1856 Flying Eagle Cent Sets Record at $312,000 in Heritage U.S. Coins Auction, Totaling $14.1 Million
A stunning 1856 Flying Eagle Cent—graded PR67+ by PCGS and certified with the coveted CAC seal—led Heritage Auctions’ U.S. Coins Signature Auction, achieving a record-breaking $312,000. The sale, held from November 20-24, brought in a total of $14,144,452, marking another milestone in the auction house’s series of successful events.
This extraordinary result surpassed the previous record for this iconic coin by $72,000, which had stood at $240,000 since a 2020 auction. The Flying Eagle Cent was among a number of high-caliber offerings, including early dollars, Seated and Trade Dollars, Shield and Liberty Nickel patterns, and a strong selection of early copper and U.S. gold coins spanning multiple series.
Among the standout pieces was a 1915 Buffalo Nickel, graded PR69 by PCGS, which reached an impressive $240,001.20—more than tripling its previous auction record from 2004. This rare Proof, which has a mintage of just 1,050 coins, stands as one of the finest certified examples, and is believed to be the single finest at PCGS, with a corresponding PR69 grade also listed by NGC.
The auction also showcased coins from The Greensboro Collection, Part XI, a treasure trove of U.S. coins with remarkable provenance. The collection includes exquisite sets of Flying Eagle Cents, Indian Head Cents, and Buffalo Nickels, most of which are in Proof format and boast high-quality grades. Many of these coins have remained in previous-generation holders and continue to stand out as some of the finest examples in numismatic history.
Another exceptional lot was an 1870-CC Liberty Double Eagle in AU Details condition, which soared to $216,000. This coin is a landmark rarity in the Type Two Double Eagle series, with an estimated surviving population of only 55-65 examples in all grades.
Other notable results included a 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, PR63 Cameo (NGC CAC), which garnered $156,000. As a pattern coin, the Stella remains highly desirable among collectors, and this particular example’s high-quality strike contributed to its strong performance. The 1931 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, MS64+ PCGS, also reached $156,000, cementing its status as one of the rarer and more valuable late-date issues of the series.
In addition to these record-breaking coins, a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar in MS64 NGC achieved $114,000, and a 1795 Capped Bust Right Eagle, AU58 NGC, from the Carolina Classics Collection, sold for $108,000.
The success of the auction is a testament to the continued strength and depth of the U.S. coin market, with rare and high-quality examples fetching impressive sums. For further results and to explore the full catalog of coins,
FAQ: Heritage U.S. Coins Auction – November 2024 Results
Q1: What was the total amount raised in the Heritage U.S. Coins Signature Auction held November 20-24, 2024?
A1: The auction raised a total of $14,144,452.
Q2: Which coin set a new record in this auction?
A2: The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent, graded PR67+ by PCGS with a CAC certification, set a new record by selling for $312,000. This surpassed its previous record of $240,000 set in 2020.
Q3: What other significant coin sales occurred in this auction?
A3:
- A 1915 Buffalo Nickel, graded PR69 by PCGS, sold for $240,001.20, more than tripling its previous auction record.
- A 1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar in MS64 NGC fetched $114,000.
- A 1795 Capped Bust Right Eagle, AU58 NGC, from the Carolina Classics Collection, realized $108,000.
- An 1870-CC Liberty Double Eagle, AU Details NGC, sold for $216,000.
- An 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, PR63 Cameo (NGC CAC), reached $156,000.
- A 1931 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, MS64+ PCGS, also sold for $156,000.
Q4: What is the significance of the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent in this auction?
A4: The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent is a key piece in U.S. numismatics and one of the most iconic coins in American coinage history. This particular coin, with a PR67+ grade and CAC certification, is considered one of the finest-known examples of this rare coin. Its sale for $312,000 highlights its importance among collectors and investors.
Q5: What is the Greensboro Collection, and what did it include?
A5: The Greensboro Collection, Part XI is part of a large, prestigious collection that has been featured in previous Heritage Auctions. It includes an exceptional array of Flying Eagle Cents, Indian Head Cents, and Buffalo Nickels, many in Proof format and with high grades (PR65 to PR69). The collection is renowned for its quality, including many finest-known examples.
Q6: What made the 1915 Buffalo Nickel in PR69 so valuable?
A6: The 1915 Buffalo Nickel in PR69 is the finest certified example at PCGS and represents the highest-quality surviving coin from a limited mintage of just 1,050 pieces. Its rarity, combined with its exceptional grade, made it highly sought after, leading to a final bid of $240,001.20.
Q7: Why is the 1870-CC Liberty Double Eagle so rare?
A7: The 1870-CC Liberty Double Eagle is one of the rarest coins in the Type Two Double Eagle series, with an estimated surviving population of only 55-65 examples in all grades. It is particularly scarce in high-grade conditions, making it a highly prized collector’s item. The example in this auction, in AU Details condition, sold for $216,000.
Q8: What is a “Stella” coin, and why is it so desirable?
A8: The Flowing Hair Stella is a pattern coin from 1879, intended as part of a proposed new coinage system that was never adopted. It is highly collectible due to its historical significance, rarity, and status as a numismatic trophy. The 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, offered in PR63 Cameo (NGC CAC) condition, achieved $156,000 in the auction.
Q9: What makes the 1931 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle so rare and valuable?
A9: The 1931 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is one of the rarest late-date issues in the Saint-Gaudens series, with only around 110 surviving examples in all grades. The example in this auction, graded MS64+ by PCGS, fetched $156,000 due to its scarcity and high-grade condition.
Q10: Where can I view the full list of auction results from this Heritage U.S. Coins Signature Auction?
A10: The full list of auction results is available on the Heritage Auctions website. You can view the detailed results
Q11: Why are coins from the Heritage U.S. Coins Signature Auction so highly valued?
A11: Coins featured in Heritage Auctions’ Signature events often have exceptional historical significance, rarity, and quality. Many are the finest-known examples of their kind, and some come from prestigious collections like the Greensboro Collection. These factors, combined with high demand among collectors and investors, drive up their value.