Dallas, TX. The 1804 Silver Dollar highlighting the amazing collection of silver dollars assembled by David Queller and his family reached $3,737,500 at the Official Auction of the Central States Numismatic Society convention held by Heritage Auction Galleries. Combining the rare coin and currency results, total prices realized currently exceed $42.6 million. After adding proceeds from all Post Auction Buys and Final Session auctions, total prices are expected to exceed $44 million. More than 6,700 bidders participated in the Signature and Platinum Night events, and another 3,000-plus are anticipated to participate in the Final Sessions. The auctions were held in Rosemont, Illinois on April 16-18; Images, descriptions, and prices realized for all lots can be viewed at the Heritage website, HA.com.

“Heritage was very pleased with the auction wide results at Central States,” commented Heritage President Greg Rohan, “and especially so for the results of the wonderful Queller Family Collection. As anticipated, the market reacted well to the combination of rarity and quality that marked all of the coins assembled by a discerning eye. And also as anticipated, the most valuable three coins sold in Rosemont were all Queller coins. The prices further support claims that this was the greatest silver dollar collection ever assembled.”

“Heritage was also pleased at the total prices realized including currency. Over the past three years, Heritage achieved enviable results at our Central States auctions: 2005 – $24,265,967; 2006 – $24,145,105; and 2007 – $24,912,768. Frankly, we were beginning to wonder when we were going to exceed that $25 million level! Well, we have decisively smashed that barrier in 2008, and any concerns about the overall economy were decisively rejected by astute collectors willing to pursue quality.” (more…)

Photos and descriptions used with permission and courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries

It is currently not the most expensive American coin-merely the most famous. Heritage Auction Galleries has sold its first public offering of a Class I Original 1804 silver dollar, the Mickley-Hawn-Queller specimen at the CSNS Auction on April 16, 2008 for $3,737,500.00 (includes buyers premium).

Possessing a long and historic provenance that extends back to noted 19th century collector Joseph J. Mickley, this coin, graded PR62 by NGC, is one of eight Original Class I 1804 silver dollars known today. Of those eight coins, only five are in private collections, with the remainder in institutional holdings.

The Heritage offering marks the first time a Class I Original 1804 dollar has appeared at auction in nearly a decade, since the PR64 Dexter-Dunham example brought $1,840,000 in the year 2000.

The 1804 silver dollar has long been renowned as the “King of American Coins.” Well before such latter-day rarities as the 1913 Liberty nickels, the 1894-S Barber dimes, or the 1907 Ultra High Relief double eagles, the 1804 silver dollars were acknowledged as the most famous U.S. coins, yardsticks by which great American numismatic collections were measured.

A full review of Heritages CSNS auction will be forthcoming next week.

Kelley Norwine to Head; Debbie Rexing Named VP Marketing

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Auction Galleries, The World’s Largest Collectibles auctioneer specializing in Rare Coins and Currency, is announcing the formation of a new division – Media and Client Relations – and along with it two important promotions.

Heritage is happy to announce that Kelley Norwine, currently Vice President of Marketing, will become the new Vice-President of Media and Client Relations. In addition to increasing awareness of Heritage through various media outlets, Kelley will also focus on Client Relations both internally and externally, identify areas where improvement is needed and provide high level strategy.

“Basically,” says Kelley, “we will be taking a more global look at all aspects of the Heritage business.”

In addition, Kelley will also work with senior management to investigate, address and resolve higher customer service issues. Kelley has a highly diversified background that includes a major in Business Management and a minor in Music Education and extensive experience in advertising, marketing and public relations. While in Los Angeles, Kelley became the Regional Manager and Client Services Director for NAS-McCann WorldGroup, an International Advertising & Communications Agency where she was responsible for running one of the largest offices in the country.

Heritage is also pleased to announce the appointment of Debbie Rexing as the new Vice President of Marketing. Debbie’s impressive credentials include degrees in Business Administration in Marketing and Human Resource Management from The Ohio State University as well as sales and marketing/ brand development experience for Kraft General Foods and Proctor and Gamble. During her six-and-a-half years at Heritage, Debbie has worked in numerous functions with the company, such as photography, the auction department, and the marketing and handling of U.S. Coins, World Coins, Currency, Music & Entertainment, Vintage Movie Posters, Americana, and U.S. Tangibles Inc. Debbie’s experience in many aspects of the business from the ground floor up helps her bring a universal prospective as Heritage strives to gain more market share in both the established brands and newly entered categories.
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