Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 14

Coins, Collectibles and Memorabilia Auction

$3 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 3594		1854 $3 Gold. PCGS graded MS-64. An excellent example of this first year of issue. The fields boast rich golden luster and a bit of haze. Well struck by the dies and well preserved, with faint hairlines and just a few scattered ticks keeping this from the gem class. PCGS has graded only 65 this high, with 17 graded higher. In an old green insert PCGS holder. Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,050
Lot 3595		1857-S $3 Gold. NGC graded AU-55. San Francisco pounded out 14,000 of these during 1857, most of which circulated into lower grades. This particular one has a few minor hairlines but retains substantial luster. Bold on the devices, especially the wreath and Mintmark, with the date somewhat shallow in the die, as made. NGC has graded 5 this high, with 8 as AU-58, and then the population trails off, where they have seen 1 in each grade MS-60, 61 and 62, with none graded higher. Apparently not many (any?) were found on the S.S. Central America, given that the population reports don't reflect any significant increase over the last several years. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,520
Lot 3596		1859 $3 Gold. NGC graded AU-55. Some luster in the fields, and moderate handling marks. A scarce date. Estimated Value $750 - 850. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 3597		1867 $3 Gold. PCGS graded Proof 64 Premium Quality. Nearly a gem, this rare proof coin boasts a creamy rich halo of gold between the devices and fields and excellent contrast. Identifiable by a tiny planchet flake just below the post of the D in UNITED in the field. Superbly made and preserved, early proof gold is so rare and so seldom found in near gem condition, especially with abundant eye appeal. Only 50 were coined in Proof, of these PCGS has graded 10, 2 of which are impaired. Remarkably, 6 are graded as PR-64, with a single coin graded above as PR-65 by that service. Few offerings the past decade, and we suspect this one will realize a very strong price when it crosses the block. Estimated Value $9,000-UP. Ex: Superior Stamp & Coin Co. Inc.'s Wyatt Sale, October 1985, lot 2709; later in their Blevin's sale, June 1988, lot 6713, and later in their Michael Keston Sale, January 30, 1996, lot 53 and from the Michael Riordan collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $21,850
Lot 3598		1868 $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-60. Some stacking marks on the high points. A scarce date, and most of the luster is present. Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,070
Lot 3599		1870 $3 Gold. PCGS graded Proof 64 Deep Cameo. This is the only 1870 Three dollar gold coin graded Deep Cameo by PCGS! Check out the contrast between the devices and fields. Ankle deep frost on Liberty with the mirrored fields showing the familiar deep orange peel texture. Obviously, this coin was one of the first of 35 struck, as the deep cameo frost only lasts for the first couple struck by the dies. Identifiable by a tiny lint mark below the bust near the rim, and another below the first T of STATES, and on the reverse by a tiny planchet flake below the ribbon, which lead us to believe with reasonable certainty that this is the coin we sold in our Brady Bloch Sale in September 1999. Currently in PCGS holder #50003486. An epic coin worthy of the finest collection in the land. In the last decade, we were only able to trace two offerings of this date, one in the Trompeter Sale of 1992, the same coin reappeared in the Michael Keston Sale, both by Superior, and the Brady Bloch coin. Estimated Value $18,000 - 22,000. From our Brady Bloch Collection sale, September 1999, lot 1721. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3600		1871 $3 Gold. PCGS graded MS-62. With a mintage of only 1,300 pieces, one can assume that not many are around. On this we note that PCGS in their Population Report note only 12 this high, with 15 pieces graded at various levels above. The surfaces show minor hairlines and handling, and the coin is fairly well struck, with minor weakness on the high points. In an old green insert PCGS holder. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,795
Lot 3601		1874 $3 Gold. PCGS graded MS-63. Greenish gold luster and bright, with fewer than average marks. Estimated Value $2,900 - 3,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,060
Lot 3602		1874 $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-61. Bright luster and somewhat weak on the high points. Light haze mostly on the reverse. Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,581
Lot 3603		1877 $3 Gold. PCGS graded Proof 64 Premium Quality. Magnificent orange gold color with well frosted devices and deep mirror fields. The Philadelphia Mint coined only 20 in proof, as demand stayed low for these at the time of issue. Perfectly struck by the dies, with crisp details on Liberty's hair and on the tiny elements of the reverse wreath too. Examination will locate only the faintest signs of handling, and these apparently kept this from a higher grade. PCGS has graded just 2 as PR-64, with 3 graded higher, all PR-65. If you want a highly appealing example for an advanced collection, then take a look at this jewel. Estimated Value $25,000-UP. From the Michael Riordan collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $23,000
Lot 3604		1882 $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-62. This is a nice example of the 2 over 2 recut date. It is important to carefully examine other examples of this date as there are known counterfeits of this variety by the "Omega" maker, who signed his counterfeits with a tiny omega within the loop of the R in LIBERTY. This is an original coin, of course, and we note good luster and moderate handling marks expected for the grade. The strike is sharp, and the devices frosty. Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,335
Lot 3605		1888 $3 Gold. MS-65. Glowing mint luster and sharply impressed throughout. The devices are enhanced by a delicate gold tone and the surfaces are pristine throughout. As this denomination faded away, only 5,000 were struck in 1888, most of which were saved, but very few are as nice as this one. Estimated Value $6,500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3606		1888 $3 Gold. PCGS graded MS-63. Flashy luster and free of toning or haze. This one has a decent strike, and minor contact marks expected for the grade. In an old green insert PCGS holder. Estimated Value $2,750 - 3,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,795
Lot 3607		1889 $3 Gold. PCGS graded Proof 64. Glowing orange gold in color with well frosted devices and superbly made mirror fields. The curious orange-peel mirror fields can be seen with a glass, and these proof gold coins are amongst the most beautiful coins produced at the Mint. 1889 is the final year of issue of the $3 gold coin, only 129 were struck in Proof, and this one is in the top half of the survivors. We see light hairlines in the fields, and a minor speck below the wreath on the reverse. PCGS has graded 45 this high, with a scant 10 higher. Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $12,650