A 1852 Assay Office octagonal $50 "slug" with the inscription 900 THOUS to denote its fineness, graded MS64 by PCGS sold for $396,562 in the December 4 - 7 Houston Money Show US Coins Signature Auction. The Auction made its way to a total of over $9.2 million in sales. All prices realized include a 17.5% Buyer's Premium.
This coin is tied for the finest certified and is believed to have once been owned by then-US Assayer Augustus Humbert. The 900 THOUS variety was made necessary when legislation was passed requiring all customs dues to be paid in gold coins of at least .900 fine; previous Assay office issues had been .880, .884, and .887 fine.
1852 $50. Defiant eagle to left, head turned to right, a U.S. shield which rests on rocks, and three arrows in right talon, while from the base of right wing starts a ribband inscribed LIBERTY and passing on through the eagle's beak, terminates in right field, around UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FIFTY DOLLS. above on scroll 900 THOUS this central device enclosed in a beaded circle, outside of which and following the octagon shape of the coin is UNITED STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA 1852. R. Engine turned. Edge, milled. Octagonal
At AU50, the example of the 1870-CC double eagle in this auction would be considered high grade and one of the ten finest known. No examples of this date have ever been certified in Mint State. The 1870-CC is one of the three keys to the Liberty double eagle series, and this PCGS-graded coin brought a corresponding price when it sold for $305,500.
A 1915 sandblast proof eagle, graded Proof-66 by PCGS, is tied with one other coin as the finest graded by that service. The unconventional finish was wildly unpopular at the time the coin was made, but collectors are drawn to it now because of the unusual finish, the exquisite strike, and the clarity of detail. This coin sold for $99,875.
Just a few of the many other highlights of this auction included:
1889-CC $1 MS64 NGC Realized: $70,500
1916-D 10C MS66 Full Bands PCGS. CAC Realized: $61,687.50
1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim MS65+ NGC. CAC Realized: $52,875
1853 10C Arrows PR66+ PCGS. CAC Realized: $52,875
1879-CC $1 MS65+ PCGS. CAC Realized: $49,937.50
1831 1/2 C Reverse of 1836 PR66 Red NGC Realized: $45,531.25
1885-S 10C MS66 PCGS. CAC Realized: $45,531.25
1864-S $5 XF45 PCGS Realized: $44,062.50
1945 New York Assay Office Gold Ingot. 26.94 Ounces Realized: $41,125
1900 $2 1/2 PR67 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC Realized: $41,125
The January 4-5 NYINC World coin auction is already open for bidding, with the January 7-12 FUN US Coins auction also scheduled to take bids starting very soon at www.HA.com/coins.
