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Sale 72
Lot 2
1793 S-2 R4+ Chain AMERICA. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown. Beautiful frosty chocolate and light olive brown with hints of light bluish steel overtones on the reverse. Satiny luster shows in the protected areas on both sides, especially around the chain. No hint of roughness, verdigris, or planchet defects. This cent offers great eye appeal. There is a touch of rub on the highpoints and only a few trivial contact marks. The notable marks are a thin vertical nick in the hair above the ear and a barely visible tick on the forehead. E-MDS. The fields are smooth and there is no bulge through the base of the date. Clear die clashmarks show under the truncation. This is a choice Chain Cent. Graded AU50 Average Plus by Noyes and CC#5 in his census, photo #34544. Also called AU50 in the Bland census. Our grade is AU55. The attribution and Paul Gerrie provenance are noted on the PCGS label. Pop 1; 1 finer in 63 .
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Discovered in Spain-Sotheby's 10/1995:1392-American Heritage Minting 1996-Denis Loring-John B. MacDonald-Goldbergs 2/2001:249-Walter Husak 2/2001-Paul Gerrie.
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Lot 9
1794 S-18b R4 Head of 1793 with Edge of 1794. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Lustrous light steel brown with frosty golden tan faded down from original mint color in protected areas. There is a small spot of reddish olive toning on the ear and smaller spots of olive toning at the chin, in the field before the forehead, and at the left top of M in AMERICA. Would rate a slightly higher grade except for a fine hairline scratch across the top of the reverse from the leaves over O in ONE to the dentils over the left side of M. The fields are hard and lustrous, and the eye appeal is outstanding. MDS, Breen state III. The right leaf below T in CENT is fragmented due to die lapping, and faint die clashmarks are visible behind the portrait. Graded net MS60 by Noyes and Bland, Noyes photo #20333. Noyes has this example tied for CC#2; Bland says CC#3. Our grade is MS60 as well. One of only 3 mint state examples of the 1794 with Head of 1793 cent type, regardless of die variety (all are Sheldon-18b), and one of those is in the ANS museum. A beautiful and very important cent. And it comes with a long provenance of highly distinguished numismatists. The attribution and Paul Gerrie provenance are noted on the PCGS label. Pop 2; none finer at PCGS .
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex M. P. Lyons-S. H. & H. Chapman 4/1903:1236-George H. Earle, Jr.-Henry Chapman 6/1912:3370-S. H. Chapman-J. P. Hale Jenkins-Henry Chapman 7/1922:1474-Henry C. Hines-Carl Wurtzbach-Charles Wheeler-1976 ANA Sale, Stack's 8/24/76:347-Dr. Edward R. Bush 9/79-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-1990 EAC Sale, lot 20-Dan Holmes, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 9/6/2009:31, Terranova Privately-Paul Gerrie.
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Lot 18
1794 S-29 R2 PCGS graded Mint State-65+ Brown. Choice lustrous medium brown and light chocolate with traces of faded mint red showing around the legend outside the wreath. Both sides are covered with attractive mint frost giving this cent outstanding eye appeal. The surfaces are nearly flawless. The best identifying marks are a tiny nick between the bases of the 1 & 7 in the date, a small spot of slightly darker toning low on the cap, and another spot midway between the second S in STATES and the O in OF. M-LDS, Breen state III, showing a fine die crack from the dentils through the R in AMERICA, myriad fine die cracks in the obverse fields, plus clear die clashmarks inside the wreath at ON and CE. Another beautiful 1794 cent in this outstanding collection. The obverse is plated to illustrate the die in Penny Whimsy, and the reverse is plated in the Frossard-Hays reference on the series. Both sides are illustrated in the Breen Encyclopedia and in the 1923 Chapman reference on the cents of 1794. Called MS60 Choice and tied for CC#1 honors with one other piece in the Noyes census, his photo # 22675. Bland says MS60 as well but tied for CC#3 behind two unconfirmed examples in his list. Our grade is MS60+. A very significant cent that comes with a long provenance of distinguished numismatists. The attribution and Paul Gerrie provenance are shown on the PCGS label. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS in Brown .
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
Ex W. W. Hays (who added the attribution to the edge in light yellow ink) 1900-Charles Steigerwalt 1906-Charles Zug, Lyman H. Low 3/1907:24-Howard R. Newcomb, J. C. Morgenthau 2/1945:41-Willard C. Blaisdell-Del Bland-John Adams, Bowers & Ruddy 1982 FPL, lot 21-Del Bland 10/1984-Dr. Allen Bennett-Walter Husak, Heritage 2/15/2008:2031-Paul Gerrie.
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Lot 1168
1916-S. PCGS graded MS-65. CAC Approved PQ. Housed in a First Generation Holder. Light hint of gold toning on both sides. Well struck and eye-catching. An impressive gem with brilliant luster under the pale color plus gleaming highlights. Representative strike for the date, which is sharp throughout the head and shoulder area of the reverse, and also finely detailed on the Indian’s features, hair braid, feathers, and date.
The Mint finally addressed some of the buffalo nickel’s basic deficiencies beginning this year. A new obverse hub was used exclusively for 1916 and all subsequent dates. The word LIBERTY was more deeply incised, eliminating its tendency to blend with the coin’s field. Proofs struck at Philadelphia, which had been made since 1913, ended their short run with the 1916 release. Pop 84; 33 finer, 28 in 66, 1 in 66+, 4 in 67 (PCGS # 3933) .
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100.
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Lot 1248
1824. 4 over 2. NGC graded Proof 65. Only 3-4 examples struck. Pop 2; 2 finer in 67. This is one of the rarest series in all of U.S. numismatics. This piece is softly struck in the center of the obverse as well as over a few of the eagle's neck feathers at the junction with the shield. This is a curious feature to see in a proof striking, and it is indicative of the state of technology that prevailed in the United States Mint during the early 19th century. The balance of the devices are sharply defined, and neither side reveals any distracting hairlines, contact marks or other blemishes. Evenly toned in charcoal-gray patina that lightens ever so slightly over the reverse eagle. With such a limited extant population, the proof 1824/2 Dime represents a fleeting opportunity whenever an example appears on the market.
The examples that are known to exist of this exceedingly rare coin are as follows:
1. Ex: Adolphe Menjou Sale (Numismatic Gallery, 6/1950), lot 174; Harold Bareford Collection Sale (Stack's, 10/1982), lot 166; Lovejoy Collection (Stack's 10/1990), lot 66.
2. Ex: Poof Collection (Bowers and Merena, 7/2005) lot 381.
3. Ex: 1992 ANA Sale (Heritage, 8/1992), lot 1676; 1993 ANA Sale (Heritage, 7/1993), lot 6187. Certified Proof-65 by NGC at the time of both sales.
4. Ex: Howard R. Newcomb, exhibited at the 1914 ANS Exhibition; William Cutler Atwater Collection (B. Max Mehl, 6/1946), lot 91; Floyd T. Starr Collection (Stack's, 10/1992), lot 353. Uncertified at the time of the Starr Collection Sale, but almost certainly now residing in a Proof -65 NGC holder.
Estimated Value $35,000 - 45,000.
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Lot 1370
1776 Continental Currency. "CURRENCY EG FECIT". Pewter. PCGS graded MS-65. Boldly struck. Light mottled grey toning with lots of flashy luster present. Newman 3-D, W-8460, Low R.4. Diagnostics for this important rarity, from the Heritage Auctions description of the Liberty Collection coin, "Prominent clash marks appear in the obverse fields alongside minor die rust, reflecting the light to give the appearance of contact marks, hardly the case. The reverse has light die cracks through the links. The EG FECIT pieces are known with and without the obverse clash marks or reverse die cracks. Also possible is a later die state with the obverse die lapped to remove the clash marks, although we are have never seen such a piece. We are also unaware of any detailed die state studies of the Continental dollars."
This exquisite Gem Mint State 65 Continental Currency coin stands on its own in exhibiting lovely semiprooflike surfaces with steel and golden colored highlights on each side. Some border beads are off the rim from imperfect centering, but the major features are readily apparent, indeed, remarkably full and keen-edged from a smooth blow by the coining dies. Both sides are pristine with no unnerving post-production marks. The present sale offers this Gem alongside our counsel to award it a high bid proportionate with its historic and numismatic magnitude. Pop 3; 1 finer in 66 (PCGS # 795) .
The Continental Currency unit is the first large, dollar-size coin proposed for the United States. A private issue, whose types derive ultimately from designs popularized by Benjamin Franklin, its place of minting and ultimate coinage purpose remain obscure. Silver specimens, which are very rare, appear to have been struck to a close approximation of the value of a dollar on the New York standard ($1 = 8 shillings). Specimens struck in metal de clochemay have served some currency purpose, perhaps passing as pence (again, on the New York standard, at 12 pence to the shilling). The tin specimens, which are the most commonly encountered today, can have only a conjectural purpose. Possibly, they were intended as tokens, although it would be difficult to understand why they should be accepted in trade in lieu of good weight (or even, for that matter, no weight) halfpence, both royal and counterfeit. Possibly they were pattern strikes, as has been proposed elsewhere, but in this case, the number of patterns surviving surpasses the number of pieces struck with a currency intent. Another suggestion holds that with the shortage of copper early in the Revolutionary War, the metal necessary for the casting of cannons, the issue originally intended in metal de clochewas replaced by an issue in tin. At present, none of these questions is absolutely answered. A metrological study of the Continental Currency tends to suggest New York as the place of minting.
Estimated Value $150,000 - 175,000.
Ex: Liberty Collection.
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Lot 1932
1851 U.S. Assay Office $50 "Slug", 880 THOUS. Reeded Edge. NGC graded EF-45. Untoned with nice details, clear date, some minor weakness on some of the outer legend at top. A few light marks under the eagle's left wing.
While the government’s response to the need for an adequate coinage was slow and never satisfactory during the California Gold Rush of the late-1840s and early 1850s, two institutions were established (the State Assay Office of California and the United States Assay Office) that did provide an unconventional and partly successful attempt to supply a frontier area with an acceptable quantity of an "official" circulating medium.
The private coinage proscription was not enforced by the public or government because the State Assay Office failed to mint enough ingots for the local demand. Ironically, an institution that was designed to replace the need for private gold minting actually preserved it (i.e., Moffat & Co.'s undebased coins from the first period continued in circulation) and in fact stimulated its resurgence (i.e., the second period of private gold coinage).
The lettering is historic Assay Office 1851 $50 Gold Slug includes in its inscription around the border UNITED STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA. This is the 880 THOUS variety, made of necessity as considerable additional refining effort would have been needed to have brought the alloy up to the federal standard of 900 (which was accomplished, but later). The reverse is of the so-called engine-turned design, popularly attributed to Augustus Humbert who once made watch cases, presumably with engine turning as well.
The $50 octagonal "slug," called an adobe in local trade, as perhaps these pieces resembled bricks in a way, was a mainstay of California commerce in the wild and woolly days. Such pieces were used in large transactions, being the coin of choice, as paper money was illegal in the state (under the Constitution of 1850), and lesser denomination gold coins were not plentiful. With little in the way of literary license one can imagine that this piece did its duty in saloons, bordellos, and gambling halls.
Such octagonal $50 pieces were last minted in 1851 & 1852, but were continued in use for much of the rest of the decade. Many were sent to the Philadelphia Mint, where they were melted into bullion, then recoined into federal denominations. The S.S. Central America, lost at sea in 1857, carried a small supply of such pieces, apparently destined for Philadelphia. It is likely that by 1860 most slugs disappeared, as by this time the San Francisco Mint had been in operation since 1854, and regular issue double eagles were plentiful in commerce (PCGS # 10211) .
Estimated Value $20,000 - 22,000.
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Lot 2188
1934, $10,000 Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Very Choice New 64 Apparent. Fr-2231-B. This uncirculated example from the Binion's Hoard has but a minor bit of professional conservation on the back where a small skinned spot was caused when the note was removed from its display. Many of the notes from the group purchased in December 1999 from a Binion heir that was distributed in 2000 to the numismatic market have minor defects, and this one is free of any significant restorations or repainting of the design. It is relatively well margined, has ideal colors and inks, and the paper is bright. A lovely example that is ideal for the collector who wants a fully uncirculated example of this highest denomination note issued for general circulation.
Estimated Value $100,000 - 120,000.
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Lot 4021
Sicily, Syrakuse. Dionysios I, 406-367 BC. Silver Dekadrachm (43.15g) struck ca. 405-400 BC. A magnificent product of the master die engraver. Signed twice by Kimon. Fast quadriga left, the female charioteer wearing long chiton and holding kentron in her right hand, reins in her left; above, Nike (Victory) flying right to crown charioteer; in exergue, shield, cuirass flanked by greaves, and crested Attic helmet arrayed on a horizontal step, upon which is inscribed AΘΛA. Reverse: ΣYPAKOΣIΩ. Head of Arethusa left, hair bound by ampyx inscribed K and netted sphendone, wearing single-pendant earring and beaded necklace; around, four dolphins; that below neck truncation, inscribed KIMON. Jongkees 3 (A/γ; same dies); SNG Lockett 988 (same dies); McClean 2734 (same dies). Cf. The Millennia Collection, Lot 12 (same dies). Fine die crack vertically through eye, as is usual with this die. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine.
Long considered the masterpiece of Greek coinage.
The classic elegance of Kimon's interpretation of the head of the fountain nymph Arethusa is shown to full advantage on this superbly preserved medallic dekadrachm of the late fifth century BC. The master engraver's signature appears twice on this reverse die, once as an initial on the ampyx above the nymph's forehead and again, in full, on the dolphin below the truncation. Kimon's dekadrachms are often dated a little earlier than those of Euainetos. In reality, they are probably contemporary with the latter's initial issues, but their production did not extend over as many years.
The typical victorious charioteer theme of the obverse appears to take on a new meaning in this series with the addition of the inscription AΘΛA (prizes) in minute lettering on the step supporting the array of arms. The victory in this case has a military rather than an agonistic connotation and presumably refers to the spoils of war during the protracted struggle with the Carthaginians. Another possible interpretation of the inferred military success is the famous Syrakusan victory over the Athenians in 413 BC.
Estimated Value $100,000 - 125,000.
The Hunter Collection; Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XXX, December 8, 1992, lot 21.
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Lot 4111
Egypt, Ptolemaic Kingdom. In the name of Ptolemy IV, Philopator, 221-204 BC. Ptolemy V, Epiphanes, 204-180. Gold Oktadrachm (27.7g) minted at Sidon, ca. 202-200 BC. Diademed and draped bust right of Ptolemy IV. Reverse: ΠTOΛEMAIOY ΦIΛOΠATOPOΣ. Eagle with folded wings standing three-quarters right on thunderbolt; to right, ΣΩ over ΣI. Kyrieleis, "Die Porträtmünzen Ptolemaios' V. und seiner Eltern," JdAI 88, cf. fig. 32 = Hunter III, p. 382, 26, pl. lxxxiii = Svoronos 1187 (ΣΩ over ΠT in reverse right field); cf. Svoronos 1185 (silver tetradrachm with ΣΩ in left field, ΣI between eagle's legs); Bank Leu Auction 52, 15 May, 1991, lot 136 (same dies).
Exceedingly rare and extremely desirable. One of the finest known Greek gold coins. Boldly struck in high relief, on a large flan and in an astounding state of preservation. A cameo-like gem with beautifully modelled, three-dimensional artistry. Mint State.
This magnificent portrait piece depicting Ptolemy IV, Philopator (222-205 BC), son of Ptolemy III and Berenike II, was issued at the Phoenician mint of Sidon and probably belongs to the early years of the reign of his son Ptolemy V, Epiphanes (205-180 BC). The realistic portrait is of the finest Hellenistic style. It clearly betrays the weakness of the monarch's character and his self-indulgent lifestyle that was to set the Egyptian kingdom on its long path of decline. The eagle on the reverse, symbolic of Zeus, is unusual on gold issues, though normal on the silver and bronze issues. Ptolemy IV was married to his full sister Arsinoe III who, because of her strong influence over her husband-brother, was ultimately banished from the court. On his death at the early age of forty Ptolemy IV was succeeded by his five-year-old son Ptolemy V. In the brief interregnum, Arsinoê had been murdered to prevent her from influencing the young king.
The coronation of Ptolemy V was commemorated by the celebrated Rosetta Stone, now in the British Museum, which provided scholars with the key for the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphics.
This monumental gold denomination and the exceptionally refined portraiture mark this issue as an important presentation piece, medallic in character. It seems contrary to expectation that a gold presentation coinage honoring the deified father of Ptolemy V should have been minted in the provinces, yet that is precisely the implication of the Ptolemais and Sidon mintmarks found on this coin. Another posthumous oktadrachm of Ptolemy IV (Kyrieleis fig. 31 = Hunter 27) bears the regnal date ΛΓ, the third year of Ptolemy V, a dating that would seem to bring this magnificent commemorative coinage perilously close to the time of the Fifth Syrian War (ca. 202-200 BC). In fact, the production of gold oktadrachms continued from a mobile military mint during the hostilities (see Mørkholm, Essays Thompson, pp. 203-208).
Another explanation, as stated in the Leu catalogue, is that this exceptional issue was part of a special coinage struck shortly after Philopator's death in 205 (or early 204 BC); issued not for general circulation, but for distribution among the high officials of the kingdom. It emphasized the legitimate succession of the young king Ptolemy V, a boy of six at the time of his coronation, and, at the same time, it paid homage to his deified parents. In addition, it may have bought the officials' silence over the mysteries surrounding both the queen's death and the choice of Epiphanes' guardians. ΣΩ stands for Sosibios the elder, Philopator's chief minister, who had practically ruled Egypt since 221 BC.
Estimated Value $200,000 - 250,000.
The Hunter Collection; Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XXV, 29 November 1990, lot 285.
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Lot 4121
Octavian and Julius Caesar. Gold Aureus (8.23g) struck in Italy, summer-autumn 43 BC. C CAESAR COS PONT AVG. Bare head right of young Octavian. Reverse: C CAESAR DICT PERP PONT MAX. Laureate head right of Caesar. Sear 1525; Calicó 52; Craw. 490/2; Syd. 1321 Published: G.M.A. Richter, Roman Portraits, 1948, no. 14; Bahrfeldt, p. 45 note. Some scattered field marks noted. Boldly struck with portraits and legends sharp. A classic rarity in Roman coinage. About Extremely Fine.
This important coin dates from the time of Octavian's election as consul in August 43 BC, the Senate having been forced to acquiesce in the young man's elevation to Rome's highest magisterial office when he marched on the city at the head of an army of Caesarian veterans comprising eight legions. This issue is the first gold portrait coinage of Rome. It marks not only Octavian's assumption of that title, but also proclaims his position as the rightful heir to Julius Caesar, whose portrait and name appear on this coin.
The realistic portrait honoring Julius Caesar, having been slain on the Ides of March just eighteen months earlier, both flattered the soldiers, who were devoted to their late commander, and served to strengthen the claim of the young Octavian to be Caesar's true successor. The issue was clearly in response to Mark Antony's production of denarii in Cisalpine Gaul a few months earlier on which Caesar's portrait was also given prominence. Octavian's inscription records his consulship, the first of thirteen that he would hold during his long political career. Also noted are his membership in the priestly colleges of the pontifices (PONT) and the augures (AVG).
Estimated Value $100,000 - 130,000.
The Hunter Collection; Ex Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection (Part III, Sotheby's Sale 6054, December 4, 1990, lot 67); Metropolitan Museum of Art (Part I, Sotheby's Zurich, 10 November 1972, lot 14); Sir E.H. Bunbury Collection (Sotheby's, 1895, lot 275).
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