Rare Coiled Hair Stella Leads Heritage’s $46.4M CSNS Sale

An 1879 Coiled Hair stella sold for $2,135,000 and numerous records were set to lead Heritage’s April 29-May 2 CSNS U.S. Coins Signature® Auction to $26,918,208.

That result, when added to Heritage’s CSNS World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction that rose to $11,888,476 and the $7,637,564 CSNS U.S. Currency Signature® Auction drove the combined total for the three events to $46,444,248.

“Heritage has long been the premier destination for the most serious numismatists,” says Todd Imhof, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions. “This auction not only reaffirms that position — it demonstrates the depth of demand at the highest levels of the market and fuels our optimism for what’s ahead.”

U.S. Coins

The result for the 1879 Coiled Hair Stella, Judd-1638, Pollock-1838, JD-1, R.6, PR67 Cameo NGC from the Presidio Collection, Part II eclipsed the previous auction record of $1,464,000 set at Heritage in January 2026. The 1879 Coiled Hair stella, listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins, is among the rarest and most valuable issues in American numismatics, with just 14 examples documented. Entirely fresh to the market, the coin is tied for finest-certified honors and is the plate coin for the sixth edition of 100 Greatest U.S. Coins.

The record — and the margin by which it surpassed the previous standard for the coin — were indicative of the exceptional results found throughout the auction.

“When legendary coins and knowledgeable, passionate collectors come together, numismatic history can be rewritten, and that is exactly what was witnessed in our Central States auction,” says Todd Imhof, Executive Vice President of Heritage Auctions. “The 1879 Coiled Hair Stella that led the event is a perfect example, drawing 59 bids before reaching its record result.”

Another extraordinary treasure from the Presidio Collection, a 1933 Indian Eagle, MS65 PCGS. CAC, also reached seven figures when it realized $1,586,000, breaking the previous auction record of $960,000 set in December 2025. One of the great American numismatic rarities of the 20th century, the 1933 Indian eagle is the final year of issue for the Saint-Gaudens design type and is listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. This example first surfaced in the collection of Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., and later appeared in the Floyd Starr and John Kutasi collections before its first public offering since 2008.

The Presidio Collection also produced an 1880 Coiled Hair Stella, Judd-1660, Pollock-1860, JD-1, Low R.7, PR62 NGC that ended at $854,000 — a record for the issue in that grade. One of only a handful of surviving examples of this classic gold pattern rarity, the coin was once a highlight of prominent collections including those of Jerome Kern and Amon G. Carter. With only 10 examples documented in all grades, the 1880 Coiled Hair stella remains one of the great prizes of American gold coinage.

An 1880 Flowing Hair Stella, Judd-1657, Pollock-1857, JD-1, R.6, PR65 NGC. CAC from the same collection reached $777,750 — also a record for the issue in that grade. This example, with its Eliasberg pedigree, is one of the finest of its small surviving population and is tied with one other example for finest among CAC-certified survivors.

The “Pizza Collection” delivered one of the auction’s most important Standing Liberty quarter results when a 1927-S Quarter, MS65+ Full Head PCGS. CAC sold for $610,000, shattering the previous record of $258,500 that was set at Heritage in 2014, and eclipsing the previous auction record for any Standing Liberty quarter of any date; the previous mark of $372,000 was set in 2021 — also at Heritage. Few issues in the series are as difficult to acquire with Full Head detail, and this example had been off the public auction market for 16 years. One of only eight Full Head 1927-S quarters publicly documented in MS65 or finer, it is CAC-endorsed and the only PCGS MS65 Full Head example with a Plus designation.

The Pizza Collection also offered an 1893-S Morgan Dollar, MS63 PCGS that realized $488,000 — a record for an example in that grade. From a series-low business-strike mintage of 100,000 pieces, the 1893-S is the acknowledged key to the Morgan dollar series and is listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. Mint State examples remain especially elusive, and the coin offered here is one of just 10 graded MS63 by PCGS, with only 10 finer.

A 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, Judd-1989, Pollock-2050, R.8, PR61 NGC from the Pizza Collection brought $280,600 in only its second known auction appearance; the result eclipsed the $168,000 total brought by the same coin in 2018. Pattern Standing Liberty quarters rank among the rarest trial coins known, with examples residing only in the Smithsonian Institution and the most prestigious private collections. This example was discovered in 2018 when it arrived at Heritage in an old-time collection, masquerading as a normal 1916 quarter.

Additional highlights included an 1892-S Morgan Dollar, MS65 PCGS from the Pizza Collection and a 1919-D Quarter, MS67 Full Head PCGS, each of which realized $268,400, the latter topping the previous record of $152,750 that had stood since 2012.

Many of the coins in the auction that drew impressive results came from The Presidio Collection and the Pizza Collection — but not all.

A 1932 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, MS65 PCGS brought $244,000, while an 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, Judd-1635, Pollock-1833, JD-1, R.3, PR65 PCGS. CAC closed at $219,600.

Also among the new records:

• $207,400: A 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter MS67 Full Head PCGS from the Pizza Collection — topping the previous record of $195,500 that was set in 2010
• $140,300: A 1926-S Quarter MS66+ Full Head PCGS. CAC from the Big Sky Collection of Standing Liberty Quarters Part II — surpassing the previous mark of $103,700 that was set by the MS66 Fill Head Quarter listed below, which immediately preceded it in the auction
• $134,200: A 1917-D Quarter Type Two MS68 Full Head PCGS from the Pizza Collection — eclipsing the $73,473.50 achieved by the same coin in 2012
• $134,200: A 1918 Quarter MS68 Full Head PCGS. CAC from the Pizza Collection — more than doubling the previous record of $58,750 for the same coin in 2013
• $134,200: An 1854 Kellogg Twenty Dollar Copper Die Trial MS64 Brown PCGS. K-1 — exceeding the previous mark of $80,500 that was set at Heritage in 2012 for the same coin
• $122,000: An 1850 Mormon Five Dollar AU55 PCGS. CAC. K-5, High R.5 from the Presidio Collection — topping the previous record of $102,000 that was set at Heritage in 2022
• $103,700: A 1926-S Quarter MS66 Full Head PCGS. CAC — breaking the previous record of $55,200 that was set at Heritage in January 2025
• $100,650: An 1850-C Half Eagle MS64 PCGS. Winter-4 from the Presidio Collection — more than doubling the previous record of $40,200 set in 1995

Complete results can be found at can be found at HA.com/1393.

World & Ancient Coins

A pair of Brazilian Afonso VI gold Counterstamped 4400 Reis issues each sold for a record $292,800 to lead Heritage’s April 29-30 CSNS World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction to $11,888,476.

Sharing top-lot honors were an Afonso VI gold Counterstamped 4400 Reis (Moeda) ND (1686) MS63 PCGS and an Afonso VI gold Counterstamped 4400 Reis ND (1668) AU50 NGC, each of which set a record for the type. The 1686 coin was struck during the transitional period between hammered coinage and the implementation of machine-made coins, during a transitional time in which between hammered coinage and the implementation of machine-made coins. The 1686 crowned globe indicates that this example passed inspection at the mint, where a milled edge was subsequently applied to the hammered coin in an effort to prevent the widespread practice of clipping. This example already was amply clipped, so the law turned out to be ineffective, since both clipped and not clipped coins were being regulated to circulate at the same value, leading to people clipping the coins right before having them stamped and edged.

The 1668 coin is a magnificent example from some of the first Portuguese regulated coins for Brazil. This piece is a true survivor from a few dozens known examples, and the re-appearance, 15 years later, of the only piece ever offered at Heritage.

“The results for these coins are as impressive as the coins themselves,” says Cris Bierrenbach, Heritage’s Executive Vice President of International Numismatics. “Demand for Brazilian coins has been growing in the collecting community in recent years, which is evident in the more than 100 bids cast between these two coins, as well as the record results.”

A Pernambuco. Dutch Colony – Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) gold Klippe 3 Guilders (Florins) 1646 AU55 NGC, from the Vila Rica Collection of Brazilian Gold Coins, Part I, achieved $268,400 — another record for its type. As the largest denomination from this fleeting Dutch colonial series, struck during the occupation of Brazil (1630-54), its survival is exceptionally rare given the widespread melting of such coins after the restoration of Portuguese control. Complementing this result, a Pernambuco. Dutch Colony – Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) gold Klippe 12 Guilders (Florins) 1646 MS61 NGC brought a winning bid of $146,400, while a João V gold 12800 Reis (Dobra) 1729-B AU58 NGC representing one of the most elusive issues from the Bahia mint and a key date seldom seen at auction brought a record $134,200, and a João V gold 6400 Reis (Peça) 1734-M MS62 NGC ended at $103,700.

An exceedingly rare Nicholas II gold Specimen Imperial of 10 Roubles 1896-AГ SP61 PCGS realized $268,400, the second-highest result on record. With a reported mintage of just 125 pieces but only a handful certified across major grading services, the offering represented a rare opportunity to acquire a cornerstone rarity.

A British India. Victoria silver Proof Pattern Piefort Rupee 1860 PR63 NGC raced past pre-auction estimates when it sold for a record $70,150. Other records for coins from India were set by a Sultans of Malwa. Ghiyas Shah, as Heir Apparent (AH 873-906 / AD 1469-1500) gold Square Tanka AH 894 (1488/1489) MS66 NGC that nearly doubled the previous mark when it closed at $41,480 and a Mughal Empire. Jahangir (AH 1014-1037 / AD 1605-1627) gold Mohur AH 10xx Year 15 (c.1619/1620) MS63 PCGS that nearly quadrupled the previous record when it ended at $40,260.

Other world coins that set records included:

Ancient coins

The auction also featured a number of ancient coins that performed exceptionally well, highlighted by a MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III the Great AV distater, which realized $158,600. Struck during Alexander’s lifetime, the coin features refined artistry and strong preservation, attributes that continue to attract advanced collectors.

A Constantius II AV medallion of 2-solidi achieved $134,200, notable as just the fourth known example of this historically significant commemorative type celebrating the emperor’s victory over Magnentius in AD 353.

Further reinforcing the depth of the auction, an extraordinary Praetorian Roman military diploma from the reign of Vespasian (dated AD 74) realized $134,200. Among the most complete examples handled by Heritage in more than a decade, the set of bronze plates documents the granting of citizenship and legal rights to elite military units, offering a rare and tangible connection to Roman imperial administration.

The auction also showcased crossover appeal beyond traditional numismatics. A highly impressive natural gold nugget weighing 926.3 grams (29.78 ounces) realized $138,624, reflecting continued interest in significant natural gold specimens tied to the history of gold discovery and collecting.

Complete results can be found at HA.com/3132.

U.S. Currency

An extraordinary $1,000 1882 Gold Certificate realized $378,200 to lead Heritage’s April 28-May 1 CSNS U.S. Currency Signature® Auction to $7,637,564, as collectors competed for rare U.S. currency, Confederate notes, National Bank Notes, Gold Certificates and high-denomination Federal Reserve Notes.

The top lot, a Fr. 1218e $1,000 1882 Gold Certificate PMG Very Fine 30, features a large portrait of Alexander Hamilton and a striking orange back with an eagle vignette. Just five survivors are presently recorded in the census, with two held by Federal Reserve Banks and another unseen for decades, leaving only two examples known in private hands.

“This is an exceptional addition to any collection — a historically significant note that is exceedingly difficult to acquire because of its rarity,” says Dustin Johnston, Senior Vice President of Numismatics at Heritage Auctions. “To be from a minuscule population, more than half of which is out of reach of collectors, makes this an unquestioned treasure for its new owner.”

A Fr. 1133-D $1,000 1918 Federal Reserve Note PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ brought $231,800. The Cleveland district note is one of only 14 examples recorded in the Track & Price Census, and PMG has graded only eight representatives of the number. This example is the finest encapsulated by PMG and the highest grade currently recorded for Fr. 1133-D.

National Bank Notes delivered one of the auction’s strongest results when a San Juan, PR – $10 1902 Date Back Fr. 616 The First National Bank of Porto Rico at San Juan Ch. # (S)6484 PMG Fine 12 realized $170,800. From the only national bank on the island of Puerto Rico, it is the only 1902 Blue Seal known from the charter, with the other recorded notes being 1902 Red Seals.

The auction’s exceptional Confederate currency offerings were led by a T1 $1,000 1861 PF-1 Cr. 1 PMG Choice About Unc 58 EPQ, which sold for $170,800. The only $1,000 note emitted by the Confederate Treasury, it was part of the Montgomery series issued from Montgomery, Alabama, and showcases portraits of John C. Calhoun and Andrew Jackson. Signed by actual register Alexander B. Clitherall and treasurer Edward C. Elmore, the note is the sole finest example PMG has encapsulated.

A Serial Number 1 Denver, Colorado Territory – $20 Original Fr. 426 The First National Bank Ch. # 1016 PMG Very Fine 25 reached $109,800. One of just three Serial Number 1 Original Series $20s known for the entire country, it is the only one reported from a Territorial bank and remains a trophy-level National Bank Note.

A Fr. 127 $20 1869 Legal Tender PCGS Banknote Superb Gem Unc 67 PPQ brought $82,350. The Rainbow $20 has earned the highest grade reported by Track & Price for the Friedberg number and is one of just four notes to achieve the grade from a major grading service.

Another Confederate rarity, a T35 $5 1861 PF-1 Cr. 271 PMG Very Fine 25, sold for $79,300. Known as the “Indian Princess” note, it is prized for its short production run of just 7,160 examples and is free of the repairs, restorations and impairments often encountered on the type.

Complete results can be found at HA.com/3601.

About Heritage Auctions

Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich, Geneva, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

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