One family. One company. Over 60 years of auctions — from horse and tack sales in Idaho to farm and ranch land, residential, commercial, recreational, investment, trust, and bank-ordered real estate across Montana and beyond.
A little history, who we are, and what we do — straight from the leadership of National Auction USA.
National Auction USA is a full-service auction company based in Billings, Montana, operating since 1965. Led by Cash Seal — AMM designation holder, CAI candidate completing April 2026, second-generation auctioneer, and Board Member of the Montana Auctioneers Association — and supported by an exceptional team of catalogers, marketing professionals, and a nationwide network of professional auctioneers, the company conducts online auctions for farm and ranch land, residential real estate, commercial properties, recreational land, investment parcels, development ground, trust and estate properties, bank-ordered real estate, agricultural equipment, construction equipment, business assets, firearms, antiques, vehicles, and sporting goods. National Auction USA is one of the only auction companies in Montana conducting real estate auctions on a consistent basis across all property types.
National Auction USA didn't start with a business plan. It started with a man who knew how to read a crowd, command a room, and get the most out of every lot. LeVern Douglas Seal — Vern to everyone who knew him — was born July 9, 1936 in Nampa, Idaho, and spent his life doing what he loved most: putting things up for bid and watching competitive markets do their work.
Vern was a self-taught auctioneer. He'd been running horse and tack auctions for years — handling the business, managing the operation, hiring his auctioneers — when one afternoon changed everything. He'd brought in a tobacco auctioneer to work a sale. Tobacco auctioneers have a chant all their own — fast, rhythmic, nearly impossible for a general audience to follow. The crowd was struggling. Vern asked him to slow down, to be clear, to work with the people in the room. The auctioneer refused. So Vern did what came naturally — he fired him on the spot, walked up to the mic, and took over the sale himself. It was the first time he'd ever called a live auction. It wouldn't be his last.
From those early horse and tack sales in the Nampa, Idaho area, Vern built a reputation that took him far beyond Idaho. He ran the Peddley Horse Auction in Southern California. He established Rein and Seal Livestock Auction back home in Idaho. He conducted estate and business auctions across the country — earning a name for representing his sellers fiercely and delivering results.
In the 1970s, National Auction took on one of the most ambitious projects in the company's history — the national liquidation of Three Bars Saddlery and Texas Saddlery, two major saddle and tack operations. The auctions ran coast to coast over several years, establishing National Auction's reputation as a company that could handle the complex, the large-scale, and the nationwide. In 1965, Vern had formalized that reputation under a name: National Auction.
National Auction USA was built by three people. Their names are on every auction we conduct.
A self-taught auctioneer, horse trader, and businessman who built National Auction from scratch — conducting thousands of auctions across the United States over five decades. Vern moved to Billings, Montana in the 1980s and spent the rest of his life serving Montana sellers and buyers with the same standard he set on day one: represent the seller, get true market value, no exceptions.
Vern passed away peacefully at home on January 20, 2021. His legacy lives in every auction we call.
No history of National Auction is complete without Cindy Seal. She didn't watch from the sidelines — she worked every auction, managed the operations, kept the books, and held everything together behind the scenes while Vern commanded the room. Together they were a formidable team. In her later years Cindy stepped back from day-to-day operations, but her knowledge and deep commitment to the family's legacy never diminished.
Cindy passed away on December 29, 2025. Her greatest joy, beyond the business, was her 25 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her spirit lives in the work we continue to do every day.
In the 1980s, Vern and Cindy put down permanent roots in Billings, Montana. What started as a relocation became a legacy. For over 40 years, National Auction has called Billings home — serving Montana sellers and buyers across every property type, every asset class, and every situation life brings to the auction block.
Montana was the right fit. Wide open land, strong agricultural roots, a community built on hard work and straight dealing — the same values National Auction was built on from the beginning.
National Auction USA is led by Cash and Tanya Seal — a husband and wife team who bring complementary skills to every auction, every client relationship, and every transaction. Cash leads with vision and experience in the field. Tanya brings the organizational precision, appraisal expertise, and attention to detail that keeps every event running without a hitch. Together, they've built a company that is greater than any one person.
A second-generation auctioneer who grew up in this business and has spent his career expanding what National Auction is capable of. Cash brought real estate auctions to the company — covering farm and ranch land, residential, commercial, recreational, investment, trust, and bank-ordered properties — making National Auction one of the first and most active real estate auction operations in Montana. He also identified and implemented the online auction technology and MarkNet Alliance platform that connects Montana sellers to over one million registered bidders nationwide.
Cash is actively involved in the broader auction industry — serving on the Board of Directors for the Montana Auctioneers Association and representing National Auction at the national level through the NAA.
Tanya came into the auction business alongside Cash and never looked back. What started as an unexpected introduction to the industry quickly turned into a genuine passion for the work. She is a USPAP compliant appraiser, bringing professional valuation expertise to the team that directly benefits every seller National Auction works with. Tanya also holds the company's notary license — providing free in-house notary services to clients — and serves as an accomplished auction clerk and ring woman, contributing energy and precision to every live event.
Tanya is currently working toward her auctioneer's license, adding yet another dimension to an already remarkable skill set. Beyond the business, she is a devoted mother and the heart of the Seal family.
An auction doesn't happen because one person shows up with a microphone. Behind every National Auction event is a dedicated team of catalogers, photographers, and marketing professionals who invest real time and expertise into making sure every lot is presented, every item is accurately described, and every auction reaches the right audience.
National Auction also works with a trusted network of professional auctioneers across the country — bringing in the right expertise for the right auction, wherever it happens to be. That network, built over decades of relationships in the industry, is part of what makes National Auction capable of handling complex, multi-location, and large-scale events that most regional auction companies simply cannot.
The people around this operation — the team members, the contractors, the collaborators — are as much a part of this story as anyone with the Seal name. We are proud of every one of them.
These auctions represent the depth, complexity, and reach of what the National Auction team is capable of delivering for sellers across Montana and beyond.
Selected by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to conduct their statewide auction of confiscated antlers, hides, horns, and wildlife artifacts — four years of inventory from all seven of Montana's wildlife regions filling a 6,000 sq ft facility. Raised over $250,000 for Montana wildlife conservation and restoration programs. National Auction was trusted by the State of Montana to handle one of its most high-profile public auction events.
Selected again by Montana FWP for a second statewide wildlife auction. Combined across both FWP auctions, National Auction has raised over $325,000 for Montana wildlife conservation programs — trusted twice by the State of Montana to deliver results for one of its most important public auction programs.
A complex multi-property estate auction spanning two Montana cities — from town lots to rural acreage — all cataloged, marketed, and sold in a single coordinated online auction event. A landmark demonstration of National Auction's ability to manage complex, multi-location real estate sales from start to finish.
Conducted the auction of five bank-ordered real estate properties for Stockman Bank — delivering a transparent, documented, court-defensible auction process for an institutional seller. A defining moment in establishing National Auction's credibility with Montana's legal and financial community.
One of the most significant personal property collections National Auction has handled — thousands of lots including rare antique firearms, high-end antiques, and premium collectibles. A landmark auction demonstrating the team's capability to handle complex, high-value estate collections at the highest level.
Since 2011, National Auction has opened every new year the same way — with an auction. Fifteen consecutive years and counting. The New Year's Day Auction has become one of our strongest annual events and a Montana tradition that reflects exactly who we are: an auction company that shows up, year after year, without fail.
What started as a category within National Auction's regular sales grew into something bigger. As demand for firearms, ATVs, boats, campers, and sporting equipment accelerated, the National Auction team recognized the opportunity — and the responsibility — to give it a dedicated home. The Montana Sporting Auction was born in 2024.
Held three times per year — Spring, Fall, and Winter — the Montana Sporting Auction is a premium dedicated auction event for firearms, outdoor gear, and sporting equipment. As a licensed FFL firearms dealer, National Auction USA is one of the only auction operations in Montana equipped to handle private party firearm transfers with full legal compliance. The Montana Sporting Auction is the direct result of years of growth, a loyal bidder base, and a team committed to building something the state had never seen before. Visit the Montana Sporting Auction at montanasportingauction.com.
LeVern Douglas Seal is born July 9, 1936, in Nampa, Idaho, to Marlin and Hazel Seal.
Running horse and tack auctions in Idaho, Vern fires a stubborn tobacco auctioneer mid-sale and grabs the mic himself — calling his first live auction and never looking back.
Vern formalizes his growing auction operation under the name National Auction — conducting estate and business auctions nationwide from his base in Idaho.
National Auction conducts the coast-to-coast liquidation of two major saddle and tack operations over several years — establishing its reputation for handling complex, large-scale national auctions.
Vern and Cindy Seal relocate permanently to Billings, Montana — beginning a 40+ year chapter of serving Montana sellers and buyers.
National Auction launches its annual New Year's Day Auction — a tradition that continues every January 1st, now in its 15th consecutive year.
Cash formalizes his lifelong auction education at the Western College of Auctioneering, bringing new professional depth to the company's leadership.
National Auction launches online auction capability — expanding reach beyond regional buyers and beginning the digital transformation of the business.
National Auction conducts the auction of five bank-ordered real estate properties for Stockman Bank — a landmark in building credibility with Montana's institutional and legal community.
Selected by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to conduct their statewide confiscated wildlife auction, raising over $250,000 for Montana conservation programs. Vern Seal passes away peacefully at home, January 20, 2021.
Selected again by Montana FWP — combined across both auctions, National Auction has raised over $325,000 for Montana wildlife programs.
National Auction launches the Montana Sporting Auction — a dedicated premium event for firearms, ATVs, boats, campers, and sporting equipment, held three times per year.
National Auction joins the MarkNet Alliance — gaining access to over one million registered bidders nationwide. Cindy Seal, co-founder and heart of National Auction, passes away December 29, 2025.
Cash Seal completes his CAI — Certified Auctioneers Institute — in April 2026, becoming one of a select group of Montana auctioneers to hold both the AMM and CAI designations simultaneously.
The foundation is built. The platform is in place. The team is ready. National Auction USA is on a deliberate path to become Montana's dominant auction company across every asset class — real estate, estates, equipment, firearms, and sporting goods. The best auctions this company has ever run haven't happened yet.
Under the leadership of Cash and Tanya Seal and backed by an exceptional team, National Auction USA is on a deliberate path to become Montana's dominant auction company across every asset class. The foundation is in place. The reputation is earned. What comes next is bigger than anything that came before.
No obligation. Just a straightforward conversation about what you have and what auction can do for you.
Call 406-259-4730 Sell Real Estate