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Sale 11
Lot 2234
1862 $20 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 65 Ultra Cameo. This is likely the finest known proof of this date. Of course, it only had to beat out 35 coins struck in Proof, most of which were probably spent. Somehow this baby survived in absolutely pristine condition. It was obviously one of the first struck, and is the only Ultra Cameo graded by NGC. Further, it is the finest graded, with only 1 other PF-65 seen by NGC, but that is a "cameo" proof, and not as deep as seen on this coin. The devices are all deeply frosted, and the fields are simply black with mirror perfection. We note that trivial hairlines can be seen in the fields, but they are not deep or too distracting (don't expect an upgrade to come along soon) and this is a coin that any collector will instantly fall in love with upon first sight. Rich gold in color, and an ultra rarity. Identifiable by a tiny copper spot on the rim above the E of STATES. One tiny lint mark on the neck, and a wonderful coin for the specialist.
Estimated Value $100,000 - 150,000.
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Lot 2243
1886 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 66 Deep Cameo. Here is one of the finest double eagles of any date! The surfaces are astounding in their beauty, the devices all deeply frosted and floating on a glassy sea of mirror fields. Light golden toning on Liberty, and a hazy patch on the right below the eagle's wing on the reverse. Identifiable by a small planchet flake below the G of GOD on the reverse. PCGS has graded 3 coins this high, from the original mintage 106, and none have been graded higher. Further, we don't know if the other 2 coins were Deep Cameos or even Cameo coins. If you demand the finest, most ultra rare and ultra beautiful coin for your collection, then don't hold back and buy this coin. Down the road, it is unlikely any will impress a true collector as much as this monumental coin.
Estimated Value $90,000 - 110,000.
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Lot 2111
1830 $5 Capped Head. Large 5D. . M-158. NGC graded MS-65. This stunning coin boasts lovely copper toning near the devices over lustrous fields. Liberty has a satiny appearance and shows no blemishes despite her age. Her broad cheek is shows no bagmarks or heavy scuffs. If one must find fault, the fields have minor hairlines, but not enough to keep this out of the gem class. Similar on the reverse, the proud eagle shows all feathers proudly, and the surfaces and fields show faint signs of handling. The toning on this coin is outstanding. As to the strike, it is full and complete, without weakness even on the upper curls of Liberty. This is an early die state, and fine die polishing lines can be seen, as well as recutting on stars eight, nine and twelve. Similar on the reverse, where recut letters can be seen and the D in the denomination has recutting noted on the inside upper curve, and on the upper post, just below the serif.
Without question, this is a very rare coin in any grade, NGC has graded just 5 of this variety, PCGS has graded only 11 of this date (PCGS does not differentiate between the Large 5D and Small 5D). Of the entire group of 16 coins graded, this one is the Finest, and almost certainly the Finest Known. PCGS has graded two 1830 half eagles as high as MS-64, the next level down for NGC is MS-63. Therefore, if you want clearly the finest, then here is the coin for you. Obviously most were melted or lost from the original mintage of 126,351.
Identifiable by a tiny planchet flake on and below the second leaf from the top on the reverse, and currently in NGC holder #380363-011.
Estimated Value $70,000-UP.
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Lot 2107
1818 $5 Capped Head. 5D over 50. . M-125. PCGS graded MS-65. This is the Finest Graded by either service! The surfaces of this magnificent gem are toned with hazy yellow hues that surround and enhance the devices. Each star and curl are fully struck on the obverse, and similar on the reverse where there is slight weakness on the eagle's craggy claws. Close examination notes a few trivial ticks on both sides, mostly in the fields, with the most notable behind the eagle's neck in the field. Liberty's face is quite clean.
A curious die error, the engraver first cut the denomination as "50" instead of 5 D. perhaps thinking he was engraving a half dollar reverse instead of a half eagle die. The error was noticed, and the appropriate D. (for Dollars) was engraved over the errant 0.
This is the only coin graded this high by PCGS of the variety, and there are none graded higher, making this likely the finest known, and certainly the finest graded.
Estimated Value $75,000-UP.
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Lot 2270
1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High relief, Roman numerals, wire rim. NGC graded Proof 66. One of the most magnificent coins ever struck, this regal gem boasts creamy rich gold luster throughout and near perfect surfaces. The strike is second to none, and we know that these were coined on the largest press available, using maximum pressure to bring up the "high" relief cut deeply into the dies. Not just one strike, but several were required to fully complete the minute details on Liberty's head, hand and the tops of the eagle's wing feathers. As seen here, the coins devices jump off the surfaces, and examining the towering rendition of Lady Liberty is like climbing over the Alps when compared to normally struck coins of other denominations. We must remember that these were basically experimental pieces, and required extraordinary efforts to remain true to St. Gaudens magnificent design. Success was complete, but only a few were coined before the high relief devices were greatly reduced to a more production friendly low relief coin. These battles raged on in St. Gauden's 1907 eagles and again on Peace Silver dollars in 1921, where the relief was similarly reduced after a brief production run of extraordinary high relief pieces.
NGC in their online Population Report (as of August 21, 2001) notes just 8 have been graded as PF-66, with a mere 9 graded higher (best is PF-69). While we haven't seen the others, we can only assume that they are very similar magnificent coins. Certain to be the centerpiece of any collection and worthy of a strong bid.
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
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Lot 2029
1808 $2.50 Capped Bust. PCGS graded AU-50. Only year of the type.One of the most difficult type coins of the entire sweep of United States Numismatics, as a meager 2,710 were struck, way back in 1808. That's the year prior to Lincoln's birth, to put some perspective on it. The dies were probably engraved by John Reich, the German engraver that the Philadelphia Mint kicked around for several years, as we see his signature of the thirteenth star with a small notch at the outer point. Clean surfaces for the grade, and problem free throughout. We see a tiny die crack along the top of the cap in the field. A true collector coin in high grade, and yet affordable as compared with a mint state example.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000.
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Lot 2327
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Round. NGC graded MS-64. A flashy, bright example that boasts good luster and well preserved fields and devices. The Panama-Pacific Exposition was held in 1915, and few attendies could afford to buy a coin of this cost, and hence just 483 were sold to collectors. This is one of the better ones, only 98 have been graded this high by NGC, with 21 graded higher. An impressive example for the advanced collector.
Estimated Value $35,000-UP.
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Lot 2329
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Octagonal. NGC graded MS-64. One of the most popular of the commemorative issues, this beautiful design was struck in very limited quantities. The obverse features the head of Minerva with a lovely helmet, surrounded by playful dolphins, and the reverse depicts the wisdom of the owl with pine cones, and more playful dolphins near the edges. Struck in gold and a huge planchet, this coin remains every bit as impressive as the day it was struck. NGC has graded 109 this high, with 17 higher. Mint fresh luster throughout, and we note a few handling marks and hairlines, keeping this in the near-gem category.
Estimated Value $30,000-UP.
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Lot 1935
1895 Morgan Dollar. NGC graded Proof 65 Cameo. This is the "King of the Morgans" and the great rarity of the entire Morgan silver dollar set. Most found are in lower proof grades, and this coin is a wonderful exception as a full gem. Further, it is an early strike from the dies, and the design elements have a special "cameo" appearance with the unusually heavy frost imparted by the dies on the first dozen or so coins struck after the dies were prepared and polished. NGC recognizes these early strikes with a "cameo" designation on their grading inserts. Note the deeply mirrored fields and the snowy white devices on this specimen. This coin remains untoned aside from a hint of gold color around the edges. Boldly struck and superbly preserved, with few signs of contact and minimal hairlines.
NGC has graded just one coin as such, and four have been graded higher, two as PF-66, and two as PF-67. If you demand a top quality coin for your collection, and can appreciate the beauty of this early proof cameo strike, then take a look at this coin and bid accordingly.
Estimated Value $22,000 - 26,000.
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Lot 2093
1886 $3 Gold. PCGS graded Proof 66 Cameo. One of the finest graded by PCGS, and no doubt one of the very finest known, the current Population Report shows just 3 graded as PR-66, and we don't know if any of the others are a "Cameo" or not. The surfaces are pristine, without the usual signs of handling or annoying hairlines that diminish the value, and close examination will find only faint evidence of these. Beautiful orange gold in color, with perfectly struck devices and each is fully frosted, providing spectacular cameo qualities. Only 142 were struck, and this coin is clearly one of the very best.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
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Lot 2328
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Round. NGC graded MS-63. Bright luster and clean surfaces for the grade, examination will locate minor hairlines from handling and a couple of trivial ticks. One of the most popular of all coins, especially in the huge gold format. Well struck on Minerava's face and the owl.
Estimated Value $22,000 - 25,000.
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Lot 2014
1854 $1 Gold Indian. PCGS graded MS-65. One of the American classics when it comes to rarity on this short-lived type coin. The Type II Indian gold coin has always been in feverish demand the past three decades by type and date collectors. Note the overlay of luster spread across the coin, with a seductive satiny reddish tint of colors that promote contrast between the flatness of the fields to the raised lettering and devices. On the obverse, the coin boasts a golden yellow hue which reflects back the harsh light used for critical examination. Turning to the reverse, we see similar satiny yellow fields with crisply struck devices, and surrounding the wreath is a lilac-orange-red-green combination of colors that dance when examined in the light with a youthfulness that belies the passage of 147 years since this one was struck.
As always, the dies show clash marks on both the obverse and reverse, as many times the dies came together without a planchet as the feeding machinery frequently jammed on these tiny planchets. The vast majority of these show clash marks. Scrutiny finds little to fault, sure there are some hidden hairlines and ticks which blend into luster, but this is clearly one of the few gems that have been graded during the past 15 years since PCGS began grading coins. The March 2001 PCGS Population Report shows only 34 graded as MS-65, with a scant 8 graded higher for this date. Certainly not many to go around to all the eager collectors out there attempting to put together gem type collections.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000.
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