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Sale 65
Lot 2291
S.S. Central American Treasure Bar. (1857) Kellogg & Humbert gold bar No. 415. Weight: 38.33 oz. 882 Fine gold, v. A wonderful gold treasure bar and a very desirable example from these assayers of the California Gold Rush era. The bar itself is a deep yellow gold in color with lustrous surfaces. The lower right corner has been chipped off for assay purposes, a feature on all genuine gold bars of the era. Also we note the control number of the bar No. 415 is also stamped on the back of the bar. This particular bar is plated in Q. David Bowers A California Gold Rush History.
This bar is accompanied by the special leather edition of Q. David Bowers A California Gold Rush History and the new owner will doubtless spend many hours discussing the epic tales of the discovery of gold in California, and the tragedy of the loss of life on the S.S. Central America wreck. Truly a fantastic historical relic which will be the center-piece of a gold coin collection. The bar is encased in a custom plastic holder.
Estimated Value $100,000 - 125,000.
From our Sale of the Ohringer Family Trust Holdings, Sept. 2008, lot 1330.
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Lot 2032
1870. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. A marvelous gem example with full glittering mirror surfaces against well frosted raised devices and all untoned. A rare low mintage date as a mere 4,000 were struck for general circulation and only 35 Proofs were made. Housed in NGC holder 1551341-004. Brilliant untoned golden surfaces. A very rare date in the long Liberty Coronet half eagle series that spans the years 1839 to 1907. The 1870 issue had for decades certainly been overlooked by specialized collectors (although a few wise "name" collectors from the last century saw its potential). Today, the 1870 Proof is widely recognized for what it is, an opportunity that should not be ignored! Only 35 Proofs were originally sold to collectors, and while Akers and others fail to give indication for the numbers of survivors, Breen estimates that perhaps a dozen survive today. We believe there may be even fewer than a dozen, and we quote Akers concluding comment about this date, "…very rare and for some unknown reason [1870 Proofs] have appeared at auction less often than similar or lower mintage Proofs of many other dates." When one turns to the certification services, their data further reinforces this belief as most have been certified no higher than Proof 63 or Proof 64 by PCGS or NGC.
Included in the short roster of other Proofs of this issue are: (1) Scanlon:2334 (Stack’s 10/73), described as "flawless," and bringing $4,400. Later this piece appeared in Bowers' 11/2000 Bass IV:504 where it was graded PCGS Proof 64 (2) Garrett 3/76:430, realized $5,000, possibly reappearing in Bowers 9/95:1418, again as PCGS Proof 64 (3) Carter:683, $13,200 (4) Clapp, Eliasberg, Trompeter (5) Heritage 8/95:7818, PCGS Proof 63 with several lint marks in lower left of reverse, $17,600. The Trompeter coin, not auctioned at the time (only the gold dollars through $4 gold pieces were sold in 1992) later was placed by private treaty. This gorgeous Gem Proof 66 Cameo specimen may even be the Clapp, Eliasberg, and as the Trompeter piece it is reappearing after many years. A candidate for "Finest Known". Pop 1; none finer In fact NGC reports the second finest graded as Pf-64 (PCGS # 88465) .
Note: When Ed Trompeter was forming his complete collection of proof gold coinage from 1858 to 1915, this coin eluted him for decades. It was one of the last coins he needed for completion.
Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000.
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Lot 1996
1871 NGC graded XF Details. Improperly cleaned. Only 1,300 struck. Light even toning. A pleasing looking coin (PCGS # 7993) .
Estimated Value $500 - 550.
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Lot 4022
Celtic Coinage. North-Central Gaul. The Parisii. Gold Stater (6.96 g, 26 mm). Mint A, Class 6. Late 2nd-early 1st century B.C. Head right, hair flowing behind, beaded filaments between locks and below face, volute before, double-linear zig-zag and pellets below neck truncation. Reverse: Horse right, curvilinear design (perhaps a wing) above, rosette, two pellets below, beaded ornamentation in both inner and outer fields. Sills 478. DT 84A. Colbert de Beaulieu Class V. Struck on a massive flan. Extremely Fine. Extremely rare: one of only a handful of examples known for this short issue.
This rare stater class counters the trend toward stylistic deterioration seen in the latter Parisian series. The elaborate ornamentation and careful engraving are the work of a gifted and iconoclastic celator. It is noteworthy that this issue is the only one in the entire Parisan series on which the horse faces right.
Estimated Value $40,000-UP.
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Lot 4242
China. 2000 Yuan, 1997. KM-992. Weight 32.117 ounces. Temple of Heaven. Reverse: Panda. Mintage 58. In original case of issue, with certificate of Authenticity number 0000045. NGC graded Proof 69 Ultra Cameo.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
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Lot 4330
Great Britain. 'Fine' Sovereign of 30 Shillings, ND. S.2529; N-2003. Elizabeth I, 1558-1603. Fifth Coinage (1584-1585. Elizabeth enthroned facing. Reverse: Shield within rose. Escallop (or seashell) mint mark. Struck on a full flan. Rare. PCGS graded AU-50.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 28,000.
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Lot 25
1795 C-6b R6 No Pole on Thick Planchet VF25+. Glossy reddish chocolate and steel with steel brown toning on the highpoints. The surfaces are smooth and free of any distractions, which is especially important for a variety that usually comes with significant defects. The best identifying marks, and they are trivial, are four very faint parallel hairlines across the neck and a small spot of slightly darker toning above the L in LIBERTY. The edge of the planchet is slightly beveled before the face indicating the planchet was cut out too close to the edge of a spoiled large cent. Nicely struck EDS, Manley state 1.0, with no trace of swelling right of the Y in LIBERTY. Called CC#3 in the Jim McGuigan and Mike Spurlock condition census lists. A very important example of this rare variety, clearly superior to either of the Breen plate coins. Weight 105.8 grains (versus the rolled planchet standard of 84.0 grains).
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex David B. Silberman, Jr., Bowers & Merena 11/16/1988:6009 (where incorrectly attributed as Breen-6a)-Jim McGuigan 1/89-Dr. Wallace Lee, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 5/25/2003:116.
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Lot 105
1794 C-4a R3 Liberty Cap, Head Right. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown Plus. Small Edge Letters. Lustrous bluish steel brown and olive with faded mint red covering 20% of the obverse, 15% of the reverse. The fields are satiny and this piece is virtually flawless. The best identifying marks are a very shallow and barely visible planchet flake at the dentils well above the end of the pole and a microscopic diagonal tick just right of the top of the F in OF. A fine double profile (caused by die bounce) shows on the lips and tip of the nose. E-MDS, Manley state 2.0, with very clear die clashmarks on both sides but no swelling at the curls. A beautiful piece in every respect, which probably helps explain the plus (+) designation added to the grade by PCGS. Our grade is MS60+, close to MS63. Tied for CC#6 honors in the Mike Spurlock census. Weight 108.0 grains. The attribution and Davy provenance are noted on the PCGS label. Weight 108.0 grains. Davy #94.4a.8.
Estimated Value $35,000-UP.
Ex Hans M. F. Schulman (Kreisberg/Schulman) 4/3/1959:868-Mrs. R. Henry Norweb-Norweb Estate-Raymond Henry Norweb, Jr., Bowers & Merena 10/12/1987:9.
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Lot 5000
1795 B-3, BB-11 Flowing Hair 2 Leaves Silver Plug Rarity 5 (Possibly Rarity 6/7 With Plug). PCGS graded AU-55 PQ. CAC Approved. Subset of PCGS # 6854. In a new secure plus holder. Condition Census. A marvelous example of this desirable variety. Each side exhibits stunning shades of iridescent blue, russet, and gold. The Silver Plug is emphasized majestically by the toning. This piece is truly a miraculous numismatic wonder! The bidder who is fortunate enough to win this coin will undoubtedly be mesmerized by it's sheer beauty. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety
There is much to recommend this handsome specimen. First and foremost, it uses the desirable Head of 1794. Employing Obverse 1, Libertyís flowing locks are in six curls; the third from the top turns downward and touches the fourth curl. Two points of the first star touch the lowest curl which ends at star point. Finally, the last star or lowest one on the right is mostly under the bust, which a point nearly touches. Close date; there are outlines from repunching that appear at the top of the 5 and right top of the 7 (most visible on early impressions from the die). I closer to L than to B with L slightly low. This obverse die was used to strike 1795 BB-11, BB-12, and BB-13.
It is paired with Reverse A: Two leaves under each wing. The only variety with 16 berries, eight on each branch of the wreath. There are only two berries on the left branch, between the eagle's wing and ribbon bow, both are on the inside of wreath. This reverse die is unique to 1795 BB-11.
A scarce variety, between 31 and 75 1795 BB-11 dollars exist, making this one of the more elusive issues of the Flowing Hair type. In this condition, the coin is King, finest certified, and undoubtedly Finest Known. Noteworthy too, it is at least twice as rare as a 1794 dollar.
The population of 1795 BB-11 seems to be clustered around the VF level which, of course, covers a fairly wide range (VF20 to just below EF40). Specimens are not easy to locate, according to the Bowers encyclopedia, "often a year will pass on the calendar without a single piece crossing the auction block.". (PCGS # 39990)
Story of the Silver Plug Dollars: The curious silver plugs are known on several varieties, but usually on just a few coins of each. It is believed that during the planchet preparation process, sometimes planchets would be slightly underweight, and would normally have to be remelted, drawn and cut to size again. Someone at the Mint decided to use the 1792 silver center cent as an example, and drill out the center of the blank silver dollar planchet, insert a larger silver "plug", and strike the coin normally. The plug would flatten out and become a part of the coin, increasing the weight to the required standard. Ray Merena noted on this specimen that it has not only a silver plug, but also adjustment marks on the lower reverse rim. Why would someone add, then take away weight from the same planchet? Both the silver plug insertion and adjustment marks occurred prior to striking, so we can't be sure which came first, the plug or the adjustment marks.
This particular specimen holds a very special importance among 1795 flowing hair dollars. Coming from the earliest, perfect-state of the dies, from the first die variety of silver dollars struck during 1795, this coin is most certainly one of the very first silver dollars struck during 1795. Among the known population of 1795 dollars with mint-inserted silver plugs, it is undoubtedly the very first one struck; it bears the very longest pedigree chain; and it is the very first specimen to have been described with a mention of the feature we now label as a "silver plug."
In his "Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States - A Complete Encyclopedia," Q. David Bowers comments in relation to the Winsor-Wilson-Clarke-Ostheimer specimen of the B-7, BB-18 dollar, that "Walter Breen stated that he first noted the silver plug phenomenon "early 1956 on the Windsor-D.S. Wilson-Clarke B-7, but dared not use the word 'plug' or 'plugged' in the description lest it frighten off buyers!" Breen obviously was unaware of the present specimen, then impounded in the Garrett holdings, having already been off the market for more than seven decades. Breen was also unaware that auctioneer Lyman H. Low had recognized the rare feature of the coin in 1885, and like Breen, dared not call it a "plug" but instead described it as having the "planchet rough on bust, and similar defect on rev." (PCGS # 39990) .
Estimated Value $75,000-UP.
Ex: Lyman H. Low’s 8th Sale (June, 1885): Lot 59, bought at the sale by T. Harrison Garrett, Garrett Collection; Stack’s (March, 1976): Lot 245; unknown intermediaries; Phillip Flannagan Collection, Bowers & Merena (November, 2001):Lot 4204, bought at the sale by the Cardinal Collection; Cardinal Collection Sale, American Numismatic Rarities (June, 2005): Lot 6; private collector; privately to the Cardinal Collection January, 2006; privately to Dr. Hesselgesser, February, 2008; The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
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Lot 5010
1795 B-1, BB-21 Silver Plug Flowing Hair 2 Leaves Rarity 2. PCGS graded AU-53 CAC Approved. Subset of PCGS # 6854. In a new secure plus holder. Fully toned in pale golden lilac and intermingled gray shades. An aesthetic prize that is the byproduct of decade after decade of careful stewardship. Well struck with full star centers and only a bit of flatness in the hair curls and an oval of softness on the eagle's breast. No marks, substantial, minuscule, or otherwise yielding what most would describe at truly pristine fields. A few individual adjustment lines are present atop the reverse eagle, and when magnified scrutiny will reveal most have disappeared as the eye moves away from the center.
This coin (were it not for the silver plug) would lie within the Condition Census for the variety or very close to it. During the pre-1993 research for the Bowers Encyclopedia, one piece included in the listings of "notable specimens" was a MS-64 and second finest known. The Stackís 1984, Stackís 1990, and 1945 Boyd coins all appear to be nice Mint State pieces, but after those few the Census becomes quickly engulfed with pieces in the AU range. However, collectors like to separate the few specimens With Silver Plug into a special side category, and for obvious reasons!
Variety Notes: BB-21 represents one of several varieties with the two-leaves reverse and the Head of '95 obverse. On the obverse, Liberty's lowest curl is nearly closed and touches a point of star one, visually extending that star point. The reverse displays 19 berries on the wreath, nine on the left branch and 10 on the right, with three berries beneath the eagle's wing on the left and four berries beneath the wing on the right (including one berry on the outside right, below the I in AMERICA). Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety (PCGS # 39994) .
Estimated Value $70,000-UP.
The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
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Lot 5009
1795 B-2, BB-20 Flowing Hair 2 Leaves Rarity 3. PCGS graded AU-53. Subset of PCGS # 6853. In a new secure plus holder. A medium dark gray and smooth specimen with a gradation of natural toning on both sides which becomes lighter as it progresses to the high points of the design (Liberty and the eagle). The contact from the dies is virtually complete, except perhaps a hint of weakness as seen on the upper hair waves. Regarding the rims, these are fully formed, have complete and balanced dentils, and are free of injury. The stars are all sharp. Some are thinner than others (those on the left in particular), but each comes to a needle-like point. All legends crisp.
This die marriage uses the obverse from 1795 BB-19 and BB-20 paired with the reverse die used to strike 1795 BB-20, BB-21, and BB-24. The reverse has two leaves under each wing. A leaf ends directly below the center of the first S in STATES and another leaf ends just under the left corner of the upright of E in STATES. The wreath is delicate, leaves small, berries large. 19 berries arranged nine left, 10 right. Paired berries opposite I in UNITED, opposite A in STATES, under leaf below O in OF, and opposite I in AMERICA, on both inside and outside of wreath. One of these large berries is below right corner of I in UNITED, another below left corner of I in AMERICA. This is one of just two 1795 reverses with two berries inside the branch near the eagle's tail (the other die is that used to coin 1795 BB-15 and BB-16). This reverse die bears a very close relationship with the reverse used to coin 1795 BB-15 and 20, and another die used to coin BB-23, and must have been prepared by the same person about the same time. The Finest Certified. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety (PCGS # 39985) .
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
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Lot 5107
1800 B-4, BB-186 Normal Date Rarity 4. PCGS graded AU-55. Subset of PCGS # 6887. In a new secure plus holder. Condition Census. A satiny matte-like specimen with choice gray color over semi-lustrous fields. Nicely struck with just a hint of weakness at the shoulder and drapery. There is a small mark in the field below IB close to the hair; otherwise the surface is remarkable for its smooth regularity and freedom from abrasions. This uniformity with the Dr. Hesselgesser coins is such that anyone who is familiar with the series will see at once how extraordinary it is! Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety (PCGS # 40072) .
Estimated Value $9,000-UP.
The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
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