NGC-certified McCloskey Collection Coins Realize $849,000 in January Sale

Two rare gold coins led a January 14 auction that featured 136 highlights of the John W. McCloskey Collection, which is certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®). A February 6, 2022 sale with another 882 NGC-certified coins from this prestigious collection should add significantly to the $849,807 realized in the January sale.

The collection of the renowned numismatic researcher is focused on US gold and silver issues of the 19th century. It includes coins from six US Mint facilities: Philadelphia; New Orleans; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dahlonega, Georgia; Carson City, Nevada; and San Francisco.

Bearing the 'D' mintmark of Dahlonega, an 1856-D Quarter Eagle graded NGC XF 45 (lot 4417) was the top coin in the January sale, realizing $66,000. Only a few dozen examples are believed to survive of this key date in the Liberty Head series.

1856-D $2.50 graded NGC XF 45 and pedigreed to the John McCloskey Collection. Realized: $66,000 Click images to enlarge.

Struck in the inaugural year of the Carson City Mint, an 1870-CC Eagle graded NGC VF 25 (lot 4438) realized $63,014. This issue is one of the rarest of all gold issues from that Nevada facility, which stopped issuing coins in 1893.

1870-CC $10 graded NGC VF 25 and pedigreed to the John McCloskey Collection. Realized: $63,014 Click images to enlarge.

The top silver coin in the sale was an 1842-O Small Date Quarter graded NGC AU 58 (lot 4326) that realized $31,200. This is a major variety in the series; only 24 examples are listed in the NGC Census, and this particular coin is the second-finest.

1842-O Small Date Quarter graded NGC AU 58 and pedigreed to the John McCloskey Collection. Realized: $31,200 Click images to enlarge.

NGC is showcasing the highlights of the McCloskey Collection that were offered in the January sale in an image gallery on its website. To explore the gallery, go to NGCcoin.com/McCloskey.

NGC encapsulated all of the McCloskey Collection coins with a special McCloskey Collection label that spotlights their important pedigree. McCloskey co-authored definitive references on early US half dimes and dimes, including "Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837," which was published in 1998, and "Early United States Dimes 1796-1837: A Reference Book of Their Types, Varieties and Rarity," which was published in 1984. He also penned more than 200 articles for The Gobrecht Journal.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the January sale included:

• an 1870-CC $5 graded NGC VF 25 (lot 4424) that realized $45,600
• an 1874-CC Arrows Dime graded NGC F 12 (lot 4321) that realized $20,400
• an 1827 Flat Top 1 Dime graded NGC AU 53 (lot 4315) that realized $18,000
• an 1872-CC $10 graded NGC VF 20 (lot 4439) that realized $16,800
• a 1797 13 Stars Dime graded NGC VF 25 (lot 4310) that realized $16,800
• an 1838-D $5 graded NGC AU 50 (lot 4402) that realized $15,600
• an 1871-CC Quarter graded NGC VF Details (lot 4333) that realized $15,600
• an 1836 Script 8 $5 graded NGC AU 50 (lot 4393) that realized $15,600

Prices realized include buyer's premium