Heritage Turns in Another Noteworthy Auction in Fort Lauderdale

Dallas, Texas: Conducted in a single session on March 2, Heritage's Fort Lauderdale Bullet Auction realized an impressive $615,800 and opened the week of coin festivities surrounding the ANA National Money Show Convention. "We went to Fort Lauderdale hoping to enjoy the pre-show excitement-and our expectations were more than fulfilled," noted Bob Korver, Director of Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc. "Floor bidders kicked-off their time in Fort Lauderdale by purchasing 54% of the lots sold in our auction. And, judging by the coins that traded hands, they were looking for the diversified selection of numismatic rarities that only Heritage could have delivered."

The Internet once again played a decisive role in Heritage's success. Noted Heritage Co-Chairman Steve Ivy: "With $190,296 purchased, Internet bidders accounted for 36% of the lots sold in our Fort Lauderdale Bullet Auction. The World Wide Web continues to diversify and strengthen our business in ways that we never thought possible. Bidders from around the world can participate in our sales via our Interactive Internet™, and the Fort Lauderdale auction obviously benefited from that fact."

A beautiful 1858 Large Letters Flying Eagle cent PR 65 NGC, the rarest issue in this short-lived series, turned in the strongest performance among minor coins in the Fort Lauderdale Auction. The gavel fell at $14,375 for this piece. No less significant was the price of $7,475 paid for an 1859 Indian cent that NGC graded PR 66.

Heritage's offerings of silver coinage also turned in solid performances. A group of originally toned Gems were among the first to trade hands: an 1878 twenty cent piece PR 66 NGC brought $7,245; an 1818/5 quarter MS 64 PCGS sold for $5,175; a Condition Census 1862-S Seated quarter that PCGS graded MS 63 realized $4,025; and the finest certified 1860 proof quarter hammered down a price of $10,062.50 (this coin was in an NGC PR 67 holder). Among silver dollars, a PCGS certified 1870 Seated dollar in PR 65 went to its new owner for $9,775, a gorgeous 1880 Trade dollar PR 66 NGC fetched $7,130, and a key date 1879-CC Morgan dollar in PCGS MS 64 sold for $4,140.

Survivors of the fabled branch mints in Charlotte, North Carolina and Dahlonega, Georgia dominated Heritage's gold coin section in Fort Lauderdale. Among the finest known 1858-D gold dollars, an MS 63 PCGS example, traded for $17,825 and an equally rare 1848-C Liberty quarter eagle MS 61 PCGS brought $11,500. An 1854-C quarter eagle, which, at NGC MS 61, qualifies for low end Condition Census status, demanded an impressive sum of $12,650. The leader of the gold pack was, however, a stunning 1915-S Indian eagle that PCGS graded MS 64. This coin left the auction block hauling a substantial $20,125 price tag.

Heritage is now accepting consignments for their Central States Signature Sale through March 23 as well as the Central States Bullet Auction which deadlines April 24. For more information on consigning, please contact the Heritage Consignor Hotline at 1-800-US COINS (800-872-6467) Ext. 222.