Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 37

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

$5 Gold/Capped Head

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1962		1813 $5 Capped Head. NGC graded MS-62. Frosty and untoned. Strong metal flow augments the already showy mint frost that covers the surfaces, giving the coin a brand new, glowing appearance, hard to believe on a coin minted so long ago. The mint brilliance is only broken up by an rare overlay of pale patina. A rounded impression is the rule for early capped bust half eagles imprinted by the stamp of the dies that struck this date and those associated with the Type (1813-1829); we are happy to say that the present example is a grand exception to that rule in being very sharp throughout including centers. Only a few of the obverse rim dentils elude the planchet towards the lower third of the rim. An historic coin valued by generations of collectors. Pop 59; 69 finer. Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,225
Lot 1963		1813 $5 Capped Head. NGC graded MS-62. Untoned and well struck. A splendid pale golden example of the new larger head style of 1813-29, with forceful luster, a confident strike, and eye appeal that just won't relinquish your attention! News from the war front: American attempts to invade Canada in 1813 during the second war with Great Britain were mostly unsuccessful. There was a standoff at Niagara, and an elaborate attempt to attack Montreal by a combined operation involving one force advancing along Lake Champlain and another sailing down the Saint Lawrence River from Lake Ontario failed at the end of the year. The only success was in the West. The Americans won control of the Detroit frontier region when Oliver Hazard Perry's ships destroyed the British fleet on Lake Erie (Sept. 10, 1813). Pop 58; 69 finer. Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,225
Lot 1964		1813 $5 Capped Head. NCS graded Details of AU-50. Mount removed. This sharp looking coin has simply outstanding detail in Liberty's hair curls and ear as well as along the cap fold, and the boldness carries over to the reverse as well. The half eagle series underwent modifications beginning in 1813, with the head of Liberty made larger and the lower part of her bust skipped so as to allow the portrait to fill the space provided. Thriteen stars form an arch above. Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,560
Lot 1965		1818 $5 Capped Head. PCGS graded AU-53. Nice even wear. There are a few light marks on the face, but the fields show exemplary smoothness and a fair amount of original luster at the stars and around the main devices. The rims are in excellent shape as well. The color vivid. The 1818 issue is among the scarcer in this heavily exported series. Under the act of April 5,1792, the legal ratio of silver to gold was fifteen to one, a ratio that undervalued gold. Since 1803, France and the Latin countries adopted a legal ratio of fifteen and one-half of silver to one of gold, and as a consequence, gold, being undervalued in the United States, was withdrawn from circulation here. Large numbers of half eagles of the period, 1818 included, were sold abroad at a profit by the bullion brokers who were ever on the alert for gain. The change made by the act of June, 1834, undervalued silver, the ratio of that metal to gold being fixed at close to sixteen to one, but the principal reason assigned for the overvaluation of gold by the act of June 28, 1834, was to provide coins of large denominations to take the place of the notes and bills used by the Bank of the United States, the forerunner "central" bank of this country. Pop 5; 35 finer. (PCGS # 8119) . Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $9,775
Lot 1966		1818 $5 Capped Head. NCS graded Details of AU-50. Mount removed. Although it has been cleaned at one time, the color is still very nice with its areas of orange patina. Centers are better sturck than average, although there is a bit of weakness at the hair curl below BE of LIBERTY, hardly noticeable in the overall scheme of things. 1818 half eagles, and there are serveral varieties this year, tend to be well made, which is fortunate. They also were heavily exported, so that the surviving population is best estimated at no more than 3% to 5% of the original mintage! Scarce. Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,910
Lot 1967		1834 $5 Classic Head. Plain 4. NGC graded MS-64 P.Q. There is much to say about the beautiful surfaces of this classic "Kneass" designed Liberty five-dollar coin since they are nearly perfect for the grade, a quality almost unimaginable in a MS64 coin. The mint frost is aglow with intensity over each side. There is just a bit of light patina as well. This is an otherwise strongly struck example, with nice detail to all the important high points, with the possible exception of these regions (standard for the issue): the lovelock curl beside the ear and the hair immediately above this point. All thirteen tiny stars are pinpoint sharp. A beautiful coin! Pop 57; 7 finer in 65. Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1968		1834 $5 Classic Head. Plain 4. EF-45. Some marks and semi reflective. Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $805
Lot 1969		1835 $5 Classic Head. PCGS graded AU-55. Another highly lustrous specimen of a popular "Classic Head" $5 gold piece. Typically found scruffy, this About Uncirculated 55 example boasts very nice surfaces, sharp hair curls that are enjoyable to view under a loupe, and only a thin hairline in the field by the 11th star as the only identifying mark. Beautifully toned a natural "old gold" shade (PCGS # 8173) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,070
Lot 1970		1835 $5 Classic Head. EF-45. Light marks but some luster in and around devices. Estimated Value $900 - 950. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,200
Lot 1971		1837 $5 Classic Head. PCGS graded AU-55. Nice frosty coin with glowing color, choice surface, and plenty of eye appeal. The type set buyer can readily obtain examples of Philadelphia issues in this span in grades from Very Fine to Extremely Fine. AU coins like the present example are scarce, Uncirculated pieces are expensive. Because many are well struck, a nice representative date set can easily be managed. Within the 1834-1838 series of $5 gold, there are many interesting variations including repunched dates and stars, differences in the positioning of certain elements, and die cracks, variation in the style used on Liberty's head, etc. Pop 16; 35 finer. (PCGS # 8175) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,000. Ex: William Atwater Auction Lot 1658 By B Max Mehl . View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,530