Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 16

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

$2.50 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 914		1796 $2.50 Capped Bust. No stars on obverse. PCGS graded AU-55. A stellar example of this first year and type of issue, struck during the Winter months of 1796. We note decent luster in the fields, and there are some trivial adjustment marks on the obverse rim, mostly on the right side, but a few are present in her hair. Unusually well struck for the issue, with a full E on LIBERTY, which is often weak as that letter is located just behind the eagle's broad and deeply engraved tail. A similar situation occurred on 1805 quarters, where the similar design produced a notoriously weak E or R on LIBERTY. This one is sharply struck, as stated, with excellent details on Liberty's curls, and the reverse is totally sharp and without a sign of weakness. Identifiable by a small pit in the right obverse field, midway between Liberty's neck and the rim and a thin scratch from the back of Liberty's head to the rim left of the L. Toned a rich light gold color on both sides. Philadelphia Mint records indicated a grand total of 963 of these were produced before the stars were added to the obverse. Naturally, few survive in top grades, and this one is certainly a memorable offering. PCGS has graded 21 this high, with 27 a notch higher in AU-58, then the numbers fall off the map, with just 3 graded as MS-61, 1 in MS-62 and a sole MS-65 sitting atop the grading mountain all by itself. A crowning achievement for a collector to obtain, and worthy of the finest collection in the land. Estimated Value $50,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $58,650
Lot 915		1830 $2.50 Capped Head. NGC graded MS-63. Reflective bright yellow gold in color and boldly struck by the dies. We note the surfaces show very few signs of handling and the color is even and fresh. Around the first star the fields are slightly low, perhaps the die had some grease in this area, or this might be a striking characteristic, but this will help identify this specimen in the future. The U of UNITED is recut to the left. A rare and desirable coin in every way, and a very rare type issue in choice grades. NGC has graded 4 of this date as MS-63, with 3 graded a notch higher and at the top a small group of 6 in MS-65, with none higher. In NGC holder #555491-006. Estimated Value $10,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,225
Lot 916		1835 $2.50 Classic Head. NGC graded MS-62. A rare mint state example of the Classic head quarter eagle, this one retains prooflike fields and minimal handling marks. The central areas are not all that well struck, with softness on the upper curls of Liberty and similar weakness on the shield and leg of the eagle, but the wings and stars are all sharp. Flashy enough to be appealing, and yet not so high a grade as to break the bank. Perfect for the type collector. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,760
Lot 917		1836 $2.50 Classic Head. Script 8. ANACS graded EF-45. Average color and surfaces for the grade. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details	Realized $391
Lot 918		1843-C $2.50 Liberty. Large date, plain 4. EF-45. Moderate handling marks on both sides, and we note a dig in the hair near the I of LIBERTY. A scarce coin in higher grades. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $863
Lot 919		1843-O $2.50 Liberty. Small date, crosslet 4. NGC graded AU-53. A pretty coin for the grade, with nice surfaces and color. We note a minor obverse planchet lamination which is present on the far left side, with a small raised area at the rim, and a fissure through a star into the field. Estimated Value $400 - 450. View details	Realized $357
Lot 920		1847 $2.50 Liberty. Sharpness of MS-60 but cleaned long ago. In addition, we note recutting above the 1 and the 47 as well, with heavy die file lines on the rim below the date. Breen suggests the bizarre recuttings seen from this period are a result of political protests at the Philadelphia Mint. The old family organization had suddenly been turned upside down after Christian Gobrecht's death and the hiring of an outsider, James Barton Longacre. Breen believes it was Longacre himself who created all the mispunched dates from the period as he was the engraver at the time. Perhaps it was Mint workers who sought to undermine Longacre's career at the Mint, by producing blunders on every die available when the dates were punched into place, the balance of the design elements punched in by master hubs. Whoever caused these comedy of errors at least produced a large number of very popular varieties for collectors of today to pursue. Here is a delightful example, the date shows minor recutting, but someone obviously flipped the 1 punch upside down and pounded a portion of it into the field at Liberty's neck! The portion of the 1 visible is quite easily made out with a magnifier. The surfaces show minor hairlines from a wiping with a soft cloth, and the devices show minor weakness on the usual high points of both sides. An impressive coin that a collector can long appreciate. Estimated Value $1,500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 921		1851-C $2.50 Liberty. ICG graded AU-50. Sharply struck on all devices, but the surfaces show light roughness and a few stray handling marks, and this one may have been lost and recovered from an environment other than a collectors loving hand. Nevertheless, this is a rare date and a very difficult coin to find in high grades. Yellow gold in color with a trace of haze. Mintage of only 14,923, most of which were lost or circulated to much lower grades. Estimated Value $2,400 - 2,700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,415
Lot 922		1855 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63, 5% Off Center @ 5:00. Superb mint bloom and excellent color throughout. Liberty's profile is particularly choice, and her cheek and hair show no signs of handling. Obviously, this one was set aside at the time of issue and remains in choice condition to this day. This one might have graded higher were it not for faint hairlines in the reverse field. A spectacular and rare item the likes of which we have not seen before. Gold errors are extremely rare, the mints were very careful about inspecting all gold coins once they were struck and very, very few errors are known. How this one escaped is a mystery, but here it is. We note there is reeding on the edge, so it was apparently struck within the collar, although it is hard to see in the holder. Certain to be a highlight in an advanced error specialty collection and a coin which is undoubtedly unique. Estimated Value $10,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,625
Lot 923		1856-S $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-64. One of few near gems to survive of this date, a collector will delight in the mint fresh luster and sharp strike. Clean surfaces as well, and this one must have just missed the gem grade at PCGS. We note in their Population Report that only 7 have been graded this high, with 2 in the next grade above, and one monster gem MS-67 at the very top. Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,800
Lot 924		1861 $2.50 Liberty. MS-60. A frosty, lustrous example that is well struck. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details	Realized $604
Lot 925		1870 $2.50 Liberty. EF-45. This one has been wiped with a slightly abrasive cloth, with the usual resulting hairlines on the surfaces. A scarce date and fairly typical of a circulated quarter eagle of the period. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $449
Lot 926		1905 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-65. Glowing mint luster on both sides and boldly struck. The fields and surfaces are pristine, keeping this coin solidly in the gem class. Scarce this nice, and a delight to behold. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,093
Lot 927		1905 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-63. Light haze and lustrous, with a few fritzies in the fields. Estimated Value $475 - 525. View details	Realized $529
Lot 928		1905 $2.50 Liberty. SEGS graded MS-64. Bright and lustrous, with problem free surfaces throughout. Estimated Value $400 - 450. View details	Realized $460
Lot 929		1906 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. Here is a coin worthy of a king's ransom as it truly represents the greatness and superb quality that can be done at the Mint. The devices show a reflective frost, as the technique evolved for making proofs early in the last century every few years. In 1900 for instance, the devices were heavily frosted and the fields totally reflective. By 1902, an all mirror finish was used, and the devices did not have the frosty appearance. By 1906 the Philadelphia Mint had gone back towards the frosted devices, well mirrored fields as seen in prior years. Soon the new matte finish and Roman finish would be tried as the designs of the gold coins were changed. If you would like a really special gem example for your type or date collection, then we feel this coin would make a handsome addition. The surfaces are pristine, and the strike is full and complete. As to rarity, NGC has graded 16 as Cameo Proof 66, with just 4 higher in the Cameo designation. In NGC holder #626602-001. Estimated Value $11,000 - 13,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $10,925
Lot 930		1906 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-66. Glowing luster throughout with a trace of haze from nearly the last century of tender loving care. Toned with orange gold hues, and pristine in every way. PCGS has graded 141 as such, with only 18 graded higher, all MS-67 above. As nice as a collector could reasonably hope to find, and afford! Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,725
Lot 931		1906 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63. Light hairlines and a touch of haze over luster. Estimated Value $425 - 475. View details	Realized $552
Lot 932		1908 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. A glowing near gem that boasts rich orange gold luster and a sharp strike. This is the first year of issue, and although common in most grades, is always in demand in this near gem grade level. Estimated Value $900 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 933		1908 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-62. Bright and lustrous. Estimated Value $200 - 235. View details	Realized $345
Lot 934		1908 $2.50 Indian. MS-60+. Nice surfaces and color for the grade. Estimated Value $190 - 225. View details	Realized $604
Lot 935		1908 $2.50 Indian. AU-58. Estimated Value $160 - 170. View details	Realized $173
Lot 936		1911 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-63. Light yellow gold in color and choice. Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details	Realized $805
Lot 937		1911 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-63. Beautiful luster and light gold toning. Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details	Realized $834
Lot 938		1911-D $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. The ultimate key date of the Indian quarter eagle series, very few are found in top grades, and we note that PCGS has graded only 162 this high, with a scant 12 graded higher! Full blazing luster on both sides, with the D Mintmark sharp and bold. None of the usual problems which so often plague this issue, as the fields and devices are very clean. An impressive example of this rarity. Estimated Value $12,000 - 14,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,225
Lot 939		1911-D $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-63. The key date to the series in choice mint state condition. Rarely are these found in gem, and even a point higher these get very expensive. Here is a frosty and lustrous example that should please the specialist. The D Mintmark is fairly strong on this one. Estimated Value $8,500 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $9,775
Lot 940		1913 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded Proof 67. Tied for the finest graded by both NGC and PCGS, with a combined PF-67 population of 3 coins, and importantly, there are none graded higher. Hence, if you demand the best, and there simply aren't any finer, then here is a delectable piece of caviar for the finest collection. The finish on these is a fine sandblast proof. Nearly perfect surfaces, and certainly one of the finest to survive of a mintage of 165 pieces. In NGC holder number 567450-007. Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 941		1914 $2.50 Indian. MS-60. A few hairlines. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $184
Lot 942		1914-D $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. A very nice coin for the grade, with pretty coppery gold toning and good luster throughout. Fully struck by the dies, and we note that this one is in an old PCGS holder with the green insert. Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,335
Lot 943		1915 $2.50 Indian. Both are lustrous. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Realized $661
Lot 944		1925-D $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. This one is very nice for the grade, the fields, surfaces and color are without a flaw or fault, which is why it is given our version of the happy collector award, the "premium quality" seal of approval. Estimated Value $900 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 945		1925-D $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. Lovely orange gold luster and sharp. Pleasing in every way. Estimated Value $900 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 946		1926 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-65. Especially bright and fresh, with fiery sunset gold color on both sides over frosty luster. An amazing example for the date collector. PCGS has graded 336 this high, with 29 higher. Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,415
Lot 947		1926 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-62. Hazy luster. Estimated Value $220 - 240. View details	Realized $311
Lot 948		1927 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-64. Bright and fresh, and nearly a gem. Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $834
Lot 949		1928 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-65. A scarce gem example of this seemingly common date. Examination of the PCGS Population Report tells the story, in this grade they've seen 204 coins, any better is nearly impossible, as just 9 have been graded higher, all MS-66! Flashy and coppery orange in color. Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,358
Lot 950		1928 $2.50 Indian. MS-63. Bright and lustrous. Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details	Realized $506
Lot 951		1928 $2.50 Indian. MS-63. Mint fresh surfaces, and this one was put away about 20 years ago and never touched! Nice. Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details	Realized $483
Lot 952		Withdrawn	Unsold