Incredible Piece of History Being Auctioned by Heritage

[barrysloate]

Sold for $1,740,000.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Sold for $1,740,000.

So does that make it among the most expensive coins to have sold?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

So does that make it among the most expensive coins to have sold?

I think there are probably more than 10 coins (may be many more) that have sold for more than that. Barry might know more, mine is a guess based on watching coins sometimes.

[barrysloate]

It was only the second highest price in that auction. An 1854-S $5 gold piece sold for $2 million plus. However, coins that sell for the most money are those issued for circulation that for any number of reasons become exceedingly rare.

In the case of the Washington gold piece, it was only a pattern, and never issued for circulation. And I believe it is a record, or close to one, for a coin that was a pattern only.

Leon is correct there are quite a number of coins that have sold for more, probably a few dozen at least. A 1933 $20 double eagle is still the record holder at $7.6 million (I think). That was sold in 2002 and that record has stood for 16 years.

[barrysloate]

I stand corrected. A gem uncirculated 1794 silver dollar sold for over $10 million. The 1933 double eagle is number #2.

[irv]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N06UGBNaHRA

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2189743

https://www.pcgs.com/news/1933-20-st...ecord-price-of

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Sold for $1,740,000.

Man i not read the history of the 106 owner, but for many of us, after at least 90 years or so, we probably have to pay for full time help....hes just holding onto the coin...must be nice..

[barrysloate]

Thanks for those links Irv. I always thought the 1933 was unique in private hands. But now a family owns 10 of them. I don't think that will help the value of the one sold for $7.6 million. Wonder of others will make it to the auction block.

[irv]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Thanks for those links Irv. I always thought the 1933 was unique in private hands. But now a family owns 10 of them. I don't think that will help the value of the one sold for $7.6 million. Wonder of others will make it to the auction block.

You're welcome, Barry.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Damn those are beautiful coins. The lawsuit where the government lost the appeal was decided years ago but can't find any recent information on the fate of the 10 coins.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Thanks for those links Irv. I always thought the 1933 was unique in private hands. But now a family owns 10 of them. I don't think that will help the value of the one sold for $7.6 million. Wonder of others will make it to the auction block.

It turns out the government ultimately won the case. The family doesn't own any, the courts found they were stolen. The coins presumably are back in Fort Knox. And 2 others are in a museum in D.C.

[barrysloate]

There is a long history of well connected collectors befriending mint employees and getting them to steal, or in some cases even fabricate, rare coins for them. The 1913 Liberty Head nickel, of which five are known, has an interesting story.