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Sale 7
Coin and Currency Auction
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 655 |
 |
1874 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-65. The year 1874 was sort of a last gasp for the gold dollar denomination. Mintage came in just under 200,000, the highest since over a million were coined in 1862. After 1874, the most coined would be 30,000 in the final year of issue; 1889. This coin has bright, fresh luster throughout, with clean devices that show full details. A glass will note a few tick marks in the fields, keeping this coin from an even higher grade. Slightly prooflike on the obverse, the reverse more satiny, but it shows faint hairlines.
By 1874 the master hub, used to produce dies at the Mint, was showing substantial wear. In fact, the word LIBERTY had become so weak that on most of the working dies from 1873-74, LIBERTY can scarcely be seen on coins struck by these dies. One this particular coin, part of the "L" is visible on Liberty's headband. William Barber came to the rescue, and produced a new hub to manufacture dies, and LIBERTY was soon restored through the end of production in 1889.
Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,500.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$1,208 |
Lot 656 |
|
1874 $1 Gold Indian. PCGS graded MS-63. Flashy luster and well struck, with lovely coppery toning on both sides. There is a small series of marks below ED of UNITED on the obverse. Scarce.
Estimated Value $500 - 525.
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| Realized
$500 |
Lot 657 |
 |
INCREDIBLE GEM PROOF 1875 GOLD DOLLAR THE FINEST GRADED. PCGS graded Proof 66 H.W. Bass, Jr. Collection. From Part III of the recent Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection by Bowers and Merena, lot 58, where this coin was cataloged as follows: "Deep yellow gold with reflective mirrored fields and lustrous, frosty devices. A lovely example with strong cameo contrast."
"A splendid specimen which comes as close to perfection as any certified by PCGS--this standing alone at the Proof 66 level, with none finer! On the reverse a lint mark is seen to the right of the denomination number, a pedigree marker."
"The fame of the 1875 is long enduring, and for many years this has been recognized as the classic in any date series of gold dollars. Of all of the Philadelphia Mint issues 1849 through 1889, this is the coin--really with no serious competition. Time and again the classic collections brought to market by generations of dealers would be complete except for the 1875."
"Popular references state that 400 circulation strikes were minted plus 20 Proofs, but we suspect that a few more Proofs than 20 were struck. No doubt the figure of 20 represents the number of gold Proof sets produced in 1875, and may be applicable to the $5, $10, $20 which played to reduce demand, but not to the lower denominations. There are more than 20 Proof 1875 gold dollars known today and more than 20 1875 $3 pieces (the $3 being a classic rarity in that denomination). Not only is the presently offered 1875 a formidable rarity surrounded by great fame, but it also traces its pedigree to the cabinet of T. Harrison Garrett of Baltimore, Maryland. Thus, as we gaze at this coin while cataloguing it, and as you gaze upon it as a proud owner, we can both envision that years ago this piece was in Garrett's upstairs study at Evergreen House on North Charles Street, where no doubt it was enjoyed from time to time by viewing under magnification."
Another opportunity to buy one of the greatest American classics, don't let it get away now!
Estimated Value $35,000-UP.
From Stack's sale of the Garrett Collection, March 1976, lot 457 and Bowers and Merena's Harry W. Bass, Jr., Collection Part III sale, lot 58.
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| Unsold |
Lot 658 |
 |
1883 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-65. Mintage increased in 1883 to a still meager 10,800 pieces for circulation. Somehow several hundred survive in mint state, but not too many survive this nice. Here we have a coin that is graced with full blazing luster and toned with familiar greenish-yellow color attendant to gold coins of this period.
Once again, ERT of LIBERTY is weak, but this time due to die lapping and polishing, as the strike is very sharp on both sides of this coin. Scattered tick marks from an even higher grade, but still one of the 500 or so known from the original mintage.
Estimated Value $1,350 - 1,450.
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| Realized
$1,438 |
Lot 659 |
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1883 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-63. With the appearance of a gem, but there is an unfortunate scrape on Liberty's face which extends into the left obverse field. Coppery toning and better than we make it sound.
Estimated Value $490 - 525.
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| Realized
$489 |
Lot 660 |
 |
1883 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-63. Prooflike in the fields, which makes the surfaces reflective, but also displays every single mark and hairline since its striking. Nevertheless, this coin is very choice, and boasts a sharp strike and appealing gold color.
Estimated Value $490 - 525.
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| Realized
$719 |
Lot 661 |
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1889 PCGS GRADED PROOF 66. PCGS graded Proof 66. The final year of the gold dollar denomination saw a slight uptick in the number of proofs made: 1,779. Of these, perhaps 50 can be called "gem" proof, grading PF-65 or higher. To make the next grade up, proof-66, the coin has to be special indeed. In fact, PCGS has only graded 12 as PF-66, with 2 coins graded higher while NGC has only graded 5 this high with 3 graded higher.
The surfaces of this coin are splendid indeed, the delightful "orange peel" fields which have, well, the appearance of an orange peeling, smooth yet rough. Its quite delightful, and proof gold from the period displays this surreal mirroring effect. Of course the color is outstanding, with brilliant orange-gold throughout. The dies were highly polished, enough so to give a dot of mirror polish at the point of Liberty's eye, giving the illusion that she is winking at the viewer when the coin is examined under a light. Similarly, even the inside portions of the 8s in the date are polished, which in a way notes the excellent contrast between the frosty devices and the mirror fields. Identifiable by a small planchet mark below Liberty's chin, and a tiny tick mark on the lower right side of the denomination. In PCGS holder #5781537.
Estimated Value $9,500 - 10,500.
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| Realized
$9,430 |
Lot 662 |
 |
1889 $1 Gold Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. Probably struck from proof dies as the upper reverse shows a light crack identical to the proof coin just offered. Mint fresh surfaces and with satiny gold color. Liberty's cheek and the surrounding fields are especially clean for the grade.
Estimated Value $650 - 700.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$667 |
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