Any collectors with a serious interest in US coins will already have the date of January 6 marked in their diary, as the Heritage Signature US Coin auction in Florida is set to sell two of the most highly-prized coins in American numismatic history.
The 1909-O Indian half eagle, and the newly identified 1907 Rolled Edge Eagle will both feature in the sale, and both will be the focus of worldwide attention.
"These two coins represent just about the ultimate prize in US numismatics, minus a few coins like the 1804 $1 and the 1913 Liberty nickel," said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage auctions. "With both of them on the Platinum Night bill in Tampa, we can be assured of some fireworks."
 The O'Neal specimen 1909-O Indian half-eagle |
The 1909-O Indian half eagle comes from 'The Jim O'Neal Collection of $5 Indians', and is the only Indian Head gold coin ever minted in New Orleans. This coin, known as the Mitchelson-Clapp-Eliasberg-Price specimen, is rated MS68 by PCGS and is the single finest known example of the coin in extant. It has an unimpeachable provenance from J.C. Mitchelson to John H. Clapp to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. and on to Dr. Thaine B. Price before reaching O'Neal. The Clapp Notebook, in which he recorded acquisitions of coins in his collection, indicates that he purchased it from Mitchelson in June 1909. Given that the 1909-O half eagles were coined in February or March 1909, this piece may well have been among the first coins minted.
 The extremely rare 1907 Rolled Edge eagle |
The 1907 Rolled Edge eagle, PR67 Satin NGC, is one of five gold coins, all once belonging to Mint Director Frank A. Leach and his descendant Colonel George M. Monroe. This satin finish proof 1907 With Periods Rolled Edge eagle has been described as a "monumental coin that ranks among the most important individual specimens in 20th century American numismatics", and Heritage specialists have called the Leach specimen the single finest example of the 1907 Rolled Edge $10 known today.
"Looking down the line of this auction there are famous rarities as far as the eye can see," said Rohan. "We've searched far and wide to fine the best examples of various coinage in response to collector demand. I believe we can safely say that most every level of numismatist will be satisfied with the diverse offerings."
For both collectors and investors the auction will provide an opportunity to own some of the most sought-after U.S coins in numismatics. And as recent sales have seen, collectors are willing to pay record-breaking prices for the rarest and best examples. With two such examples in their next sale, Heritage should be looking to start 2011 with a bang.
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