DALLAS, TX – The number continues to edge ever higher with post-Auction buying, but preliminary figures from Heritage Auction Galleries indicate total prices realized will exceed $14 million over the course of five days of rare coin auctions at the firm’s Baltimore, MD Signature® US Coin Auction, March 27-31, 2009. The ongoing total prices realized is in line with what Heritage was aiming for in pre-auction preparation.

“I’d say it’s even on the high side of what we had hoped to accomplish with this event,” said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage. “We’ve seen sustained steadiness in the U.S. coin market over the course of the last seven months. When numerous other markets are continuing to sink, or just tread water, coins have continued to be reliable ballast to a large number of portfolios.”

These solid numbers come just a month before Heritage’s official auction of the 2009 CSNS Convention in Cincinnati, OH, an auction that is already featuring the Amon Carter Class III 1804 $1, the most famous coin in all of collecting, as its anchor. Along with that coin, Central States will also feature the Joseph C. Thomas Collection, one of the finest rare coin collections in the world, with more than 750 of the finest examples of a wide variety of exceptional coinage.

“This bodes well for the hobby,” said Rohan. “Going into an event of the size and importance of Central States, it’s important that collectors and consignors alike see that the market is still active and that demand is still strong.”

Leading the Baltimore auction, realizing $322,000, was a 1795 $10 13 Leaves MS63 PCGS. This coin is a fantastic representative of such an historic date. The United States Mint produced gold coins for the first time in 1795, starting with half eagles, and beginning the $10 gold series in September. A modest mintage of 5,583 eagles dated 1795 was achieved during the fiscal year, with deliveries taking place from September 27, 1795 through March 30, 1796. Five different die marriages are known for the date, with BD-1 – as this example represents – the most “common” variety. In Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, John Dannreuther estimates a total surviving population of 225-325 examples of the BD-1 variety in all grades. The date may be available in the context of early U.S. gold coinage, but it is scarce in absolute terms.

At $109,250, a 1909 $5 PR68 NGC made a strong showing in Baltimore. Mint officials most likely anticipated strong collector demand for the new Indian half eagle when they delivered 167 proofs in 1908. Sales, however, were disappointing, a fact that one can easily see in the limited mintage of the 1909. This second-year issue was produced to the extent of just 78 coins, and the finish was markedly different from that employed for the 1908. The 1909, as well as the 1910, was struck with a Roman Gold finish. This piece is tied for the single finest proof 1909 $5 at NGC and PCGS (2/09) – or that figure may represent one coin presented twice for grading and certification. It is easily one of the most appealing specimen strikings Heritage has ever offered.