Heritage Auctions Reports Record $1.41 Billion First Half

Heritage Auctions says it is on pace for the biggest year in company history after reporting more than $1.41 billion in total sales through June 30, 2026.

The total marks the highest mid-year sales figure in Heritage’s history and represents an increase of nearly 47 percent from the $962 million the company reported at the same point in 2025. Heritage said the first-half performance comes during its 50th anniversary year and follows annual sales of more than $2.15 billion in 2025.

Heritage credited the growth to demand across popular culture, sports, fine art, history, numismatics and luxury categories. The company said collectors are pursuing everything from video games, comics, trading card games and entertainment memorabilia to American art, historical artifacts and rare coins.

Steve Ivy, Heritage’s CEO and Co-Chairman, said crossing $1.4 billion in the first half of the company’s anniversary year reflects both the strength of the market and the expanding range of today’s collectors. He said new generations are entering the market while longtime collectors continue to compete at high levels across categories.

Heritage pointed to the June sale of the highest-graded sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. ever offered at auction, which realized $3 million and set a new world record for a video game. The company also cited strong results for Pokémon cards, including a PSA Mint 9 Pikachu Illustrator that realized $1.406 million, a complete PSA Gem Mint 10 Pokémon First Edition Base Set that brought $1.219 million, and a complete PSA Gem Mint 10 Pokémon Skyridge Master Set that also passed the million-dollar mark.

The company also highlighted its Star Wars Day auctions, which realized more than $3.6 million, led by a PSA Gem Mint 10 Luke Skywalker rookie card that more than doubled its previous auction record. Heritage said it also saw new benchmarks in manga, anime, animation art and entertainment memorabilia.

Comics remained another major part of the first-half results. Heritage said it brokered a $13 million private sale of the highest-graded known copy of Batman No. 1 alongside the second-highest graded copy of Superman No. 1. The company also said an Action Comics No. 1 set a world record for a Conserved-label comic with a $1.4 million sale.

Sports collectibles continued to deliver major results as well. Heritage’s Winter Platinum Night Sports Auction realized more than $38.6 million, led by the T206 Honus Wagner known as the Garagiola Wagner, which sold for $3.599 million. Other sports highlights included a one-of-one 1997 Ultra Michael Jordan Masterpiece at $2.104 million, a dual-autographed Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant jersey card at $869,250, a one-of-one Aaron Judge Superfractor rookie card at $838,750, and Hulk Hogan’s match-worn and signed yellow boots from WrestleMania I at $1.037 million.

Heritage also reported strong results in art, books and historical material. A May American Art Signature Auction was led by Norman Rockwell’s Study for Cheerleaders, which realized $600,000. The first installment of the David Aronovitz Collection of Important Science Fiction and Fantasy realized more than $3.35 million and set a new world record for any science fiction library sold at auction. Heritage also said its weeklong celebration tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary realized more than $8.47 million across four Americana auctions.

Numismatics remained a major category for the auction house. Heritage said its January FUN numismatic auctions and NYINC events totaled nearly $89.82 million combined. The company also highlighted a 1911 Chinese “Short-Whiskered Dragon” pattern dollar that realized $4.88 million, becoming the most valuable world coin ever sold by Heritage and one of the three most valuable world coins ever auctioned.

Luxury categories also contributed to the first-half total. Heritage said it recorded the highest-grossing jewelry auction in company history, led by a Kashmir sapphire ring that realized $906,250.

Jim Halperin, Heritage Co-Chairman, said collectors are no longer drawing rigid lines between popular culture and traditional collecting categories. Heritage said that shift is one of the clearest trends from the first half of 2026.

With a full schedule of Signature Auctions, named collections and major consignments still planned for the rest of the year, Heritage said its record first half puts the company in position for what could become the most successful year in its 50-year history.