The Nation - News from Dec. 11, 1988

A collection of “extremely high quality” rare coins that was confiscated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration when it broke up a cocaine ring has brought $1,670,495 at auction, auctioneers in Dallas said. The money, less a 10% commission to the auctioneers, will be used by the DEA in its fight against the drug trade. The auction of the DEA consignment came during the three-day Dallas Coin and Stamp Exposition auction. About a third of the DEA coins were sold at a first auction Sept. 30 in San Diego. The coins, which represent the largest sale of confiscated coins in U.S. history, were appraised at $2 million before the auction.