Friday, 18th January 2008 (1605 views)

Two $2.50 gold pieces dating from 1796 both fetched over $1 million (£512,000) during an auction held by Heritage Auction Galleries in Florida on Thursday night.

The coins, known as quarter eagles, came from the Madison collection. One was designed with stars, one was without.

Heritage president Greg Rohan said that the coin without stars had achieved the highest value, reaching a final price of $1.75 million. The second coin, with stars, broke the million- dollar mark by $6,250.

Three other coins sold for over $500,000, while a dozen more raised more than $250,000 each.

"We are simply thrilled that two coins out of the incredible Madison collection each broke the $1 million mark," Mr Rohan said.

More than 16,000 lots were offered in the auction and more than 7,000 bidders participated. In total, the coin auction raised $50 million.

Heritage Auction Galleries, which was established in 1976, is the world's largest auctioneer of collectibles, including coins, jewellery and sports memorabilia.

 

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