NGC-certified rarities realize six figures at Long Beach Auction

A rescued 1817/4 Bust half dollar and a 2000 Sacagawea dollar mint error are among the NGC-graded highlights from Heritage Auctions’ sales in early September.

Several U.S. coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) realized six-digit prices at the Long Beach Expo coin auctions presented by Heritage Auctions in early September 2019.

Topping the list was an 1817/4 Bust half dollar graded NGC EF Details that realized $156,000. This peculiar coin was created when a leftover 1814-dated die was reused by punching a “7” over the final digit. Adding to its curious backstory, a contractor discovered the coin nearly two centuries after it was minted while raking dirt. The NGC Details — Environmental Damage description reflects the corrosion caused by being buried.

Meanwhile, a 2000 Sacagawea dollar muled with a Washington quarter graded NGC Mint Error MS-67 sold for $102,000. This coin is a rare mint error that features a Washington quarter obverse design paired with the eagle design from the Sacagawea dollar on the reverse. Only 18 examples of this notable mint error are known to exist.

Among other highlights from the U.S. Coins Signature Auction are two NGC-certified Liberty Head eagles that sold for over $100,000: An 1887 $10 graded NGC PF-65 Cameo realized $132,000, while an 1885 $10 graded NGC PF-65 Cameo realized $108,000.

Also, a 1792 Small Eagle, Plain Edge, G. Washington President Getz Pattern cent graded NGC MS-62 BN realized $117,000, and an unusual large-denomination gold piece, an 1851 Humbert $50, graded NGC AU Details, sold for $102,000.

At the World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction, NGC-graded coins also realized high prices. Significant world coins sold included:

• A Cuba 1915 gold 20-pesos graded NGC PF-62 Cameo that realized $37,200.
• An Austria 1701 ducat graded NGC UNC Details that realized $20,400.
• An Ethiopia 1829 Birr graded NGC MS-67 that realized $19,200.
• A Mexico 1714 MO J eight-escudos graded NGC MS-62 that realized $19,200.

Top prices realized for coins graded by NGC Ancients included:

• A Lydian Kingdom 561-546 BC Croesus gold stater graded NGC Ancients MS, 4/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface that realized $31,200.
• A Western Roman Empire AD 455-456 Avitus gold solidus graded NGC Ancients EF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface that realized $31,200.
• A Byzantine Empire AD 1448-53 Constantine XI silver 1/8 stavraton graded NGC Ancients EF★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface that realized $26,400.
• A Western Roman Empire AD 455 Petronius Maximus gold solidus graded NGC Ancients Choice VF, 5/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface that realized $26,400.
• A Carthage Zeugitana c.350-320 BC gold stater graded NGC Ancients AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface that realized $15,600.

For more information about NGC’s certification services for U.S., world, and ancient coins, visit the website of NGC. For more information about Heritage Auctions, visit their website.

Prices realized include buyer’s premium.

Press release courtesy of the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.

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