Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 1

Coin Auction

Territorial Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 923		1849 Norris, Gregg & Norris, $5 Gold. Reeded Edge. The PCGS holder does not allow viewing of the edge, however, since this is the sole example graded MS-61 this must be the reeded edge variety. This example is well struck and problem-free and is loaded with mint lustre and exhibits rich golden-orange overtones. The highest graded and only Mint State example graded by this service. NGC has graded one MS-61 (same coin?). Popular and always in demand as collectors have long considered this coin the first of the California private gold coins. PCGS graded MS-61. View details	Unsold
Lot 924		(1849) J. S. Ormsby & Co. Sacramento, $10 Gold. The crude, simple design is entirely visible, though a trifle weak in places. Both sides reveal no marks of any consequence. Brothers John and William Ormsby arrived in Sacramento in 1849 and began coining five and ten-dollar gold pieces from unrefined, native ore. They were the first private gold coiner in Sacramento, the largest trade center near the gold fields. These were struck by sledgehammer rather than a coining press. Their issues proved to be overvalued and were largely discredited, most succumbing to the melting pot within a year or two of minting. Surviving examples are exceedingly rare, the Guide Book lists 4 known while we have traced a total of 5, two of which are impounded, making this the finest of just 3 extant. PCGS graded AU-50. Ex: Smith, Brand, Milas. View details	Unsold
Lot 925		(1849) Miners' Bank (San Francisco) $10 Gold. A boldly struck beauty, glistening with mint lustre. Some light handling marks and a tick on the reverse rim near 12 o'clock. A mark that is associated with the Kaufman collection as he had his coins tacked to the wall at his bank. One of the most historic and most popular of all California territorial gold coins. Population of only 3 in this grade, 5 in AU-58 and none in Mint State. PCGS graded AU-55. View details	Unsold
Lot 926		1849 Mormon $2.50 Gold. As with all examples, the obverse exhibits convex striking, however, the central "eye" is better defined than usual. The surfaces contain a scattered bag mark or two, otherwise, a lovely problem-free example with lustre still adhering about the pheriphery. This denomination is considerably rarer than the $5 Mormon issue. Breen's estimate for mintage is a mere 3,560 pieces. Very rare low population coin as NGC has graded but two in this state of preservation and none higher. NGC graded AU-55. View details	Unsold
Lot 927		1849 Moffat & Co. $5 Gold. Struck from pebbly surfaced dies which imparted a form of rought "frost" to the coin as seen on virtually all of the known Uncirculated Moffats of this denomination. The coin is fully struck up and loaded with mint color. Very rare in this lofty state of preservation as only 9 have been graded by PCGS in this grade with only 3 better. PCGS graded MS-62. View details	Unsold
Lot 928		1849 Moffat & Co. TEN DOL. A well struck, problem free example of this rare Moffat issue. Some traces of lustre still is evident about the devices with areas of light rubbing on the high spots and some scattered light marks about from circulation. Struck in the "classic year", far fewer $10's were struck and consequently saved than the $5's of either '49 or '50. Population of only one in this grade and one better. (PCGS has graded but one in this grade and two better). NGC graded AU-53. View details	Unsold
Lot 929		1849 Moffat & Co. TEN D. Struck from a buckled obverse die as is evident below the date. Very rare, even more so than the 1849 TEN DOL. variety and this issue when encountered is usually found in lower grades. PCGS graded EF-40. View details	Realized $5,775
Lot 930		1850 Moffat & Co. $5 Gold. A pleasing looking example exhibiting California's natural greenish color gold. NGC graded EF-45. View details	Realized $2,310
Lot 931		1855 Wass, Molitor & Company, $10 Gold. As is the case with all known examples of 1855, struck from worn and crudely executed dies, slightly stronger in the central obverse portions, weaker to the peripheries. This is a Rarity 7 and is the finest known and only known Mint State example. NGC graded MS-61. View details	Unsold
Lot 932		1855 Wass, Molitor & Company, $50 Gold. A well struck example with excellent detail. Some nicks and bag marks scattered about, none too serious and with enough mint lustre still adhering, as to suggest an even higher grade. A lofty high grade example that certinaly rests well within the condition census. EF-45. View details	Unsold
Lot 933		1855 Wass, Molitor & Company, $50 Gold. A very desirable example of the only collectible non-commemorative round "slug". Some scattered nicks and bruises as one must expect on one of these massive gold coins. Although a considerable number of these were struck by the two Hungarian patriots, according to Breen, only about 60-70 still exist. PCGS graded VF-20. View details	Unsold
Lot 934		1851 Assay Office $50 "slug" 880 THOUS. Lettered Edge. Augustus Humbert (assayer). Variety without 50 on Reverse. Sunk in edge: AUGUSTUS HUMBERT UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD CALIFORNIA 1851. A stunning lettered edge "slug" absolutely devoid of serious nicks, scratches or edge bumps. Some minor casting flaws appear in the flan as made, this can be seen around the outer rims of the reverse in the rays of the target as it expands outward. Some lustre still remains in the protected areas with mottled greenish-golden color on both sides. A rare opportunity to acquire a high grade lettered slug. AU-50. View details	Unsold
Lot 935		1851 Assay Office $50 "slug" 880 THOUS. Lettered Edge. Augustus Humbert (assayer). A bright, well struck lettered edge "slug" with plenty of pizzaz. Some normal nicks and light bumps as one would expect with this grade. PCGS graded EF-40. View details	Realized $12,650
Lot 936		1851 Assay Office $50 "slug" 880 THOUS. Target Reverse. Reeded Edge. Augustus Hum. Slightly rarer than the 887 THOUS. variety and an ideal "slug" for a type collection. NGC graded EF-40. View details	Realized $7,975
Lot 937		1851 Assay Office $50 "slug" 887 THOUS. Target Reverse. Reeded Edge. Augustus Hum. This is one of the famous 2½ ounce behemoths from the height of the California gold rush era. Once a mint was established at San Francisco (1854), many of these and other Territorial pieces were melted and reissued as federal coinage. NGC graded AU-50. View details	Unsold
Lot 938		1852/1 Augustus Humbert $10 Gold. Mint lustre still adhers to areas about the devices with deeper golden-orange highlights. This and the 1852/1 Humbert $20 are the only over-dates recognized in Pioneer coinage. NGC graded AU-58. View details	Realized $7,975
Lot 939		1853 Assay Office $20 Gold, 884 THOUS. Many times rarer than the 900 THOUS. variety as the miners and the public would not accept the lower fineness of gold which was discounted against the regular federal issues. Rare low population coin as only 3 have been graded by PCGS in this grade with 7 higher (one in MS-60 and another in MS-63). PCGS graded AU-53. View details	Unsold
Lot 940		1854 Kellogg & Company $20 Gold. Boldly struck in the centers, weakening to the stars and borders as often occurs on this issue. An impressivle looking coin, rich in the colors (greenish-gold) which are unique to natural California gold. Much scarcer than the Assay Office $20 pieces and certain to please and delight any dovotee of Territorial coinage. A population of only 2 in this grade, with 4 higher. NGC graded MS-60. View details	Unsold
Lot 941		1861 Clark, Gruber & Co. - Denver, Colorado. $10 Gold. A better than average strike with scattered light marks about the surfaces comensurate with the grade, all with light to medium mottled toning. Similar to the federal issues circulating in the east, but with PIKES PEAK on Liberty's head-band and CLARK GRUBER & CO. DENVER on the reverse. Breen estimates the original mintage at about 15,900. A very scarce territorial coin. ANACS graded EF-40. View details	Unsold
Lot 942		1861 Clark, Gruber & Co. - Denver, Colorado. $5 Gold. Struck from somewhat worn dies, the excellent surfaces justify this lofty grade. Light golden-orange lustre gives added appeal to this scarce issue. Breen estimates the original mintage about 19,192. NGC graded AU-50. View details	Unsold
Lot 943		1854 BG-403. Rarity-8. Round Liberty Half Dollar. AU-50. An extremely rare coin with perhaps three known in all grades. However, there is a small attempted punch mark within the bow of the wreath, and some similar disturbances above Liberty's head. Original color with minor handling marks. Well struck and rarely offered in any grade, and one for the specialist. View details	Realized $2,090
Lot 944		1956 San Francisco Mint Silver Bar. 19.58 oz. 999.75 fine. Ingot #541 (#249 on edge). Beautiful iridescent toning from age. Estimated Value $500-UP. View details	Realized $633
Lot 945		N.D. San Francisco Mint Silver Bar (20.45 ozs) no indication of weight, 999.75 fine, ingot #432 (#2 on edge). An attractive early San Francisco mint bar, quite unusual with no mark of weight. Very popular and quite scarce in this form. Attractively toned. Estimated Value $500-UP. View details	Realized $578