1849-C Open Wreath Gold $1, The Finest Known Example, Anchors Heritage Chicago ANA Offerings

Heritage Auctions - An 1849-C G$1 Open Wreath MS62 PCGS Secure, one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the U.S. gold series, is the centerpiece of Heritage Auctions Aug. 13, 2015, Platinum Night offerings from the company's Aug. 12-16, 2015 ANA U.S. Coins Auctions in Chicago, IL.



"This is an issue of the rarest gold dollar ever made by the Charlotte Mint and the finest known surviving example," said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. "As such, it will be very hotly sought-after by the top collectors. Someone is going to walk away with a centerpiece for their cabinet when this auction is all said and done."

An 1855 Wass Molitor $20, Large Head AU53 NGC, a variety unlisted in Kagin and believed unique, also has collectors of high-end gold buzzing as it heads for auction. This coin is the finest-certified example, likely challenging a coin of the same make and denomination in the Smithsonian for the finest-known honors among the Wass, Molitor & Co. Large Head $20 pieces.

"We expect intense competition from advanced Territorial gold collectors when this unique and historic issue crosses the auction block," said Rohan. "This is only the second time in more than 30 years it's appeared and, likely, it won't come around again anytime soon."

A coin of immense historical importance tops the non-gold Platinum Night offerings in the form of a 1792 Half Disme MS65 PCGS, among the few finest surviving coins of the type. Ownership of a 1792 Half Disme in any grade is among the top accomplishments that any advanced collector of numismatic Americana can hope to achieve, thus it's not a stretch to say that the 1792 Half Disme is probably the single most important American coin issue, if not the most famed or celebrated. They are, simply put, the first national coinage issue of a fledgling America.

Not to be overlooked by any stretch is the 1838-O Capped Bust Half SP50 PCGS Secure, a classic reeded edge rarity and just one of nine examples traced. This is an example of a legendary coin that has mystified collectors for more than 150 years. The detailed New Orleans Mint Report for 1838 makes no mention of coining half dollars that year, but examples began appearing at auction as early as 1867. Present-day numismatists have traced just nine examples, including one coin in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution, which has been there since at least 1839.

The Heritage Summer 2015 ANA offerings are deep in fine collections, with several notable examples leading the way:

From The Duquesne Collection comes an 1854-O Liberty Double Eagle AU55 NGC, a classic O-Mint rarity, an 1856-O Liberty Double Eagle AU55 NGC, a rare, low-mintage key and one of just 23 examples traced and an 1870-CC Liberty Double Eagle VF30 NGC, the rarest Carson City $20 and a popular first-year issue.

From The Ed Trompeter Collection of Proof $5 Liberties comes an 1858 Liberty Half Eagle PR67 Ultra Cameo NCG, the Finest-Known Specimen and one of only five examples traced, while Selections from The Liberty Collection Part III brings us a host of fine coins, including an 1861 Original Confederate Cent SP62 PCGS, one of only 14 such pieces known and an incredible piece of American Civil War history, along with a 1793 S-6 Wreath Cent MS66 Red and Brown PCGS CAC, the finest known Sprung Die and one of the five finest 1793 Wreath Cents.