Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 135

The Pre-Long Beach Sale June

$2.50 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 714		1797. PCGS graded AU-55. BD-1. Premium Quality. Well struck by the dies and with incredible eye appeal for this rarely seen issue. The surfaces are smooth and attractive, with prooflike fields on both sides. There are no adjustment marks apparent and the ever present die crack in the right obverse field is thin, confirming that this was likely one of the earlier coins struck of the 427 pieces produced to represent the year. The rarity of this issue is legendary. Roughly an equal to the 1796 with stars quarter eagle, with both of these issues recording a mintage of just over 400 pieces. Today about 25 to 29 of these 1797 quarter eagles are known, the 1796 with stars obverse is represented by 40 to 50 known, perhaps more were saved as the first of their kind when issued. Today the 1797 quarter eagle is considered one of the most underrated rarities of all quarter eagles, and deserves all the attention that it can be given. The obverse die immediately shows the vertical crack in the right obverse field, all known examples have this crack, and in later strikings the crack becomes more severe, likely limiting the issue. No other dies were used in 1797 to strike additional quarter eagles. The reverse die was probably engraved in 1796, as the style is of that year, with sixteen tiny stars over the eagle to represent the sixteen states in the union at that time. A noteworthy fact is the obverse has 13 stars while the reverse has 16 stars, reflecting the Mint's changing policy of adding stars as new states joined the Union, which halted after 16 stars, and reverted to the original 13 colonies to be representative of all the future states. The BD-1 is an extremely rare variety. Pop 2; only 7 examples are graded by PCGS, the other 7 examples are: 3 in 58, 1 in 60, 1 in 61 and 2 in 62. Estimated Value $90,000 - 100,000 Ex Auction 80, Lot 886; Ex Auction 84, Lot 853, sold for $15,400. The Americana Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $111,000
Lot 715		1806, 6 over 5, BD-2, Rarity-5+. PCGS graded AU-55. CAC. BD-2, Star 7x6. Premium Quality. This coin exhibits brilliant and nearly complete luster and frosty surfaces. Here is a very rare coin in any grade, an important overdate issue which is seldom found at all, let alone in this near mint state condition with a nearly 150 year continuess pedigree. This issue must have been some sort of priorty striking as the Phildelphia Mint workers took the extraordinary step of taking a hardened and previously used obverse die, in this case from the 1805 quarter eagle and reheated it, and punched a 6 over the 5 in the date, rehardened it, and put it into production. This process of taking an already hardened die that had been used to strike coins, and one with a die crack no less through the date (!) from the 1805 strikings, was a most extraordinary measure, and current research believes that only about a dozen such examples exist of reworking an already hardened die through the history of coin production at our various mints. The gist of this problem is that die steel once hardened, is not good for much else than striking coins, by reheating the hardened die, it often cracks and the steel becomes brittle and prone to die cracks and shattering. Perhaps because of the extremely limited production of the quarter eagles, this unusual process was undertaken, and here is the result. Notice the thin die crack from stars five into the tops of LI of LIBERTY, as this weakened die certainly did not have many strikes left in its future. The mintage of the 1806/5 quarter eagle is estimated to be 480 pieces, of which between 25 and 35 pieces are known today in all grades. For the few that did survive, this is a typical grade, better than some, with a touch more circulation than others. Examination of the surfaces finds little to fault, just a whisper of wear on the high points, no distracting handling marks or adjustments. Rich and attractive orange gold color thoughout and a solid strike. This coin has oas only been offered for sale three times in the past 150 years, so don't expect another opportunity to land this incredible example of this prized rarity. An exceptional example, it sure looks AU-58 to us. Pop 4; a total of 8 finer examples are graded at PCGS, the other examples are: 5 in 58, 1 in 60, 1 in 61, 1 in 62. Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000 Ex Harold P. Newlin, Dec 31, 1885; Ex Garrett Collection, Lot 940; Ex Paramount Auction 84, Lot 856, July 25, 1984. The Americana Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $93,000
Lot 716		1808. PCGS graded AU-50. CAC. BD-1. Premium Quality. Some of original luster remain within the design recesses, illuminating a hint of tone. Strongly detailed, especially for the hair, feathers, and shield details. Free of adjustment marks and showing a great eye-appeal. This is an amazing rarity, only 2,710 piece were struck for circulation and this is a one year type coin. Quarter eagles were not struck after this 1808 until 1821 when the design changed. Thus type collectors must obtain one of these elusive 1808 quarter eagles to complete their type collections. Today perhaps 125 to 150 are known in all grades, and this one is nearer the top coins than average. Designed by John Reich, who came to the Philadelphia Mint 1807 for a decade of service, Reich redesigned all of our coins during his tenure. This quarter eagle is reflective of his half dollar design launched in 1807 with a bold cap on Liberty which is inscribed LIBERTY, and her head faces left and is wearing a dress that has a clasp on her shoulder. Her hair tumbles down in loose curls, and the is surrounded by thirteen stars with the date below her bust. For the reverse Reich chose a standing eagle with wings outstretched, his breast covered by a sturdy shield, and in each claw is clasped the arriws for war (in his left claw), while the preference for peaace is noted in the right claw of the olive branch Surrounding the eagle is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and just above his head is E PLURIBUS UNUM on a raised ribbon. Below the eagle is 2 1/2 D for the denomination. Reich's design is nothing short of elegant and captures the Federalist time period in all its glory. This is one of the most sought-after type coins in the entire catalog of United States issues for its rarity and importance. Just graded for the first time at PCGS, a very nice example for the given grade. Pop 8; Only 43 finer examples at PCGS, the best being an incredible MS-65. Estimated Value $100,000 - UP The Americana Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $174,000
Lot 717		1856. PCGS graded AU-55. Well struck and lightly toned (PCGS # 7777) Estimated Value $500 - UP View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $612
Lot 718		1861-S. PCGS graded Fine-15. CAC. Only 24,000 struck and a Premium Quality coin for the assigned grade (PCGS # 7795) Estimated Value $400 - UP View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $720
Lot 719		1870-S. PCGS graded Genuine Details of Extremely Fine, Mount Removed. Also polished on the surfaces (PCGS # 7812) Estimated Value $225 - 250 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $348
Lot 720		1908. PCGS graded AU-58. Premium Quality. Lightly toned. A choice example (PCGS # 7939) Estimated Value $375 - 400 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $432
Lot 721		1910. PCGS graded AU-50. A lightly toned example (PCGS # 7941) Estimated Value $300 - 325 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $408
Lot 722		1915. PCGS graded AU-58. A mostly untoned example (PCGS # 7948) Estimated Value $300 - 325 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $432
Lot 723		1925-D. PCGS graded MS-63. (PCGS # 7949) Estimated Value $1 - UP The Santa Barbara Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $552
Lot 724		1926. PCGS graded MS-62. Lovely golden toning on both sides (PCGS # 7950) Estimated Value $375 - 400 The Santa Barbara Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $456
Lot 725		1927. PCGS graded MS-63. Lovely golden toning on both sides (PCGS # 7951) Estimated Value $400 - 425 The Santa Barbara Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $624
Lot 726		1929. PCGS graded MS-61. A nice untoned example (PCGS # 7953) Estimated Value $375 - 400 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $438