Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 11

Coin and Currency Auction

Early Half Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 939		1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. PCGS graded Fine-12. The present coin has steel gray surfaces and natural color. Liberty has strong hair detail and the coin is well balanced with even wear and no rim or surface problems. Identifiable by a minor scratch up from the high leaf under OF to the rim, and another between the CA of AMERICA. At the center of the reverse there is a partial circle, but we do not believe this to be one of the extremely rare silver plug coins. After examination of photographs by Chris Pilliod and Steve Herrman, neither felt that a silver plug was present, but believed the mark on the eagle to be caused by something else. Further, the 3 known silver plug half dollars are not from this die pairing. Still and nice coin for the grade. Estimated Value $800 - 1,200. From an old family estate which has been off the market for many years. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,323
Lot 940		1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Large 3. EF-40. Plenty of hair detail to justify the grade and problem-free; all, lightly toned. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 941		1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Large 3. Good-5. Nice for the grade, but there are some fresh surface scratches breaking into the toning on the reverse. Estimated Value $90 - 110. View details	Realized $121
Lot 942		1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar. 5 over 4. VF-25. Medium steel gray in color with an average strike for the dies. The edge lettering is blundered. Nice rims and surfaces for the grade, and worthy of a good bid. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 943		1806/5 Draped Bust Half Dollar. PCGS graded AU-55. Perhaps one of the finest known of this variety, it is certainly at the top of the Condition Census published in the 1992 Overton/Parsley reprint on half dollars, and at least tied for the finest seen. Pearl gray throughout, with ample luster near the devices. Well struck, especially on the left side of the obverse, where the stars are strong, and weaker on the right. The overdate feature is present at the top right of the 6, where a small bit of the tip of the flag protrudes above the ball. No adjustment marks or other problems from circulation, and a coin which most collectors will long enjoy. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,070
Lot 944		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Pointed 6, stem through claw. VF-35. This is an early die state with the crack between AM barely visible. Steel gray and clean for the grade, with minor hairlines from a past cleaning. Scarce and seldom found this nice. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $437
Lot 945		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Pointed 6, stem not through claw. NGC graded VF-30. Dark steel gray in color with lighter shades on the devices and darker in the fields. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $322
Lot 946		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Pointed 6, stem not through claw. VF-20. There are a couple of scratches through the upper obverse, and the coin has been cleaned with an abrasive. We note a rim bump by the first star and another above the O in OF. Nicely struck and should retone if given a chance. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $173
Lot 947		1807 Draped Bust Half Dollar. PCGS graded AU-58. One of the finest of this common variety, this one boasts full luster and barely a hint of toning. There is an area of minor encrustation around the ST of STATES and cloud below, but this will serve more to identify this coin than as a flaw. If you want a flashy "headlight" for your collection, then take a look at this well struck example. Nearly the scarce later die state. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,140
Lot 948		1807 Draped Bust Half Dollar. NGC graded VF-30. Dark gray in the fields with lighter devices. The surfaces are clean for the grade, with just a couple of tiny ticks seen. Typical strike for the date. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $334
Lot 949		1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Small stars. EF-40. John Reich came to the United States as an indentured servant in order to escape the Napoleonic Wars, soon he was one of the finest engravers in the United States and was known to Mint Officials by 1801. However, Mint Engraver Robert Scot did all he could to keep Reich out of the Mint, and thus Scot insured his continued employment. By 1807 Scot's failing eyesight had become enough of a concern to Mint officials that they overruled Scot and Reich was hired as an Assistant Engraver for $600 per year (Breen's Encyclopedia). Reich was given the assignment to redesign silver and gold coinage. One of the first denominations was the half dollar, which employed a buxom rendition of Liberty wearing a cap of freedom, with a relaxed American eagle on the reverse. During 1807, some of the obverse dies employed large stars, others small stars as seen on this coin. It is widely believed that Reich "signed" his dies by using a star in the final position with a small notch on the outer point facing the rim. This particular coin retains some luster in the fields and is generally untoned save for the periphery which shows some gray and blue tones. Average hairlines. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $776
Lot 950		1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large stars. EF-40. A late die state that shows extensive cracks on the obverse and well developed cracks on the reverse too. Nicely struck by the dies, with nice surfaces for the grade. Liberty's face has an area of roughness which extends down to her chest. Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $805
Lot 951		1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large stars, 50 over 20. VF-30. Light steel gray in color and average for the grade. We see moderate hairlines and minimal handling marks on both sides. The upper left curl of the 2 is plainly visible left of the 5 in the denomination. A good strike, with full stars and adequate definition on Liberty's curls and on the eagle's feathers. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details	Realized $391
Lot 952		1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large stars, 50 over 20. VF-25. The Bearded Goddess variety is so named because of the unusual die break which connects Liberty's chin with her chest. On this particular coin the die break is extensive, continuing down to the rim left of the date, and up through the E of LIBERTY in her cap. Dark steel gray in color, with minor wipe lines as nearly always seen on Bust half dollars. Two rim knocks, one above her cap, the other right of the C in the denomination. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,006
Lot 953		1808 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 8 over 7. EF-40. Nice color and surfaces save for moderate hairlines which blend will in well with the steel gray color with blue at the edge. Lighter shades on the face and neck, as well as the upper curls. One tick above Liberty's cap on the edge. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $253
Lot 954		1808 Capped Bust Half Dollar. MS-63. Glowing luster and well struck for this early date. Still white from a recent dipping, but enough luster remains to dazzle the eye. These early date half dollars are always in feverish demand, and for good reason, they are rare! One for the date collector or variety specialist. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,668
Lot 955		1808 Capped Bust Half Dollar. AU-50. This one is silvery-white with good luster and a bit of toning on the upper obverse. Minor adjustment marks through the central reverse. Average strike for the variety, hence weak at the centers. Moderate hairlines when examined, but no other faults worth noting. Estimated Value $350 - 450. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $604
Lot 956		1809 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal edge. The 1809 grades VF-30 and is a nice steel gray coin, with the usual weakness on the left wing of the eagle and the 1810 grades VF-25. Both are nice for the grade. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $265
Lot 957		1809 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Experimental edge, "IIIII" between words. AU-50. This is the scarcer late die state of this variety that shows lumps along the crack through AMERICA and the top two arrowheads. Examination notes that the surfaces have been cleaned or lightly polished long ago, and gold toning has returned to the periphery. There is a series of faint scratches on the central obverse but these should continue to tone over if given a chance. A decent coin for the grade. Estimated Value $350 - 450. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 958		1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 11 over 10. VF-30. A choice coin for the grade that boasts hints of luster in the stars and delicate gold toning there, with blues near the edge and steel gray for the balance. One tiny tick above Liberty's cap and another below the denomination on the edge. Quality surfaces that show few signs of cleaning or handling otherwise. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $207
Lot 959		1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Small 8. EF-45. Silvery-gray in color with nice luster in the protected areas. Delicate blue and gold toning around the periphery and an average strike, with weak stars on the left. A problem-free example that is very eye appealing and downright nice for the grade. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $345
Lot 960		1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large 8. AU-55. One of the prettiest coins in this extensive collection, the surfaces retain much of the original luster and the coin has light gold and blue toning around the periphery. Under a strong glass a couple of thin hairlines can be seen on Liberty, and some goofball tried to remove a planchet flaw on Liberty's chest with a pin, but this is very tiny. A coin many will love. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 961		1812 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 2 over 1, small 8. EF-40. Medium steel gray in color and well struck by the dies. A late die state which exhibits clash marks and the die crack through the date, and with devices drawn towards the edge. Some of the edge letters caused low areas on the reverse rim, and these are not rim marks, but are a function of worn dies and wobbly equipment, as the low areas correspond to the edge device lettering. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $276
Lot 962		1812 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal date. ANACS graded Sharpness of AU-50 Net EF 40. Steel gray with rather extensive hairlines from a past cleaning. No rim bumps or other problems. Estimated Value $80 - 100. View details	Realized $109
Lot 963		1812 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal date. AU-50. Excellent luster in the fields and quite nice for the grade. Alluring gold toning around the periphery fades to brilliant white at the centers of each side, the reverse with a bit less toning. Problem free surfaces that show faint hairlines and no other significant problems. Later die state with all the noted cracks present plus an additional crack on the obverse through the first star, Liberty's drapery, to the top serif of the first 1 in the date. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details	Realized $311
Lot 964		1812, 1825, 1830 and 1834 Bust Half Dollars. These each grade from Good to Very Fine, and most have been cleaned with resulting hairlines. Lot of 4 coins. Estimated Value $100 - 125. View details	Realized $121
Lot 965		1813 Capped Bust Half Dollar. AU-50. This is a nice example of the scarce early die state of this variety. The coin is toned a an even gray color on the obverse, while the reverse is both russet and green in color. We note a long pin scratch across Liberty's chest nearly to her lower curl, but it is hidden by the toning. Moderate hairlines on both sides, as nearly always seen, but they are toned over and not too distracting. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details	Realized $230
Lot 966		1813 Capped Bust Half Dollar. AU-50. This is a nice example of one of the more shattered dies of the series. The obverse die is cracked heavily through the date and stars, while the reverse is similarly cracked, and both dies show heavy clash marks. Obviously, no new dies were available when a large quotient of Bust half dollars needed to be produced. Examination will show moderate hairlines from a past cleaning, and this one has been more harshly cleaned than most, but still retains some luster. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details	Realized $219
Lot 967		1813 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 50C over "UNI". EF-45. One of the classic errors of the period and highly sought-after by a multitude of collectors. This particular example is light silvery-gray in color, and is just starting to tone back from a light polishing. We note a thin pin scratch encircling both the obverse and reverse, above the lettering and devices, nearly to the dentils. Moderate handling marks on both sides, and a couple of small dings on the edge. Better than we make it sound, but one to be inspected first before bidding. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details	Realized $230
Lot 968		1814 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 4 over 3. AU-50. A classic example of this scarce and popular coin, the overdate is clear with the upper bar of the 3 easily visible at the top of the 4. The obverse and reverse die show strong clash marks and cracks. As to the surfaces, this coin is very nice, we see no major signs of contact or rim bumps, just the usual and ever-present hairlines in the fields, but they are relatively light. Estimated Value $550 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 969		1814 Capped Bust Half Dollar. E over A in "STATES". AU-55. A lustrous beauty that has gunmetal blue in areas but is mostly steel gray. Well struck from cracked and clashed dies, the only weakness is on the eagle's neck and left wing, which is diagnostic for this variety. The featured E over A in STATES is quite clear, as always, and long listing in the Guide Book has keep demand high for this variety. Minor breaks in the toning on the face and chest of Liberty, in the areas where the wear naturally occurs. An impressive example of this sought-after coin. Estimated Value $650 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 970		1814 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. VF-35. One of more popular varieties in this die state as the upper pair of olive leaves has been reduced to a single leaf by heavy die lapping. This coin is toned a dark gray in color, with lighter silver on the upper devices, and a minor stain above Liberty's cap. A few minor surface scratches, expected for the grade. Always in strong demand because of its long listing in the Guide Book and popular with variety collectors as well. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $242
Lot 971		1814 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. The O-102 grades EF-40, but has been cleaned and retoned with dark gold and blue at the periphery, while the 1814 O-108a grades EF-40 and is a pleasing gray color. A nice pair overall. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $288
Lot 972		1815 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 5 over 2. EF-40. This coin has been cleaned and carefully retoned with deep blue and gold around the periphery and bright silver at the centers. Moderate handling marks and hairlines, as well as a minor rim ding at the point of the middle arrowhead. Struck from clashed dies, as are virtually all seen of this date. Why were so few minted in 1815? The War of 1812 had resulted in an embargo by the British fleet of American ports, and the importation of copper planchets from Englands Boulton & Watt firm, had been halted, and the embargo continued through 1815. During a war, the uncertainties of the outcome cause people to hoard cash, especially gold and silver. Thus, very little gold or silver was given to the Philadelphia Mint for coining, and coinage came to a virtual halt. Further, the Mint had a terrible fire in January of 1816, which curtailed coinage until late 1817. Hence, 47,150 half dollars were produced in 1815, a fraction of prior years issues. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,070
Lot 973		1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 7 over 3. EF-40. This coin has good eye appeal and some luster near the devices. However, close examination notes light surface scratches across the high points of the obverse which appear fresh in nature. In time, the coin should continue to tone and these will not be as distracting. One of the most visible overdates in American numismatics, the 7/3 feature is plain to the unaided eye. We note a very late die state with extensive clashing, including ERICA through the last few stars, the denomination above Liberty's cap, wings from the eagle in the field, and rusted dies in evidence. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $529
Lot 974		1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Dated 181.7. The O-103 grades VF-35 and the next two each grade VF-30, although the O-113 has been burnished to remove scratches. Still a nice group. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $225 - 300. View details	Realized $368
Lot 975		1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 8 over 7, small 8. EF-45. This coin is dark in color but actually shows little wear on the devices. Hairlines are present and can still be seen through the toning, but they are no worse than usual. Clean rims and surfaces otherwise, and this well struck coin has the details of a higher grade. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details	Realized $483
Lot 976		1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 8 over 7, large 8. EF-40. Well struck by the dies and generally well preserved. We note luster around the stars, and moderate hairlines from circulation. A middle die state with the obverse crack from star 11 to the curls, but not the reverse crack through the denomination. The reverse has scattered dark spots, otherwise it has light golden toning. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details	Realized $127
Lot 977		1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. EF-45. Cleaned, now with moderate hairlines and a touch of luster remaining near the devices. Retoned with pretty gold shades around the periphery. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details	Realized $109
Lot 978		1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. EF-40. A rare variety that is seldom cherrypicked. This one had some very faint marks in the left obverse field which have been carefully buffed down. Further, the coin was cleaned, leaving moderate hairlines throughout. Now toned a dark steel gray, we see no other flaws and note that the hair details on Liberty are very strong. An impressive example of this variety. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $144
Lot 979		1819 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Small 9 over 8. MS-60+. Here is a rare coin in any grade, and this one may well be up in the Condition Census. Good luster in the fields with some light gold toning forming on both sides. The overdate is clear, and the diagnostic line over the second 1 is clear. Mottled gold on the reverse. Well struck for the variety and we expect a lot of interest when this one crosses the block. Estimated Value $1,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,898
Lot 980		1819 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Small 9 over 8. EF-45. Medium to dark gray in color with deep golden shades mixed in. A few minor handling marks at the center of the obverse and some fresh scratches there too. Nicely struck and overall pleasing. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $288
Lot 981		1819 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large 9 over 8. AU-53. A highly appealing example which has beautiful blue shades at the rims and russet at the centers. Well preserved and without a flaw. Lightly wiped, as always, but free of bumps or bruises. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $288
Lot 982		1819 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. ICG graded MS-61. A most beautiful toned coin which boasts deep sea green and blue around the periphery, and brighter silver at the center, perfectly matched and balanced on each side. Minor friction on the high points, as usually seen on this grade. Good luster, and minor handling marks and hairlines throughout. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 983		1819 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. VF-25. Medium to light gray in color with darker highlights around the edge. Moderate hairlines. Estimated Value $75 - 100. View details	Realized $63
Lot 984		1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 20 over 19, square 2. EF-45. This one has been cleaned with the resulting hairlines on the surfaces, but some luster remains. Starting to retone with gold around the rims. Well struck on both sides. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details	Realized $253
Lot 985		1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 20 over 19, curl 2. NGC graded AU-58. Stark white in color, with copious luster in the fields. Minor weakness at the center on Liberty's curls. A popular overdate in very high grade. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 986		1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 20 over 19, curl 2. EF-45. Nicely struck by the dies and retaining a fair amount of luster in the fields. Moderate hairlines as usually seen, and starting to tone with light gold around the edge. A truly obvious overdate. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details	Realized $460
Lot 987		1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Curl base 2, small date. EF-40. The recut second T of STATES is clear on this early die state. Nice peripheral gold color and clean surfaces, but the usual hairlines are present. The edge is blundered, and reads FIFTY CE DOLLAR. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $414
Lot 988		1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Square base, knobbed 2, large date. VF-30. Medium gray in color with colorful shades around the periphery. Moderate hairlines as too often seen, and we note a rim bump over R of AMERICA. Estimated Value $100 - 125. View details	Realized $132

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