Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 51

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Three Cent Pieces

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 764		1851 Silver Three Cents. PCGS graded MS-65 CAC Approved. A well struck gem with hints of delicate pastel toning on both sides. The silver three-cent pieces of 1851-53 were struck in a composition of .750 silver and .250 copper, making these America's first true fiduciary silver coins. In 1854, and throughout the remaining years of the series, however, the coins were produced from a composition of .900 silver and .100 copper, thereby measuring up to the other silver denominations of the era (PCGS # 3664) . Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 765		1853 Silver Three Cents. PCGS graded MS-67 PQ. Old green holder. Frosty and superb, well struck with original toning on both sides. Among the finest known. Pop 5; none finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 3667) . According to Donald Taxay in his U.S. Mint and Coinage p.219, on March 2, 1851, mint engraver Longacre, having prepared the design and cut the dies for the first type of this denomination, wrote to Treasury Secretary Corwin to explain the designs (of which he enclosed trial strikes, possibly uniface): ". That portion of the act referred to which prescribes my duties in relation to the coin is in these words: 'The said coin shall bear such devices as shall be conspicuously different from those of the other silver coins and from the gold dollar, but having the inscription United States of America, and its denomination and date.' On so small a coin it is impossible that the device can be at once conspicuous and striking unless it is simple -- complexity would defeat the object. For the obverse I have therefore chosen a star (one of the heraldic elements of the National crest) bearing on its centre the shield of the Union, surrounded by the legal inscription and date. For the reverse I have devised an ornamental letter C embracing in its centre the Roman numeral III, the whole encircled by the thirteen stars ." Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,888
Lot 766		1861 Silver Three Cents. NGC graded MS-67 PQ. Old holder. Well struck, frosty with vibrant blue and golden toning on both sides, the colors shimmer with iridescence. Originally preserved Three-centers like this are none too common, the surfaces are intensely lustrous with rippling frost. A coin with few rivals. Pop 25; 6 in 68. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,140
Lot 767		1866 Silver Three Cents. PCGS graded Proof 66 Cameo. Lovely rainbow toning on both sides. What is most noticeable when one first examines this coin, besides the almost sinful toning, is its thick, vibrant mint luster on the star -- it creates the desired "cameo" effect unimpeded by hairlines or discoloration, and untouched by even a hint of handling marks. To say the least, this Three-cent silver is a coin of singular beauty and importance to the collector. Devices are sharp in all areas, as struck, as desired by collectors, which the grading service has weighed properly in conveying the grade, as also desired by collectors. Only 725 Proofs struck. Pop 7; 1 finer in 67. (PCGS # 83716) . Estimated Value $3,100 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 768		1873 Silver Three Cents. NGC graded Proof 66. Nicely toned. A sparkling gem of the finest order. The luster is unbeatable with nice reflective sparkle in the field, the strike on the star and other devices is 100% full, being quite crisp in all places. As is the case with many other late-issue Proofs in this series, mintage was extremely low. For 1873, Proof-only mintage, in fact. Only 600 Proofs struck for this proof only date. Pop 27; 5 in PF67. Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,105
Lot 769		1881 Nickel Three Cents. NGC graded MS-65. Old holder. Well struck and nicely toned. It is unknown why mintage increased so dramatically this year (and this year only) to 1,077,000 pieces. Pop 49; 16 finer; 14 in 66; 2 in 67 Star. Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $518
Lot 770		1883 Nickel Three Cents. A superb gem Proof exhibiting full brilliance. Only 6,609 Proofs struck. In a 1st generation PCGS holder. Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633
Lot 771		1884 Nickel Three Cents. PCGS graded Proof 65. Old green holder. Nice light toning. Another of James B. Longacre's attractive designs, here he uses the same face as seen on many denominations (Indian cent, gold dollar and $3, as well as his double eagle), but here Liberty is coiffed with a wide coronet inscribed LIBERTY in incuse letters, with a string of pearls along the front edge. 1884 is among the much scarcer dates struck in the 1880s (PCGS # 3780) . Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $575
Lot 772		1884 Nickel Three Cents. PCGS graded Proof 65. Uniform light toning on both sides, the devices sharp throughout. Only 3,942 Proofs struck. In a 1st generation PCGS holder. Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $575
Lot 773		1888 Nickel Three Cents. PCGS graded Proof 65. Old green holder. Nicely toned and a bold Gem Proof of this late-date. The nickel three-cent denomination lasted until 1889 when it, along with the gold dollar and $3 gold piece, was abolished by the Coinage Act of 1890 (PCGS # 3785) . Estimated Value $550 - 575. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $575
Lot 774		Complete Sets of Two-Cent and Three Cent Nickels. The Two-Cent Piece collection, 1864-1873, contains both the 1864 Small and Large Motto and one 1873, the Open 3 variety. This set will grade EF to Proof. A total of 11 coins housed in an old Wayte Raymond holder. Purchased from Randall in July 1943. Together with: Complete set of Three-Cent Nickels, 1865-1889. This set will grade AU to Gem Proof. A total of 26 coins housed in two old Wayte Raymond holders. Purchased from B. Max Mehl and Randall in July 1943. Estimated Value $20,000 - 24,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold