When the hammer fell at last night’s Session Three of the Official Auction by Stack’s on Lot 4299 at the Whitman Philadelphia Expo, a 1906 1C Indian Cent, struck in gold had fetched a remarkable $276,000. Plated in the “Significant U.S. Mint Errors” section of the current edition of The Red Book, it was the cover coin for the June 2004 issue of Longacre’s Ledger.

The origins of these gold Indian Cents are lost to history, but they are clearly made from Federal U.S. dies and struck on what are most likely quarter eagle planchets. These breath-taking off-metal coins are, in all probability, pieces de caprice, made specially for collectors at the beginning of the 20th Century. Graded AU-58 (NGC), this beautiful coin has olive gold fields that join yellow gold luster and coppery highlights in the protected areas. It’s further evidence, as if any was needed, that The Philadelphia Americana Sale is one of historical proportions.

And, there’s more to come. Check the schedule on this page for the remaining sessions and be there as more history is made.