A proof 1831 capped bust quarter topped a sale of US coins at Heritage Auctions in San Francisco on March 23, making $135,125.
The coin was acquired by a European noble on a visit to the US in the 19th century and was rediscovered only recently.
 The 1831 quarter dollar was brought to Europe in the 19th century |
Graded PR66, it features clear surfaces and complementary toning, with a long die crack on the reverse the only detracting feature.
An 1898 deep cameo $20 Liberty double eagle made $64,625.
Only 75 of the coins were ever struck, of which around 35-40 examples of varying grades have survived to the present day. This near-gem example is among the finest known and has been graded PR64.
"Deep cameo" refers to the highly lustrous surfaces of the coin, which was a feature of all double eagles up until the production process changed in 1902.
A 1907 high relief $20 double eagle sold for $52,875.
Augustus Saint Gaudens produced the design for the 1905-1907 double eagle, considered the most beautiful of any US coin.
The example sold was the more common wire rim variety, which features a slight gap around the perimeter.
In 2012, a 1907 ultra high relief $20 double eagle made $1.1m at Heritage Auctions.
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