|
Sale 32
Lot 2550
1899 Proof Set. The complete 10 piece set including gold! Each coin is described as follows: Cent: NGC PF-65 Red. A virtual spot-free gem with delicate golden wheat toning. NGC reports 22. Nickel: NGC PF-65. Brilliant with light natural pastel toning. NGC reports 137. Dime: NGC PF-67. A stunning array of vivid rainbow tones. NGC reports 24. Quarter: NGC PF-68. A magnificent blending of natural light rainbow tones favoring the violets. NGC reports 6 with none higher (Ex Eliasberg). Half Dollar: NGC PF-64 Cameo. Stunning light golden iridescence radiates off Miss Liberty. NGC reports 5. Silver Dollar: NGC PF-67 Cameo. A dazzling creamy white pristine gem. NGC reports 8. Quarter Eagle ($2.50): NGC PF-66 Ultra Cameo. A magnificent golden-orange gem. NGC reports 5. Half Eagle ($5.00): NGC PF-64 Ultra Cameo. A spectacular two-tone golden-orange beauty. Two minute hairlines on the cheek, mentioned for identification only. NGC reports 1. Eagle ($10.00): NGC PF-65 Cameo. Another exquisite golden-orange two-tone gem. NGC reports 9. Double Eagle ($20.00): NGC PF-65 Ultra Cameo. A perfect match with the other gold coins in the set. The raised devices look like a carved cameo gem against the brilliant golden-orange fields. NGC reports 3.
With the striking of this set, the last made in the 19th century, the precision and workmanship of the mint was at a high. The result is a more aesthetically pleasing proof finish than those produced later, 1902 thru 1907 in the all brilliant finish. Later this year, Charles Duell commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office, declared that "everything that can be invented has been invented."
Only around 80 gold proof coins were struck this year with less than half still extant in all grades. We are proud to offer this beautifully well matched set, a true numismatic treasure. Lot of 10 coins.
Estimated Value $125,000 - 150,000.
|
|
Lot 2408
1797 $5 Capped Bust. 7 over 5. Large eagle. NGC graded AU-58. Well struck with nice shades of gold toning. An important major variety among early half eagles, the overdate 1797/5 is represented by fewer then a dozen extant specimens. Even smooth orange gold with brownish "antique" tints includes abundant remaining luster, particularly around the main devices. The reverse is nicely preserved as well and retains splendid luster, and some deeper orange toning may be seen throughout the reverse fields. The usual light areas of striking weakness are nowhere seen on the eagle's head and upper body and border of the shield on reverse, which is surprising and definitely atypical for the type. Some light abrasions on the surfaces are consistent with the high-end AU-58 grade. To put it in a nutshell, the overall aesthetic appeal is outstanding!
The sharpness of this specimen is easily finer than the Bass duplicate, earlier from Eliasberg, which was sold in October 1999. That piece was graded AU-53 (PCGS) but showed substantial central weakness on both sides.
Two obverses of the extremely rare 1797 Large Eagle $5 are known, this overdate variety and the normal date variety represented by a single specimen impounded in the Smithsonian Institution. This obverse shows a remarkably bold overdate, with the nearly total 5 underdigit unflinchingly visible to the naked eye. It must be considered among the sharpest overdates in the American series of coinage, comparable to the beloved 1817/3 half dollar. A legendary rarity in the Half Eagle series. Pop 2; 1 in 61. as finest by NGC (PCGS # 8077) .
Estimated Value $100,000 - 120,000.
|
|
Lot 2078
1895 Morgan Dollar. NGC graded Proof 68. Lightly toned on both sides with light green, blue and grey shades. Pop 2; 7 in PF68 Cameo; 4 in PF68 Ultra Cameo; 1 in PF69 Ultra Cameo. Rarest of the rare in the Morgan series, attested to by all to be the "King of the Morgan Dollars" and for many reasons, the first of which is that only 880 Proofs were minted and it is from these few that generations of collectors, must vie with one another for ownership of the small obtainable supply on the market at any one time.
The coin is, breathlessly beautiful, a knock-out. As can be seen in the photographs, it acquired deep original iridescent shades of toning in its years spent in the original tissue wrapper. Where later Proof coins are packaged in either celluloid or cellophane sleeves (1930s-1950s) or flat-pack plastic by the mint, all pre-1916 Proof coinage was sent to its recipients in simple jeweler's tissue paper. The tissue paper has a certain amount of sulfur content. And it is this which imparted the many marvelous colors often seen on Proof Morgans, like this glittering 1895. Faithful to every detail from a full blow by the dies, the hair is crystal clear down to the tiniest hair strand, and this includes the important curls directly above the ear, with only two of them appearing fused together; included also in this full blow by the dies, a resplendent eagle, proud and assured, with full-featured wings outstretched and a nice feather-covered chest projecting from the central part of this side of the design. The coin itself, grading Proof 68, is housed in a protective NGC holder and will forever remind us just how spectacular these early Morgan dollars were in Proof condition. Don't let the current market price dissuade you from bidding. As seems inevitable whenever a great rarity like a Gem Proof 1895 Morgan dollar changes hands, the interest and value only intensifies, year over year (PCGS # 7330) .
Aside from the annual issue of Proofs, coins of this type were routinely ignored by the vast majority of hobbyists. It was not until decades later in the 1950s and 1960s that collectors sought to own an example of each mint's products for each respective date. Only then did it become apparent that none of the 12,000 1895 Philadelphia Mint Dollars reportedly struck for circulation were extant. Not a single verifiable example could be located, and the demand for this issue has ever since fallen entirely on the few hundred Proofs surviving from that year.
Estimated Value $100,000 - 115,000.
|
|
Lot 2495
1795 $10 Capped Bust. 13 leaves below eagle. PCGS graded AU-55. Old green holder. The mintages were small on this denomination because little demand existed domestically for $10 eagles. The first United States Mint struck coins to order back then, for the most part. Bankers and others deposited their silver or gold with the Mint, often in the form of foreign coins, which the Mint's workers turned into Federal coinage and then delivered to the owners of the precious metals.
Those depositing gold with the Mint in the first years had a preference for the more convenient $5 half eagles to the $10 eagles, ordering more of the smaller denomination than the larger. As best as we can understand, the eagle was too large for small transactions but too small for convenient transportation or storage of large sums. Many 1795-1804 eagles were exported.
Striking gold eagles that were only going to be exported or melted was wasteful of the Mint's production capacity. Production of this denomination ceased in 1804, therefore, possibly under the orders of President Jefferson. The halt in production for the gold eagle proved lengthy. It wouldn't be struck for circulation again until 1838, at the second Philadelphia Mint.
This lightly circulated 1795 13-leaves specimen has natural "old gold" patina and surfaces, with abundant luster and contrasting light-rubbed brownish gray highlights on the cheek, cap and shoulder. It is every bit as choice and natural as the photograph indicates, and should prove an exciting purchase for the successful bidder, offering hours of enjoyment and study. PCGS reports 27 with 66 finer (includes numerous repeats) (PCGS # 8551) .
Estimated Value $60,000 - 65,000.
|
|
Lot 2406
1860 $3 Gold. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. Offered here is one of the very finest 1860 Proof three dollar pieces graded, an enchanting high-grade bold-cameo rarity that we are delighted to have the opportunity to view and describe for you. Rich deep orange toning crossing both sides is highlighted by pleasing blushes of soft pale rose iridescence. The fields are nearly immaculate, though a few trivial lines from handling over the years account for the grade. A few minimal lintmarks, artifacts which stand as reminders of the careful attention paid by mint employees to the condition of Proof dies, are noted in the fields as well. The devices are sharp, frosted, and utterly glowing. If a guess had to be made, we estimate that as few as 10 to perhaps 12 Proofs exist at all levels. Even this figure may turn out to be on the high side. PCGS Pop 2; None finer. NGC Pop 2; None finer. Only 119 proofs minted.
Over the years auction records show fewer of this date than of the more talked-about 1875 key! Purely and simply, this superb gem stands high on its own merits, its desirability is enhanced by the general rarity of the 1860 in circulation strike form, since few gem Uncirculated pieces exist either.
Recent sales include multiple returns of only a few specimens: (1) Heritage 1/2005:30432, PCGS PF64 (2) Heritage 1/2005:30433, NGC PF66 Cameo #1716198-007 (3) ANR 8/2004:977, NGC PF66 Cameo, unsold (4) Heritage 8/96:8260, PCGS Proof 64, unsold (5) Larry & Ira Goldberg 6/2000:833 PCGS Proof 64 "planchet void beneath N of UNITED" (6) Superior 11/2004, NGC Proof 66 Cameo #1716198-007.
Estimated Value $45,000 - 50,000.
|
|
Lot 2313
1916 Pattern Dime. Silver, reeded edge. PCGS graded Proof 25. Deep gunmetal toning on either side around and within the main devices. Two minuscule nicks on Liberty's neck can be used for future reference, one is at the throat, the other near the tip of the bust near the rim; otherwise the surfaces show no distinguishing marks or other signs of handling other than its use in circulation, which in and of itself seems incredible to a collector of Pattern coins!
One of the great Pattern rarities, the 1916 Mercury Dime is rarely offered because the few known examples are generally kept locked away in large Pattern estates. Perhaps only once or twice in a decade does such a coin get auctioned. This example, Judd 1982, is only the 2nd known example!
The first discovered example, the Robinson/Guth specimen, now graded by NGC PR-12, was reportedly "plucked out of circulation" by a bus driver as reported in The Numismatic Scrapbook, August 1970. Coin World published photos of the Robinson-Guth specimen in the Jan. 14, 1970 issue. The new 8th edition uses wrong photos, this has been confirmed by expert Saul Teichman. This example is a new discovery found June 16, 2004 and only graded by PCGS.
Judd listed all 1916 Mercury patterns under J-1794. The revised Whitman 8th Edition shows as follows:
J-1981: Small head, shifted left, micro date, bust not near rim.
J-1982: Larger head, bust touching rim, micro date, macro motto.
J-1983: Similar large head, separated from rim
J-1984: Virtually identical to the regular issue except for minor differences in positions of the obverse lettering.
Here is an opportunity to acquire the finest known of only 2 examples extant.
The designers of the patterns appearing during this year were apparently influenced by the wars in Europe and this nation's desire for peace.
A. A. Weinman designed a dime in which the obverse was a winged head of Liberty derived from the denarii of Ancient Rome. The designer explained that "the wings crowning her cap of Liberty are intended to symbolize liberty of thought." He selected "the fasces and olive branch to symbolize the strength which lies in unity, while the battle-axe stands for preparedness to defend the union. The branch of olive is symbolical of our love of peace."
In recent years some have expressed surprise that when a new specimen of a 1916 Pattern is discovered it is usually worn, quite contrary to what one expects of a Pattern. The fact is that these patterns so closely resembled the regular issue that they were put into circulation by one owner after another. "It seems obvious," according to Judd, "that there are probably six or more different varieties with about a dozen specimens known overall."
Estimated Value $25,000 - 35,000.
|
|
Lot 1602
1796 Draped Bust Half Dime. "LIKERTY" error. PCGS graded MS-61 PQ. Semi PL surfaces, Lovely golden toning that deepens to full russet brown in a lovely wood-grain effect. There is even some steel iridescence along the border in one area. Given the proper amount of strike pressure, the coin was fully brought up by the dies in the hair curls, the lovelock curl, and Liberty's drapery folds. Indeed, one would be hard-pressed to find a sharper example in this grade classification! PCGS reports just 14 in all grades. Pop 1 with 1 in MS-62, 2 in MS-63 and 1 in MS-64.
The design for the 1796-97 Draped Bust, Small Eagle coinage 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 eagle was also well received, with the outstretched wings and delicate wreath surrounding. Breaks at the top and bottom curves of the B in LIBERTY give this Valentine-1 variety its distinctive nickname (PCGS # 94254) .
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
|
|
Lot 2063
1894 Morgan Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ. Well struck and white. Popular key date. The powerfully struck, lustrous surfaces are readily appreciable at all angles. This is an important issue among Gem quality date buyers. The strike as keen as a razor on this key date 1894, with sharp-than-average hair detail and a crisp eagle collectors would die for!
Business strike Morgan Dollar production fell to an all-time low at the Philadelphia Mint this year with production of just 110,000 pieces. With the exception of the 1901, the 1894 is the rarest Morgan dollar from this mint in Mint State. This silvery bright example swirls with full mint luster and grand eye-appeal, with little in the way of the usual abrasions which are too few and relatively far between to describe, and none are worthy of singular attention. A solid, Premium Quality PCGS graded Gem for the high-quality dollar collector. PCGS reports 17 at this level with 3 in MS-66 as finest (PCGS # 7228) .
Estimated Value $35,000 - 40,000.
|
|
Lot 2940
Great Britain. 5 Pounds, 1839. S.3851; Fr-386; KM-742. Victoria. Young Head. Engraved by William Wyon. This type is among the most famous and desirable of British coins. The obverse design features a young bust of Victoria, aged 20 years. Reverse: Queen dressed a Una leading the British lion. A very minimum amount of hairlines. Brilliant fields and with the cameo effect this is still an exquisite example. NGC graded Proof 63 Ultra Cameo.
Estimated Value $35,000 - 40,000.
|
|
|
