Heritage Auctions’ rare U.S. coins event held in Orlando, Jan. 8-12 has grossed more than $55 million which may be on track to break the all-time record for any numismatic auction. Two of America’s most famous and valuable rare coins lead the sale when they brought a combined $7.87 million. The first gold coin made for the United States, a Brasher Doubloon hand-struck in 1787 by George Washington’s New York City neighbor, brought $4,582,500.
This Brasher doubloon was the first one known to numismatists and has been off the market since Walter Perschke purchased it in 1979 for a then-record price of $430,000. It was the subject of a Raymond Chandler book, a Hollywood movie and it was displayed by a previous owner at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City
The second coin – a 1913 Liberty nickel, PR64 NGC, CAC, the Olsen Specimen realized $3,290,000. One of only five 1913 Liberty nickels known, two of which are held by museums, it also is called “The Hawaii Five-O Specimen” after an appearance on a 1973 episode of the television show.
“The legendary Brasher Doubloon is one of the most important coins in American history because it’s the first gold coin struck for the young United States and it’s one of only a handful that exist,” said Todd Imhof, executive vice president of Heritage Auctions, “This is a record auction price for one of these historic, early American coins.”
This Heritage Auctions’ FUN (Florida United Numismatists) Offerings in Orlando, Fla., along with Heritage’s FUN Currency Signature Auction and the Adam Mervis Large Cent Collection Auction (also at FUN) generated a record $90+ million in total sales.
