Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 8

Coin and Currency Auction

Classic Head Cents

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 373		1808 Classic Head Cent. . S-277. Del Bland graded Fine-15. This is the twelve star variety, but on this example the missing star is rather sharp. Sharpness of Very Fine-35 but burnished to remove some pitting on the obverse and rough areas on the reverse, all of which still show. Retoned to an orange brown color mottled with darkish olive on the obverse. Estimated Value $125 - 250. View details	Realized $414
Lot 374		1808 Classic Head Cent. . S-279. Del Bland graded Sharpness of VF-30 but tooled. All of the hair curls and stars have been tooled, most of the surfaces have been burnished and on the reverse are some scratches. Cleaned and retoned to a light golden brown with light steel blue overtones on the obverse. Here is a very curious coin, at first glance all appears in order, but when a glass is applied extensive work is revealed. The stars have all been recut to show radial lines at their centers, and most of Liberty's curls have been carefully reengraved to show individual hairs on the upper wear points. An interesting specimen that shows deceptive practices have been a part of numismatics for a very long time, even when values were comparatively low it was obviously worthwhile to take the time to "improve" the appearance of coin in hopes of selling it at a higher value (or grade). Estimated Value $100 - 300. Ex: Ira S. Reed, privately circa 1945 as "Unc." at $40. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $391
Lot 375		1809 Classic Head Cent. . S-280. Del Bland graded VG-7. Sharpness of Very Fine 20 but the obverse has been burnished to remove corrosion and porosity some of which still shows, and the reverse is lightly rough. Medium dark steel brown. Copper planchets during the run of Classic Head large cents leave a lot to be desired. Survivors are often found corroded or very dark with abundant porosity. Locating a nice specimen often takes patience and a premium price. This one is more typical, burnished to reduce the porosity, and retoned to a pleasant medium brown. Estimated Value $100 - 150. Ex: Ira S. Reed 12/6/44 as "E.F." at $22.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $506
Lot 376		1809 Classic Head Cent. . S-280. Del Bland graded VG-7. Slightly sharper but extensively nicked up with tiny handling marks. Darkish steel brown. Estimated Value $75 - 100. View details	Realized $276
Lot 377		1809 Classic Head Cent. . S-280. Del Bland graded About Good-3. Sharpness of Fine-15 but corroded. Dark steel brown. Estimated Value $25 - 40. View details	Realized $150
Lot 378		1810/9 Classic Head Cent. . S-281. PCGS graded AU-55 and Del Bland graded VF-35. Weakly struck as often seen. Sharper by five points but at stars five and six is a pin scratch, near the denticles above the head is a short scratch and on the reverse are several thin scratches, mostly around ONE CENT and the line below. Golden brown with medium dark steel toning and a dark olive line through the neck. A lovely cent that boasts excellent color and surfaces, save for the microscopic pin scratches noted before. Most of this variety are found with a mushy strike, perhaps the dies were lapped or the coiner was having an off day swinging the heavy steel arm of the screw press. We note that Mr. Macallister had $60 on the envelope, but reduced the price to $50 as Dr. Benson purchased several coins in a group along with this piece. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,500. Ex. James G. Macallister 5/28/45 as "Unc. Superb" at $50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,105
Lot 379		1810/9 Classic Head Cent. . S-281. Del Bland graded Fine-15. Relatively free of handling marks although there are a couple small nicks in the left obverse field. Dark olive steel in color and not well struck up. Estimated Value $450 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 380		1810 Classic Head Cent. . S-284. PCGS graded AU-58 and Del Bland graded EF-40. Lovely medium chocolate brown and gold brown surfaces, the latter faded from mint red. Nearly flawless but at star three are a couple of minute nicks and on the upper left obverse rim are three tiny dents. Well struck and an excellent cent for the date or type collector. Struck a bit off-center towards the lower right on the obverse as usually seen. A coin for the connoisseur who demands outstanding color, surfaces and quality. Estimated Value $2,500-UP. Ex: Ira S. Reed, privately 12/4/45 as "Unc." at $25. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,450
Lot 381		1811/0 Classic Head Cent. . S-286. Del Bland graded Fine-15. Sharpness of Very Fine-30 but on the face, neck, bust and in the left obverse field are numerous ancient scratches which have blended so well into the patina that they are not readily visible to the naked eye. Also, the reverse is uniformly and lightly rough. Dark steel brown. As with so many others of the Classic Head design, this one has porous surfaces and was probably struck on a not-so-perfect planchet. Inspection recommended. Estimated Value $400 - 750. Purchased circa 1945 as "Unc." for $30. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 382		1811 Classic Head Cent. . S-287. PCGS graded AU-50 and Del Bland graded F-15. Sharpness of Very Fine-25 but the surfaces are not perfectly smooth, through the ribbon behind the head and into the field is a heavy scratch and around all devices on the reverse traces of raised corrosion is visible. Dark olive. Another cent that looks better than the description makes it sound. The scratch behind Liberty's head is short and virtually hidden by the curls and ribbon which it parallels. We note that the obverse has a decent appearance although slightly dark in color, while the reverse displays tiny raised lumps of corrosion near the legends and devices while the surrounding fields are generally smooth and trouble free. We have elected to present as much information as possible to collectors in order to assist them in valuing these coins. While grading is an art, over the years one fact keeps recurring; people tend to value a particular coin about the same, regardless of what grade they attach to a given coin. Therefore, learn all you can about grading and valuing coins, and you won't be surprised in the future. Estimated Value $750 - 1,500. Ex: Ira S. Reed, privately 12/6/44 as "E.F." at $37.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,438
Lot 383		1811 Classic Head Cent. . S-287. Del Bland graded VF-30. Sharper by five points but touching the forelock is a small spot of raised dark red corrosion and left of O in ONE is a larger spot. Dark chocolate brown, the obverse off center to the right. This is a nice cent. Estimated Value $900 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $805
Lot 384		1812 Classic Head Cent. Large date. . S-288. PCGS graded AU-58 and Del Bland graded EF-45. Beautiful lustrous medium chocolate brown surfaces with tinges of faded mint red and dark olive spots between S and T and between A and T. Almost defect free but from the base of the first S in STATES to the tip of the leaf below is a scratch. An exceptional cent. A particularly pleasing coin to view and one that will certainly attract considerable bidding. The PCGS insert notes that this is a "Small Date", however, it is a Large Date variety. Perhaps the new owner will resubmit the coin to have the insert corrected. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. Ex: James G. Macallister 5/28/45 as "Unc." at $25. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,990
Lot 385		1812 Classic Head Cent. Large date. . S-288. Del Bland graded VF-35. Sharpness of EF-45 but in the left obverse field are four tiny nicks, on the nostril and mouth is a faint scratch, between stars ten and eleven is a trace of verdigris, more is visible above O in ONE and on the rim over the right side of E in AMERICA is a small nick. Darkish steel brown. Much nicer than it sounds. Make sure to view this cent, it is very appealing and worth a strong bid. Estimated Value $900 - 1,300. Ex: Bowers and Merena Galleries F.P.L. 1987-1988; Kingswood Collectors Exchange M.B.S. #1 3/88:7-52; Bowers and Merena Galleries; Kingswood Collectors Exchange M.B.S. #2 6/88:7524; Austin Ryer; Superior Galleries 1/90:520; Robert E. Matthews (Matthews Money Tree Co.); Early American Coppers 4/99:336. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 386		1812 Classic Head Cent. Large date. . S-288. Del Bland graded Sharpness of VF-30 but tooled in the hair. Sharpness of About Very Fine-30 but all of the hair and stars have been crudely tooled, most of the surfaces have been lightly burnished, all this by the same individual who did the work on the S-279 above. On the upper obverse edge are two pit marks. Cleaned and retoned to a darkish gray steel color with red around the devices. An interesting coin that looks very nice at first glance, but with a glass the tooling becomes evident. A coin to discuss with other copper collectors to show how "improving" coins has evolved over the years. Estimated Value $100 - 300. Ex: James G. Macallister 6/6/44 as "Unc." at $25. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 387		1812 Classic Head Cent. Large date. . S-289. Del Bland graded Fine-15. Not a sharp example but quite free from handling marks. Darkish steel brown. Estimated Value $350 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 388		1812 Classic Head Cent. Small date. . S-291. Del Bland graded VF-25. Sharpness of VF-35 but an edge dent over star twelve, a barely noticeable scrape in the field at the ribbon behind the head and a few minor abrasions, mostly on the reverse. Medium dark steel brown, lighter high points. Both sides off center as usually seen. Estimated Value $700 - 1,000. Ex: Dr. Gerald I. Maas; Superior Galleries 2/98:1071. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $483
Lot 389		1812 Classic Head Cent. Small date. . S-291. Del Bland graded VF-25. Sharpness of AU-55 but uniformly porous with a nick at star eight and some tiny abrasions on the lower obverse and lower reverse. Dark olive. Both sides off center. Estimated Value $200 - 375. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $529
Lot 390		1813 Classic Head Cent. . S-292. Del Bland graded VF-35. With a planchet defect in the center of the reverse. Sharper by ten points but hidden around the edge are some very small dents, right of star seven is a nick and traces of burnishing can be found on both sides. Sharply struck, the obverse off center at K7. Medium dark steel brown with mottled around ONE CENT. Estimated Value $550 - 800. View details	Realized $1,093
Lot 391		1813 Classic Head Cent. . S-292. Del Bland graded VF-20. Weakly struck. Opposite the nose is a shallow depression and over C in CENT is a small nick. Double profile on the lower chin. Medium dark steel tan. A nice coin for the grade. Estimated Value $450 - 750. Ex: Bowers and Merena Galleries 8/83:296; William W. Morison; Butterfield, Johnson, Gillio: 1/95:2097; Walter Husak; Superior Stamp & Coin 6/98:139. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $414
Lot 392		1813 Classic Head Cent. . S-293. PCGS graded AU-55 and Del Bland graded VF-30. Behind the head is a rather small carbon spot, tiny ones exist at the left base of the second 1 in the date and at the rim on the lower left reverse. Free from distracting nicks and scratches. Medium dark chocolate brown. Some brown luster resides in the fields and this is a very appealing cent overall. Slightly scarcer than some of the other dates of the Classic Head series, and another difficult coin to find on a decent planchet. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,500. Ex: Ira S. Reed, privately 6/21/45 at $25. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,840
Lot 393		1813 Classic Head Cent. . S-293. Del Bland graded VF-25. With blunt striking on the upper obverse and lower reverse. Medium dark steel tan with a dent on the back of the head and two dents on the lower left reverse edge. Estimated Value $500 - 800. Ex: Superior Galleries 2/91:769. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $391
Lot 394		1814 Classic Head Cent. Crosslet 4. . S-294. Del Bland graded EF-45. Sharply struck and five points sharper but right of star seven is a reddish spot, over stars two and three is a larger one and over O in OF is a small nick. Dark chocolate brown. An excellent early copper cent. A satisfying coin to view and no doubt own. Expect to pay a worthwhile premium. Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,750. Ex: Bowers and Merena 3/98: 233. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,530
Lot 395		1814 Classic Head Cent. Plain 4. . S-295. Del Bland graded Fine-15. Sharpness of Very Fine 35 but on both sides are clusters of tiny spots of raised corrosion and at the rim at K 12 on the obverse is a small planchet defect. In addition, this cent has been lightly burnished, cleaned and retoned to a light reddish and medium dark steel brown. A later die state with the lumps along Liberty's chin, throat and neck, and a die crack through the 8 in the date to the eleventh star. Not a bad looking cent, but as always, inspection recommended. Estimated Value $400 - 800. Ex: Ira S. Reed, privately 12/15/44 at $15. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633