Silver Center Cent Highlights Platinum Night Results

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The famous 1792 Silver Center Cent, an example of the first coin to be struck inside the Philadelphia Mint building, led all lots in Platinum Night results from the CSNS US Coin Signature Auction on Thursday, April 19. This coin realized $1,15 million, highlighting a Platinum Night that brought consignors over $12 Million. The Silver Center Cent, at MS61 the third finest known, was an early attempt to manufacture a one cent piece in a manageable size that still contained roughly its value in metal. A small plug, believed to be pure silver and worth 3/4 of a cent at the time, was inserted into the center of a copper planchet, making a very early version of a bimetallic coin. It wasn’t until 1857 when the US Cent would be permanently minted in a small size. This auction was rich in proof gold, particularly double eagles. A 1885 double eagle, graded PR67 Cameo by NGC, exemplified the high demand for these large, beautiful coins when it sold for $241,500. Beyond its obvious eye appeal, this coin’s popularity is assured by a minuscule circulation strike mintage of 751, which increases the demand for proof issues like this piece. Another extremely low mintage coin, the proof-only 1863 quarter eagle, brought $195,500. With only thirty examples minted and about half of that total believed to be melted, this Proof-66 Ultra Cameo example is an outstanting example of this classic rarity.

• Other highlights of this auction were:
• 1899 $20 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC. CAC. Sold for $207,000.
• 1900 $20 PR67 Cameo NGC. CAC. Sold for $195,500.
• 1898 $20 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC. CAC. Sold for $195,500.
• 1887 $20 PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC. Sold for $195,500.
• 1836 $2 1/2 PR64 Cameo PCGS Secure. Breen-6142, Variety-9, R.8 as a Proof. CAC. Sold for $195,500.
• 1921 $20 MS63 PCGS. Sold for $178,250.
• 1897 $20 PR67 Cameo NGC. Sold for $161,000.
• 1841 $2 1/2 PR55 NGC. Sold for $149,500.
• 1867 $20 PR64 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC. Sold for $138,000.
• 1919-D 10C MS66 Full Bands PCGS Secure. CAC. Sold for $138,000.
• 1892 $20 PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC. Sold for $138,000.