Gold Hot in Heritage's May 2008 Long Beach $26.5 Million Auction Top prices realized of $161,000 were reached by two very different coins in Heritage Auction Galleries' May 28-30, 2008 Signature® in Long Beach
The Carson City Mint was preoccupied in 1878 with striking Morgan Dollars (2.2 million coins), and not with half eagles (9,054 pieces); This coin is tied for the second finest certified.
http://www.HA.com/1108-289015&type=prte-pr060208a
Lot 3629: 1872-CC double eagle, MS60 NGC.
Realized: $33,350
The 1872-CC is scarce in all grades, and extremely rare in uncirculated grades.
http://www.HA.com/1108-128082&type=prte-pr060208a
Lot 720: 1846 half dollar Medium Date, PR63 PCGS.
Realized: $32,200
While mintage figures for the 1846 proof half dollar were not reported, it is likely that no more than a dozen have survived to the present day. Ex: The Thomas S. Chalkley Collection (Superior Galleries, 1/1990), lot 3574. From The Silbermünzen Collection.
http://www.HA.com/1108-123004&type=prte-pr060208a
Lot 3215: 1842-C half eagle, Small Date, AU55 NGC. Variety 4-C, Die State I.
Realized: $31,050
This issue is the rarest Charlotte half eagle, and is also the second rarest Charlotte coin behind the 1849-C Open Wreath gold dollar rarity. Four coins are listed on Winter's most recent Condition Census.
http://www.HA.com/1108-128130&type=prte-pr060208a
Lot 771: 1915-S Barber half dollar MS67 PCGS.
Realized: $29,900
A remarkable Superb Gem that has spent approximately one-fifth of its existence housed in the same old green label PCGS holder; its preservation is virtually unimprovable. Ex: Thomas S. Chalkley Collection (Superior, 10/1990), lot 3712. From The Silbermünzen Collection.
http://www.HA.com/1108-12009&type=prte-pr060208a
Lot 1944: 1787 Excelsior Copper, New York Arms, Eagle on Globe Left, Eagle Reverse Eagle Left, AU55 PCGS. Realized: $29,900
The eagle on the globe faces left, while the large eagle on the reverse gazes right; students of Early American numismatists can promptly name many similarities that the Excelsior coppers share with the legendary Brasher doubloons. This is the single finest certified by PCGS (3/08), and none have been certified by NGC. Ex: Benson Collection Part II (Ira and Larry Goldberg, 2/02), lot 12; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 736; From The Liberty Collection of American Colonial Coinage, Part Three.
http://www.HA.com/1108-1807&type=prte-pr060208a
Lot 3266: 1861 half eagle MS65 Star NGC.
Realized: $27,600
Despite its reputation as an available type coin, the 1861 half eagle is surprisingly elusive in better Mint State grades.
http://www.HA.com/1108-12006&type=prte-pr060208a
Lot 1819: 1652 Willow Tree Sixpence, Noe 1-A, Fine Details NCS.
Realized: $25,300
This is the #5 specimen (of ten known examples) on the 1943 Noe plate of Willow Tree sixpences, attributed as the property of a "Mid-West Coin Firm." Today, still only fourteen pieces are known. Ex: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 700. From The Liberty Collection of American Colonial Coinage, Part Three.
http://www.HA.com/1108-1634&type=prte-pr060208a
Lot 3579: 1861-S double eagle, MS62 PCGS.
Realized: $25,300
Subsequent to the small production run of Paquet Reverse double eagles, the regular reverse die was used to strike 768,000 coins at the San Francisco Mint in 1861. Only one coin has been certified finer.
http://www.HA.com/1108-38044&type=prte-pr060208a
Lot 495: 1797 half dollar Fine Details, O-102, Low R.6, NCS.
Realized: $23,000
The 1797 Overton 102 variety is the rarest of the four Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar die marriages. Ex: Stirling Silliphant
