New Year’s Eve Sale Offers Rare American Coins and International Currency

Gold Standards Auctions will close out 2024 with a robust sale of rare American coins and international currency. The Dec. 31st Seattle Sage Coin Auction will begin at 11:00 AM EST on December 31, 2024. It features 450 lots. Collectors will find early coinage from the first years of the American union alongside modern variations and unusual examples from abroad. 

Here are some of the top coins on offer in this New Year’s Eve event.

1824 $5 Gold Half Eagle 

Among the top rare American coins in this event is an 1824 $5 gold half eagle (lot #316682; estimate: USD 20,005 – $30,000). The obverse depicts Liberty’s head in profile, wearing a cap. Thirteen stars encircle her. On the reverse is an eagle bearing a shield, arrows, and an olive branch. This “Capped Head” design was introduced in 1813 and was produced through 1829. For several years, this half eagle was the only American gold coin in circulation. Challenges around access to gold and the metal’s high value abroad led to many of these half eagles being melted down. Surviving half eagle coins in this design are considered particularly rare. 

1907 High Relief $20 Gold Double Eagle 

Another rare American coin available in this auction is a 1907 $20 gold double eagle (lot #316696; estimate: $9,505 – $20,000). This coin was designed by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens as part of President Theodore Roosevelt’s project to improve the beauty and artistry of American coinage. The result of Saint-Gaudens’ efforts was a high-relief design showing Liberty stepping forward with a flaming torch on the obverse. The Sun radiates in the background as Liberty’s skirts swirl in the breeze. Saint-Gaudens intended the image to evoke progress in the 20th century. 

The coin’s reverse shows a flying eagle from the side, also backgrounded by the Sun’s rays. This angle was a departure from previous designs, which tended to favor a frontal view of the bird. Unusually, Saint-Gaudens double eagles feature the minting date in Roman numerals, lending the design an antique aspect. 

1643 Silver Sweden Riksdaler

Among foreign currency in the catalog, a 1643 silver Swedish riksdaler coin is particularly notable (lot #316685; estimate: $855 – $11,000). The Swedish svenka riksdaler was first minted in 1604 and remained in circulation until the 1870s, when it was replaced by the contemporary krona. The available riksdaler depicts Queen Christina of Sweden on the obverse. She ruled from 1632 to 1654 and was known for her refusal to marry, unconventional lifestyle, and robust support for the arts. Her likeness appeared on many coins during her rule. This particular example– with Christina appearing on the obverse and the risen Christ on the reverse– was produced for just five years. This coin includes the minted date in Roman rather than Arabic numerals. 

1936 Albany Half Dollar 

Other unusual coins in the sale include commemorative coins that celebrate notable events in history. This section of the catalog includes a 1936 Albany half dollar (lot #34584; estimate: $165 – $10,000). Sculptor Gertrude K. Lathrop designed this commemorative coin to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Albany’s municipal charter. Lathrop sought to emphasize the local traditions and symbolism of Albany on this coin. The obverse shows a beaver gnawing a maple branch, referencing the city’s early history of fur traders as well as New York’s state tree. Tiny maple keys separate the words “United States of America” and “Half Dollar” around the coin’s edge. On the reverse is a scene from history: New York Governor Thomas Dongan hands a municipal charter to future Albany mayor Pieter Schuyler and Robert Livingston. Lathrop intentionally included many historical details on the coin, studying 17th-century fashion, portraits of the featured founders, the Albany charter document, and a live beaver. The resulting design remains popular among numismatic collectors. 

Other rare coins in the catalog include an 1883 Kingdom of Hawaii quarter depicting King Kalākaua (lot #34569; estimate: $115 – $10,000), a 1921 Missouri half dollar commemorating the state’s centennial (lot #34595; estimate: $175 – $10,000), and a 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition commemorative half dollar (lot #34454; estimate: $195 – $10,000). 

Gold Standard Auctions’ Seattle Sage Coin Auction will begin at 11:00 AM EST on December 31, 2024. Online bidding and the full catalog is available on Bidsquare.