Rare Coins and Currency Drive Heritage Heritage CSNS auction results to $46.4 Million
Record Coiled Hair Stella, Brazilian Afonso VI gold issues, and an 1882 Gold Certificate lead Heritage’s Central States sales
Heritage Auctions realized a combined $46,444,248 across three major numismatic events tied to the Central States Numismatic Society convention.
Collectors competed for trophy U.S. coins, rare world and ancient coins, and important U.S. currency. As a result, the sales produced seven-figure U.S. coin results, major Brazilian gold records, and a leading price for a rare 1882 Gold Certificate.
Heritage’s April 29-May 2 CSNS U.S. Coins Signature® Auction totaled $26,918,208. In addition, the April 29-30 CSNS World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction realized $11,888,476. Meanwhile, the April 28-May 1 CSNS U.S. Currency Signature® Auction brought $7,637,564.
“Heritage has long been the premier destination for the most serious numismatists,” said Todd Imhof, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions. “This auction not only reaffirms that position, it demonstrates the depth of demand at the highest levels of the market and fuels our optimism for what’s ahead.”
Heritage also made digital press kits available for the U.S. Coins, World & Ancient Coins, and U.S. Currency events.
1879 Coiled Hair Stella Sets the Pace at $2.135 Million
The top U.S. coin result came from the 1879 Coiled Hair Stella, Judd-1638, Pollock-1838, JD-1, R.6, PR67 Cameo NGC. The coin, from the Presidio Collection, Part II, sold for $2,135,000.
That price eclipsed the previous auction record of $1,464,000, which Heritage set in January 2026.
The 1879 Coiled Hair stella ranks among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. It also stands among the rarest and most valuable issues in American numismatics. Specialists document just 14 examples.
This example came entirely fresh to the market. It also ties for finest-certified honors. In addition, it served as the plate coin for the sixth edition of 100 Greatest U.S. Coins.
“When legendary coins and knowledgeable, passionate collectors come together, numismatic history can be rewritten, and that is exactly what was witnessed in our Central States auction,” Imhof said. “The 1879 Coiled Hair Stella that led the event is a perfect example, drawing 59 bids before reaching its record result.”
Presidio Collection Rarities Bring Seven-Figure and Record Results
Another major Presidio Collection coin also reached seven figures. A 1933 Indian Eagle, MS65 PCGS. CAC realized $1,586,000. That result broke the previous auction record of $960,000, set in December 2025.
The 1933 Indian eagle remains one of the great American numismatic rarities of the 20th century. It represents the final year of issue for the Saint-Gaudens design type. It also appears in 100 Greatest U.S. Coins.
This example first surfaced in the collection of Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Later, it appeared in the Floyd Starr and John Kutasi collections. The CSNS auction marked its first public offering since 2008.
The Presidio Collection also included an 1880 Coiled Hair Stella, Judd-1660, Pollock-1860, JD-1, Low R.7, PR62 NGC. It sold for $854,000, a record for the issue in that grade.
Only a handful of examples survive. This coin once highlighted major collections, including those formed by Jerome Kern and Amon G. Carter. With only 10 examples documented in all grades, the 1880 Coiled Hair stella remains one of the great prizes of American gold coinage.
An 1880 Flowing Hair Stella, Judd-1657, Pollock-1857, JD-1, R.6, PR65 NGC. CAC, also from the Presidio Collection, reached $777,750. That price set another grade-level record for the issue.
This example carries an Eliasberg pedigree. It ranks among the finest survivors from a small population. It also ties one other example for finest among CAC-certified survivors.
Pizza Collection Standing Liberty Quarters and Morgan Dollars Shine
The Pizza Collection delivered one of the auction’s most important Standing Liberty quarter results.
A 1927-S Quarter, MS65+ Full Head PCGS. CAC sold for $610,000. That price shattered the previous record of $258,500, set by Heritage in 2014. It also surpassed the prior auction record for any Standing Liberty quarter of any date, $372,000, set in 2021, also at Heritage.
Few Standing Liberty quarters challenge collectors more than the 1927-S with Full Head detail. This example had not appeared publicly at auction for 16 years. Only eight Full Head 1927-S quarters are publicly documented in MS65 or finer. This coin also carries CAC approval and stands as the only PCGS MS65 Full Head example with a Plus designation.
The Pizza Collection also offered an 1893-S Morgan Dollar, MS63 PCGS. It realized $488,000, a record for the grade.
The 1893-S dollar comes from a series-low business-strike mintage of 100,000 pieces. Collectors recognize it as the key to the Morgan dollar series. It also appears in 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. Mint State examples remain elusive. PCGS has graded only 10 in MS63, with just 10 finer.
A 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, Judd-1989, Pollock-2050, R.8, PR61 NGC, also from the Pizza Collection, brought $280,600. The sale marked only its second known auction appearance. It exceeded the $168,000 result the same coin achieved in 2018.
Pattern Standing Liberty quarters rank among the rarest trial coins known. Examples reside only in the Smithsonian Institution and the most prestigious private collections. Heritage discovered this example in 2018, when it arrived in an old-time collection while masquerading as a normal 1916 quarter.
More U.S. Coin Records at CSNS
An 1892-S Morgan Dollar, MS65 PCGS from the Pizza Collection realized $268,400. A 1919-D Quarter, MS67 Full Head PCGS reached the same price. The 1919-D result topped the previous record of $152,750, which had stood since 2012.
Several other important coins also posted major results. A 1932 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, MS65 PCGS brought $244,000. Meanwhile, an 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, Judd-1635, Pollock-1833, JD-1, R.3, PR65 PCGS. CAC closed at $219,600.
Other new U.S. coin records included:
- $207,400: 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, MS67 Full Head PCGS, from the Pizza Collection. It topped the previous record of $195,500, set in 2010.
- $140,300: 1926-S Quarter, MS66+ Full Head PCGS. CAC, from the Big Sky Collection of Standing Liberty Quarters Part II. It surpassed the previous mark of $103,700, set by the MS66 Full Head quarter that immediately preceded it in the auction.
- $134,200: 1917-D Quarter, Type Two, MS68 Full Head PCGS, from the Pizza Collection. It eclipsed the $73,473.50 that the same coin achieved in 2012.
- $134,200: 1918 Quarter, MS68 Full Head PCGS. CAC, from the Pizza Collection. It more than doubled the previous record of $58,750, set for the same coin in 2013.
- $134,200: 1854 Kellogg Twenty Dollar Copper Die Trial, MS64 Brown PCGS. K-1. It exceeded the previous mark of $80,500, set by Heritage in 2012 for the same coin.
- $122,000: 1850 Mormon Five Dollar, AU55 PCGS. CAC. K-5, High R.5, from the Presidio Collection. It topped the previous record of $102,000, set by Heritage in 2022.
- $103,700: 1926-S Quarter, MS66 Full Head PCGS. CAC. It broke the previous record of $55,200, set by Heritage in January 2025.
- $100,650: 1850-C Half Eagle, MS64 PCGS. Winter-4, from the Presidio Collection. It more than doubled the previous record of $40,200, set in 1995.
Complete U.S. coin results appear at HA.com/1393.
Brazilian Afonso VI Gold Issues Lead World and Ancient Coins
Two Brazilian Afonso VI gold issues shared top-lot honors in Heritage’s World & Ancient Coins sale. Each sold for $292,800 and set a record for the type.
The first was an Afonso VI gold Counterstamped 4400 Reis (Moeda) ND (1686), MS63 PCGS. The second was an Afonso VI gold Counterstamped 4400 Reis ND (1668), AU50 NGC.
The 1686 coin belongs to a transitional period between hammered coinage and machine-made coinage. Its crowned globe shows that the coin passed inspection at the mint. After that inspection, the mint applied a milled edge to the hammered coin to combat clipping.
However, the example had already suffered heavy clipping. The law failed because clipped and unclipped coins both received the same regulated value. As a result, people clipped coins before they had them stamped and edged.
The 1668 coin represents some of the first Portuguese regulated coins for Brazil. Heritage described it as a survivor from only a few dozen known examples. It reappeared 15 years after its prior offering and remains the only piece of its kind ever offered by Heritage.
“The results for these coins are as impressive as the coins themselves,” said Cris Bierrenbach, Heritage’s Executive Vice President of International Numismatics. “Demand for Brazilian coins has been growing in the collecting community in recent years, which is evident in the more than 100 bids cast between these two coins, as well as the record results.”
Dutch Brazil Gold Klippes and João V Gold Also Set Records
A Pernambuco, Dutch Colony – Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) gold Klippe 3 Guilders (Florins) 1646, AU55 NGC, from the Vila Rica Collection of Brazilian Gold Coins, Part I, achieved $268,400. That price set another record for the type.
This piece represents the largest denomination from the brief Dutch colonial series. The Dutch struck it during the occupation of Brazil from 1630 to 1654. Few survive because many pieces went to the melting pot after Portugal restored control.
A related Pernambuco, Dutch Colony – GWC gold Klippe 12 Guilders (Florins) 1646, MS61 NGC brought $146,400.
Brazilian gold continued to draw strong demand. A João V gold 12800 Reis (Dobra) 1729-B, AU58 NGC realized a record $134,200. The coin represents one of the most elusive Bahia Mint issues and a key date that rarely appears at auction.
A João V gold 6400 Reis (Peça) 1734-M, MS62 NGC ended at $103,700.
Russian, Indian, and Other World Coins Bring Strong Prices
An exceedingly rare Nicholas II gold Specimen Imperial of 10 Roubles 1896-??, SP61 PCGS realized $268,400. That stands as the second-highest result on record.
The coin has a reported mintage of just 125 pieces. Only a handful have received certification across the major grading services. Therefore, the offering gave bidders a rare chance to pursue a cornerstone Russian rarity.
A British India Victoria silver Proof Pattern Piefort Rupee 1860, PR63 NGC raced past pre-auction estimates and sold for a record $70,150.
Two other Indian coins also set records. A Sultans of Malwa, Ghiyas Shah, as Heir Apparent (AH 873-906 / AD 1469-1500) gold Square Tanka AH 894 (1488/1489), MS66 NGC nearly doubled the previous mark when it closed at $41,480.
In addition, a Mughal Empire, Jahangir (AH 1014-1037 / AD 1605-1627) gold Mohur AH 10xx Year 15 (c. 1619/1620), MS63 PCGS nearly quadrupled the previous record when it ended at $40,260.
Other world coin records included a West Friesland Provincial “Silver Rider” Ducaton 1673, MS62 Prooflike NGC at $53,680; a West Friesland Provincial “Silver Rider” Ducaton 1673, MS63+ NGC at $53,680; a Central American Republic 8 Reales 1837 NG-BA, MS66? NGC at $43,920; and a Charles III 8 Reales 1778 Mo-FM, VF35 NGC at $39,040.
Ancient Coins and a Natural Gold Nugget Add Depth
Ancient coins also performed well. A Macedonian Kingdom, Alexander III the Great AV distater realized $158,600. The coin was struck during Alexander’s lifetime. Its refined artistry and strong preservation continued to attract advanced collectors.
A Constantius II AV medallion of 2-solidi achieved $134,200. Heritage noted that it represents just the fourth known example of this important commemorative type. The medallion celebrates the emperor’s victory over Magnentius in AD 353.
The auction also featured an extraordinary Praetorian Roman military diploma from the reign of Vespasian, dated AD 74. It realized $134,200.
The set of bronze plates ranks among the most complete examples Heritage has handled in more than a decade. It documents the granting of citizenship and legal rights to elite military units. It also offers a rare tangible link to Roman imperial administration.
Beyond traditional numismatics, a natural gold nugget weighing 926.3 grams, or 29.78 ounces, realized $138,624. The result showed continued interest in major natural gold specimens tied to the history of gold discovery and collecting.
Complete World & Ancient Coins results appear at HA.com/3132.
1882 Gold Certificate Leads U.S. Currency Sale
An extraordinary Fr. 1218e $1,000 1882 Gold Certificate, PMG Very Fine 30 realized $378,200. It led Heritage’s CSNS U.S. Currency Signature® Auction to $7,637,564.
Collectors competed for rare U.S. currency, Confederate notes, National Bank Notes, Gold Certificates, and high-denomination Federal Reserve Notes.
The top lot features a large portrait of Alexander Hamilton. It also displays a striking orange back with an eagle vignette.
The census currently records just five survivors. Two belong to Federal Reserve Banks. Another has not appeared for decades. That leaves only two examples known in private hands.
“This is an exceptional addition to any collection — a historically significant note that is exceedingly difficult to acquire because of its rarity,” said Dustin Johnston, Senior Vice President of Numismatics at Heritage Auctions. “To be from a minuscule population, more than half of which is out of reach of collectors, makes this an unquestioned treasure for its new owner.”
High-Denomination Notes and National Bank Notes Draw Bids
A Fr. 1133-D $1,000 1918 Federal Reserve Note, PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ brought $231,800.
The Cleveland district note is one of only 14 examples recorded in the Track & Price Census. PMG has graded only eight representatives of the number. This example ranks as the finest encapsulated by PMG and the highest grade currently recorded for Fr. 1133-D.
National Bank Notes also delivered one of the auction’s strongest results. A San Juan, Puerto Rico – $10 1902 Date Back Fr. 616, The First National Bank of Porto Rico at San Juan, Ch. # (S)6484, PMG Fine 12 realized $170,800.
The note came from the only national bank on the island of Puerto Rico. It also stands as the only 1902 Blue Seal known from the charter. The other recorded notes are 1902 Red Seals.
Confederate Currency Adds Major Results
The Confederate currency section produced another $170,800 result. A T1 $1,000 1861 PF-1 Cr. 1, PMG Choice About Unc 58 EPQ sold for that amount.
The note represents the only $1,000 issue emitted by the Confederate Treasury. It belongs to the Montgomery series issued from Montgomery, Alabama. It shows portraits of John C. Calhoun and Andrew Jackson.
Actual register Alexander B. Clitherall and treasurer Edward C. Elmore signed the note. PMG has encapsulated it as the sole finest example.
A Serial Number 1 Denver, Colorado Territory – $20 Original Fr. 426, The First National Bank Ch. #1016, PMG Very Fine 25 reached $109,800.
Only three Serial Number 1 Original Series $20s are known for the entire country. This note is the only one reported from a Territorial bank. As a result, it remains a trophy-level National Bank Note.
A Fr. 127 $20 1869 Legal Tender, PCGS Banknote Superb Gem Unc 67 PPQ brought $82,350. The Rainbow $20 has earned the highest grade reported by Track & Price for the Friedberg number. It also stands as one of just four notes to achieve the grade from a major grading service.
Another Confederate rarity, a T35 $5 1861 PF-1 Cr. 271, PMG Very Fine 25, sold for $79,300. Collectors know the type as the “Indian Princess” note. It attracts strong demand because of its short production run of just 7,160 examples. This note also lacks the repairs, restorations, and impairments often seen on the type.
The post Heritage CSNS Numismatic Auctions Reach $46.4 Million appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.
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