unparalleled auction experience. The company’s website, HA.com, is the most trafficked auction house site on the internet, with over 1.75 million registered bidders and access to a vast archive of past auction records and detailed coin descriptions.
