NGC-certified Early US Gold Rarity Realizes $300,000 at Stack's Bowers Sale

Two rare gold coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) each realized six figures in Stack's Bowers' August 2020 Session 2 - Rarities Night sale, held August 6, 2020.

A 1797 Small Eagle $10 graded NGC MS 62 realized $300,000. In its day, the design of the small eagle on the reverse of these $10 coins was criticized as scrawny looking, and it was quickly phased out for a more impressive, heraldic eagle design.

1797 Small Eagle $10 graded NGC MS 62. Realized: $300,000 Click images to enlarge.

Meanwhile, from over a century later, a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round $50 graded NGC MS 65 realized $138,000. When these coins were first issued, collectors preferred the unusual octagonal version, so fewer round ones sold, making them rarer today. This particular example comes from the top tier grade-wise.

Other NGC-certified highlights include:

• an 1828 Quarter graded NGC MS 67 that realized $78,000
• an 1860 Clark, Gruber and Co. $20 graded NGC AU Details that realized $54,000
• an 1865 Double Eagle graded NGC MS 65 and pedigreed to the S.S. Republic that realized $43,200
• a 1906-D Eagle graded NGC MS 67 that realized $40,800
• an 1873 Arrows Half Dollar graded PF 67 Ultra Cameo that realized $36,000
• an 1860 Clark, Gruber and Co. $10 graded NGC MS 60 that realized $33,600
• a 1795 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar graded NGC AU 55 that realized $26,400.

Prices realized include buyers' premium and are expressed in US dollars.