NGC-certified US Double Eagle and England Triple Unite Each Realize $180,000

A 1905 Double Eagle graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) was among the coins that drew the highest bids at the Heritage Auctions Central States US Coins Signature Auction held April 25-28. The gold rarity graded NGC PF 65+ Ultra Cameo realized $180,000.

This 1905 Double Eagle is the only Ultra Cameo example in the NGC census. Realized: $180,000 Click images to enlarge.

Meanwhile, in the Heritage Auctions Central States World Coins & Ancient Coins Signature Auction, an England 1642 Triple Unite graded NGC MS 61 also realized $180,000, well above its pre-auction estimate.

1642 England Triple Unite, graded NGC MS 61. Realized: $180,000. Click images to enlarge.

The coin, the largest hammered gold coin ever produced in England, was issued by King Charles I during the English Civil War as a symbol of the king’s ability to unite the realm under “the Protestant religion, the laws of England, and the Liberty of Parliament.”

In the US coin auction, the rarity of the 1905 Double Eagle stood out.

Only 92 of the coins were minted, and this coin is the only Ultra Cameo example in the NGC census; Ultra Cameo Proofs are rare from the final years of the Liberty Head Double Eagle series, which ended in 1907.

Other notable NGC-graded US coins included a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round $50 commemorative, graded NGC MS 65, which realized $120,000. It was one of five designs issued for a world’s fair held in San Francisco to celebrate completion of the Panama Canal. Only 483 of the coins were minted.

Another standout US sale was a 1851 “880” No “50” Humbert $50, graded NGC MS 61, that realized $132,000. The coin was an example of the earliest coins minted in Gold Rush-era California by a former New York watchmaker, Augustus Humbert, who was the head of the first US assay office in the state.

Meanwhile, a silver rarity, an 1805/4 Half Dollar graded NGC MS 65, realized $105,000.

Other notable NGC-graded world coins included:

• Lot 30146 - Lydia - Croesus Gold Stater, graded NGC Ancients Gem MS, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface. Realized: $90,000.
• Lot 30440 - Brazil (GWC) 1645 3 Florins, graded NGC MS 63. Realized: $66,000.
• Lot 31063 - England 1553 1 Sovereign, graded NGC AU 58. Realized: $60,000.
• Lot 31289 - Great Britain 1917 1 Sovereign, graded NGC MS 65. Realized: $50,400.
• Lot 31770 - Russia 1834CNB Platinum 6 Roubles, graded NGC MS 64. Realized: $48,000.
• Lot 31097 - England 1686 5 Guineas, graded NGC AU 58. Realized $43,200.

• Lot 30145 - Lydia - Croesus Gold Stater, graded NGC Ancients AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface. Realized: $36,000.
• Lot 30448 - Brazil 1727R Gold 3200 Reis, graded NGC MS 60. Realized: $33,600.
• Lot 31767 - Russia 1847 Gold 5 Roubles, graded NGC PF 64. Realized: $31,200.
• Lot 30458 - Brazil 1733M Gold 6400 Reis, graded NGC XF 45. Realized: $18,000.

Other notable NGC-graded US coins included:

• Lot 3753 - 1892-O Half Dollar, graded NGC SP 66★. Realized: $96,000.
• Lot 3951 - A 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal $50 commemorative, graded NGC MS 63. Realized $72,000.
• Lot 3781 - An 1889-CC Morgan Dollar, graded NGC MS 63. Realized $66,000.

• Lot 3781 - 1889-CC Morgan Dollar in a red Paramount holder, graded NGC MS 63, realized $66,000.