Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 44

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Commemorative Silver Coins

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 3213		1893 Isabella Quarter Dollar. ANACS graded MS-62 Prooflike. Nice wide borders. Lovely rainbow toning on both sides. Full mirror surfaces (PCGS # 9220) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $834
Lot 3214		1893 Isabella Quarter Dollar. AU-55 (PCGS # 9220) . Estimated Value $400 - 425. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $403
Lot 3215		1893 Isabella Quarter Dollar. ANACS graded Details of MS-60. Cleaned and untoned (PCGS # 9220) . Estimated Value $375 - 400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $432
Lot 3216		1900 Lafayette Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65 CAC Verified. Unbelievable blue and golden toning. One of the best toned Lafayette Dollars we have ever seen. A runaway! The lively satin silver luster underneath this majestic color spreads evenly to the rims and across the devices, gleaming with frostiness in all areas. We note a short chattermark on the horse's foreleg. And so next to the devices, which are sharply struck on obverse and reverse. There is a full wig detail on Washington, while the facial dimples and hair curls on Lafayette are similarly clear. America's first Commemorative Silver Dollar, the designs were by Charles E. Barber after an engraving of Houdon's bust of Washington. On the reverse, Barber depicted the Lafayette equestrian statue at the Paris Exposition of 1900. Lafayette Dollars were sold to defray part of the cost of completing Paul Wayland Bartlett's statue of the French General, then under construction in Paris for display at the exposition. Out of an authorization for 50,000 pieces, 36,000 were sold, the remainder being melted. According to researcher, Q. David Bowers, "the Lafayette silver dollar was minted in one day, December 14, 1899, at the Philadelphia Mint, this being the 100th anniversary of the death of George Washington. When queried about prestriking the coins, for it was not yet 1900, the date on the coin, the Mint took the position that the date did not represent the striking at all but, simply, observed the year that the Paris Exposition was held, this being noted on the reverse." Bowers further observes that "the 1900 Lafayette dollar is very unusual, indeed unique among coinage of its era, for the dies were made by hand. The motifs were impressed on the obverse and reverse, and then by use of hand punches the dates and numerals were added around the border -- in the old-style process generally in use in the 1830s and before, but long obsolete by 1899. The reason for doing this is not clear today, but probably was one of expediency. A number of die pairs were needed, and quickly, and the normal hubbing and master die process was bypassed. Accordingly, this is the only commemorative coin that can be collected today by die variety!" Pop 236; 85 finer, 80 in 66, 5 in 67* (PCGS # 9222) . *A brief description of wigs: Wigs were made of horsehair, yak hair and human hair, the latter being the most expensive. In the 18th century, wigs were very expensive. A man could outfit himself with a hat, coat, breeches, shirt, hose, and shoes for about what a wig would cost him. A wig also required constant care from a hairdresser for cleaning, curling, and powdering. Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $17,250
Lot 3217		1900 Lafayette Dollar. AU-50. Lightly toned with attractive patina, russet and blue. Choice surfaces. Estimated Value $425 - 450. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $391
Lot 3218		1900 Lafayette Dollar. Sharpness of AU-50. Light hairlines and scratches. Nice golden toning (PCGS # 9222) . Estimated Value $350 - 400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $604
Lot 3219		1915-S Panama-Pacific Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63. Nicely toned on the obverse while the reverse has light golden toning. A choice, well struck coin (PCGS # 9357) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $690
Lot 3220		1918 Illinois Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Well struck with all the intricacies showing in Lincoln's hair. Frosty with nice gold colors here and there. A desirable Gem (PCGS # 9320) . Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $546
Lot 3221		1921 Missouri Half Dollar, 2 x 4. AU-50. Lightly toned with some hairlines (PCGS # 9331) . Estimated Value $325 - 350. View details Check results on similar lots	Realized $322
Lot 3222		1922 Grant Half Dollar, with star. AU-53. Light hairlines (PCGS # 9307) . Estimated Value $475 - 525. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $690
Lot 3223		1922 Grant Half Dollar, with star. AU-50. Cleaned. A star that appeared on the first 4,256 pieces was later removed, creating a second, more common variety. Scarce (PCGS # 9307) . Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $633
Lot 3224		1925 Lexington-Concord Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Nice natural toning on both sides. A gem (PCGS # 9318) . Estimated Value $300 - 325. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3225		1925 Stone Mountain Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. Lightly toned and superb. Mint luster like smooth frosted glass gives this coin much of its life and pizzazz. Pop 109; 24 finer (PCGS # 9378) . Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $805
Lot 3226		1925-S California Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Lightly toned around the edges. Panning for gold is the central them on the obverse, pointing to California's gold rush past (PCGS # 9281) . Estimated Value $400 - 425. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $403
Lot 3227		1925-S California Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Nice natural toning on both sides with swirling luster effects (PCGS # 9281) . Estimated Value $400 - 425. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $380
Lot 3228		1925. Norse America Centennial Thick and Thin Silver Medals. Possible Matte Proofs. We note that the thick specimen exhibits a partial circular die cut around the outside borders on both sides. We have sent these specimens to both PCGS and NGC and neither service could positively determine these as Proofs. They have medium gray sandblast finish on both sides. The thick specimen exhibits a partial circular die cutter's line around the outside border. No one has ever seen this line on another piece. The Norse-American medals commemorated the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of Norwegian settlers in Orleans County, New York on October 9, 1825. Their ship was the sloop Restauration. It was originally anticipated that a commemorative half dollar would be struck to commemorate the event, but this legislation did not pass Congressional muster, and medals were struck instead in silver and gold at the Philadelphia Mint. Recognizing the semi-commemorative status, Wayte Raymond in his "National" holders provided spaces for the 1925 medals, thus making them popular to a generation of collectors. The medals were struck by authorization of the 68th Congress with a mintage of no more than 40,000 in silver, of which the Thick Planchet type amounted to 33,750 pieces. The obverse depicts the Eleventh Century explorer Leif Ericsson, and the reverse depicts a Viking war boat. These Norse medals have been very popular with U.S. commemorative collectors. The Philadelphia Mint delivered 100 gold medals commemorating the same event. These were produced as Matte Proofs, with a similar Sand-Blast finish as the silver specimens offered here. The gold medals were sold to the public at a price of $20 each. Today, specimens in gold are rare, and advanced collectors traditionally include them in sets of U.S. Commemorative coins. Until recently, no one thought of the possibility of there being Matte Proof silver medals struck on Thick and Thin planchets. That individual examples with a Matte or Sand-Blast Proof finish do exist caused a stir when they were first exhibited in the summer of 2007. Noted specialist in the Norse-American series, William Swoger, having inspected the two medals in this lot at the time, wrote us a letter dated October 26, 2007, in which he says the following: "I will also picture the an [sic] obverse and reverse of these pieces in my book, The National Commemorative Medals of the United States of America since 1873…" In another paragraph, he adds, "I believe that the two medals can bring $10,000 to $20,000 more if I can convincingly prove their authenticity." Could these two Matte or Sand-Blast Proofs be part of the original mintage set aside by one of the members of The Centennial Commission, or given in recognition? It is known the Commission retained first strikings of the silver and gold types. Additionally, it is known that Congressman O.J. Kvale, whose proposal it was to have them made, received gold medal number two, the second piece struck, in recognition of his services to the commission. Comparison of the medals with the regular Mint State examples shows several key differences. First, the Thick medal has what appears to be dramatic die-doubling on the obverse, most notable on the legend NORSE AMERICAN CENTENNIAL at top and on Ericson's legs and feet. Those who have studied this thick medal say they have never heard of another such piece with die-doubling. Second, both medals are finished in strong granular sand-blast finish with deep gray "antiquing" applied at the time they were made. Notable too is the extremely sharp relief of all details such as the horns on Ericson's helmet, and the crisp delineation of the oars on the bots on both sides. The edges are also unusually sharp and "squared off" as though the medals received more than the customary single blow the coinage dies. No Archival records have surfaced describing these unusual pieces, but in time this may happen. These Norse medals have been very popular with U.S. commemorative collectors and the sale of these possible Matte Proofs should see active bidding. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3229		1925. Norse Medal Thick. PCGS graded MS-66. Nice light rainbow toning associated with shimmering white frost. A gem. Mintage: 33,750 Thick (PCGS # 9450) . Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3230		1926-S Oregon Trail Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-66. Lovely golden toning on both sides. First year of issue. Pop 516; 134 finer (PCGS # 9341) . Estimated Value $350 - 375. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $368
Lot 3231		1928 Hawaiian Half Dollar. AU-55. Some light hairlines but choice with nearly full satiny luster. Many 1928 Hawaiian half dollars went to the non-collecting public when sales opened in Honolulu that year. To this day, specimens turn up in the island's coin stores having slight amounts of wear from having been stored in old cardboard boxes or change purses. This specimen is much better preserved than most. Mintage: only 10,000. Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,553
Lot 3232		1928 Oregon Trail Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. A nice white coin, bold and impressive. Further, this date is among the lower mintage issues: 6,000 pieces. Pop 77; 3 finer in 68. (PCGS # 9342) . Estimated Value $850 - 900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,035
Lot 3233		1934 Maryland Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-66. A nice untoned coin, fresh with white luster, glistening throughout (PCGS # 9328) . Estimated Value $425 - 450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $518
Lot 3234		1935 Connecticut Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. The reverse shows natural gold toning. A lovely frosty gem. The Charter Oak is prominently displayed on the obverse of the Connecticut half dollar (PCGS # 9299) . Estimated Value $350 - 375. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $408
Lot 3235		1935 Hudson Half Dollar. AU-55. Only 10,000 made of this issue of 1935 featuring King Neptune astride a spouting whale. Estimated Value $525 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $604
Lot 3236		1935 Spanish Trail Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Attractive light gold toning on both sides. Boldly original. The obverse has a punning head of a cow in honor of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca (Cabeza de Vaca being Spanish for "head of a cow"). Nunez explored the Old Spanish Trail region in 1528. His route from Florida to El Paso, Texas is depicted on the reverse. Pop 513; 85 finer; 83 in 67; 2 in 68. (PCGS # 9376) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3237		1935 Spanish Trail Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck and untoned. This brilliant, lustrous Gem has exceptional fields and devices. Only 10,000 minted (PCGS # 9376) . Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,323
Lot 3238		1935 Spanish Trail Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Mostly untoned with silvery luster throughout. A very choice strike (PCGS # 9376) . Estimated Value $1,050 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,323
Lot 3239		1935 Spanish Trail Half Dollar. MS-62. White and satiny luster over both sides, a spotless example of this unusual Type. Only 10,000 made. Estimated Value $950 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,093
Lot 3240		1935/34. Boone Commemorative Set. A low mintage set, this is the key set not only in the Boone commemorative series, but the lowest mintage of any commemorative half dollar set. Always commands a great deal of attention. Consists of: 1935/34 PCGS MS65, 1935/34-S PCGS MS66, 1935/34-D PCGS MS66. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,725
Lot 3241		1936 Gettysburg Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Old green holder. Nicely toned over lustrous fields. A gem (PCGS # 9305) . Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $546
Lot 3242		1936 Long Island Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Nice light rainbow toning. This Long Islands boasts surfaces that are satiny with lovely mint frost swirling around both sides (PCGS # 9322) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3243		1936 Lynchburg Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Lovely light gold toning. A satiny lustrous Gem that has carefully preserved surfaces (PCGS # 9324) . Estimated Value $350 - 400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $357
Lot 3244		1936 Wisconsin Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. A hint of gold toning. That is a pile of lead ore the pick ax is about to hit. One of Wisconsin's major contributions to American commerce (PCGS # 9447) . Estimated Value $300 - 325. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $334
Lot 3245		1936 York Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Splendid natural russet toning on both sides. Worthy of a premium bid. Encapsulated in an old green holder (PCGS # 9449) . Estimated Value $400 - 450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $437
Lot 3246		1936-S Bay Bridge Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. A splendid gem specimen with partial rainbow toning on the obverse. In an old green label holder (PCGS # 9254) . Estimated Value $400 - 450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $518
Lot 3247		1936-S Oregon Trail Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. A nice bright coin. This crisply struck Oregon Trail glows with icicle-white luster from the fields and devices. Superb (PCGS # 9346) . Estimated Value $575 - 600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $720
Lot 3248		1937 Antietam Half Dollar. MS-63. Choice and frosty. Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $575
Lot 3249		1937 Boone Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-67 CAC Verified. Lovely rainbow toning, the surfaces pristine with satin-textured luster. This most charming Boone commemorative will quickly find a buyer (PCGS # 9270) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. Ex: Carmody Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3250		1938-D Oregon Trail Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-68 CAC Verified. Wonderful rainbow toning on the obverse. Lots of the green color that is highly desirable. In addition, the low mintage for this issue makes it even more desirable, with a mere 6,000 pieces reported. Phenomenal quality from center to periphery. Pop 31, 1finer in 69 (PCGS # 9349) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,700
Lot 3251		A trio of NGC graded Oregon Commemoratives. Light toning on both sides. Low mintage set with only 3,004 sets issued. Consists of: 1939 NGC MS66, 1939-D NGC MS67, 1939-S NGC MS67. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $2,700 - 2,800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,703
Lot 3252		A trio of PCGS graded Oregon Commemoratives. A hint of light toning. Last year of the design and a scarce set. Consists of: 1939 PCGS MS65, 1939-S PCGS MS65, 1939-D PCGS MS66. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3253		1946-S Booker T. Washington Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Lovely blue and golden colors put on a show atop the solid mint frost. A gem (PCGS # 9406) . Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $230
Lot 3254		1948-S Booker T. Washington Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. Nice blue and gold toning around the edges with snappy white frost everywhere else. A jewel! Pop 33; 3 finer, 2 in 67 Star, 1 in 68 (PCGS # 9414) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,380
Lot 3255		Booker T. Washington Commemorative Group. Consists of: 3 envelopes (mailers), one from the U.S. Post Office at Booker T. Washington's birthplace. Also includes a 1946 P-D-S coin set, Choice Unc. nicely toned and a 1946 BTW coin with the Gems of Wisdom paper case. A very interesting and worthwile lot of original BTW material. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details	Realized $546
Lot 3256		1952 Washington-Carver Half Dollar. A roll of 20 Brilliant Uncirculated examples. Lot of 20 coins. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details	Realized $230
Lot 3257		1952 Washington-Carver Half Dollars (10). A ten piece lot of 1952 Wash.-Carvers in an old Wayte Raymond holder. All have wonderful rainbow toning on both sides. Coins should grade MS-64 to MS-66. Lot of 10 coins. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,588
Lot 3258		1952 Washington-Carver Half Dollars. A 5 piece group, each exhibiting beautiful natural rainbow toning on both sides. Coins grade MS-64 to MS-66 . Lot of 5 coins. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 3259		A group of 10 Incredibly Toned 1952 Washington Carver Halves. MS-64 to MS-66. Each coin exhibits splendid natural vivid rainbow colors. This could be a run-a-way lot. Lot of 10 coins. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 3260		1953-S Washington-Carver Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Nicely toned on both sides with areas of sky blue deepening to purple. Pop 57; 3 finer in 67 (PCGS # 9440) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $805
Lot 3261		A Pair of Commemoratives. Consists of: 1924 Huguenot NGC MS64 and 1935/1934 Boone NGC MS65. Both coins are untoned. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $325 - 350. View details	Realized $322