Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 63

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

Seated Liberty Half Dimes

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 713		1837. No stars, large date. PCGS graded MS-64 CAC Approved. Well struck with delicate golden toning. Lustrous and showing all the finer details. In an old green label holder. The creator of this coin, Christian Gobrecht, must have been full of pride to see his first provisional coin drawings rendered into these beautiful silver Half Dimes and Dimes of 1837-1840. By using a blend of diaphanous dress for Liberty and no stars, combined with a leaning shield and curving LIBERTY ribbon, he succeeded better than any predecessor mint engravers in portray the spirit of America's great calling. This lovely half dime nicely liberates that feeling. But beauty, like success, is fleeting; in 1840, the mint's officialdom in their powerful wisdom decided Gobrecht's vision wasn't quite clear enough. They commissioned Robert Ball Hughes to "sanitize" it. Imagine Gobrecht's embarrassment! He must have pinched his nose in horror at the mauling his gentle, delicate design received on post-1840 coinage. Luckily, there are still a few pleasing MS64 examples like the present coin surviving to remind us of Gobrecht's proficiency, his genius, his vision. Pop 140; 102 finer (PCGS # 4311) . Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,610
Lot 714		1856. CGA graded MS-67. A well struck frosty mint gem, untoned. Super luster and color. Has the usual light detail on the rim denticles, though stars are complete and so unaffected. Creamy smooth surfaces. Our grade is MS-66. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 715		1860. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ. Well struck with uniform greenish-blue iridescent toning on both sides. A Premium Quality coin for the given grade. First year of the Legend Obverse Type (PCGS # 4377) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $633
Lot 716		1860. Obverse of 1859, reverse of 1860. PCGS graded MS-66. Judd-267 Transitional issue. Rarity 4. Always in demand as this issue is listed in the Red Book. Beautifully toned. The coin without a country! One of the more curious Pattern issues, the obverse retains the 1859 and prior design with stars encircling Liberty, while the reverse bears the new style with the larger wreath of cereals as it is known, the type adopted in 1860. The problem with the design is, there is no identifying which country issued it! Only 100 were struck, sort of as a Pattern issue, but these have been included in all the mainstream collecting reference books for decades, such as the Guide Book, Breen's Encyclopedia and others. Hence, everyone wants one, pressure on the small floating supply is extreme, and there are precious few to go around. The surfaces are pristine, with the frost literally leaping from the surface. Around the edge we note original hues which serve to enhance the sense of longetivy. The strike is quite complete on most of the design, where sometime the wreath on the reverse gets in the way of some obverse stars. One of the most famous of all Pattern Transitional issues, and always in feverish demand. To find one so fresh and pristine is quite a challenge, and no doubt this one will be snapped up be an eager collector who values one of the best available. Pop 5; 7 in 67 (PCGS # 4373) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,338
Lot 717		1866. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. Star. Wonderful rainbow toning on both sides. Only 725 Proofs minted. This is a strongly struck example, with bold detail to all the important high points, which are frosted against the mirror-smooth fields. Pop 1; 1 finer in 67. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,588
Lot 718		1866. PCGS graded AU-58 CAC Approved. Attractive antique toning on both sides. Only 10,000 struck. (PCGS # 4388) . Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $690
Lot 719		1870. PCGS graded Proof 65 Cameo. Lovely delicate golden toning on both sides. Only 1,000 proofs struck. Pop 3; 5 in 66 CAM, 2 in 67 CAM (PCGS # 84453) . Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,438
Lot 720		1873. NGC graded Proof 65. CAC Approved. Housed in an Old Holder. Only 600 Proofs struck. Attractively toned. Half Dime mintage ceased with the 1873 issue; from that time forward, the United States issued nickel five cent pieces exclusively. This Half Dime is a reminder of the days when the country was on a Bimetallic currency standard. Pop 38; 29 finer, 20 in 66, 9 in 67 . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,150. Ex: Superior May 1994 Auction Lot #398. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,668
Lot 721		A group of Half Dimes in an old Raymond folder. 1829-1872-S. A total of 15 pieces grading Fine to Almost Unc. A very nice lot worthy of review. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details	Realized $920