Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 78

January Pre-Long Beach Sale 17.5% BP

Draped Bust Half Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1133		1802. PCGS graded VF-20. Struck on a problem-free planchet with natural antique toning about the devices, the color light to medium gray, the appearance one that is very attractive. Scarce early period Bust Half Dollar. The common issues are 1805, 1806, and 1807 in this Heraldic Eagle style. Rarely are 1801, 1802 or 1803 offered that don't have some problem or other (PCGS # 6065) . Estimated Value $2,600 - 2,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,084
Lot 1134		1803. Small 3 O-104 Rarity 3. NGC graded MS-61 Star. Wonderful blue and golden toning on both sides. Great eye appeal. Pop 1; none finer at NGC for the variety Mintage on the 1803 is listed as only 31,715 coined. However another 156,519 were struck during the year 1804, and most of these were surely dated 1803. This brings the total up to about 188,234 pieces, according to the Parsley "United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties". This number seems reasonable as this date is fairly common in grades up to about Fine. In Extremely Fine and above, however, it is very scarce, and in Mint State any 1803 is a great rarity. "The Half Dollar denomination was very popular and circulated widely; as a consequence, choice examples of any date before 1807 are rare and some dates (1801, 1802) are unknown in full Uncirculated. In fact, all Half Dollars before about 1810 are rare in full Mint State condition, as all were absorbed by the economy and none piled up in bank vaults as happened in the 1820s." A lovely Mint State specimen of this elusive issue, the finest of the variety cited by NGC in its census. Intact luster, beautifully toned surfaces with rich, saturated hues the enliven the beauty all the more. Extraordinarily attractive for the assigned grade. We note a minimum of surface marks and minor hairlines. The eye appeal is easily that of a grade or two finer. The eagle's head is soft, as struck and as usual, and minor flattening in the stars up above. The central obverse is marvelously defined. Notable events occurring in 1803: Ohio became the 17th state in the Union on February 19, 1803, and the first new state which abolished slavery from the beginning of statehood; earlier, Vermont, which joined the Union in 1791, had abolished slavery under its constitution of July 1777. The Louisiana Purchase was completed at a cost of about $15 million, and added about 828,000 square miles of land to the United States. New York and Massachusetts threatened to secede from the United States in protest of Jefferson's purchase, which was made secretly. Fort Dearborn, later known as Chicago, was established on the western shore of the lower part of Lake Michigan. Buffalo, New York was founded where the Niagara River meets Lake Erie. Estimated Value $12,000 - 14,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $27,025
Lot 1135		1803. Large 3. PCGS graded Genuine, Cleaning - XF Details. Lightly toned. Cleaned years ago. Mintage on the 1803 is listed as only 31,715 coined. However another 156,519 were struck during the year 1804, and most of these were surely dated 1803. This brings the total up to about 188,234 pieces, which seems reasonable as this date is fairly common in grades up to about Fine. In Extremely Fine and above, however, it is very scarce, and in Mint State condition any 1803 is a great rarity. The Half Dollar denomination was very popular and circulated widely; as a consequence, choice examples of any date before 1807 are rare and some dates (1801, 1802) are unknown in full Uncirculated. In fact, all Half Dollars before about 1810 are rare in full Mint State condition, as all were absorbed by the economy and none piled up in bank vaults as happened in the 1820s (PCGS # 6066) . Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $734
Lot 1136		1805 O-111 Rarity 3. PCGS graded VF-35. Attractive medium antique toning. Even wear with lighter "rubbed silver" color on the high points offsetting the deeper shade of gray elsewhere. Very presentable. Hard to believe that these were stamped on a hand-operated screw press that took 3 operators to run! (PCGS # 6069) . Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. Purchased from Steve Fischer (EAC). View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,351