A very rare 1855 $3 gold coin that sold for $1,322,500 was the top-selling lot of Heritage Auction's Signature U.S. Coin & Platinum Night Auctions. The two-day auction, which took place August 11-12 in Chicago, Illinois, at the Marriott O'Hare, sold 95 percent of the available lots and took in more than $31.345 million.

Specifically, the number-one seller of the event was an 1855-S $3 PR64 Cameo NGC, CAC. An 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar, MS67 NGC, from the Norweb and Jack Lee Collection, was the second highest priced lot at $546,250. The third best selling lot was an 1863 $10 PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS, CAC, which sold at $299,000. Three coins, a 1796 $2.50 No Stars MS61 PCGS, CAC, an 1855-S Seated Liberty Half Dollar PR65 and an 1855-S $0.25 Arrows PR64 NGC, CAC, each sold for $276,000.

With more than 5,154 bidders vying for 7,370 lots, 91 percent of the total value of the lots was achieved with the $31.345 million in sales. All prices included a 15 percent buyer's premium.

"These are great results with strong showings in every corner of the market," said Greg Rohan, president at Heritage Auctions. "Collectors are continuing to come to Heritage to pursue the top rarities that we gather for each auction, and non-traditional buyers are looking to temper their portfolios against the tumult of world financial markets. The combination resulted in final figures that were nothing short of remarkable."

With annual sales of more than $700 million, Heritage Auctions is the world's third largest auction house. To learn more, visit Coins.HA.com.