Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 1

Coin Auction

$5 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 710		Half Eagle. 1798. Small Eagle Reverse! PCGS graded EF-40. An extremely rare coin indeed, with the long reported number of 7 known in all grades. This is borne out by PCGS, which has only graded 2 coins, both Extremely Fine 40, NGC has only graded a single coin, it an Extremely Fine 45 of the 1798 Small Eagle. The color and surfaces are quite nice for the grade, without the usual distractions of heavy adjustment marks or other circulation abuse. There are some hidden adjustment marks running vertically through Liberty's cap and curls just below, as well as a hidden mark in the central curls below Liberty's ear. The reverse is very choice, with nothing but gentle wear on the upper feathers of the eagle. There is a small planchet flake at the top of the second T of STATES. Long listing in the Guide Book and in Breen's Encyclopedia have failed to turn up others. A review of the great collections fails to turn many up, most advanced gold collectors never have a chance to purchase this rarity. Another 1798 Small Eagle recently sold by private treaty for over $300,000, giving an indication of how rare and desirable this coin is. The obverse die has guidelines below the date where Breen speculates that engraver Scot fumbled his way to place the dentils, seen on the few surviving examples. An impossible rarity to locate, and worthy of a record price. View details	Unsold
Lot 711		Half Eagle. 1800. Sharpness of MS-60 or better. Some moderate to heavy marks hidden in the central portions of the obverse, the reverse is quite choice. In spite of the obverse impairments, this early half eagle is loaded with mint lustre. View details	Unsold
Lot 712		Half Eagle. 1802/1. A most attractive example of this popular over-date half eagle with no problems worthy of mention. NGC graded AU-55. View details	Realized $3,740
Lot 713		Half Eagle. 1803/2. PCGS graded MS-66. Premium Quality. This is the finest graded early gold coin of this date, and is tied with only one other of its type, an 1802/1 Half Eagle, also PCGS graded Mint State 66. Far and away this is the finest early United States gold coin we have ever seen in all our decades of numismatic experience. There is abundant original mint bloom on this coin, with fresh, original luster throughout. As to the surfaces, they are pristine, even a glass scarcely locates microscopic handling marks. Liberty's face, the stars, hair and cap are all virtually perfect, fully struck in every nuance of Robert Scot's design, with a delicate coppery and greenish gold color from years of careful storage. On the reverse, the stars above the eagle are all needle-sharp, and each feather on the proud eagle is full and complete. Even a faint die crack, extending from the U of UNITED to the E of STATES shows minute detail as it bisects the reverse. Any numismatic expert would be well advised to spend a few minutes examining this coin, linger over the velvety fields that are incomprehensibly free of marks, incomprehensible because this is an early gold coin, the softest metal that normally attracts contact marks, note the virtual absence of contact on either side here. Many may aspire to be gems, but all will fall short of the quality of this magnificent and stunning coin. Located 21 years ago by Tony Terranova, who pried it away from a collector by paying four times the current bid for a gem, an astronomical price at the time, and quickly put away in another collection. We believe this to be the finest early U.S. gold coin, of any denomination, in existence. View details	Unsold
Lot 714		Half Eagle. 1803/2. Sharpness of EF-40. Cleaned and probably worn as jewelry. View details	Realized $1,320
Lot 715		Half Eagle. 1804 Small 8 over large 8. Lightly cleaned at one time, now a deep golden-orange and boldly struck. AU-55. View details	Unsold
Lot 716		Half Eagle. 1807. Draped Bust. NGC graded AU-58. Some luster remains in the fields and scarce. There are minor handling marks in the fields and on the devices, as usual for this soft early gold. Some softness in the strike, mostly on the lower reverse on the arrows and shield. View details	Unsold
Lot 717		Half Eagle. 1812. Sharpness of AU-55. Holed and repaired. There is a disturbance above Liberty's cap, and near the lower olive leaves and the 5 of the denomination. Some mottled toning at the center of the obverse. A coin that should be inspected by bidders. View details	Unsold
Lot 718		Half Eagle. 1815. Rarity-7. NGC graded MS-62. One of the highlights of the sale, and will certainly be a highlight in any collection this coin graces. Long known as one of the ultra-rarities, any sale with an 1815 Half Eagle becomes a standard reference for numismatists, as this date has been known as a key date for well over 100 years. The fields and devices show few signs of contact, a mark here or there, but nothing of consequence. Liberty's face has some minor signs of contact, and the fields have trivial hairlines. None of this matters, for this is one of the great premier rarities of the Half Eagle series. The grading services have only graded 4 coins in total, two of which have been graded higher. An excellent list of the known specimens appeared in Superior's Keston sale, January 1996, which enumerates only 11 coins, some of which may be duplicates, and three of which are permanently off the market. A foremost opportunity and worthy of the finest collection of Half Eagles. Identifiable by a tiny mark on Liberty's chin, and by a small tick mark on the upper right serif of the N of UNITED. Boldly struck on Liberty's uppermost curls, and on the eagle and his claws. An amazing rarity very nearly in choice condition. View details	Realized $165,000
Lot 719		Half Eagle. 1828/7. NGC graded MS-63. This is the second finest graded of this extremely rare date. Attractive copper-orange toning around the stars and legends with more than 50% luster in the fields. A few stars are not quite fully struck, but the hair over Liberty's ear and hair waves around her cap are full and complete. Similar on the reverse, with the eagle, shield and lettering all fully struck. Our consignor purchased this coin from Superior in 1996 from the famous Michael L. Keston Collection Sale, Lot 118, prior to that the coin was offered in Auction '80, Lot 927; and various Stack's sales including Wolfson, 1962; Baldenhofer, 1955; and Bell, 1944 and possibly in the DuPont holdings. One other specimen has been traced, it is the Suros 1999, which is believed to trace earlier to ANA 1976; Smith 1955; Farouk 1954; Lee 1947, Col. E. H. R. Green, Waldo C. Newcomber and Flanagan 1944 piece. These two coins were offered 8 times in Akers extensive survey of 331 auctions since 1921. The only other example is the Eliasberg specimen, from the John C. Clapp collection, earlier from Harlan P. Smith, Chapman Brothers, May 1906. One other big maybe is out there, and probably included above, the Parmelee coin, sold nearly 110 years ago. It is instructive to note that the collecting energy of the Garrett's was unsuccessful in locating a specimen during their decades of searching. This is the second finest known of apparently four survivors in all, behind only the Suros piece by a point. A foremost rarity in any grade, and seldom offered. Here is an opportunity which eluded the Garrett's and one of the most significant rarities ever to be offered. Rarer than the 1819 and on par with the 1822 and 1825/4 Half Eagle rarities. In NGC holder #576531-007. View details	Realized $159,500
Lot 720		Half Eagle. 1834 Classic Head, Plain 4. A very rare coin in this grade as PCGS has graded but 3 higher. PCGS graded MS-64. A sparkling frosty mint beauty that radiates with mint lustre. The perfect coin for a top quality type set. View details	Unsold
Lot 721		Half Eagle. 1934 Plain 4. Some faint hairlines and light handling marks are noted. VF-35. View details	Realized $352
Lot 722		Half Eagle. 1838. Golden-orange overtones add to its appeal. VF-30. View details	Realized $330
Lot 723		Half Eagle. 1838-D. NGC graded AU-58. Boldly struck throughout with every strand of hair on Liberty fully defined. The lustrous surfaces containt some scattered light contact marks, none worthy of mention, and a minor rim flaw appears at 4 o'clock. Very rare in all grades, nearly impossible to locate in Mint State. NGC has reported only 5 graded higher. View details	Unsold
Lot 724		Half Eagle. 1839. AU-53. Choice for the grade, and boldly struck on both the obverse and reverse. Furthermore, the surfaces are clean for the grade, without the usual heavy bagmarks or other problems. This is the first year of issue of the Christian Gobrecht design for the Half Eagles. Impressive and worthy of a fine collection. View details	Unsold
Lot 725		Half Eagle. 1839. No problems other than plain old common wear. Good-5. View details	Realized $154
Lot 726		Half Eagle. 1839-C. A bright, well struck example and very rare in grades above EF. Pop of 13 with 16 higher. NGC graded AU-55. View details	Realized $7,150
Lot 727		Half Eagle. 1840-C. NGC graded AU-58. A better than normal strike with less weakness in the centers than usually seen. A very rare date and virtually impossible to find better. Pop of only 3 with only 1 a point higher. View details	Unsold
Lot 728		Half Eagle. 1840-D. Sharpness of AU with damage on the rims. The surfaces are slightly rough, possibly the result of buried treasure. A key date Dahlonega mint issue, particularly in high grade. View details	Unsold
Lot 729		Half Eagle. 1842-D Large date. A bright, boldly struck example and very rare in grades above very fine. A low population coin as only 3 have been graded by NGC in this grade with 1 higher. NGC graded AU-50. View details	Realized $9,000
Lot 730		Half Eagle. 1843-D. Some minor marks about the reverse rims with pebbly surfaces. EF-45. View details	Unsold
Lot 731		Half Eagle. 1844-C. NGC graded AU-58. Boldly struck with much more detail on the eagle's legs than usual. Lustrous with just a hint of faint rubbing and a scattering of light contact marks in the unprotected fields on both sides. Prohibitively rare above EF. Pop. of only 1 with 3 higher. Interestingly, the minting this year was interrupted because a burglar burned down the Mint, July 27, 1844 and was not rebuilt until 1846. View details	Unsold
Lot 732		Half Eagle. 1844-D. NGC graded AU-58. A nice deep impression with full hair and star details defined. Greenish-golden mint color throughout. A very rare date in grades above extremely fine. Pop of only 6 with 4 higher. View details	Realized $6,875
Lot 733		Half Eagle. 1846-C. EF-45. Nice greenish gold color and with some luster in the fields. Minor handling marks atop the boldly struck devices. Only 12,995 were struck, few of which remain in conditions that even approach this. An opportunity for the Charlotte collector who needs this date in high grade. View details	Unsold
Lot 734		Half Eagle. 1847-0. A better than average struck specimen with subdued frosty mint lustre overlaid and greenish-golden in color. Population of only 4 in this grade, 1 higher. PCGS graded AU-53. View details	Unsold
Lot 735		Half Eagle. 1850-C Weak C variety. NGC graded MS-61. Although all 1850 Charlotte mint Half Eagles display a weakly struck-up mint mark, the examples from this pair of dies is recognized and acknowledged by all the major grading services and is actually many times rarer than the normal issue. This is the only Mint State example graded by either PCGS or NGC. View details	Unsold
Lot 736		Half Eagle. 1850-D. NGC graded AU-58. A choice coin for the grade with clean surfaces and some luster remaining in the fields. Only 7 have been so graded by the two main grading services, with two coins graded higher. Fully struck on Liberty's uppermost curls, and also on the wing tips, claws, neck and breast of the eagle. Unimprovable for the grade, and obviously one of the very finest in existence. An opportunity for the Dahlonega specialist. View details	Realized $8,250
Lot 737		Half Eagle. 1851-C. A better than average strike with mint lustre still adhering to the devices. A prohibitively rare coin in high grade. Pop. of only 3 with 10 higher. PCGS graded AU-53. View details	Unsold
Lot 738		Half Eagle. 1853. Sharpness of AU with some obverse scratches noted. View details	Realized $182
Lot 739		Half Eagle. 1854-D Breen 6608. Open 5, strong D mint mark. PCGS graded MS-62. A nice deep impression without the usual weakness in the centers as usually seen. The lustrous surfaces are virtually mark-free and the color is a natural golden-orange. Very rare in high grade, although there are a few "saltwater uncirculateds" that show up every now and then (this of course is not one of them). Pop of 8 with 5 higher. View details	Realized $12,100
Lot 740		Half Eagle. 1854-D. NGC graded MS-61. Strong "D" mint mark. Most of the surviving uncirculated examples were recovered from the sea and show the effects of submersion in salt water. This Mint State example is not a "seawater uncommonly." Very rare. View details	Unsold
Lot 741		Half Eagle. 1854-D. Well struck with a strong mint mark, lustrous with a scattering of handling marks noted on both sides. NGC graded AU-58. View details	Realized $4,070
Lot 742		Half Eagle. 1860-D. A lovely high grade example of this very rare coin and free from problems worthy of mention. Low population as NGC has graded but 15 in this state of preservation with only 3 better. NGC graded AU-58. View details	Realized $6,325
Lot 743		Half Eagle. 1860-S. NGC graded AU-58. A trifle softly struck-up in the centers as are all from this one pair of dies. The surfaces are lustrous with just a scattering of light contact marks, none worthy of mention. Extremely rare in EF and according to Breen "unobtainable above." Population of 1 and none higher, includes both grading services. View details	Unsold
Lot 744		Half Eagle. 1862. In terms of actual wear, this coin probably grades even higher; however, the reverse shows extensive marks and scrapes. A very rare low mintage date that is usually enountered in the lower circulated grades. Regardless of the reverse problems, this must be considered a very high grade example. EF-45. View details	Unsold
Lot 745		Half Eagle. 1871-CC. ANACS graded AU details, Net EF-45, cleaned. A rare low mintage Carson City coin that is usually offered only in lower grade. View details	Unsold
Lot 746		Half Eagle. 1873 Open 3. A mark on the obverse edge at 9 o'clock must be mentioned. AU-50. View details	Unsold
Lot 747		Half Eagle. 1876. NGC graded MS-64. The fields are proof-like and the devices are frosty and actually resembles a proof at first glance. Definately a business strike as it exhibits the limp on the cheek below the pupil. Very rare low mintage date as only 1432 were struck for usage with few being saved. Actually rarer in Mint State than a Proof as the grading services have graded twice as many in proof condition. Pop of 1 with only 2 higher. View details	Unsold
Lot 748		Half Eagle. 1877-CC. One of the toughest of the Carson City half eagles to obtain. ANACS graded EF-45. View details	Realized $2,585
Lot 749		Half Eagle. 1879. AU-58 with proof-like surfaces. View details	Realized $242
Lot 750		Half Eagle. 1879-CC. Light hairlines noted. EF-45. View details	Realized $1,155
Lot 751		Half Eagle. 1881-S. Frosty and lightly toned. NGC graded MS-63. View details	Realized $572
Lot 752		Half Eagle. 1881-S. Frosty and lightly toned. NGC graded MS-63. View details	Realized $578
Lot 753		Half Eagle. 1882-S. Golden-orange in color. NGC graded MS-63. View details	Realized $578
Lot 754		Half Eagle. 1882-S. Bright and lustrous. NGC graded MS-63. View details	Realized $605
Lot 755		Half Eagle. 1882-S. Nice and frosty while exhibiting golden-orange mint color. NGC graded MS-63. View details	Realized $578
Lot 756		Half Eagle. 1893-S. Golden-orange in color. NGC graded MS-62. View details	Realized $275
Lot 757		Half Eagle. 1894-O. Light hairlines. MS-60. A scarce date with only 16,600 struck. Sharp and pleasing, with some trivial handling marks in the fields. Lustrous. View details	Unsold
Lot 758		Half Eagle. 1900. NGC graded MS-64. Bright and frosty, ideal for a choice quality type set. View details	Unsold
Lot 759		Half Eagle. 1904-S. MS-60 Plus. View details	Realized $1,375

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