January 9, 2010

Legendary 1936 Canadian Dot Cent Leads $11 Million World Coin Auction
Found Treasures: The Catalog Stands Alone
Website Tips: LiquidPixels Pan and Zoom
This Week's Top Ten
Heritage Collector's Corner: Why, and what, do you collect?
Reduced Auction Commissions When You Resell Your Winnings!
Employment Opportunities: Currency Expert, Wholesale Sales, Numismatist, Ancient Coin Expert
Around Heritage Auctions
Instant Quiz: Test your numismatic knowledge
Is It Time To Sell? 2010 March Fort Worth, TX Signature ANA US Coin Auction
Letter of the week
Current Auctions: 2010 January Orlando, FL FUN US Coin Auction, The Boca Collection, Part 1, Platinum Night, 2010 January Dallas, TX Non-Floor World Coin Auction, Internet Coin Auctions, Other Signature Auctions, Other Internet Auctions

Legendary 1936 Canadian Dot Cent Leads $11 Million World Coin Auction

Heritage Auctions' World Coins division kicked off 2010 with a bang over the New Year's weekend at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, setting an in-house record total with its $11 million Signature World Coin Auction, Jan. 3-4, with the most famous Canadian coin in existence, the best of three known George V 1936 Dot Cents, leading all coins with a final price realized of $402,500. All prices include a 15% Buyer's Premium.

We don't see any weakness in the World Coin market right now. It almost seems strange to say it, but it's true. Usually one area or another will show some kind of slowdown, but there were a record amount of bidders vying for almost every coin in this auction, especially The Canadiana Collection, as the more than 90% through rate indicates.

The Canadiana Collection did indeed top all entries into auction and set coin collectors across Canada, and the world, abuzz with its stunning array of offerings. In the process of realizing $3.85 million total, it made international news with the sale of the legendary 1936 Dot Cent, KM28, Specimen 66 Red PCGS, Ex: Belzberg, the finest of three known, as mentioned above.

Long considered essentially uncollectible since noted numismatist John Jay Pittman had held all three known examples from 1961 until his death, these coins were struck in 1937 prior to the creation of coinage dies for George VI but never released for circulation. Since first re-appearing on the market more than a decade ago, and now well-scattered, the three 1936 Dot Cents create great excitement whenever one appears on the auction block.

While it didn't garner the same level of media attention as the Dot Cent, a simply beautiful 1934 Australian Proof Set, also featuring George V, KM-PS11, comprising KM22-27, certified and graded by PCGS, generated high interest and spirited bidding from collectors of Australian coins, ultimately bringing more than four times its low estimate of $60,000 to settle at $276,000. This is just an absolutely spectacular set, possibly the finest known and certainly the highest certified. It's certainly very rare and now it's the centerpiece for a very advanced collection.

Also from The Canadiana Collection, a stunning 1921 Canadian 50 Cents, KM25a, MS66 PCGS, Ex: Bass-Belzberg-Brown, known as the 'King of Canadian Coins,' and also featuring England's King George V, proved very popular with collectors on its way to a final price realized of $218,500, while the much-heralded 1936 Canadian Dot 10 Cents Specimen 68, KM23a, Specimen 68 PCGS, Ex: Pittman, lived up to its billing as the finest known survivor of the issue as collectors bid the coin up to a price of $184,000.

Further highlights of the auction include, but are not limited to:

• Canada: Victoria 50 Cents 1890H, KM6, MS64 PCGS, Ex: Alston-Grossman: Realized: $149,500.
• Canada: Victoria 50 Cents 1871-H, KM6, MS67 PCGS, Ex: Brown-Grossman: Realized: $120,750.
• Canada: George V 5 Cents 1921, KM22a, MS67 PCGS: Realized: $115,000
• South Africa: Republic gold Pond 1874, Friedberg 1a, KM12, MS64 NGC, fine beard variety: Realized: $97,750.
• China: People's Republic gold 20 oz. 1500 Yuan 1989: Realized: $92,000.
• Cuba: Republic gold 20 Pesos 1916, KM21, Proof 63 PCGS, extremely rare Proof only date with a total mintage of 10 pieces: Realized: $88,002.

The 2010 January Orlando, FL FUN US Coin Auction is open for bidding now at HA.com/Coins.

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Found Treasures: The Catalog Stands Alone
By John Dale Beety

This article first appeared, in slightly different form, in the Heritage Blog.

As a cataloger, I realize that my coin descriptions have two uses: the short-term and the long-term. In the short term, my lot descriptions have to sell the coins — that's why I get paid — but finding a balance is tricky. Before the auction, if a consignor doesn't like what I've written — doesn't think it's complimentary enough, or believes I've left out a Very Important Fact^TM — and complains to the Consignment Director, I hear about it.

Then again, after an auction, if a buyer doesn't like what I've written — see above, substituting "strict" for "complimentary" and "customer service department" for "Consignment Director" — I REALLY hear about it. So in selling the coin, I have to "sell" the lot description to two different audiences with wildly different expectations, making bidders say "It's fair" and consignors say "It's wonderful!"

While the department doesn't have a 100% hit rate, considering the tens of thousands of coins the cataloging department describes each year, we come surprisingly close.

Once the auction has closed, the descriptions in the Heritage catalogs have a second life as reference material. While even the most basic photo-and-text description can help with tracking the provenance of an item, the greatest catalogs — usually single-collection catalogs focused on a specialty such as early copper or silver dollars — are treated with nearly the same reverence as scholarly books, and referenced nearly as often. A glance at our Catalog Orders page shows a number of catalogs that have attained this level of respect, such as the Lemus Collection of pattern coins, sold January 2009, and the Belzberg Collection of Canadian coinage, sold January 2003.

Conspicuously absent from the list is the Walter J. Husak Collection catalog, covering his impressive collection of large cents, which has completely sold out and now commands a strong price in secondhand numismatic literature circles. You might have heard about the Husak collection — maybe from the Washington Post or Ripley's Believe It or Not! or even Saturday Night Live. Cue Seth Meyers: "A California man's collection of 301 rare American pennies sold at auction this week for $10.7 million. Far exceeding my pre-auction estimate of three dollars and one cent."

Two of our January 2010 auctions are represented in part by specialized catalogs that have every chance of becoming time-tested references. The Canadiana collection, recently auctioned in New York City, is simply one of the most jaw-dropping collections of Canadian coinage ever assembled. A few of the highlights, including the legendary 1936 Dot cent, are listed above.

The standalone collection leading the way in our ongoing Florida United Numismatists (FUN) auction has a distinct Floridian flavor: it's called The Boca Collection, Part I. The collection contains a run of the 71 proof sets issued from 1856 to 1953, covering denominations up to one (silver) dollar. The 1890 set has an added bonus: the four gold denominations, from two and a half dollars to $20, are also included in proof. Every one of those coins is a rare delight.

Each year, Heritage auctions coins and collectibles from thousands of consignors. Every consignment is appreciated, but only a handful of these collections have the value and the strength to stand alone. While I treat each coin that comes across my desk with the respect it deserves, I invariably find myself giving extra attention to coins destined for stand-alone catalogs.

A stand-alone catalog means a great collection, and even if Heritage is going to sell it off one lot at a time, a collection that great deserves to last, if only in pages.

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Website Tips: LiquidPixels Pan and Zoom

Our newest version of the Pan and Zoom image viewing system provides the chance to view all the images in the same window, potentially saving a good deal of bandwidth. To the right side of the large image of the item, there will be one or more smaller images, usually two or four for coins. Click on the smaller image you wish to view to bring it into the large portion of the window.

At the bottom of the window, there are more controls. At left, a '+' icon will allow you view the image in close-up (you can also simply click on the part of the image you wish to zero in on). The '-' will make the image smaller, and the "Home" icon will reset the image to its default size.

Immediately to the right of these icons is a slider. We are well aware that lighting on coins is a tricky issue, and it can be tough to properly photograph dark copper coins and sometimes even bright white silver coins. The slider will allow you to adjust the brightness of the image, left to darken it, and right to brighten it — and you don't need to wait for the entire web page to reload! At the bottom right are a series of arrows, which you can use to move your viewpoint on an enlarged image. Of course, you can still drag the image as you choose, similar to looking through a loupe.

We know that some of our clients may wish to or be forced by antiquated software to view images in a more old-fashioned manner. Fear not; in these cases you need only turn Pan and Zoom off to see the full slab, complete with grade and certification number. To turn Pan and Zoom off, simply click on the "Turn Off Pan and Zoom Images" link directly above the image window. If you wish to view more than one enlarged image at the same time, we recommend creating a new instance of your browser window open to the same page (on Internet Explorer you need only hit control-n to do this), and then switching back and forth between browser windows.

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This Week's Top Ten

The eleven highest valued individual African coins auctioned by Heritage... updated for results from the recent NYINC auction!

1. South Africa: Republic gold Pond 1874, Friedberg 1a, KM12, MS64 NGC. Sold for $97,750.
2. South Africa: Republic gold Pond 1902, KM11, Friedberg 4, MS66 NGC. Sold for $92,000.
3. South Africa: Republic gold Veld Pond 1902, KM11, MS64 NGC. Sold for $54,625.
4. South Africa: Republic gold Veld Pond 1902, KM11, MS63 NGC. Sold for $48,875.
5. South Africa: Republic gold Veld Pond 1902, KM11, MS63 NGC. Sold for $46,000.
6. South Africa: Republic gold Veld Pond 1902, KM11, MS61 NGC. Sold for $34,500.
7. South Africa: Republic gold Pond 1898 Stamped "99", KM10.2, AU details NCS. Sold for $21,850.
8. South Africa: Republic gold Veld Pond 1902, KM11, AU55 NGC. Sold for $21,850.
9. South Africa: Republic gold Pond 1892 Single Shaft, KM10.2, AU55 PCGS. Sold for $17,250.
10. South Africa: Republic Proof 5 Shillings 1892 double shaft PR63 NGC. Sold for $14,950.
11. South Africa: Republic gold Threepence 1898, KM-PnA23. Sold for $14,950.

This listing does not include ancient coins that may have been minted in Africa. Those coins would probably appear under Roman Provincial or Ancient Greece.

Do you have a suggestion for a future top ten list? Send it to us!

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Heritage Collector's Corner: Why, and what, do you collect?

We're well aware here at Heritage that our clientele are some of the most interesting, influential people around, and all of you come with a story. Now we want you to tell us just what that story is. Maybe it's a remembrance of why you started collecting, or a survey of how far your collection has come. We're looking for stories that can wow, make us laugh or cry, or otherwise remind us why we collect what we do. We would like to share these stories with the rest of the Heritage community, so this is an open call and a chance for you to tell your story.

Submission Guidelines:

1. Send submissions to CollectorsCorner@HA.com (You can also send ideas for other topics.)
2. Submissions should be no more than 2,000 words
3. Select submissions will be published anonymously by Heritage on the Heritage Blog, in company e-mails and in web promotion. All submissions are subject to editing and proofing. The author's name will remain confidential.

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Reduced Auction Commissions When You Resell Your Winnings!

When you win any lot worth with a hammer price of $1,000 or more (or $2,500 for Art and Natural History lots), you will receive a coupon that entitles you (or your heirs) to re-consign that lot to Heritage at a reduced seller's commission. Selling through Heritage is a convenient and hassle free way to maximize your return (find out why). Maybe you'll need to make room in your collection for something better, perhaps your collecting tastes will change, or maybe it will be your heirs that benefit; but be sure to save the coupon, which could be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.

• Coins: 0% Seller's Commission for all items $1K or more.
• Comics: 50% of the usual Seller's Commission for all items between $1K & $10K, and 0% for items $10K and over.
• All Other Categories: 50% of the usual Seller's Commission for everything else over $1K ($2,500 for Art & Natural History).

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Help Wanted: Currency Expert

We are looking for a motivated leader with strong buying and writing skills and a good general knowledge of U.S. history and U.S. Currency for a key position with Heritage-CAA in Dallas, Texas. Job duties include: buying, cataloging for auctions, organizing and obtaining consignments along with catalog production. Great benefits, generous salary and bonus, commensurate with experience. Send resume and salary history to Jobs@HA.com.

Help Wanted: Wholesale Sales

Heritage has an immediate opening for an experienced numismatic wholesale salesperson. If you have intimate knowledge of the wholesale trade, experience traveling to major and intermediate-sized shows, and skill in office-based selling to fellow dealers and marketers, please e-mail resume and salary history along with details of your numismatic sales experience to Jobs@HA.com. This important position is based in Dallas, TX and provides benefits and salary commensurate with experience.

Help Wanted: Numismatist

Heritage Rare Coin Galleries, Dallas, Texas is seeking a talented general numismatist for our rare coin department in Dallas, TX. Duties include assisting dealers and collectors and auction consignors in person and by telephone, evaluating prospective purchases in the office and at shows and conventions. Salary commensurate with numismatic and sales skills. Previous coin shop experience a plus. E-mail resume and salary history to Jobs@HA.com.

Help Wanted: Ancient Coin Expert

Heritage is looking for a numismatist with expertise in ancient coins to join our staff. Duties will include evaluating potential consignments, cataloging, assisting consignors in person and by telephone, both in Dallas and elsewhere. Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience. This is a full time position based in Dallas.

Please contact Paul Minshull at Paul@HA.com for more information.

View All Employment Opportunities

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First Batman Comic Expected To Set World Record Price At Heritage Auctions, Feb. 27

When a truly exceptional copy of Detective Comics #27, the very first appearance of Batman, is auctioned by Heritage Auction Galleries in its Feb. 25-27 Signature Comics & Comic Art Auction, it will set two important marks:

It will, more than likely, become the single most valuable comic ever offered at public auction. Though it's being sold with no reserve and no minimum bid, it's expected to bring at least $300,000. The current record for a comic sold at auction stands at $317,000, for a copy of Action Comics #1, sold last year at another auction house.

The other question the auction will settle, at least for the time being, is one of the great debates of Pop Culture: Who is worth more today, Batman or Superman?

"Since Heritage began auctioning vintage comics, we have heard more client requests for Detective #27 than for Superman's first comic, Action #1, and that's both from hard-core comic collectors and from clients in other fields who are interested in this issue as a pop culture milestone," said Lon Allen, Director of Sales for the Comics Division of Heritage. "Superman came first, but I think in certain quarters Batman is the more popular character. This is probably the most desirable comic Heritage has ever auctioned."

The third-party certification service CGC has graded the comic Very Fine 8.0, a grade that only one other copy of this issue has reached and none has surpassed.

"The eye appeal is absolutely outstanding," said Lon Allen, Director of Sales for the Comics Division of Heritage. "Most comics from 1939 are smudged, torn, creased, and so on — this one's got really bright colors and looks fresh. It has no restoration which is a major plus as well. We've never handled a copy that's anywhere near this nice."

Heritage has not disclosed the source of the comic other than to note it comes from a savvy collector who assembled his collection in the 1960s and 1970s.

"Back then, if someone spent even $100 on a comic book from the 1930s or 1940s, which is what the collector paid for it, it was considered absurd by the general public," said Allen, "but smart buyers who did their legwork and paid so-called 'outrageous' prices could put together excellent collections that today's collectors are envious of."

To say that today's hordes of comic collectors, Batman fans and Pop Culture devotees are envious of a comic such as this, bought for a mere fraction of what the current price will be, is an easy understatement. By late February the top collectors in the world will be eying this book closely, and weighing just how much it's worth to them to have the have the holy grail of comic books, and to be part of history.

Click Here to receive more information about comic & comic art auctions.

Introducing the Fine & Decorative Arts' Spring Auction Schedule

The Fine & Decorative Arts Department at Heritage has established its spring auction schedule and invites your consignments! Click on the categories below to see examples of the results we've achieved in our past auctions and reach our specialists, or call us at 800-872-6467 ext. 1444.

Act now! Consignment deadlines range from January 27 - April 5!

March 31: Fine Silver & Vertu April 22: Modern & Contemporary Art April 23: Vintage & Contemporary Photography May 7: Illustration Art May 15: Art of the American West & Texas Art May 26: Furniture & Decorative Arts May 27: American & European Fine Art June 7: 20th Century Design

Click Here to receive more information about fine & decorative arts auctions.

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ANA Auction Comes to Cow Town

Ft. Worth, Texas, affectionately known as "Cow Town", has historically been a center for numismatics over the past century, ever since B. Max Mehl set up shop in the early 1900s. In addition, such historical numismatic luminaries as Amon G. Carter, Sr., a renowned collector who built one of the largest coin collections in the country, lived in Fort Worth. His collection included the Adams-Carter Specimen 1804 Dollar, acquired in 1950, and sold by Heritage in March of 2006 for $2,475,000. Now is the opportunity to consign your numismatic rarities to this historic venue.

Since 1980, Heritage Auctions has been selected as the Official Auctioneer of 40 ANA conventions, more than all our competitors combined — in fact, four times as many as all our competitors combined! Heritage has a tradition of presenting the largest and most important ANA events ever, and in 2010 we will deliver to our consignors and bidders two more opportunities to be a part of American numismatic history.

When you consign with Heritage, you always receive the finest service and prices realized available in the world today - after all, that is how we grew to become the world's leading numismatic auctioneer. When the time comes to sell, you want the strongest firm with the greatest demand from the most qualified bidders, coupled with the best Internet platform. Heritage delivers all that and a lot more when you select an ANA venue!

2010 March Fort Worth, TX Signature ANA US Coin Auction
March 23, 2010 to March 28, 2010
Consignment Deadline: February 12, 2010

Leo Frese Executive Vice President Leo@HA.com 1-800-US-COINS ext. 1222

Interested in Selling?
What's My Coin Worth?
Get the Most Money for Your Collection
Consign to a Heritage Auction

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I just got through paging through the FUN Platinum Night catalog. I've gotta say — those photos are beautiful!

Congrats to all involved who made that happen. I think it is the best photography Heritage has ever done.

D.W., Connecticut

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Coin Auctions

2010 January Orlando, FL FUN US Coin Auction #1136 January 6-10, 2010 View Lots 2010 January Dallas, TX Non-Floor World Coin Auction #3007 January 12, 2010 View Lots Sunday Internet Coin Auction #210012 January 10, 2010 View Lots Tuesday Internet Coin Auction #210012 January 12, 2010 View Lots  Monthly World Coin Internet Auction #610011 January 17, 2010 View Lots

Currency Auctions

2010 January FUN Signature Currency Auction #3508 January 7-11, 2010 View Lots Tuesday Internet Currency Auction #310012 January 12, 2010 View Lots

Other Signature Auctions

2010 January Signature Natural History Auction #6036 January 17, 2010 View Lots

Other Internet Auctions

Sunday Internet Movie Poster Auction #510012 January 10, 2010 View Lots Sunday Internet Sports Auction #410012 January 10, 2010 View Lots Sunday Internet Comics Auction #110012 January 10, 2010 View Lots Internet Rare Stamp Auction #910011 January 31, 2010 View Lots

Auction Schedule | Order a Catalog

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