Rare Quintuple Stella Coin From Bob R. Simpson Collection Heads to Heritage Auctions

One of the finest privately held examples of the famous Quintuple Stella will headline Heritage Auctions’ ANA U.S. Coins Signature Auction, scheduled for August 31 through September 5.

The 1879 Liberty Head Quintuple Stella, Judd-1643, Pollock-1843, Low R.7, is graded PR64+ Deep Cameo by PCGS and comes from the Bob R. Simpson Collection. Heritage says only five examples are known, including one held in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian.

“This issue is extraordinarily rare, and the one offered in this auction, from the acclaimed Bob R. Simpson Collection, is the finest-certified example,” Heritage Executive Vice President Todd Imhof said. Imhof called the coin a “numismatic treasure” and said it continues the tradition of elite coins from the Simpson Collection being offered by Heritage.

Another major rarity from the Simpson Collection is a unique 1876 Liberty Double Eagle, Judd-1490, Pollock-1643, graded PR64+ Cameo by PCGS with CAC approval.

Heritage says it is the only known specimen and describes Judd-1490 as a transitional pattern created as part of the design change to the Type Three format for the nation’s centennial. Its existence was unknown to the numismatic community until the early 20th century.

Costa Family Collection Includes Three Rare Stellas

The auction also includes 51 lots from the Costa Family Collection featuring rare gold Colonials, type coins, historic Betts medals and gold stellas.

One of the top pieces is an 1879 Coiled Hair Stella, Judd-1638, Pollock-1838, JD-1, R.6, graded PR67 Cameo by NGC. Heritage says only 14 examples have been traced and that the coin is tied for the finest certified example.

Also featured is an 1880 Coiled Hair Stella, Judd-1660, Pollock-1860, JD-1, Low R.7, graded PR64 Cameo by PCGS. Heritage says only 10 examples have been traced and calls it the rarest of the four Stella varieties. The auction house said study of this coin alongside the Kern specimen helped clarify that 10 examples, rather than nine, are known.

A third Stella from the Costa Family Collection is an 1880 Flowing Hair Stella, Judd-1657, Pollock-1857, JD-1, R.6, graded PR66 by NGC. Heritage says it has confirmed 18 surviving examples.

Round Lake and Reno-Carson City Collections

More than 60 lots from the Round Lake Collection are also included in the sale.

The collection is led by a 1798/7 Capped Bust Eagle with 7×6 Stars, BD-2, Low R.6, graded MS62 by PCGS. Heritage says the coin is tied for the third-highest known grade and occupies the second position on the PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census for the issue, behind only the finest-known example in the Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection.

The Reno-Carson City Collection contributes 43 lots, including an 1870-CC Double Eagle graded XF40 by NGC. Heritage describes the coin as a rarity from the inaugural Nevada Mint issue.

The same collection includes an 1889-CC Morgan Dollar graded MS64 by NGC with CAC approval. Heritage notes that just six examples are graded higher at NGC.

Finest PCGS Registry Set of Lincoln Proof Cents

The 26-lot Bolt Collection of Lincoln Proof Cents is another featured group. Heritage describes it as the all-time finest PCGS Registry Set of 1909-1958 proof Lincoln cents.

Among the highlights is a 1909 Cent graded PR68 Red by PCGS with CAC approval, which Heritage says is the finest example graded by PCGS. Other featured Lincoln cents include a 1909 VDB Cent graded PR66 Red by PCGS with CAC approval, a 1914 Cent graded PR68+ Red by PCGS with CAC approval and a 1955 Cent graded PR69 Red Deep Cameo by PCGS.

Rare Capped Bust Half Dollars and Large Cents

The 57-lot Van Cleve Family Collection includes an 1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar known as the “Bearded Goddess,” graded AU53 by PCGS with CAC approval. The nickname comes from a prominent die crack running from the chin to the bust.

The collection also includes an 1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar with Large Stars graded MS65 by PCGS with CAC approval. Heritage says only two examples have been certified in higher numeric grades.

Another notable group in the auction is a trio of large cents discovered by Kentucky numismatist Jeff Garrett at the Berlin Coin Fair. Among them is a 1795 Lettered Edge Cent, S-76, B-4, struck over a 1794 S-71 Cent and graded AU58+ by PCGS.

Heritage says the coin was unknown to early copper specialists until January 2026 and stands out because of the clarity of the underlying 1794 coin visible beneath the strike.

Heritage’s ANA U.S. Coins Signature Auction runs August 31 through September 5, with the finest-certified 1879 Liberty Head Quintuple Stella from the Bob R. Simpson Collection among the centerpiece lots.