One of just two known proofs of an 1829 proof half eagle drew 56 bids on its way to a record $2.88 million to lead Heritage Auctions’ Central States Numismatic Society U.S. Coins Signature Auction to $46,206,006 May 3-7.
When added to the $9,164,164 result from Heritage’s CSNS World Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction and the $5,741,447 total from the May 3-5 CSNS U.S. Currency Signature Auction, the combined total for the three events soared to $61,111,617.
The half eagle, cataloged as Large Diameter, Large Date, BD-1, R.7, PF-66+ PCGS JD-1, R.8, was the top lot from The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part III, from which proceeds will benefit dozens of Dallas-based nonprofits supported by the Harry W. Bass Jr. Foundation, with an emphasis on early childhood education and literacy in Dallas. Part III generated nearly $18.15 million and produced the event’s top three results. The $2.88 million result for the 1829 half eagle – one of 30-plus records set in the event – more than doubled the previous mark of $1.38 million.
“Pair the exceptional lots in these
