Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 1

Coin Auction

$20 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 873		Double Eagle. 1902-S. NGC graded MS-62. View details	Unsold
Lot 874		Double Eagle. 1903. A glittering beauty and an ideal coin for a gem gold type set. NGC graded MS-65. View details	Realized $3,520
Lot 875		Double Eagle. 1903. MS-64. View details	Realized $1,155
Lot 876		Double Eagle. 1903. MS-60 Plus. View details	Realized $660
Lot 877		Double Eagle. 1904. A gem with virtually undisturbed satiny mint surfaces exhibiting full mint bloom color. In an old PCGS holder. The ideal coin for a gem quality type set. PCGS graded MS-65. View details	Unsold
Lot 878		Double Eagle. 1904. PCGS graded MS-64. View details	Realized $1,210
Lot 879		Double Eagle. 1904. MS-63. View details	Unsold
Lot 880		Double Eagle. 1904. MS-63. View details	Realized $770
Lot 881		Double Eagle. 1904. MS-60 Plus. Some obverse dirt. View details	Realized $457
Lot 882		Double Eagle. 1904. MS-60. In gold bezel. View details	Realized $523
Lot 883		Double Eagle. 1906-D. MS-60. View details	Unsold
Lot 884		Double Eagle. 1907-S. Only 4 graded higher from this service. NGC graded MS-64. View details	Realized $4,400
Lot 885		Double Eagle. 1907. Premium Quality. Roman Numerals Date (MCMVII). Augustus Saint-Gaudens' original design for the Double Eagle in Ultra High Relief. Regular Edge Lettering (not inverted). The Norweb Coin, acquired from Albert Fairchild Holder, who obtained this coin directly from the Saint-Gaudens family in 1907. PCGS graded Proof 67. A superb specimen of one of the most famous of all American coin rarities and arguably the most beautiful coin that exists today. Augustus Saint-Gaudens' original design for the Double Eagle in Ultra High Relief. Normal Edge Lettering (not inverted). Extremely concave fields, double the normal thickness at edge; no border at all, only a knife-rim. MCMVII distant from drapery; Capitol building very small; star well to left of E; star above extreme left corner of T; star above end of left arm of Y; only 2, rather than 3, narrow folds in skirt just past Liberty's right leg (at observer's left), and the oval section of underside of skirt beyond those is very large. A pristine, flawless example of this most beautiful of all coins. The color, strike, and surfaces are all of extraordinary quality and the coin definitely is as nice as the day it was struck. A more superb Ultra High Relief could not possibly exist. This stunning numismatic work of art was the brainchild of the famed American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens who, at the personal request of President Theodore Roosevelt, conceived the design concept and drawings for what would become America's most renowned coin. Although Saint-Gaudens preferred the Indian head obverse with the standing eagle reverse, he was overruled by Roosevelt, who ordered up the full figure of Liberty with the flying eagle reverse combination. Dies were prepared by Henry Hering, who was Saint-Gauden's assistant. All the while, the Mint's Chief Engraver, Charles Barber, flatly stated that it was impossible for any mint to make such a coin, and used all his influence to stop the project. Herng prepared plaster models in extremely high relief, "knowing perfectly well they could not stamp it in one strike, my object being to have a die made of this model and then have strikes made in order to see the various results." (Numismatist, 1949, P. 455) Hering then convinced Barber that experimentation was necessary and Barber finally agreed to make the dies. Hering returned to the Mint in February 1907 to "see how the experimental model of the first die would work out; so a circular disc of gold was placed in the die and by hydraulic pressure of 172 tons, I think it was, we had our first stamping, and the impression showed little more than one half of the modeling. I had them make a cast of this for my guidance. The coin was again placed in the die for another strike and again it showed a little more of the modeling, and so it went, on and on, until the ninth strike, when the coin showed up in every detail." The exact number of pieces struck is not known and opinions vary. Adams and Woodin stated that "eighteen pieces are said to have been struck." An article in the 1909 Numismatist, indicated that "thirteen coins were struck." Later, in 1920 another article in the Numismatist stated that "nineteen pieces were struck, two of which were destroyed in Mint experiments or tests." Both Judd's book and the Scott encyclopedia indicate that 22 were struck with two subsequently melted. Although the number minted actually is open to question, Aker's estimates that no more than 13 to 15 are known. Two specimens are located in the Smithsonian Institution, another which came directly from Charles Barber's estate is permanently impounded in the American Numismatic Society. One has a plain edge, another three have inverted edge lettering. The medallic relief was too much for the dies, obviously a small number were struck, and at least one piece is known with a die crack extending from the reverse rim at 8:30 o'clock towards one of the suns rays. All were struck like medals, and have a satin finish, and are designated as "Proofs". Of the handful produced, most were given away by President Theodore Roosevelt as presentation pieces, which became known as Roosevelt's "pet crime". Barber apparently squirreled at least one away (now in the ANS), the others soon showed up in prominent collections. A roster of the known specimens include: 1) Mint, Smithsonian Institution 2) Lilly, Smithsonian Institution, probably one of 7 to 11 below. 3) Charles E. Barber, ANS 4) Theodore Roosevelt Museum. 5) Theodore Roosevelt, unnamed close personal friend, Ullmer:546, $200,000 to Manfra, Tordella and Brookes. 6) Clapp, Eliasberg 1021, $242,000, M. Brownlee for the Harry Bass Collection 7) Col. E. H. R. Green, Bell I, Stack's 1944, 867A 8) Kreisberg-Schulman 2/61: 1417. 9) Farouk: 296. 10) Kern: 626. 11) Saint-Gaudens, President Roosevelt, Cornelius Van Schaak Roosevelt, 1967 to Smithsonian Institution. 12) Inverted edge letters (edge reads with obverse up). Only three reported. 1956 ANA: 1773, Dr. Wilkison, Paramount, A-Mark, Auction '80:977, $230,000; Trompeter Estate. 13) Inverted edge letters, "Mint employee", Saint-Gaudens family, Captain Andrew North (in cased set), Stack's exhibited at 1956 ANA Convention, dispersed ca 1980, "The Rarest" New England Rare Coin Galleries, Boston Jubilee: 323, $175,000; Auction '85: 983, to Manfra Tordella & Brookes 14) Inverted edge letters, Kosoff Estate, 11/85:848. 15) Plain edge, cased set as #13 above, John Danruther, private collection, "The Rarest" (1980), Swiss Banking Corporation. The above handful of coins represent, beyond doubt, the supreme triumph of medallic achievement at the Philadelphia Mint. Though issued over the most vigorous objections of Mint Engraver Barber, despite administrative and technical difficulties almost beyond belief, including officious interference overtly intended to sabotage the project, on behalf of the dying Saint-Gaudens, who never got to see any of the finished coins, but who is remembered for them today far more for his life size sculptures all over New England. The art expert Cornelius Vermeule has justly compared this issue to the Nike of Samothrace. View details	Realized $1,210,000
Lot 886		Double Eagle. 1907. MS-63. View details	Realized $605
Lot 887		Double Eagle. 1908 No Motto. PCGS graded MS-65. View details	Realized $1,073
Lot 888		Double Eagle. 1908 No Motto. MS-64. View details	Realized $457
Lot 889		Double Eagle. 1908 No Motto. MS-60 Plus. View details	Unsold
Lot 890		Double Eagle. 1910. Remarkably free from nicks and scratches with golden-orange highlights. NGC graded MS-64. View details	Unsold
Lot 891		Double Eagle. 1911-D. NGC graded MS-64. A very choice frosty mint specimen. View details	Realized $715
Lot 892		Double Eagle. 1912. NGC graded Matte Proof 67. When it comes to eye-appealing Matte Proof coinage, nothing can beat this 1912's splendid appearance. Besides being fully struck, it also offers such distinctive qualities as a smooth even golden-oak matte finish with a hint of iridescense. The impeccable surfaces are sleek and elegant. Prospective buyers looking for a superb Matte Proof Double Eagle need look no further. A total of 74 proofs were made. Population of 6 with none higher. View details	Unsold
Lot 893		Double Eagle. 1912. Matte Proof 67. A rare and desirable gem Matte Proof in pristine condition. One of only 74 struck, probably very few of which remain in grades even approaching this stunning coin. One tiny copper spot is noted in the left obverse field for pedigree tracing, just below Liberty's longest hair end tip. Matte proofs were made by coating the dies with a special powder which gives the coins a subdued or soft appearance on both the fields and devices rather than the harsh mirroring in the fields against the frosted devices. The matte proofing process lasted several years in various countries, then mints returned to the mirror finishes more familiar with most collectors. A foremost rarity in a remarkable state of preservation. Be sure to view this beauty before the sale. View details	Realized $37,400
Lot 894		Double Eagle. 1913. NGC graded MS-62. A slightly better date in Mint State. View details	Realized $633
Lot 895		Double Eagle. 1920-S. NGC graded MS-64. This is one of America's most acclaimed gold rarities. And clearly this is one of the very best, as only 6 have been graded this high, with a single coin graded higher! Frosty luster in the fields, with boldly struck devices and pristine, undiminished surfaces. All is graced with a delicate rosy pink color to confirm the original, untouched nature of this spectacular coin. Identifiable by a tiny nick just on the rim above the last A of AMERICA, and currently in NGC holder #225269-001. Double Eagle mintage stopped during the war years of 1917-19, and mintage began with the 1920-S, however, most of these were later melted in the gold call in of 1933, with very few indeed being saved by collectors. There just aren't enough to go around today, and virtually none in high grades like the present coin. A fabulous opportunity! View details	Realized $44,000
Lot 896		Double Eagle. 1921. PCGS graded MS-64. PCGS graded Mint State 64. A fantastic example of this rarity! Blazing luster radiates from the fields, the strike is full and complete. A glass will locate some minor tick marks, but most are hidden on the design elements, so the fields and devices remain far and away better than all but a single higher grade coin. PCGS has only graded 3 coins this high, with NGC awarding the MS-64 grade to only 2. With a single gem known, that makes this coin the highest available. As with the 1920-S rarity, the bulk of this date were melted in 1933, and virtually none were saved in any grade. View details	Realized $115,500
Lot 897		Double Eagle. 1922. NGC graded MS-65. View details	Realized $2,860
Lot 898		Double Eagle. 1923-D. PCGS graded MS-67. Magnificent golden-orange mint bloom color. View details	Realized $8,525
Lot 899		Double Eagle. 1923-D. Sparkling with mint lustre with a minimual amount of marks. MS-64. View details	Realized $605
Lot 900		Double Eagle. 1923-D. MS-63. View details	Realized $550
Lot 901		Double Eagle. 1924. MS-64. View details	Realized $457
Lot 902		Double Eagle. 1924. MS-64. Obverse spot. View details	Realized $495
Lot 903		Double Eagle. 1924. MS-63. View details	Realized $457
Lot 904		Double Eagle. 1924. MS-63. View details	Realized $468
Lot 905		Double Eagle. 1924. MS-60 Plus. View details	Realized $495
Lot 906		Double Eagle. 1924. MS-60 Plus. View details	Realized $457
Lot 907		Double Eagle. 1925-S. Sharpness of Extremely Fine. Polished at one time with some marks about the reverse rims. One of the scarcer coins in the series. View details	Realized $864
Lot 908		Double Eagle. 1926-D. PCGS graded MS-63. A choice Brilliant Uncirculated example exhibiting full golden-orange mint bloom color. A scattering of light contact marks, none unsightly or worthy of mention. A very rare coin lacking from most collections. Despite the 1926-D's seemingly high coinage total, few were saved at the time and most went into the melting pots after April 15, 1933. In fact, prior to the mid 1950's when a handful of 'uncs' were found in a French bank, this date was virtually unheard of in Mint State. View details	Realized $17,050
Lot 909		Double Eagle. 1927. MS-65. View details	Realized $468
Lot 910		Double Eagle. 1927. MS-64. View details	Realized $506
Lot 911		Double Eagle. 1927. MS-64. Copper spots. View details	Realized $495
Lot 912		Double Eagle. 1928. MS-63. View details	Realized $457
Lot 913		Double Eagle. 1929. PCGS graded MS-65. Wow! For a fresh change of pace you should take a moment to examine this splendid 1929 gem Double Eagle. For not only are the fields and devices superb, but the luster and color are also outstanding. PCGS has only graded 14 this high, with a single coin graded a notch higher, making this about the best available. A few trivial tick marks from perfection, one above the right shoulder of Liberty, another at the end of the lower wing feather. Nearly impossible to locate as a date as virtually all were melted in the gold call-in of 1933. What few did enter circulation mostly were not saved by collectors, hence very few choice or gem specimens remain. America entered into a terrible depression in 1929 which lasted for many years, pitifully few people were able to hold on to such luxuries and what few were saved were spent for survival. Hence, many reported mintages of Double Eagles don't reflect the reality of the massive meltings which reduced the population by wholesale amounts. A foremost opportunity to put away one of the Finest Known 1929 Double Eagles. View details	Unsold
Lot 914		Double Eagle. 1929. NGC graded MS-64. Golden-orange, sunset golden at the borders. A very choice example, fully frosted and lustrous surfaces and free from unsightly contact marks. A lovely specimen of this very rare date as most of the mintage was melted. View details	Realized $16,500

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