Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 67

The Pre-Long Beach Auction

Nickels

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2388		1866 Rays. PCGS graded MS-65. A fully lustrous gem example, untoned. As often happens on first-year issues, the Mint experienced some striking difficulties with the Shield Nickel. The rays element on the reverse caused excessive die wear and breakage. Though making the coin distinctive and highly attractive for this modest design, the Mint chose to remove the rays from later issue, thus improving die-life and lessening the possibility of die breaks forming. Always in strong demand as a two-year Type as well as for its First Year status. A classy looking specimen in this Gem condition. Overworked, often clashed dies eliminate most Mint State survivors of this and other high production Shield Nickel issues from consideration above the Choice level. One look at this truly exceptional coin and it becomes immediately clear that it may have been produced from a fresh pair of dies. Intense luster shimmers over both sides and the strike is boldly executed (PCGS # 3790) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,610
Lot 2389		1876. NGC graded MS-65 CAC Approved. Well struck and untoned. Elusive and quite desirable as a Gem, this a strictly graded, vibrant example, one that is free of abrasions. The strike, desirable this comple, is well above par for the issue and both sides reveal scintillating luster. Centennial year, 1876. Pop 34; 6 finer in 66. Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2390		1881. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. A superb untoned gem example. Only 3,575 Proofs struck. The lowest mintage dates in the Shield Nickel series group themselves in the years 1877-81. Pop 54; 27 in 67 CAM, 1 in 68 CAM. Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719
Lot 2391		1888. NGC graded Proof 66. Stunning even lilac toning on both sides. Only 4,582 minted. Pop 85; 14 finer in 67. Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $604
Lot 2392		1895. NGC graded Proof 66. A splendid brilliant gem with a hint of natural golden tone. Only 2,062 minted. Pop 33; 6 finer. Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $604
Lot 2393		1909. NGC graded MS-66. A wonderful superb gem white coin with some light toning on the reverse. Pop 9; none finer. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,035
Lot 2394		1913. Type 1. PCGS graded Proof 66. Well struck with lovely rainbow toning. Only 1520 proofs struck. Historical accounts says that even the artist who designed this piece, James Earle Fraser, preferred the familiar term "buffalo" to the more zoologically correct bison. Semantics aside, the model for the buffalo nickel's reverse is known to have been a bull named Black Diamond. This animal was then a resident of New York City's Central Park Zoo and was already about seventeen years old at the time. Fraser's own correspondence reveals his exasperation in attempting to keep this beast posed in profile as depicted on the coin. Evidently quite uncooperative, it insisted on confronting the artist head on and would return to this stance immediately after being corrected. Pop 89; 45 in PF 66; 3 in PF68 (PCGS # 3988) . Estimated Value $2,600 - 2,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,565
Lot 2395		1913. Type 1. NGC graded Proof 66. Lovely delicate toning on both sides. Only 1520 Proofs struck. A high degree of luster graces the satiny silver surfaces of this illustrious Type One specimen, the only year of its Type, hence the only Proof available for those assembling a United States Proof Type Set. Pop 97; 42 finer. Proof coins of the Indian head/buffalo nickel type were struck for sale to collectors from 1913 through 1916 and again in 1936 and 1937 The Proof five-cent pieces of 1913-16 are normally referred to as "matte" Proofs, but this term is misleading. True matte Proofs have a dullish finish completely dissimilar to the surfaces of normal circulation strikes, and this technique of Proofing was used by the Mint exclusively for its gold coinage of 1908 and 1911-15, as well as for isolated issues of later years that were not sold publicly such as commemorative half dollars. The Proof nickels of 1913-16, like the cents of those years, more properly possess a satin finish. This varies in texture slightly from one date to the next and even within a single year's coinage. When found pristine, these coins are extremely beautiful and visibly distinctive from currency strikes. Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,990
Lot 2396		1913. Type 2. NGC graded Proof 67. Boldly struck with lovely natural toning. A gorgeous Superb Gem of the finest order. The highly lustrous surfaces exhibit mingled medium iridescent hues. Nicely struck as well, which is only to be expected, which we feel merits mention here if only because it is so spectacular compared to the regular Type One currency issue made for circulation. In an old style NGC holder. Pop 37; 5 in 68. Estimated Value $2,700 - 2,900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,875
Lot 2397		1913-S. Type 2. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck and lightly toned. A lustrous coin and a Popular Key Date. Pop 224; 89 finer. Estimated Value $900 - 950. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,110
Lot 2398		1914. NGC graded Proof 67. Boldly struck and brilliant white. A sparkling and lustrous gem, one of those satiny beauties that can boast fully defined design features and at the same time provide the viewer a burst of nickel-silver brilliance on both sides. Pop 63; 9 in 68. An immediate question that arose following the introduction of the new nickel in 1913 was the identity of the obverse model. Pressed for an answer, designer James Earle Fraser eventually felt compelled to respond: he revealed the names of Iron Tail, a Sioux, and Two Moons, a Cheyenne, as being among the three models engaged. His memory failed him on the identity of the third, but the most reliable evidence suggests that the third model was Big Tree, a Kiowa. (For a detailed account of this fascinating coin, see David W. Lange's The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels. Estimated Value $2,400 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,990
Lot 2399		1918-D, 8 over 7. NGC VF Details, improperly cleaned. The overdate is nice and strong. A Key Date lacking from most collections. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,070
Lot 2400		1925-D. PCGS graded MS-64. A very choice fully lustrous example. Pop 338; 79 finer (PCGS # 3955) . Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,020
Lot 2401		1936. Type 2. Brilliant. PCGS graded Proof 66 CAC Approved. A glittering untoned Gem Proof of Premium Quality that sparkles like a diamond as light strikes the surface (PCGS # 3995) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,185
Lot 2402		1937-D. 3 legs. PCGS graded AU-55. Well struck with uniform light toning (PCGS # 3982) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,035
Lot 2403		1937-D. 3 legs. PCGS graded Fine-15 (PCGS # 3982) . Estimated Value $500 - 525. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $552
Lot 2404		1913-1938-D/S Partial Set of Buffalo Nickels. All housed in a Capital plastic holder. Coins grade Fair to Mint State. This collection should be reviewed prior to bidding as it includes a number of high grade Buffalo Nickels. Lot of 49 coins. Estimated Value $500 - 650. View details	Realized $1,323
Lot 2405		1942-P thru 1945 Complete BU Roll Set of War Time Silver Nickels. Original BU rolls, most bank wrapped. Unsearched for full step gems. Lot of 11 rolls. Estimated Value $2,400 - 2,600. View details	Realized $2,760
Lot 2406		Group of BU Nickel Rolls. Consists of: 1940 P-D-S; 1941 P-D-S; 1942; 1946 P-D-S; 1956; 1958; 1959. Original BU rolls in bank wrappers. Unsearched for full step gems. Lot of 14 rolls. Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details	Realized $978