Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 39

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

$20 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2552		1885 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded AU-58. Well struck and quite lustrous. Shimmers with rich golden color. A business strike not a Proof, although it does possess ample Proof surfaces. While it would be somewhat logical that the same die pair would be used to make business strikes as well as Proofs, this is not the case, and a close comparison of the few Proofs that are traded will reveal that the date on the business strikes is placed slightly differently, farther to the left, with the 8 centered under the B (J.B.L.), while on the Proofs the center of the 8 is ever so slightly to the right. Warm gold obverse and reverse, with no copper spots. Business strikes amounted to just fewer than a thousand pieces in 1885. Relatively few exist at any grade level, therefore, and of those, quoting Breen, "Most are EF to AU." As to the total surviving population it is a guess, and Bowers (2004) estimates 50 to 75, which seems to be as good a guess as any. From any aspect, from any evaluation, here indeed is a prime rarity. Only 751 minted. Pop 10; 6 finer; 2 in 61; 2 in 62; 2 in 63. (PCGS # 9003) . Estimated Value $24,000 - 26,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $41,400
Lot 2553		1885-CC $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-62. Well struck with nice original toning on both sides. A very scarce twenty in strict Mint condition. The original coinage total was 9,450 pieces, giving an hint of the rarity of this date. In Mint State 62, this piece is one of only a very few certified by this service. The surfaces are fully lustrous, but when examined it is realized why the grade is no higher. Each side, though fresh with uncleaned frostiness, is affected by scattered (but small) abrasions and scuffs, none of which are large enough to be mentioned. A desirable coin in this grade. Only 9,450 struck. Pop 9; 1 finer in 63. (PCGS # 9004) . Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $27,600
Lot 2554		1885-S $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Frosty, lightly toned. Especially bold strike. San Francisco Mint dates in the 1880s are rightly scarcer than their counterparts struck in the 1890s and later. Estimated Value $625 - 675. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 2555		1889-CC $20 Liberty. ANACS graded Details of AU-55. Cleaned, showing fine parallel hairlines in the fields and across the devices, but because the coin was free from the usual objectionable abrasions in the first place, it tends to have better than average eye appeal. A collector of $20 Libertys from the Carson City Branch Mint would do well to examine this piece with a view toward bidding. It has all of the charm and dignity of its Wild West heritage, with splendid luster still evident. Struck with technical exactness throughout, which is also a plus (PCGS # 9011) . Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2556		1889-CC $20 Liberty. ANACS graded Details of AU-55. Cleaned, with a few more light surface abrasions than on the other AU55 1889-CC $20 from this consignor, yet here, too, we support the grade and encourage bids. It is right to understand that many early rare gold pieces like this have been gently wiped or cleaned at some time in the past. It still has the appearance of a choicer specimen, which is what matters (PCGS # 9011) . Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2557		1889-S $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-62. Pleasing mint bloom luster. Tinged in delicate golden-rose shades, this well struck and attractive San Francisco Mint $20 gold piece has much cleaner surfaces than average for its moderate grade (PCGS # 9012) . Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,560
Lot 2558		1890-CC $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Details of MS-60. Cheeked repaired and cleaned but the coin has an attractive appearance all the same. Factoring in the small premium that bidders will have to bid above current "melt" value, who can complain about owning an 1890-CC double eagle at this level! (PCGS # 9014) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2559		1890-CC $20 Liberty. AU-50. Light hairlines but otherwise relatively clean, mar-free surfaces with amble luster. CC-mint type collectors wishing to take the plunge with their first double eagle purchase might want to avail themselves of this AU50 example. This coin offers bold striking definition and visual attractiveness for a modest sum (PCGS # 9014) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2560		1890-S $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-64. Rich mint bloom colors. The final version of the long-lived Liberty double eagle is the Type 3 design that is the amalgamation of James Barton Longacre's and William Barber's work. Most issues of this type were produced in generous quantities, but notable exceptions are the 1879-O, most of the CC-mint deliveries and the Philadelphia Mint coins from the 1881-1887 era, some of which were actually produced solely in proof format. In addition, many of the "common" issues of this type are still scarce-to-rare above MS-62, such is the softness of gold as a coinage metal and the ease with which these large pieces acquired detracting bagmarks. This 1890-S twenty has in full view, when we examine it with a grader's eye, attractive thick, golden mint luster -- luster that swirls over each side unhindered by deep abrasions and free of even a trace of copper spotting. A coin with outward charm that will delight the serious gold collector. The strike is strong, with clear definition to the high points. Pop 7; 1 finer in 65. (PCGS # 9015) . Estimated Value $12,000 - 13,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $13,800
Lot 2561		1890-S and 1896 $20 Liberty. ANACS graded Each AU-58. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $1,150 - 1,250. View details	Realized $1,351
Lot 2562		1891-CC $20 Liberty. PCGS graded AU-58. Rare and always in demand as only 5,000 were minted. Plenty of luster still intact. Although the 1891-CC half eagle and eagle are easily acquired, the same cannot be said for the key date 1891-CC double eagle. It is a fact that it ranks among the rarest Carson City twenties. The average example grades Extremely Fine or About Uncirculated, but tends to be heavily marked. Since few if any numismatists collected these high denomination branch mint gold coins in the 1890s, it stands to reason that only a few well preserved AU58s have been certified at PCGS. This attractive coin displays some flat stars but is otherwise bold, within the folds of Liberty's hair strong, and likewise throughout the ornate treatment of the eagle, the shield, and rays above. Although the surfaces show evidence of light circulation, the only noticeable mark is a tiny one left of the eagle's beak. Pop 22; 18 finer. (PCGS # 9017) . According to Rusty Goe, who is something of an authority on the history of the Carson City mint and has written the definitive book about the coins struck at that facility, "Apparently a significant percentage of these [CC-mint double eagles] were exported along with the multitudes of other U.S. gold coins during the 1890s." Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $15,525
Lot 2563		1891-S $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63. A choice frosty mint example exhibiting full mint bloom. Resplendent surfaces that are thoroughly frosted with keen-edged, satin-finish luster spiraling outward from the centers. Full cartwheel effect. Both the peripheries and the central reverse are detailed and close to 100% crisp for their sharpness of strike, which is a forceful reminder in a coin from this mint that it is quality that matters (PCGS # 9018) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2564		1892-CC $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61 Prooflike. Lightly struck on the stars but bold elsewhere, and shmmers with luster that is reflective. Study this very scarce CC-mint twenty in silence for awhile. Think the thing over. There is no need to call in a detective to look for hidden "gotchas," everything about it is fresh, above-board, and thoroughly enjoyable to study under a magnifying glass. We are unable to discover a thing out of the ordinary that would remove it from its solid MS61 grade. The discovery of a few others like it in prooflike condition would make headlines in Coin World, since this is among the few 1892-CC twenties certified prooflike as of January 2007. Pop 2; 2 finer in 62. (PCGS # 9020) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $7,188
Lot 2565		1892-S and 1895-S $20 Liberty. NGC graded each AU-58. Lustrous coins, both. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,250. View details	Realized $1,380
Lot 2566		1893-CC $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-61. Nice original toning on both sides. Last year of the "CC" mint $20 gold. The '93-CC is one of the more available dates among Carson City double eagles, yet it still holds a lot of fascination because of its truncated mintage of only 18,402 pieces, and its status as the final year of issue from this popular Western mint. Carson City struck gold and silver coins between 1870 and 1893, a brief enough span to produce many low mintage rarities. This is an attractive example that is typical for the issue. The surfaces are lovely golden orange and lustrous, and there is a light, but uniform, coppery-reddish cast to each side. No heavy bagmarks spoil the attractive frost, and for this collectors can be thankful since the few others that are known in Mint condition tend to be baggy. Pop 76; 129 in 62; 18 in 63; none finer. (PCGS # 9023) . Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,338
Lot 2567		1893-S $20 Liberty. ANACS graded MS-61. A few marks including one chatter on the cheek, a small dent above the 6th star, and another mark to the right of the date, all in keeping with the accurate MS61 grade assigned to it by ANACS (PCGS # 9024) . Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $719
Lot 2568		1893-S $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Frosty, if bagmarked. Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719
Lot 2569		1894 $20 Liberty. ANACS graded MS-60. Lightly toned with typical bagmarks. Frosty (PCGS # 9025) . Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $719
Lot 2570		1894 $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Some scuffs in the luster on the face, but still with surging golden frost across both sides. Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 2571		1894 $20 Liberty. ANACS graded AU-58. Somewhat baggy, with an areas of the cheek where the luster is scuffed away from coin-to-coin contact (PCGS # 9025) . Estimated Value $580 - 600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $661
Lot 2572		1894-S $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-64. Golden orange mint luster. This is a lovely, healthy-glowing Liberty twenty whose full-color obverse and reverse being essentially untoned, beams with frosty luster. It is interesting to see, as well, that it was struck from well-prepared dies that imported a sound and in point of fact, a bold design in all areas. Pop 114; 1 finer in 65. (PCGS # 9026) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2573		1894-S $20 Liberty. ANACS graded MS-60 Prooflike. Light golden toning with some noticable contact marks. Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719
Lot 2574		1894-S $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Extensive abrasions but a nice gradient of flaming golden frost from edge to edge. San Francisco Mint issue. Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719
Lot 2575		1895-S $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-62. Lustrous and lightly toned. Estimated Value $675 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $736
Lot 2576		1895-S $20 Liberty. AU-55. Ample luster still present on this San Francisco Mint issue from the time when Grover Cleveland was President of the United States. A few scattered bagmarks and signs of light circulation, a choice example. Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $720
Lot 2577		1896-S $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Baggy and yet very lustrous, this was struck during a gold "panic" year when much of the Federal Government's gold was being hoarded. It reached a breaking point where President Cleveland was forced to float a series of loans with the banker J. P. Morgan to reliquify the specie backing of the paper money. This was before the advent of the Federal Reserve System. Morgan's establishment often had to step in to stop banking and stock market panics in the period from the 1880s to 1910. After the loans came through, the new gold deposits stemmed the outflow. Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719
Lot 2578		1897 $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-64. Rich mint bloom color. Tremendous detail from a very positive strike, which collectors like better to see than wishy-washy detail on a Lib $20 gold piece; furthermore, the surfaces show sharp golden hues. No need to worry about problems, either. While there are the usual few bagmarks here and there on the cheek, none affect the overall pleasurable experience one gets viewing this piece first-hand or under a magnifying glass. Pop 258; 11 finer in 65. Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,185
Lot 2579		1897 $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Well bagmarked. Frosty. Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $750
Lot 2580		1898 and 1903 $20 Liberty. Each VF-30. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100. View details	Realized $1,323
Lot 2581		1898-S $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-62. Lovely rich golden toning (PCGS # 9034) . Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,020
Lot 2582		1898-S $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-62. Rich golden toning on both sides (PCGS # 9034) . Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $870
Lot 2583		1898-S $20 Liberty. PCGS graded AU-58 PQ. Wonderful golden toning atop oceans of rich frosty luster. Conservatively graded by all measures (PCGS # 9034) . Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $748
Lot 2584		1899 $20 Liberty. ANACS graded MS-61. Nice original toning, uncleaned and frosty (PCGS # 9035) . Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $720
Lot 2585		1899-S $20 Liberty. ICG graded MS-62. Nice golden toning. The otherwise golden-rose color deepens to polychrome-gold shadings in select areas; a handsome offering of this impressive large gold denomination. Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $780
Lot 2586		1899-S $20 Liberty. ANACS graded MS-61. Some marks on Liberty's face; original mint bloom throughout (PCGS # 9036) . Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $690
Lot 2587		1900 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 63 Cameo. Light gold toning. This handsome twenty comes to us from the same consignor as the $2.50, $5, and $10 Liberty Proofs of 1900. It, too, excels in all areas: color, depth of strike and crispness of detail, mirror sparkle, and, lastly, frosty contrast from the devices. A rounded impression is almost never found on these well made Proofs. The stamp of the dies was carefully calibrated; also, Proofs were struck twice by the dies, and the press that struck them was the mint's more robust Medal press rather than the everyday electrically operated coining press. (Standard presses at the turn of the 20th century struck the $20 double eagle with a force of 155 tons to the square inch. The slower Medal press gave sharper results since the dies provided a better "squeeze" resulting in the golden alloy working its way into every recess in the dies.) We are happy to see that the present example is a grand example, indeed a stunningly beautiful one, one that is sharp throughout including centers. The photos do not lie: some might even argue that it has beauty well beyond its Proof 63 grade. Only 124 proofs struck. Pop 3; 18 finer. (PCGS # 89116) . Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $22,425
Lot 2588		1900-S $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63. Lovely natural greenish-golden mint bloom color. Choice quality. Each side has vivid color that impresses us by the wide coverage of toning. About as fully struck as these S-mint dates from the turn of the century are normally found, with just a trace of weakness at the stars and elsewhere. The rim on San Francisco twenties is slightly beveled compared to the higher-rimmed Philadelphia mint issue, and is an identifying feature of these handsome S-mint Liberty head pieces (PCGS # 9038) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,438
Lot 2589		1901 $20 Liberty. MS-60 Plus. Lightly toned. Subdued but complete and nearly bagmark-free luster. The 1901 has the distinction of low mintage: 111,430 pieces. Because it is followed by the even lower mintage 1902 P-mint, collectors tend to overlook it (much to the benefit of someone hoping to "score" a better date a not much over the common price). Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 2590		1901-S $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-62. Bright and lustrous, untoned. Slightly lower mintage than average for this period. Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 2591		1901-S $20 Liberty. ICG graded MS-61. We agree with the given grade as seen in the lighter than average bag marks on the face and in the frosty fields. San Francisco Mint issue. Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 2592		1903 $20 Liberty. ANACS graded MS-62. Nicely toned though with normal bagmarks on the surface (PCGS # 9043) . Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $748
Lot 2593		1904 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63. Lightly toned (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $920
Lot 2594		1904 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63. Light golden toning. A small tick by Liberty's eye. This is a remarkably lustrous coin whose reddish-gold features are alive with rich mint frost. The fully detailed surfaces are knocking on the door of an even higher grade (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,140
Lot 2595		1904 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63. Sleek, satin luster throughout. Sharply struck on obverse and reverse (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $920
Lot 2596		1904 $20 Liberty. NGC graded MS-63. Bright golden color. Admirable quality. Each side has beams with fresh color and uncleaned originality. Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $891
Lot 2597		1904 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63. Soft satiny mint luster with delicate golden toning. Attractive patina in the all areas. The devices were struck with such determined force by the dies that all design elements show boldly including most stars (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $932
Lot 2598		1904 $20 Liberty. ANACS graded MS-62. Nice golden color with vibrant luster throughout; normal small bagmarks seem to have avoided the main face and cheek area, fortunately, except for a short "graze" in the frost by the lips (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $776
Lot 2599		1904 $20 Liberty. ANACS graded MS-62. A few widely scattered marks on the facial features. Frosty with warm golden color (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $719
Lot 2600		1904 $20 Liberty. ANACS graded MS-62. Several deep digs in the field where the reeded edge of another coin came into contact (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $750
Lot 2601		1904 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-62. Warm golden orange color with plenty of mint freshness and luster to admire (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $736

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