Heritage Auctions

Heritage Auctions began in 1976 as a modest coin dealership in Dallas, Texas, founded by James L. Halperin and Steve Ivy. Over four decades, it has evolved into the third-largest auction house globally, with annual sales surpassing $1.3 billion. The company operates at the intersection of traditional numismatics and a vast digital marketplace, offering more than 1,200 lots per week across categories that include rare coins, vintage comic books, fine art, sports memorabilia, historical documents, luxury handbags, and real estate.

The firm's growth has been marked by strategic diversification. In the late 1990s, Heritage became an early adopter of online auctions, shifting from print catalogs to a digital-first model that now serves bidders in over 100 countries. Its flagship Dallas headquarters spans 225,000 square feet, housing galleries, imaging studios, and expert staff. Additional offices in New York, Chicago, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong, and Brussels support a global consignment network.

Heritage has set numerous auction records, including the $12.6 million sale of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card and the $7.6 million sale of a 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin. While its core strength remains in collectibles, the company has expanded into fine art and luxury goods, competing with houses like Christie's and Sotheby's. In 2023, it opened a Brussels office to bolster its European presence and continued investing in AI-powered cataloging tools.[edit]