Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 28

Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction

U.S. Gobrecht Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1654		1836 Pattern Dollar. Designer's name below base. Silver, plain edge. Restrike. . Judd-58. Pollock-61 Rarity-5. PCGS graded Proof 45 PQ. Die Alignment III. Name Below Base. A completely choice, stunning and extremely popular Gobrecht issue with" C.Gobrecht.F." found punched below the base. Coin aligned dies with the eagle flying horizontally, pellet below and above (Alignment III). Subtle gray surfaces accented with tones of steel blue, olive and champagne. Light friction on the breast, forearm, right knee and the breast of the eagle. On the reverse, a few dots of a waxy substance are attached to two of the stars, the N and D in UNITED. Technical merits and eye appeal are several points finer than the assigned grade of PR-45. Extensive research by numismatic scholars has occurred on this issue and today it is believed that approximately 12 examples exist with C.GOBRECHT.F below their bases. Of these twelve, all are thought to be restrikes, those believed to have been struck in the late 1860's-1870's and characterized by Die Alignment III reverses and several diagnostic die cracks. While originals are rumored to exist in the Die Alignment I state, none have entered the modern numismatic marketplace. The designer's name displays doubling (repunching) on all letters. Each digit of the date has a light outline. It is possible that this specimen is one of the first restrikes to be produced in the late 1860's. The reverse does not show the die cracks that are commonly found on those struck from the mid-1870's. For instance, UNITED STATES displays no die crack running through the letters at all. It takes 6-9X power magnification and a very trained eye to see a spine coming off the upright of the foot of L of DOLLAR and another spine off the lower left upright of the second L. The only complete die crack observable is an extremely delicate one that runs from L to A and it is very difficult to see. Additionally, NITED displays light bifurcation on the feet of the letters. A magnificent opportunity to acquire a fresh and intriguing numismatic rarity! We urge all interest parties to view this lot closely or arrange for someone to view this lot for them. One of only 15 Judd-58 examples graded in all grades by PCGS (PCGS # 11217) . Estimated Value $22,000 - 28,000. The Michael M. Magdic Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $48,875
Lot 1655		1836 Pattern Dollar. Designer's name on base. . Judd-60, Pollock-65. PCGS graded Proof 61 PQ. Die Alignment I. Christian Gobrecht's initials are engraved discreetly onto the base below Liberty. Fully brilliant and reflective fields, the true nature of which can be appreciated by lying this specimen flat in daylight equivalent lighting. While Gobrecht's designs of Liberty and eagle are free from ticks or scratches, there are some moderate hairlines in the fields, frequently encountered on these issues. Obverse surfaces are almost pure white while the reverse has darker gray toning in the protected areas. A single identifying mark on the reverse is a short tick above the eagle's wing between two smaller stars. This specimen is part of the original 600 pieces struck on December 31, 1836 and sent to the Bank of the United States for circulation. Breen noted that pristine proof examples are rare and most appear worn. Collector interest has always been strong and focused for all "Gobrecht" dollars and the in the past year or two the basal value of any 1836 Original has increased dramatically. This is a fantastic fresh specimen to the market from a collection noted for outstanding attention to detail and quality (PCGS # 11225) . Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000. The Michael M. Magdic Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $21,850
Lot 1656		1836 Pattern Dollar. Silver, plain edge. . Judd-60. Pollock-65 Rarity-1. PCGS graded Proof 55 PQ. Die Alignment IV. A well struck and bold specimen with even antique gray surfaces and silvery highlights. The fields still retain ample reflectivity and display only moderate hairlines, commonly found on Gobrecht issues. A light ring of steel blue toning is seen around the obverse periphery and hugging Liberty's device. The reverse has a bright silver eagle surrounded by subtle gray toning. Aside from the same intensity hairlines as the obverse, there are no marks or scratches to mention. A delicate orange-peel effect is seen on the reverse fields when viewed at a certain angle. Die Alignment IV, the medal oriented dies with eagle flying horizontally, is actually thought to be a variant of Die Alignment II. Researchers believe that when the production of these second originals began in March 1837, they were struck in Die Alignment II. Due to the hammer die rotating in the striking process, Die Alignment IV became a distinct die variation and the final variation of several subtle variants between the original Die Alignment II and final Die Alignment IV. One thing that Gobrecht researchers and collectors agree upon is that the issues of March 1837 consist of Die Alignment II, Die Alignment IV and the variants in between the preceding. Of the 600 coins reportedly issued, it is thought that approximately 400 coins are of the Die Alignment IV. A very scarce and collectible issue in a pristine and original condition. This is a highly sought after issue for those wishing for a "type" representation of a Gobrecht dollar. Housed in an old PCGS green label holder. PCGS population of 10 with 69 finer (PCGS # 11227) . Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000. The Michael M. Magdic Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $17,250
Lot 1657		1836 Pattern Dollar. Silver, plain edge. . Judd-60. Pollock-65 Rarity-1. PCGS graded Proof 62. Die Alignment II. Second Original. A brilliant, uncirculated example of this second original, struck in 1837. Die Alignment II is thought to be the alignment used at the beginning of production, later shifting to what is now classified as Die Alignment IV due to die rotation during the striking process. Lightly toned surfaces retain their full reflectivity. The fields are free from most abrasions. A small scratch is seen under the breast of the eagle. Liberty is bold and shows no friction on the legs or breasts. A very nice example for this type and certain to bring heavy bidding! Housed in an old PCGS green label holder (PCGS # 11225) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $23,000
Lot 1658		1836 Pattern Dollar. Silver, plain edge. . Judd-60. Pollock-65 Rarity-1. PCGS graded Proof-40. Alignment I. Probably the most sought after Gobrecht dollar for the type collector, here in an undergraded and very choice condition. Medium silver surfaces. Only minor areas of friction from circulation, most on the legs and breast of Liberty. Moderate hairlines are found on both obverse and reverse but are not obtrusive and fade into the uniform coloration of the surfaces. A short tick at the lower right portion of the 3 in the date will serve as an excellent means of future identification. Scattered ticks exist randomly over the reverse and a patch of scratches is noted just above ED of ONE DOLLAR. A nice example housed in an old PCGS green label holder (PCGS # 11225) . Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $13,800
Lot 1659		1836 Pattern Dollar. Silver, plain edge. . Judd-60. Pollock-65 Rarity-1. Sharpness of Extremely Fine. Alignment I. Cleaned long ago and artificially retoned. Surfaces are now a matte gray with golden and blue toning in protected areas. Abrasions are minimal and the overall eye appeal of the coin is quite satisfactory. Rims are free from bruising. For someone looking for an example with EF detail, good eye appeal, no problems (aside from the aforementioned) and evenly matched obverse and reverse eye appeal, this piece is for you. Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1660		1838 Pattern Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. Restrike. . Judd-84. Pollock-93 Rarity-5 to 6. PCGS graded Proof 61 PQ. Die Alignment III. A well struck and brilliant proof specimen. A light film has settled on the obverse and reverse fields and at times casts a sky-blue iridescence to the surfaces. This Gobrecht issue, a restrike from the 1850's -1870's, is estimated to have only 50 to 75 survivors in all grades and should be considered rare. Struck without Gobrecht's name on the base or stars on the reverse, the 1838 Gobrecht Silver Dollars in Die Alignments III and IV were struck due to serious demand in the numismatic community for this design. The Mint struck these from the original dies used in 1838 that were still on hand. This example exhibits a fine die crack on top of the MERI of AMERICA, a characteristic seen on most 1838 Die Alignment III Gobrecht Silver Dollars (although some have been seen with the perfect reverse state). Housed in an old PCGS green label, fat letter holder. PCGS population of 3 with 26 finer. Estimated Value $24,000 - 28,000. The Michael M. Magdic Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $41,975
Lot 1661		1839 Pattern Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. . Judd-104. Pollock-116 Rarity-3. PCGS graded Proof 61. Die Alignment IV. No Name on Obverse and No Stars On Reverse. A white and flashy specimen with full features and only moderate hairlines, a general characteristic of Gobrecht dollars who seem to chronically display remnants of improper cleaning. Some light flaking has occurred in the planchet just above the knee in the field. A scarce to rare issue that the researchers and authors of www.uspatterns.com consider to be a regular issue coin rather than a pattern. While originals were struck in Die Alignment IV in 1839, this specimen displays the fine die crack atop MERI of AMERICA, indicating this specimen is indeed a restrike. Destined to bring strong bidding as it is another fine representation of the discipline and focus used in collecting this fabulous group of Gobrecht dollars. PCGS population of 4 in PR-61 with 29 finer. Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000. The Michael M. Magdic Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $37,950
Lot 1662		1839 Pattern Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. . Judd-104. Pollock-116 Rarity-3. PCGS graded Proof 58. Alignment IV. Restrike. Deeply mirrored fields and untoned, brilliant surfaces. Minor hairlines evenly throughout, a common occurrence on almost all Gobrecht dollars. A very nice representation of this type, documented in contemporary research as an actual regular issue coin rather than a pattern. A very fine die crack atop MERI of AMERICA is visible with 6-9X magnification. As brilliant, detailed and appealing as one could hope for in choice AU (PCGS # 11446) . Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $24,150
Lot 1663		1839 Gobrecht Dollar. . Judd-104. Pollock-116 Rarity-3. NGC graded Proof 50. Alignment IV. A pleasing golden and aged silver patina. Probably received a delicate wipe with a jewelers cloth years ago and has now naturally retoned. Minor friction from circulation is seen on Liberty's leg and breasts. The fields have a few old tick marks but no random or harsh marks. The gentlemen at uspatterns.com, as well as many collectors and researchers of these issues, feel that the 1839 Gobrecht dollar was actually produced as a regular Federal issue coin, not a pattern as it is consistently called. The originals all are found with Die Alignment IV (medal oriented with the eagle flying horizontally). A very subtle and pleasing example! NGC population of 1 with 40 finer. Using www.uspatterns.com one can research all sorts of information on Gobrecht dollars (and all US patterns, obviously) and this website is also the best resource for quick and in-depth information on Gobrecht dollar die alignments. Estimated Value $17,000 - 19,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold