UPDATE: Legendary 1936 Dot Cent–Finest of Three Known had been sold to an identified buyer for  $402,500.

Pre-sale estimates of the coin valued it at around $300,000. The penny was part of one of the most valuable Canadian coin collections ever offered at auction, however while the 1936 penny is certainly among the priciest Canadian coins ever sold, it did not a new record for the country. A 1911 Canadian silver dollar — one of only two known to exist — was sold in 2003 to a Canadian collector for $1.1 million

Heritage’s  2010 January Signature World Coin Auction features quite a number of great coins, but none are as famous as the legendary Canadian 1936 Dot Cent. This coin, struck in 1937 prior to the creation of coinage dies for George VI but never released for circulation, has seen its reputation grow exponentially since its discovery.

In early 1936, Great Britain’s George V passed away and was succeeded by his son King Edward VIII. As was common practice, for the remainder of 1936 the coinage continued to have the effigy of King George V. Toward the end of the year, and throughout the British Commonwealth coinage, models were made and dies produced with the effigy of King Edward VIII, but upon Edward’s abdication the dies were no longer valid and a severe shortage of Canadian 1, 10, and 25 Cent pieces arose in early 1937.

Because of the shortage, Canada was forced to continue producing coins dated 1936 with the portrait of King George V. Canadian authorities felt a need to distinguish this 1937 mintage from the 1936 production and a small Dot was placed on the reverse of the 1, 10, and 25 Cent coins. The dot is under the date on the 1 Cent coin, and under the bow on the wreath of the 10 and 25 Cent coins.

History tells us that only the 25 Cent piece was placed in circulation and that three pieces of the Dot Cents, and four pieces of the Dot 10 Cents are the only surviving examples. (more…)

Heritage Auctions will be selling one of the two known Bickford $10 Gold Patterns at it FUN Sale this week. Below is the Catelog description of the coin and some history surrounding it.

The Bickford pattern ten dollar gold piece, known to pattern collectors as Judd-1373, is one of the most celebrated issues in the U.S. pattern series. Only two examples are known, placing the issue at the pinnacle of rarity. Both known examples have been meticulously preserved, and their size, attractive design, and majestic gold composition combine to make them breathtakingly beautiful numismatic patterns. The rich and mysterious history shared by these pieces adds to their irresistible appeal.

The Design

On the obverse, a fresh-faced, youthful Liberty faces left, with her hair tied back and wearing a diadem, ornamented with six stars, reading LIBERTY. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA rings the rim; the date 1874 is below. Liberty has an olive wreath tied around her neck. On the reverse a rope design forms six separate cartouches around the rim. In the center is the Latin word UBIQUE “everywhere,” with 16.72 GRAMS 900 FINE in three lines. In the cartouches are the coin’s exchange values in various international currencies: DOLLARS 10; STERLING 2.1.1; MARKEN 41.99; KRONEN 37.31; GULDEN 20.73; FRANCS 51.81. Struck in gold, with a reeded edge. The diameter is the same as a twenty dollar, but the planchet is thinner.

Bickford’s Proposal

Dana Bickford’s proposal for an international coinage captured the public’s attention in the mid-1870s. The following article explaining the situation was originally published in The Coin and Stamp Journal in Kansas City, Missouri (February 1876 issue). It has been reprinted in several sources since that time:

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Heritage Auctions, the official auctioneer of the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Show, will conduct a 4800+ lot Currency Signature Auction, Jan. 7-11, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center, 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL. The Convention Center is also the site of the FUN show, as well as the location for lot viewing for the CAA auction and the other Heritage auctions at the event.

Of the 4800+ lots, 1300 will be part of the non-floor session to close online on Monday January 11, 2010 starting at 12pm CST.

The four day auction will commence on Thursday evening, Jan. 7 at 6 p.m., with an array of Colonial Currency, Obsolete Bank Notes, Confederate Currency, and Canadian and World Currency.

The Colonial Currency offering is again significant with major rarities including, a Vermont February 1781 2s6d PCGS Apparent Very Fine 30.

In Obsolete Currency, collectors will have an opportunity to bid on collections from Alabama, Arkansas, and Maryland, each the finest offerings for their respective states in many years, including a Little Rock, AR- State of Arkansas $5 Oct. 27, 1877 Cr. UNL Rothert UNL, a likely unique Cahawba, AL- State of Alabama $50 April 19, 1821 Cr. UNL Rosene UNL, and from Maryland, Cumberland, MD- Cumberland City Bank $5 G2 Shank 30.4.3P Proof.

Finally, Canadian and World currency will be highlighted by, the French text BC-4 $2 1935 PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ, a BC-11 $25 1935 PCGS Very Choice New 64PPQ, and a chartered bank note rarity, Halifax, NS- The Bank of Nova Scotia $100 1929 Ch # 550-28-40.

The Cocoa Beach Collection anchors the second session and is the largest and finest offering of Fractional Currency since the Thomas O’Mara Collection was offered by Heritage in 2005. Many of the notes have pedigrees tracing them to the O’Mara and Milt Friedberg Collections.

Of the Fractional rarities in Session Three collectors have the opportunity to bid on, a Fr. 1241 10¢ First Issue Vertical Strip of Four PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ, another uncut strip, Fr. 1280 25¢ First Issue Vertical Strip of Four PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ, Negative Essay Denomination Set in Blue Milton 2E5R.2c, 2E10R.5c, 2E25R.1b, 2E50R.1e PMG 64, 62, 64 and 65 EPQ, and a stunning Fr. 1296 25¢ Third Issue PMG Superb Gem Unc 67 EPQ stand out.

The Cocoa Beach Collection also features three beautiful shields, including a very rare and very high grade pink shield, Fractional Currency Shield, With Pink Background. This session also includes a nice sampling of Encased Postage and Military Payment Certificates. (more…)