As collector interest in early holder coins continues to surge, Heritage has introduced its popular series of Showcase Auctions for U.S. Coins in Early Holders – every coin in those sales is an early holder coin! Early holder coins offer an additional element of interest and focus for numismatists.  This article provides specific examples of early holder coins and discusses why they appeal to collectors.    Preview the Elusive NGC Black Holder and Other Early Coin Holders. Browse, bid, or track the 1924 $20 NGC “Black Holder” coin shown above. Browse all items, and see the mos ..read more

A lucky Texas coin collector recently hit the jackpot!  While searching through a bank roll of 1969-s Lincoln Cents in an old family collection, the collector made an incredible find. One of the coins in the roll turned out to be a coveted 1969-s Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) cent – one of the most sought-after modern errors in numismatics. The coin was submitted to PCGS for authentication and graded MS64 Red, an elusive grade for this error. PCGS has certified only a small number of 1969-s DDO cents in full red condition. Heritage Auctions will offer this newly discovered exa ..read more

What are Coins with No Mint Marks, and Are They Valuable? One of the most common questions that we are asked is about coins without mintmarks or that seem to be missing a mintmark. Millions and millions of coins have been struck over the years at the Philadelphia Mint with no mintmarks. This is normal and rarely adds value given the large mintages at this important coin-minting facility. However, a coin with no mintmark can be special when this mintmark was left off by accident rather than on purpose. PREVIEW – Check the schedule to find the next rare coin auction. Specifically, the No S Pro ..read more

While many people today are interested in Civil War history, not everyone knows about the financial background of this time in American History and its deep connection with the striking and use of coins. The Civil War period has rich numismatic history, including the coins of the so-called “Southern Mints” and Civil War Tokens. Dahlonega Mint 1861 D One Dollar Gold Coin for Sale Heritage will be offering an 1861-D $1 gold piece minted by the Confederacy in the February 2021 Long Beach Auction #1327. Graded a lofty AU55, this coin has survived in far better condition than is usually seen. The ..read more

Why is a penny less than 30 years old worth so much? It’s all thanks to a mix-up at the US Mint. Heritage Auctions sold a rare 1992 penny with close AM in our November 20, 2020, US coins signature auction. Watch this video to learn more. VIEW THIS ITEM: View the 1992 Lincoln Penny with Close AM. Online bidding opens about October 30, 2020. How to identify a 1992 close AM penny? Here’s how to know if your 1992 penny is worth thousands: Look at the reverse then at the A and M in America. If the letters almost touch, then you’ve got the rare 1992 close AM. If there’s space between the letters ..read more

A quick look at a 1796 Quarter Eagle Without Stars, BD-1 variety, may not impress your artistic sensibilities, as this is somewhat of an “ugly duckling” design created by the early US Mint. The lack of any stars around the border is believed by some to provide a somewhat unbalanced design. However, what may at first glance seem to be an ugly duckling of a coin is actually the holy grail for many collectors of gold coins or early American coinage–these pieces are truly rare and are infrequently available in higher grades. The Harry W. Bass Jr. Museum Sylloge calls this BD-1 variety the “Holy G ..read more

Heritage just sold a 1933 $10 Eagle gold piece—the only gold coin that can be readily traded on the open market from this year—for an astonishing $360,000 in the April Central States sale last week. If you missed your chance, another rare opportunity is presented at Heritage’s June Long Beach Auction! AUCTION PREVIEW: 1933 Indian Eagle, MS65 Rare Final Ten Dollar Issue. Only 30-40 Examples Extant. From the Dallas Bank Collection President Roosevelt had declared that the country was no longer going to be on the gold standard after 1933, so the production of gold coins for circulation screeched ..read more

Coin collecting can be a hobby for everyone, starting with affordable Wheat Cents and going all the way up to the rarest and most expensive pieces. However, it takes time and dedication to collect the very best. Despite the vast array of options in numismatics, few collectors have a chance to own the rarest and most famous pieces. Here is one collector’s take on the top 10 trophy coins for the elite collector and connoisseur. 1. 1884 and 1885 Proof-Only Trade Dollars The Trade Dollar series was created for trade with China and the Orient and was intended to compete with the dollar-sized coins ..read more

Yes, the three dozen 1933 Indian head gold eagle coins known to exist are legal to own, but these rare coins are very expensive to acquire. “With most 1933 gold coins ($20 gold pieces) currently classified by the US Government as illegal to own, a 1933 $10 Indian offers a rare opportunity to acquire a piece from this year that will not send you to a courtroom. This coin has a fascinating story of how something with a mintage of around 300,000 coins turned out to have less than 50 pieces known in all grades!” Sarah Miller, Director of Numismatics, New York Office of Heritage Auctions Accordin ..read more

How much is an 1848 CAL Quarter Eagle worth? These glittering reminders of the California Gold Rush can be worth many thousands of dollars–even hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases–depending on condition. Given the small quantity created and popular buyer demand, they always generate interest when available for auction. What determines CAL Quarter Eagle price? From a cleaned specimen that sells for a few thousand dollars to this monumental 1848 CAL. Quarter Eagle, graded MS68 ★ (star) – the finest certified at NGC – that sold for $345,000 in 2008, prices can vary widely.  What d ..read more