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Sale 41
Lot 1643
1797 $10 Capped Bust. Small eagle. NGC graded MS-63. Encased in NGC holder 1562003-001. Taraszka-7. Only the one variety known with the small eagle reverse. A fantastic coin! The strike is complete and the planchet unusally clean. Loaded with luster which is slightly reflective and delicately toned. The fact that 3,615 pieces are believed to have been made of this small eagle issue from 1797 explains its rarity in all grades. Breen only knew of one coin that showed an unbroken obverse. The unique arrangement with 12 stars left and 4 right, broke soon after it went into production, the first evidence for this being a thin crack starting at the rim below the final star on the right and extending into the field further and further. This is an earlier state since the break ends in the lower right field but does not yet extend to Liberty's neck and jaw. Possibly as few as half a dozen exit today in Uncirculated condition. That said, this handsome coin is the finest certified by NGC, with none finer. The surfaces show green-gold color and are filled with semi-reflective mint bloom. There are a few surface lines through the portrait, some adjustment visible on the segments at the upper left edge on the obverse. A couple of faint flakes present in the left obverse field can be used also as identifiers. Both sides are very bold for this issue. On the reverse in particular, the strike is solid on the eagle's breast and most of the neck feathers, with both legs also showing ample if not quite complete detail. Best of all, there are none of the usual numerous small abrasions that plague early small eagle $10 gold pieces, none at all! That makes this is a fabulous opportunity for the specialist to acquire a rare issue, the rarest of the three years the small eagle was produced, and in spectacular condition for that matter. Pop 1, the finest graded at either NGC or PCGS (PCGS # 8555) .
Die notes: The first variety of 1797 uses the same reverse die from 1796. Though this marriage followed the 1796 marriage in the emission sequence, the 1796 obverse and this reverse was paired again for a brief run after the 1797-dated pieces were made. Taraszka-7 is nearly always seen with a crack from beyond star 16 as described above. The reverse palm branch has eleven fronds. There is a center die punch lump on breast at the junction with the left wing. The tip of the palm branch points to the right of the serif of the left foot of A. A short die imperfection extends from below branch end.
Estimated Value $450,000 - 500,000.
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Lot 1551
1879 $4 Gold. Coiled hair. NGC graded Proof 63. Encapsulated in NGC holder 1560234-001. Light golden toning on both sides. Only 12 examples known. This is the much rarer George T. Morgan design with Liberty's hair coiled onto the top of her head instead of free-flowing. The few that are known, like this outstanding specimen, have a few striations through Liberty's hair causing the design to be slightly weaker in the centers. We also note faint traces of diagonal striations through the lower star. Devices are actually rather sharply struck barring the aforementioned few strands of hair. The Star's dotted outline is complete except in the area of N in CENTS. The surfaces show minor hairlines in the fields, which are to be expected. Identifiable by a squiggly lintmark just to the right of the hair bun which is in the shape of a 6 with an extended tail below the loop. Another very short lintmark joins the 1 in the date to the bust above. These, along with the NGC serial number, may be of use to research consultants in the future for tracing this historic coin's provenance as it passes down through the generations. Without a doubt, a key rarity and a treasury of historic interest for the numismatist.
According to the account published in the Judd reference book on U.S. Pattern coins, which every numismatist will surely want to own and read someday, "While Congress was considering the adoption of Jay Abel Hubbell's goloid metal and the metric system of weights and measures, the Mint produced sets of Patterns composed of a metric silver dollar, a metric goloid dollar, and the famous metric four?dollar gold piece or Stella."
Judd goes on to explain the two varieties proposed for the 1879 and 1880 $4 Stellas: "C. E. Barber made designs for a Stella in which, for the obverse, he copied the Liberty head designed by William Barber for a Pattern half eagle of 1878, No. 1574. On the reverse he placed a large five pointed star inscribed ONE STELLA 400 CENTS.
"The four?dollar gold piece was first suggested as an international coin by Hon. John A Kasson, then United States minister to Austria, who had formerly been Chairman of the Committee of Coinage, Weights and Measures. He thought it was desirable to have a gold coin approximating the value of those coins based on the metric system used in the European countries such as the Austrian 8 florins, the French 20 francs, the Italian 20 lire, the Spanish 20 pesetas, and the Dutch 8 florins.
"The committee on coinage favored the plan and suggested that a name 'suitable for the four?dollar coin would be One Stella, in analogy to one eagle, both the star and the eagle being National emblems on our coins.'"
Further along mention is made of the design of this remarkable Coiled Hair piece: "Mr. Morgan also prepared a set of obverse dies for this series. On the Stella and the goloid metric dollar, he depicted Liberty with hair tightly plaited at the back, which was a prevailing mode among young ladies in the late seventies and early eighties. Very few sets of the Morgan design were struck and they were not restruck."
That final observation by Judd is an understatement, since this Coiled Hair type is so rare that only when a major collection comes to market does one appear. We could continue for many paragraphs, but let's cut to the chase by saying that the present Stella is a "shoo-in" in any advanced gold coin collection for "museum" quality status. An exceptional specimen of one of America's foremost rarities! Pop 2; 2 in 65, 2 in 66 (PCGS # 8058) .
Estimated Value $400,000 - 450,000.
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Lot 2250
1928, $500 Gold Certificate. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66EPQ. . Fr-2407. This stunning example of an ever-popular and scarce high denomination Gold Certificate is fully original, with bold embossing that is deep enough to be easily seen through the holder. The centering is exact for the grade with the color simply outstanding. High grade small size rarites like this are hard to estimate, but if the current demand for the very bests holds true expect this one to inspire a healthy winning bid. Hand selected by the previous owner who took years to amass this 6 gold note set .According to PMG Population reports this note is a Pop one with only one other certified a grade lower PMG 65. In our opinion the hammer will fall way beyond $100K-.
Estimated Value $100,000 - 125,000.
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Lot 4879
Russia. Pattern 10 Rubles, 1836-SPB. Bitkin-H825; Sev-424; Fr-153. By Gube. Nicholas I. Conjoined busts of Czar Nicholas I and Czarina Alexandra facing left. Reverse: Value and date within a beaded circle with legend around. Friedberg lists a mintage of 36 pieces. They were possibly intended as mementos for distribution to family and friends of the imperial court. Nicholas I acceded to the throne in 1825 after the death of his older brother Alexander I who died childless. Grand Duke Constantine, Paul's second son, who was next in the line of succession had secretly renounced the throne in 1822 after marrying a Polish aristocrat and the resulting confusion led to a military conspiracy against Nicholas, the so-called Decembrist Uprising, which he suppressed ruthlessly. Nicholas married Frederica Louisa Charlotta Wilhelmina, daughter of King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, becoming Alexandra Feodorovna, and had seven children with her. He died on February 18, 1855 and some historians believe he committed suicide by poison after receiving news of the defeat of Russian forces at the Battle of Evpatoria during the Crimean War. This coin's designer, Heinrich Gube (his name at the truncation of the Nicholas bust) had worked in Berlin with the Loos firm and in 1830 was appointed by imperial edict to the position of Chief Engraver & Medallist at the Saint Petersburg Mint. He produced many important coins and medals during his tenure and his life like rendering of the imperial couple on this 10 Rubles attest to his considerable talent as an engraver. Extremely Rare: Bitkin R3, with 4 to 9 pieces estimated to be extant. NGC graded AU-58.
Estimated Value $80,000 - 100,000.
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Lot 1645
1801 $10 Capped Bust. . BD-2. Rarity 2. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. A very well struck Premium Quality coin with intensely lustrous frosty mint surfaces. A gorgeous problem-free example exhibiting natural greenish-golden color throughout. Fully brilliant with intense yellow gold luster. The surfaces are almost entirely free of the usual abrasions, and any that are found are very minor; strictly in harmony with the high grade that PCGS has assigned. Turning next to the detail on the main designs, the drapery at Liberty's shoulder as well as her cap and hair are all finely detailed. So, too, most of the stars. And on the corresponding part of the reverse design, that is the key design elements: these too are exceedingly bold. Rather then describe everything in detail, we'll let the photograph speak and simply state, the eagle is magnificent. This is an utterly captivating and important example of the rare early bust $10 gold Type. Only a handful are known in this state of preservation. The present specimen certainly lands in the field among the finest recorded, and certainly qualifies for a strong bid. Pop 34; 3 finer in 65 (PCGS # 8564) .
Die features: Two 1801-dated varieties are known through combination of two obverse and two reverse dies. One variety shares its reverse die with the 1800-dated coinage and was earlier used with a 1799-dated obverse. The emission sequence indicates that some 1800-dated coins were struck after these 1801 examples. Obverse of BD-2 with thirteen stars divided 8 left and 5 right. Star 8 is close to cap and star 13 is very close to tip of bust. Stars 10 through 12 crowded. L of LIBERTY distant from cap. Date large and left with first date numeral close to but not touching lowest curl. Reverse with STATES OF very wide. Three stars touch clouds and bottommost star on left touches ribbon and very nearly touches beak. First A of AMERICA touches wing at bottom of left bottom serif.
Estimated Value $90,000 - 100,000.
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Lot 1708
1868 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo. In PCGS holder 07341536. Only 25 minted. A truly splendid, glittering Proof twenty, comparable in quality to any date from the turn-of-the-century, and even more noteworthy in coming with the date 1868. Even acute examination reveals only the slightest flaws: a group of three tiny flakes in the obverse field near the point of Liberty's bust. The surface of this handsome Proof displays lovely orange-gold color. Furthermore, the two-tone contrast is a sheer delight to examine on each side. For the collector who desires the ultimate in technical workmanship, regardless of grade then the collector will find real value in this Proof double eagle. We expect to sea a strong price when sold.
Of the few Proofs coins struck this year, probably fewer than 12 remain in collections in all grades. Only a few 1868 Proofs ever come to market. With growing cadres of prospective new collectors, the thinning supply will only drive things to a more frenetic level in years to come. Pop 2; None finer. (PCGS # 89083) .
Estimated Value $90,000 - 100,000.
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Lot 1131
1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar. 15 stars. PCGS graded EF-40 PQ Overton-101. Well struck with plenty of detail on an excellent smooth planchet with only the faintest adjustment marks near the right obverse border. Lovely natural antique greyish-violet toning with some lighter highlights. A Premium Quality coin for the grade. The rims, borders, and fields are particularly choice. Fewer than 4,000 half dollars of 1796-97 were released, and of those, only a few are known to have survived. Readers of the Red Book often sit blinking in disbelief at the extremely low figure given: 3,918 pieces spread unevenly over the two dates. Authoritative estimates range from fewer than 200 to over 300 coins in collectors' hands today. Prospective bidders of the lovely Extremely Fine 40 offered in this Lot will appreciate its spectacular numismatic potential and original, untampered-with condition. Of all the rare half dollar issues, specimens of the draped bust, small eagle are the most difficult to locate, they were struck in only two years. This piece leads the way in its grade category. Pop 3; 10 finer at PCGS (PCGS # 6057) .
Estimated Value $75,000 - 80,000.
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Lot 1300
1794 Flowing Hair Dollar. Sharpness of EF-40. Some tooling in the hair and marks on the obverse. Signs of light obverse scratches. The date is strong for this year and the eagle has nice details. A newly discovered coin which might be new to the population of this important date. The left side legends on the obverse and the reverse are weakly struck as usual. A pleasing coin and always in demand.
An historic coin, the standard or "Unit" of America's monetary system and the first silver dollar issued at the First Philadelphia Mint. The Mint Act of April 2, 1792 authorized the production of silver dollars of 416 grains weight, with silver content of 371.25 grains, equivalent to .89243 fine. The framers of the Mint Act of 1792, mindful of Alexander Hamilton's Report of January 28, 1791, chose the gross weight of 416 grains and the pure silver content of 371-1/4 grains for the silver dollar, and other silver coins in preparation, to match the average weight of Spanish and Mexican Carolus dollars then in circulation.
The dies for the 1794 dollars are almost certainly the work of Robert Scot, a medallist and die sinker. After the death of Joseph Wright, to Scot fell the task of cutting the dies for coinage, including the 1794 flowing hair dollar. In November 1794, John Smith Gardner was hired as his assistant, but by this time the initial delivery of silver dollars had been accomplished. Probably, Gardner worked on some of the 1795 and later dies.
Known silver dollars dated 1794 are from a single pair of dies and are believed to have been made to the extent of, perhaps, 2,000 coins (Walter H. Breen's estimate), of which 1,758 pieces were considered to be satisfactory delivered by the coiner on October 15, 1794. (The remaining impressions, possibly amounting to 242 coins, rejected as being too weak, probably were kept on hand for later use as planchets. Supporting this theory is the existence of at least one 1795 silver dollar (BB-14) plainly overstruck on a 1794 dollar.)
The obverse and reverse die faces were not set properly in the coining press, with the result that on almost all pieces surviving today the lower left obverse side appears weaker than the upper right obverse side, with corresponding weakness and strength on the opposite areas of the reverse. As the die faces remained out of parallel after having been removed from the press for resurfacing and removal of clash marks, and re-inserted in the press, the cause of the maladjustment must have been that the face of one die (or, less likely, both) was not perpendicular to its shank.
Today, the 1794 dollar is renowned the world over as a great classic American piece of history, not only because it is rare, but because it ranks as the first silver dollar issued by the United States of America. From time immemorial, coin auction sales on a large scale in the 1860s, to the present day, the appearance of a 1794 silver dollar in an auction usually has provided the opportunity for collectors gather together to discuss the coin and its background. Similarly, 1794 dollars have occupied the spotlight in numerous auctions throughout the years (PCGS # 6851) .
Estimated Value $80,000 - 90,000.
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Lot 1678
1907 $10 Indian. Wire rim, periods. PCGS graded MS-66. Lovely rich golden satiny mint surfaces that glisten with luster. A gorgeous gem specimen. A rare and desirable transitional Type, one of a mere 500 coins made without intentions of circulation, technically making the Wire Edge ten a pattern (Judd-1774). This issue was the closest the mint came to making the ten-dollar design as conceived by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Theodore Roosevelt. The presently offered coin has subtly variegated colors, marvelous luster, and only the smallest marks, none of which we find need to be singled out, nothing out of the ordinary. The die polishing marks (common to all specimens) are more prominent in the reverse fields. Overall the coin has a lovely vibrant satiny sheen. Pop 15; 10 finer (PCGS # 8850) .
Estimated Value $65,000 - 75,000.
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Lot 2514
AR Shekel (13.97g) dated year 5 (70 C.E.). . Hen-671. . TJC 215a. Temple vessel with rim decorated with nine pearls; above, date. Reverse: Stem with three pomegranate fruits. Extremely Fine.
Thirteen year five shekels, formerly residing in a leading London coin firm's counterfeit trays, were placed on the market through the now defunct Numismatic Fine Arts company during the mid-1980s. The results of SEM investigations were published in the prestigious Israel Numismatic Journal #9. While certain questions regarding die alignment, fabric and metallurgic analysis have never been adequately answered, a recent theory has been proposed regarding the existence of more than one mint in production. Like some bejeweled birds, year five shekels are the stuff dreams are made of.
Estimated Value $35,000 - 45,000.
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