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Sale 10
Lot 1446
1903 $5 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 68 Cameo. Of the 154 half eagle proofs struck in 1903 this coin is the finest graded by either grading service. One other Proof-68 has been graded by NGC, but it is not a "Cameo" designation. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that this is the very finest 1903 Proof half eagle. And one can see why, the surfaces are nearly perfect in every way. Deep mirror fields show none of the usual problems or tick marks. On the reverse, there are some small copper toning specks which are the only signs of age on this coin, otherwise it appears as if it were struck yesterday and carefully handled from the moment it was struck.
For the entire type, there are only 5 coins graded this high by NGC. PCGS has not awarded any half eagles of this type a grade of PF-68. So, if you want the very best, the most perfectly preserved coin of the date, which includes the desirable cameo designation, then you simply must purchase this lot. Once it sells, it may not again be offered in many years, perhaps decades! A superb example for the most advanced collector.
Estimated Value $70,000-UP.
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Lot 624
1918/7-S Liberty Standing Quarter Dollar. NGC graded MS-64 Full Head. Seldom offered, this precious rarity was first noticed by collectors around 1937. At that time, one of the few mint state coins was offered in a Bluestone Auction (12/4/37:741) which realized the astronomical price of $26.25 (Breen). Collectors everywhere began searching through change and carefully examining their Standing Quarter collections. Few have been found, and this popular overdate remains one of the most sought-after coins of the 20th Century. The combined NGC and PCGS population reports show about 520 graded in all, not many when one considers how many collectors need one.
Note the frosty luster in the fields, and the coin remains silvery white in color. No signs of toning have formed, and this is a beautiful example of this premier rarity.
Turning to the population, this coin is tied for the finest graded by NGC and PCGS with the full head feature. NGC has graded only 4 this high and PCGS just 6 coins. Fine separation is noted on the three leaves in Liberty's crown, and parts of her ear and a few bosses on the shield are slightly weak. Note the diagnostic clash marks (from the eagle's wing) below TR of TRUST and the microscopic die dot between the right toes on Liberty's foot and the last star, just in the field near the base. These confirm the genuineness of the coin and are diagnostic to this single die pair. A famous rarity that will no doubt bring a strong price from an advanced Standing Liberty Quarter specialist.
Estimated Value $60,000 - 70,000.
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Lot 1496
1881 $10 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 65 Cameo. One of the nicest of the 42 proof eagles coined this year, the fields are very deep in their mirroring and the devices are all deep in golden frost. Examination with a strong glass will note few signs of handling, including some stray hairlines over the deep orange peel fields and a nick on Liberty's chin. NGC has only graded 4 this high, with a single coin graded higher for the date. PCGS has only graded one coin as high as PF-65.
A magnificent coin that represents the finest quality the Philadelphia Mint produced. Don't expect this one to be a bargain, quality always brings a strong price.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 40,000.
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Lot 625
1918/7-S Liberty Standing Quarter Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. One of the finest graded of this classic rarity, this one has delicate gold toning around the periphery with hints of greens and blues around the eagle and lettering on the reverse. Flashy luster and well struck, with most of the head present, but not quite enough to qualify as full. We must note that this date is nearly impossible to locate with a full head, although a very choice one is offered in this sale. The surfaces remain quite clean, with just a couple of tick marks hidden on Liberty.
This is one of the great rarities of the last century. Few overdates were created, and all are eagerly sought by collectors. Perhaps one thousand of these exist, the grading services have seen just a few over 500 in all grades, and it is likely that more are out there in coin land still sitting in albums, having been put away decades ago. This one has the minute diagnostics noted in the Breen Encyclopedia. The overdate feature is plain with a glass. Apparently in the rush to get dies prepared, one 1918 die received a blow from the 1917 master hub, then the hub was switched to the 1918 hub, and the die was struck again. No one noticed the overdate, and the die was shipped and put into production at the San Francisco Mint, much to the delight of collectors.
This is one of the finest graded, NGC has only graded 3 as such, with 2 graded higher, and PCGS has graded 5 as MS-65, and 2 higher. Certainly in the top dozen known and worthy of a strong bid.
Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000.
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Lot 488
1796 Draped Bust Dime. . R-4. NGC graded MS-66. This is very likely one of the finest known of the variety. Both sides display deep blue and gray toning in the fields with lighter gray tones on the devices. Fully struck on the stars, with each point and center bold, similar on Liberty's curls which show separation even on the highest design elements. Slightly weak on the eagle's breast and thigh, where a few of the feathers are not fully brought up. As a die variety, this is more desirable than the usually seen JR-1 or JR-6 coins, as far fewer are found of this die pairing. Special care was taken in 1796 to produce really exceptional coins, as this was the first year of issue of this denomination. The design was adopted by famed portraitist Gilbert Stuart, who employed Ann Willing for his model of Liberty, said at the time to be the most beautiful women in Philadelphia. On the reverse, the rendition of the "small eagle" design was also well received, with the proud outstretched wings and delicate wreath surrounding. A superb example of an important type coin that is of unimprovable quality. The recent NGC Population Report shows 9 graded this high, with just 2 graded higher for the date.
Estimated Value $35,000 - 45,000.
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Lot 561
1853 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. Arrows and rays. PCGS graded Proof 63. Here is an extreme rarity which is of inestimable importance. Breen guesses that 5 were struck in proof, on March 3, 1854, of those PCGS has graded 3 coins, this one as PR-63, and 2 higher. This coin is easily identifiable by a minor scratch below the date, and the mottled gray and gold tones on each side. The strike is amazing, the devices so full and complete the dies must nearly have shattered when striking this piece.
A foremost opportunity for the specialist, this coin has added desirability because it is a one year type coin. Therefore, any collector who demands first year of issue, or is collecting type coins must have an example of this date. With so few struck, and even fewer known today, there simply aren't enough to go around. An historic offering that should bring a strong price.
Estimated Value $27,500-UP.
Ex: Stack's Auction '80, August, 1980: 1184.
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Lot 1465
1795 $10 Capped Bust. 13 leaves below eagle. . Tar-1. NGC graded MS-60. An important type coin that is scarce in high grades, especially in Mint State. This one has been cleaned with the usual resulting hairlines in the fields and on the devices. However, this is the normal state of affairs for these large, early soft gold coins. Collectors have cherished these for centuries, and somewhere along the line, virtually all show some signs of cleaning or minor hairlines. Examination shows a few adjustment marks through Liberty's hair, and more on the reverse rim and a couple across the eagle's proud breast. Frosty luster in the fields, with only a few trivial handling marks. As to the strike, it is very bold and most of the fine details are present on this coin.
The Philadelphia Mint had to post an expensive bond in order take precious metal consignments. The need for coinage was very great in the new country, and copper was the most available for coinage. Soon the silver and gold bond requirements were met, and in 1794 silver coinage began, and later in 1795 gold coinage too. This is one of the first gold coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint, and Breen notes that these were struck from September 27, 1795 until March 30, 1796. Further, some coins from this die pairing are believed to be presentation pieces, which likely confirms that this die pairing was the first struck. No doubt many important luminaries from American history were able to examine coins soon after they were struck, and think how proud they were to see the new coinage in gold, coming from their own Philadelphia Mint. Clearly, this is an important piece of American history and culture, and we know a true collector will always treasure this coin in the future, as it has been treasured in the past.
Estimated Value $35,000 - 40,000.
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Lot 861
1840 Liberty Seated Dollar. NGC graded Proof 65. This important pattern issue is often collected with the Seated Dollars, so we placed it there instead of with the pattern issues. The obverse is by Christian Gobrecht with the seated Liberty design, the reverse is an eagle in full flight with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and ONE DOLLAR around. The strike is as crisp as a Minnesota Winter morning, and the toning must be seen to be appreciated. Deep shades of charcoal gray throughout, with nary a mark to found on the surfaces. Hints of blue and yellow can be seen in the colors, but gray predominates. NGC has graded 6 this high, with none graded higher! Die alignment IV (Pollock), when the coin is turned like a medal, the eagle is flying level. This is the more common die alignment, and these are believed to be restrikes circa 1858 or later during the "high" flying Robert Coulton Davis years of free flowing laudenum for Mint employees, who supplied Mr. Davis with various delicacies from the Mint's die library. We should praise these early indiscretions at the Mint, for many of our most popular coins were made to order during the free wheeling days before the various scandals broke, and the "restrikes" were brought under control, at least for awhile. Today, we seem to be getting errors made to order, penny-dimes, dollar/quarter combinations etc… People don't seem to change, and manage to take advantage of any situation.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 40,000.
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Lot 1595
1913 $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded Matte Proof 64. Philadelphia coined 58 of these in proof for the entire year of 1913. Perhaps that will give the buyer some idea of how few collectors were around back in 1913. If more were struck, they would have been melted as unsold. For a few years the world's mints used the dark matte finish which gave the coins a very different look than the usual shiny mirror fields. With the matte proofs, the entire surface is "matte", somewhat dull in appearance when compared with the earlier flashy proofs. However, because of their distinctive style, these proofs are highly coveted by numismatists today. NGC has graded just 8 this high, with 22 graded higher. Not many to go around.
Estimated Value $17,000 - 20,000.
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Lot 1135
1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. $20 Gold. Small head. PCGS graded EF-45. This one has excellent definition in the head of Liberty, while the reverse is a touch weak as always seen on the eagle's wings and neck. Nice rims and fields, which show only moderate handling marks. Remember, these were just "money" back when there wasn't much money around, and all coins in the Gold Rush areas circulated hard. The soft gold surfaces were prone to handling marks, and all examples have them to some degree. Luster survives in the protected areas, and this is one of the best to survive. The recent PCGS Population Report notes only 3 graded this high, with just 2 graded higher of the type! Only 11 have been graded in all, so don't expect a boatload to be available at the next auction.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000.
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