Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 63

The Pre-Long Beach Auction of US, World Coins and Currency

$20 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1690		1850. NGC graded AU-58. Well struck and lightly toned. In an old style NGC holder. The Double Eagles, whose net gold content is .9675 of an ounce, actually weigh more than an ounce, because they have a bit of copper alloy in them to make them tough and not easy to damage. At the time they were current (1850-1933) the gold "standard" equated to $20.67 per ounce. The 1850 double eagle is readily available in circulated grades, typically Very Fine or Extremely Fine, with only an occasional About Uncirculated example on the market. Both the 1850 and 1850-O appear to have circulated widely. In any grade the 1850 has always been in great demand as the first year of issue. (A few dozen Mint quality pieces are also known, but are quite expensive.) Abundant luster remains on the warm gold but still satin surfaces, luster like the sparkle off an imperial sword waving in the air. Clear-cut devices point to it having been giving a full strike by the dies as well, something most in evident on this first-year issue. On some following issues, the strike tends to decline. But on this initial year, the design is deeply impressed by the dies. Pop 120; 79 finer (PCGS # 8902) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 7,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1691		1852-O. NGC graded AU-53. Untoned. Very scarce in full Mint State. A desirable O-mint Double Eagle, a coin with original (if lightly worn) surfaces and a strike that is close to complete. Inspection reveals that the present specimen spent a few years of its life in circulation where the fields became abraded. There is a diagonal mark in line with Liberty's chin to throat; the rims are choice, with both sides avoiding bruises and nicks that are found on many from the Type 1 period (1850-66). Today, in 2011, a lot of discussion is given to women's issues in public discussion. But 160 years ago, something similar happened which sounds almost quaint by comparison. On December 29, 1852, one Emma Snodgrass, referred to by East Coast newspapers as "the girl who has recently been visiting parts of New England in pants" was "again" arrested in Boston on a charge of vagrancy. Since Emma was regularly employed as a clerk, and paid her bills, the vagrancy charge didn't hold. She was released after the judge had given her some "wholesome advice about her eccentricities," to which she "responded with becoming grace and promised reformation." The next day, however, Emma was back on the street in her "male attire." (Imagine how that prim and proper judge would puff out his cheeks and bluster at some of the interesting people coming before his bench today!) (PCGS # 8907) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,440
Lot 1692		1854. Large date. NGC graded AU-55. Frosty and untoned, this double eagle display light pinkish-gold luster around and within the devices on either side. Minimal circulation marks; maximum eye appeal for a No Motto Type 1 Liberty $20 (PCGS # 98911) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $11,788
Lot 1693		1855. PCGS graded AU-58. Lovely golden toning. Lustrous frosty golden surfaces with rich highlights and the bare minimum of marks or hairlines. Nearly full details on the devices as well (1855 tends to be sharply made, unlike some issues in the 1850-66 period). A truly top-end specimen for AU58, of a fashionable Type One issue from our formative years as a fast growing country, the age of steam and riverboat travel. Pop 24; 14 finer, 2 in 60, 6 in 61, 3 in 62, 2 in 63, 1 in 64 (PCGS # 8914) . Estimated Value $3,200 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,830
Lot 1694		1856-S 17 N No Serif, Hi Right S. PCGS graded AU-58 SSCA 6049. A beautiful fully lustrous specimen with a touch golden toning. Definately a Premium Quality specimen! In a special gold foil PCGS holder. Historic Note: SS Central America, sometimes called the Ship of Gold, was a 280-foot sidewheel steamer that operated between Central America and the eastern coast of the United States during the 1850s. She was originally named the SS George Law. The ship sank in a hurricane in September 1857, along with 400 passengers and crew. Loss of 30,000 pounds of gold she was bearing in the form of coins and gold bars contributed to the Panic of 1857. Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. Ex S.S. Central American treasure. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,613
Lot 1695		1872-S. VF-30. Lightly toned. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,250. View details	Realized $1,553
Lot 1696		1873. Closed 3. ICG graded AU-50. Moderate marks appear on both sides including a shallow indentation at the nose. Scarcer Closed 3 variety this year. Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,350. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1697		1873. Open 3. NGC graded MS-61. Nice original toning with frosty luster; typical handling marks for the grade. The Open 3 date was introduced when it was discovered that the first date logo resembled "1878". But reworking the 3 punch, a more Open appearance was achieved (PCGS # 8967) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,840
Lot 1698		1873-CC. PCGS graded AU-58. Lightly toned and very nice. Only 22,410 minted. A bright and gleaming specimen whose cartwheel luster seems poised to detonate like a Fourth of July skyrocket. For anyone familiar with this CC-mint issue, just about any luster on a '73-CC qualifies for a fireworks display and Fourth of July style parade. Plus we find a touch of faint warm orange-gold toning, especially on the periperies. Adequately struck with nearly full details on both sides. Definitely one to consider if your budget allows. Expect some competition since there have been very few of these graded. Here is the census. Pop 46; 9 finer, 4 in 60, 3 in 61, 1 in 62, 1 in 63 (PCGS # 8968) . Estimated Value $16,000 - 18,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $19,550
Lot 1699		1874-CC. PCGS graded AU-50 CAC Approved. Plenty of luster still dances around the fields and devices on both sides; meanwhile, all is overlaid with original agreeable antique toning. A total of 115,085 1874-CCs were struck. In an old green label holder and a Premium Quality coin for the grade. Pop 131 (PCGS # 8971) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,370
Lot 1700		1875-CC. ICG graded MS-60. Frosty and untoned. A worthwhile coin overall with faint pinkish gold surfaces that show minor disturbance in the luster consistent with this grade; still the bright and hard-working luster beneath covers nearly every surface. Some weakness of strike is seen at the centers, which is typical for CC-mint $20s of this Type 2 design. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,450
Lot 1701		1875-CC. PCGS graded AU-58. A lustrous example with touches of sunset golden toning. A total of 111,151 struck for this "common date" Carson City mint. The Double Eagles, whose net gold content is .9675 of an ounce, actually weigh more than an ounce, because they have some copper alloy in them to add strength so they abrade less easily in circulation. At the time they were current (1850-1933) the gold "standard" was set to $20.67 per ounce. Pop 107 (PCGS # 8974) . Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,025
Lot 1702		1876. NGC graded Details of Uncirculated harshly cleaned. Our grade is sharpness of MS-64 with lots of hairlines. Well struck and an unusually high grade example of this date. Last of the Type 2 motif with its abbreviated denomination TWENTY D. The introduction of the Type 3 which came in 1877, shows numerous differences (PCGS # 8976) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,610
Lot 1703		1876. PCGS graded AU-58. Lots of luster and enough to justify a MS grade, thus in our opinion, a Premium Quality example. Final year that the mint struck the Type 2 Double Eagles (1866-1876) (PCGS # 8976) . Estimated Value $1,450 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,610
Lot 1704		1876-CC. PCGS graded AU-55. Well struck with far fewer marks than usually seen for this grade. Attractive olive color gold toning. A total of 138,441 struck for this popular "CC" mint double eagle. Final year of the Type 2 $20 gold design. Pop 200 (PCGS # 8977) . Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,393
Lot 1705		1876-S. PCGS graded MS-61. Lightly toned. Frosty and attractive. Has a few normal abrasions expected. Liberty's profile is in detailed relief, as are the stars (PCGS # 8978) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,300
Lot 1706		1877. PCGS graded MS-60. Frosty and lightly toned. Initial year of the Type 3 design -- the type most familiar to collectors since this was in production until the end of the series in 1907 (PCGS # 8982) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,610
Lot 1707		1877-S. Our grade is Sharpness of VF polished. In a old time solid gold mounting. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,524
Lot 1708		1877-CC. NGC graded AU-55. Well struck, untoned and shimmering with luster, the very picture of a well cared-for Liberty double eagle. This example, illustrative of the high-end quality seen in its grade class but virtually never found on an 1877 CC-mint twenty, has reflective light gold surfaces and somewhat frosted appearance on the portrait. Only 42,565 struck. Pop 116 (PCGS # 8983) . Historic note: Starting in the 1970s, many 1877-CC double eagles have found their way back to United States shores from old European bank vault holdings. At first glance, the recovery of long lost specimens of this scarce date sounds like great news for collectors. In truth, it is often bitter-sweet as far too many of the repatriated 1877-CC twenties are banged up examples or, at the very least, too heavily abraded to be deemed choice quality. Large gold pieces that are transported in canvas bags over thousands of miles could only be negatively impacted in terms of surface integrity. Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,900
Lot 1709		1881-S. VF-20. Toned, has a medium length run of chattermarks below the hairbun. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,495
Lot 1710		1882-CC. PCGS graded AU-58. Well struck and loaded with semi reflective surfaces on both sides. The reflective collector who has a number of frosted luster specimens will want to switch his tactics when approaching the nicely mirrored 82-CC since it has ideally choice surfaces and a frosty portrait on Liberty. The frost gives a natural two-tone appearance. Only 39,140 struck. Pop 88 (PCGS # 8997) . Estimated Value $3,800 - 4,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,520
Lot 1711		1883-CC. PCGS graded AU-55. Well struck and frosty with hints of delicate gold toning. If it is plenty of luster you are looking for in an affordable Carson City Mint twenty, look no further than this beaming 1883-CC. It is one of only 59,962 struck. Pop 100 (PCGS # 8999) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,140
Lot 1712		1883-CC. NGC graded AU-55. A decent coin for the grade. Lustrous surfaces display pale gold color with a bit of warmer gold patina near the edge, the overall appearance greatly bolstered by a smooth, almost blemish-free Liberty which somehow avoided contact with other coins. Regarding this date, the '83-CC is one of the most affordable CC-mint Twenties for collectors to acquire. Only 59,962 struck (PCGS # 8999) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,450
Lot 1713		1883-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Attractive light obverse golden toning adds to its appeal. The 1883-S is by and large found in the lower grades of Uncirculated, when it is found at all, this being the among the choicer MS63 pieces obtainable at auction. That it is a sharply struck example is plain to see, either from first-hand visual inspection under magnification or, secondarily, via the high resolution photographs provided by our able photographer. The coin displays soft, undulating orange-golden mint luster. There are a couple of tiny abrasions on the shield and around IN GOD WE TRUST which account for the assigned grade. A sharp looking coin that is a rare find in this choice condition. Pop 161; 3 in 63+, 11 in 64 (PCGS # 9000) . Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $7,188
Lot 1714		1884-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Lovely golden toning on both sides, which gives this fully struck MS63 plenty of room to display its light overlay of natural color. Close examination reveals some small marks consistent with the grade. The luster is frosted; the strike well up there in terms of detail and desirablility. Destined for a fine Double Eagle collection. Pop 279; 7 in 63+; 18 in 64; 1 in 65 (PCGS # 9002) . Estimated Value $4,500 - 4,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,945
Lot 1715		1885-CC. NGC graded AU-55. Light uniform pale golden toning with luster around all the major devices and still adhering within Liberty's hair and throughout the eagle. The 85-CC is much scarcer than 82-CC thru 84-CC, as only 9,450 struck. Difficult to find this choice. Pop 45; 73 finer (PCGS # 9004) . Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $10,638
Lot 1716		1885-S. NGC graded MS-63. Intensely lustrous with hints of light golden toning. Dates from the 1880s tend to be scarcer than those of the 1890s, particularly with the San Francisco Mint issues. Pop 110; 12 finer (PCGS # 9005) . Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,140
Lot 1717		1888-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Nice golden toning who warm reddish hue sets off the underlying blast of luster from the mint-fresh surface. Pop 336; 45 finer (PCGS # 9009) . A sugar-bon-bon for numerologists: The year 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar, and a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar. In Germany, 1888 is known as the Year of Three Emperors. Currently, it is the year that, when written in Roman numerals, has the most digits (13). This record will not be equaled until 2388 (MMCCCLXXXVIII), or (for those who are willing to wait a little while longer) surpassed until 2888 (MMDCCCLXXXVIII). We won't leave you hanging: The three different emperors who ruled over Germany during 1888 were Wilhelm I, Frederick III, and Wilhelm II. The mnemonic "drei Achten, drei Kaiser" (English: "three eights, three emperors") is still used today in Germany by children and adults alike to learn the year in question. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,795
Lot 1718		1888-S. NGC graded MS-63. A very lustrous example in pinkish color gold. What is most in full view when we examine this coin is its thick, rolling mint luster -- it swirls over each side unhindered by deep abrasions and free of even a trace of deep toning. A coin of outstanding beauty and importance to the Liberty gold collector. In days of old, the luster was enough to determine a coin's status. But today, just as important is the strike: there is no deviation in the sharp relief seen, not even in the centers of the coin, and all stars are sharp (PCGS # 9009) . Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1719		1888-S. PCGS graded MS-62. Rich golden-orange toning on both sides. A lustrous example, well struck and highly presentable. In our opinion a Premium Quality coin for the grade (PCGS # 9009) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,530
Lot 1720		1888-S. PCGS graded MS-61. A lustrous example and quite choice for the grade, thus our Premium Quality designation (PCGS # 9009) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,668
Lot 1721		1889-CC. PCGS graded AU-53 CAC Approved. Well struck with oceans a-plenty of underlying mint luster visible, all overlaid with beautiful, natural toning. Only 30,945 struck. In an old green label holder. Pop 57 (PCGS # 9011) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,830
Lot 1722		1889-S. NGC graded MS-63. Lightly toned with sweeping luster over both sides. Well struck, too, as this has all the appearance of having been squarely struck by the dies. Pop 99; 5 finer in 64 (PCGS # 9012) . Estimated Value $3,500 - 3,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,485
Lot 1723		1890-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Lovely rich golden-sunset toning. Some might think that with its moderate mintage of 802,750 the 1890-S would be relatively available in this grade, but it seems this isn't the case. Reports by the top-tier grading services, confirmed by relatively few auction appearances, makes this a must-have date for the serious buyer. Any double eagle collector worth his salt will want to put in a strong bid. The coin is glittering and well struck. In fact, it is fair to say it trounces many other coins we've seen in the identical numerical grade. Pop 146; 2 in 63+; 18 in 64; 1 in 65 (PCGS # 9015) . Note: The 1890s were sometimes referred to as the "Mauve Decade," because William Henry Perkin's aniline dye allowed the widespread use of that color in fashion. The phrase, "The Gay Nineties," used to refer to this decade by later writers and commentators, was not coined until 1926. This decade was also part of the Gilded Age, a phrase coined by Mark Twain, alluding to the seemingly profitable era that was riddled with crime. In America, the 1890s were marked by a severe economic swings from manic business activity to a depression sparked by the Panic of 1893, as well as several strikes in the industrial workforce. Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,750
Lot 1724		1891-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Light even original toning; a lustrous specimen (PCGS # 9018) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,473
Lot 1725		1891-S. PCGS graded MS-62. Light golden toning, quite nice (PCGS # 9018) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,725
Lot 1726		1891-S. PCGS graded MS-60. Untoned (PCGS # 9018) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,639
Lot 1727		1892-CC. PCGS graded AU-58. Well struck with semi reflective surfaces and a hint of light golden toning. Only 27,265 struck. Our consignor had an affinity for high-end CC-mint Double Eagles. He also had the patience and keen eye of the collector, from what we can deduce, to wait for just the right coins to include in his collection. This is a fine representative of what you will discover in the small selection of CC dates scattered throughout this $20 gold section: bold relief, appreciable eye-appeal, and plenty of frosty mint luster from top to bottom. Bid aggressively, or forever regret your hesitancy. Pop 84 (PCGS # 9020) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,060
Lot 1728		1892-CC. PCGS graded AU-58. Toned with semi-reflective surfaces surrounding frosty devices. Scarcely ever found this choice. We note a single little nick on the throat area and a minor tick at the eyelid. A little roughness around IN GOD WE TRUST is also not unexpected. Only 27,265 struck. Pop 84; 112 finer, 20 in 60, 43 in 61, 43 in 62, 1 in 62+, 5 in 63 (PCGS # 9020) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,060
Lot 1729		1892-CC. PCGS graded AU-55. Semi-reflective surfaces although the reverse is more frosted, with irregular russet toning around some of the legends and along the rims. Very lustrous for the grade. Only 27,265 minted (PCGS # 9020) . Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,313
Lot 1730		1892-S. PCGS graded MS-64 CAC Approved. Well struck, delicately toned and remarkably clean surfaces for the grade. In a 1st generation PCGS holder. An very bright and lustrous gem Liberty Double Eagle that you can use as a benchmark for other S-mint examples that share this towering grade. While the strike is forthright and crisp, it is more than just reasonably full, it is decidedly full. All of the head and coronet details are clear, as is the intricately executed eagle motif on the reverse. Full cartwheel luster over both sides. Pop 78; 3 finer with 2 in 64+, 1 in 65. Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1731		1892-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Nice original toning on both sides, the yellow gold color really stands out on this uncleaned specimen (PCGS # 9021) . Estimated Value $2,400 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,002
Lot 1732		1893-S. PCGS graded MS-63 CAC Approved. Very attractive original toning on both sides, this 1893-S has lustrous surfaces that are flourishing with rich gold and iridescent brilliance. Well struck for the date, as well, with all reverse details present, though. That said, fully struck $20s of this date are rare (PCGS # 9024) . Estimated Value $2,800 - 2,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,565
Lot 1733		1893-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Bright and lustrous. Pop 470; 2 in 63+, 39 in 64, 1 in 65 (PCGS # 9024) . Estimated Value $2,700 - 2,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,990
Lot 1734		1893-S. PCGS graded MS-62. A very choice coin for the grade (PCGS # 9024) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,840
Lot 1735		1894. NGC graded MS-63. Frosty with attractive peach to pale orange toning. A few reverse spots (PCGS # 9025) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,013
Lot 1736		1894. PCGS graded MS-62. Frosty and untoned. The 1890s was a period in which the gold market in the United States and across the Atlantic was under severe stress due to troubled economic conditions. Yet the U.S. government kept right on striking double eagles even though at one point the Treasury Department came within days of failing to having the required gold backing for the currency, and faced default! (PCGS # 9025) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,725
Lot 1737		1894-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Lovely rich golden toning as collectors expect to find when an all-original, undipped specimen is presented to PCGS for grading. This coin has plenty of pizzazz due to Liberty's smooth facial features and an absence of heavy bagmarks (PCGS # 9026) . Estimated Value $2,300 - 2,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,760
Lot 1738		1895. PCGS graded MS-62. Very frosty for the issue (PCGS # 9027) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,610
Lot 1739		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold

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