Lot 634
A TYPE II FEAST, AN 1855 PCGS MS 64. PCGS graded MS-64. One of the classic type rarities of all United States gold coinage, the Type II gold dollar always generates excitement when offered in high grade. Examination of the surfaces finds seamless acres of mint-fresh surfaces that show decidedly few contact marks, blazing luster and well struck devices.
The color is a pleasant orange-gold with blazing luster in the fields. One tiny area of weakness noted at the center of the reverse, as seen on most of the issue. Struck from clashed dies, with hints of the wreath on the obverse, and Liberty's head outlined at least twice on the reverse. Identifiable as one of the H. W. Bass, Jr. II sale coins, lot 92, by a small toning spot on the obverse rim above ES of STATES, and two on the reverse rim, one at about 3 o'clock, the other close to 7 o'clock. An impressive coin for the grade, and one that will probably bring a premium over most MS 64s of this date for the quality surfaces and original color.
As mentioned elsewhere in this catalog, gold collectors would do well to extend themselves today to put away as many of these condition and date rarities as possible. Once the dust settles from the Bass sales and collectors who have upgraded various coins sell their duplicates off, the market will return to "normal" and rarities won't be offered for sale frequently. Never in the last several decades have so many gold rarities been available over a few short years, it will likely be decades again, if ever, that we see quantities of condition census and finest known pieces available of so many dates and denominations. Thus we implore collectors to feast while the feast is available, for soon only a few bones will be left for collectors to pick through, and quantities of rare date and condition census gold coins will only be available when specialized collections are sold in the decades to come.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,500.
From Bowers and Merena, Inc.'s H. W. Bass, Jr. II sale, October 1999, lot 92; previously from New Netherlands Coin Company's sale of June 1967, lot 513.
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| Realized $18,400 |
