Strong Demand for Rare U.S. Coins Leads to Record Prices as Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ February 2025 Showcase Auction Realizes Nearly $6.5 Million

Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducted the firm’s first United States Showcase Auction of the 2025 season, an event that featured a small, but powerful selection of rarities consigned from a Texas Gentleman and other important collectors. The star of the first session was the finest known 1849 Pacific Company $5 gold piece, one of just four known, and one of two in private hands. This incredible coin shattered its previous record by nearly $500,000 when it sold for $1,260,000. A Gem 1904 double eagle, NGC Proof-66+ Cameo and approved by CMQ brought $360,000, doubling the previous record for any 1904 double eagle in Proof. (All prices include the buyer’s fee.)

Exceptional prices were not limited to federal gold, as an extremely rare 1921 Peace Dollar in Satin Proof, graded Proof-66 by NGC realized $264,000 (this same coin realized a then record price of $150,000 just two years ago). The famed Bareford 1795 Draped Bust dollar, graded MS-65 by NGC brought a record price for an NGC-graded 1795 Centered Bust dollar, when it sold for $204,000. A rare Mint State 1860 Mormon $5, graded MS-62 by NGC and approved by CMQ, realized a record $192,000.

“This was an incredible auction event, presenting important numismatic rarities, and the market and collectors took notice,” said Brian Kendrella, President of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “Serious collectors are taking advantage of a robust stock market and record high gold prices and are buying rare coins for their cabinets. Those thinking about selling may wish to take advantage of our success and consign while the market is strong.”

Other highlights from Session 1 include:
Lot 1002. 1793 Half Cent. C-4. Rarity-3. MS-65 BN (PCGS). Realized $240,000.
Lot 1038. 1937-D Buffalo Nickel. FS-901. 3-Legged. MS-65 (PCGS) CAC. Realized $33,600.
Lot 1112. 1839 Gobrecht Dollar. Judd-104 Restrike. Rarity-3. Die Alignment IV. Proof-63+ (PCGS) CAC. Realized $52,800.
Lot 1165. 1921 Peace Dollar. High Relief. Matte Proof-65 (NGC). Realized a record price of $156,000.
Lot 1255. 1861 Clark, Gruber & Co. $20. K-8. Rarity-6. AU-50 (PCGS). Realized $144,000.

The February 2025 Showcase Auction also included the final “named set” of coins from the Fairmont Collection, crossing the block nearly seven years after that cabinet made its first appearance in the rare coin market. Taking top spot in this installment – named the Riviera Set – was lot 2175, an 1864 double eagle graded AU-58 by PCGS and with CAC approval. Realizing $45,600, this important Civil War era coin broke all records for the grade, and brought a price in line with pieces graded Mint State. A MS-60 (PCGS) CAC example of the ever-popular 1909-O $5 gold piece, the only Indian Head gold coin struck at the New Orleans Mint, brought $31,200.

“After nearly a decade, our named set presentations from this remarkable holding of United States gold coins are coming to a close,” stated Mr. Kendrella. “There is no doubt that the Fairmont coins have been cemented into numismatic history and their legacy will live on. The strong results seen in the Riviera Set was a wonderful conclusion to this exciting chapter in American numismatics.”

Other highlights include:

Lot 2118. 1875-CC Eagle. EF-40 (PCGS). Realized $22,800.
Lot 2155. 1915-S Eagle. MS-63 (PCGS) CAC. Realized $20,400.
Lot 2207. 1885-CC Double Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS) CAC. Realized $31,200.
Lot 2225. 1896-S Double Eagle. MS-65 (PCGS). Realized $24,000.

For complete sales results from the February 2025 Showcase Auction visit www.stacksbowers.com. To consign to an upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction, contact the firm at 800-458-4646 or by email at consign@StacksBowers.com.