The Jon Alan Boka collection of rare 1794 Large Cents dominated Heritage's Long Beach auctions held on September 7-13, 2016 reached close to $32 million in sales. All prices realized during the five auctions include a 17.5% buyer's premium.
The Boka collection, which consisted of 57 large cents dated 1794, contributed the top nine results of the Long Beach US Coins auction. The star of this collection was a 1794 Starred Reverse cent S-48, graded VF35 by PCGS which sold for $258,500. As the discovery coin for this popular variety this coin is typically considered the fifth finest known. Considered the sixth finest known is a 1794 S-18b cent graded AU58+ by PCGS, which realized $176,250. In total, this auction raised nearly $14 million for its consignors. Meanwhile, the Twelve Oaks Collection auction reached an additional $8.5 million during the US coins at Long Beach. Leading the lot was a delightful 1795 half eagle graded MS62 by NGC, that sold for $141,000.
During Heritage's Long Beach world coin auction, almost $4.5 million worth of world coins were sold. An uncleaned gold bar from the "Golden Fleece" wreck, presumed to have occurred around 1550, was realized at $39,950. The coin is aptly named after the royal stamping of the Golden Fleece on several of the gold bars.
The Long Beach Currency Signature brought in cost to $4 million, as four rare pieces of US currency sold for $100,000 or more. A Fr. 344 $100 1891 Silver Certificate graded Choice Extremely Fine 45 EPQ by PMG, one of only 31 examples, reached $152,750. As did a Fr. 2220-G $5,000 1928 Federal Reserve Note graded About Uncirculated 55 by PMG, issued by the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank.
A rare Irish Currency Commission Northern Bank Limited £10 6.5.1929, Pick 34, graded Very Fine 30 by PMG, shined at the Long Beach World Currency Signature Auction. Believed to be one of only seven in existence, this coin sold for $32,900 leading to the overall results of a little over $1 million.
The next US Coin Signature auction will be taking place on October 3-5 in Dallas, but bidding has already opened at www.HA.com/coins. Various new currency and world coin auctions will also be opening soon at www.HA.com.
