Between August 2-5, Heritage Auction held the incredibly successful US Coins Signature Auction, raising a total of $27.5 million. During the Platinum Night of the event (Aug. 3), over $21 million in rare coins were sold to enthusiastic collectors. The star of the auction was an extremely rare 1907 Ultra High Relief double eagle, whose distinctive feature is the 1906-style, Sans Serif Font edge lettering, with stars between all letters of E PLURIBUS UNUM inscription.
This specific lettering is proof of the fact that this is one of the first three Ultra High Relief coins ever struck. It was the first of this kind to be discovered, and later only two more were found. According to Greg Rohan, the President of Heritage Auctions, “The coin shows evidence of handling, as implied by its Proof-58 grade. If it was used as a pocket piece by some early recipient, we can only wonder who that person was.” The coin was sold for a whopping $1,057,500, buyer’s premium included.
Another extremely rare coin – one of only four known – at the auction was a 1802 Novodel proof dollar, considered by specialists as the fines of the four known examples. “Novodel” is a term that describes a coin which was struck long after the date that is written on it, even though it is not a restrike. The coin was very probably struck in the 1870, and it fetched $851,875, buyer’s premium included.
Also a remarkable rarity sold at the event was the 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle, which went for $587,500, buyer’s premium included. There are only four known examples of the coin that flaunt a grade that is MS65 or higher. This being one of them, it’s no wonder that it sold for such a prohibitive price!
