More beautiful and historic gold coins are coming up for auction. The Redding collection is made up of 197 Quarter Eagle gold coins and Heritage Auctions is the auction house running the sale. The gold $2.50 collection is currently available for bidding until the live session scheduled for October 13. This is a true hoard of $2.50 gold coins that is up for grabs. And it is going to be available in individual lots so that more collectors (and perhaps investors) can get their shot at owning them.

Visibly the liberty head design resembles the $5 and $10 dollar examples from that era. Also included are the auction are the Indian Head type that followed the famous Coronet head design. What must be stressed to collectors is the high grades that are seldom seen. The 1885 in NGC AU58 is one of only 800 minted examples, and far fewer from that number are known to exist today.

(Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)

According to Heritage Auctions these are the specific dates and mint marks to keep an eye on of the 197 examples that are currently able to be bid on:

• 1839-C $2 1/2 HM-1, XF40 NGC CDN: $4,400.00
• 1843-D $2 1/2 Large D AU55 NGC Variety 4-I Only 70 graded higher according to NGC
• 1844 $2 1/2 AU58 NGC CDN: $6,000.00
• 1867 $2 1/2 AU58 NGC Only 7 graded higher according to NGC
• 1909 $2 1/2 MS65 PCGS. PCGS price guide value: $5,000.00
• 1911 $2 1/2 MS65 NGC. NGC price guide value: $5,000.00
• 1913 $2 1/2 MS65 NGC. NGC price guide value: $6,825.00

The star of this auction deserves an article all its own with only 800 examples minted and far fewer known to still exist: 1885 $2 1/2 AU58 NGC. Here’s the Heritage Auctions description of the very rare example:

The extremely low mintage attracts immediate attention, making the 1885 date one of the most-sought quarter eagle issues. As usual, the surfaces are partially proof like, interrupted by numerous tiny marks, but little actual wear. Gleaming orange-gold surfaces retain much mint luster. Date numeral 1 nearly touches the bust — a primary identifier of a circulation strike. NGC Census: (16/16). PCGS Population: (16/30). CDN: $4,500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 800.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. There are many stock and bond buyers who also invest in gold, so this is an easy fit with a price tag in the thousands of dollars (and maybe higher).

Many serious collectors of coins and this type of coin will be watching this auction close. Collectors Dashboard will be following closely as the 1885 performs for a rare moment in the sun. Many new collectors will own their first $2.50 type coin.