DALLAS, TX.- The sole finest known JR-1 variety 1796 dime led all results in the June 23 auction of The Eugene H. Gardner Collection Part I when it sold for $881,250. Overall, the coins in this auction sold for $19,627,872 million, an impressive result for any auction and doubly so for only 637 coins. All prices include a 17.5% Buyer's Premium.

The 1796 dime that highlighted this auction is not only the sole finest known of the variety, certified by PCGS at MS67, but it is also the earliest die state known for any coin of the variety. Heritage catalogers claimed the unique coin, possibly a specimen strike, and clearly at least two bidders agreed. The 1796 dime, characteristic of Mr. Gardner’s collector’s eye and talent for selecting the best coins, was purchased in 1999 for just $161,000.

"My family and I couldn't be happier," Mr. Gardner said. "It was difficult for me to part with the coins, but the whole experience has been wonderful and the surprising total realized was highly gratifying in terms of what it said about the quality of the coins being recognized. This would be any collector's dream. I even had the opportunity to meet the collector who purchased the 1901-S Quarter, and that was special for me"

An 1876-CC twenty cent piece, graded MS64 by PCGS, sold for $470,000. This example of the fabled rarity boasts a continuous pedigree back to the 19th century, and broke records for the date when offered as a part of the Eliasberg collection in 1997.

A 1793 AMERI. Chain cent sold for $440,625 to tie for third honors in this auction. Certified by PCGS as MS63 Brown, this is one of only five certified Mint State cents of the variety, and tied for the finest certified Mint State coin with one coin certified in a higher grade as a Specimen. Another mint state 1793 Chain cent, this one the S-2 AMERICA variety in MS64 Brown PCGS, fared almost as well, bringing $396,562, while a 1793 Wreath Cent graded MS68 by PCGS sold for $329,000.

The stunning 1822 dime, PR66 PCGS, Cameo, likely one of two known, saw interest from 12 bidders who pushed it to $440,625, and an 1827/3/2 Capped Bust quarter, PR64 PCGS, a classic silver rarity and one of nine known sold for a $411,250.

A 1901-S Barber quarter, MS67 PCGS, which Mr. Gardner himself described as a personal favorite and a "hypnotically beautiful coin," sold for $258,500.

Three more New York auctions are scheduled for the Eugene H. Gardner Collection, with Part II taking place Oct. 27. A special video of Gardner discussing his collection and favorite coins has been posted on Heritage Auctions’ YouTube Channel. Meanwhile, the next Signature Auction of U.S. coins is already open at www.HA.com.

Additional highlights from The Eugene H. Gardner Collection Part I include, but are not limited to:

• 1823/2 Capped Bust quarter, B-1, PR64 PCGS: Realized: $396,562.

• 1871-CC Seated quarter, MS65 PCGS, sole finest: Realized: $352,500.

• 1802 half dime, V-1, LM-1, AU50 PCGS: Realized: $352,500.

• 1800 JR-2 dime, MS66 PCGS, sole finest graded of the date: Realized: $352,500.