Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 17

Coin Auction

U.S. Bust Half Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 514		Flowing Hair Half Dollar. 1795, O-106, R-6. ICG graded Good-6. A rare die pairing that boasts a strong bisecting die crack on the reverse, from the first T in STATES through the I of AMERICA, right through the eagle's neck! Medium silver gray in color, with scattered surface marks including a small nest of ticks below the left wing of the eagle. Uneven wear, with a few of the right obverse stars worn smooth, but other device details and lettering is present. Estimated Value $375 - 425. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 515		Draped Bust Half Dollar. 1797. O-102, R-5. PCGS graded VF-30. Decades of research and the raw data gathering of the Population Reports have confirmed that the Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar is one of the rarest of the major type coins of all denominations. Locating a properly graded example is always a challenge, and when found, they are seldom offered at a discount! This particular example is a very light silvery gray color with traces of gold around the periphery. The surfaces are free of adjustment marks or similar problems. Close examination will note the usual surface ticks and marks from circulation, and we point out an area of faint discoloration at the left ribbon end. In all grades, PCGS has graded 63 of this date, most of which grade in VF-35 or lower. The curls on Liberty are strong and the eagle retains substantial detail on his wing feathers, although the breast feathers are worn away by limited circulation. Housed in an old green insert PCGS holder (PCGS # 6060) . Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $33,925
Lot 516		Draped Bust Half Dollar. 1803. Large 3, O-103, R-3. NGC graded AU-50. Traces of luster in the fields and generally a light silver color, with some darker hues at the obverse and reverse periphery. Fully struck on the reverse, although we note minor weakness on Liberty herself. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,840
Lot 517		Draped Bust Half Dollar. 1806, O-109a, R-4. NGC graded AU-58. This is the no stem through claw variety. Abundant luster and toned with pleasing gold and blue on both sides. We note some light pitting in Liberty's hair. Estimated Value $2,500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 518		Draped Bust Half Dollar. 1806, 6 over 5, O-101, R-3. PCGS graded AU-50. Antique gray and blue toning for the obverse, golden gray on the reverse for this scarce overdate issue. Nicely struck with good definition on Liberty's hair and complete stars above the eagle on the reverse. A nice example for the specialist. The overdate feature is faint, but can be seen with a glass (PCGS # 6077) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,185
Lot 519		Draped Bust Half Dollar. 1806. Pointed 6, stem through claw. O-118a, R-3. PCGS graded MS-63. The reverse cracks are light, but present enough to call this example the "a" die state. Toned with lilac gray hues with blue and green iridescence near the periphery and rose gold at the centers. As to the strike, it is decent on most of the coin, but weak on Liberty's ribbon and on the left wing of the eagle near the shield. PCGS in their Population Report note 9 graded this high with 5 as MS-64, 7 as MS-65, and one each as MS-66 and MS-67 at the very top of their Report (PCGS # 6071) . Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $10,925
Lot 520		Draped Bust Half Dollar. 1806. Pointed 6, stem through claw. O-118a, R-3. PCGS graded AU-58. Deep golden gray in color with luster remaining in the fields. We note the strike is fairly sharp on the curls and most of the stars, despite the shattered die state and heavy clash marks. Nice surfaces throughout, without a flaw worthy of note. An impressive example of you love toned coins (PCGS # 6071) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,795
Lot 521		Draped Bust Half Dollar. 1806. Pointed 6, stem through claw, O-115a, R-2. PCGS graded AU-53. Lovely deep blue and green iridescent toning around the periphery with lighter gold towards the centers. Abundant luster on both sides. Struck from lightly cracked dies on the obverse, as often seen for this common variety. Perfect for the type collector (PCGS # 6071) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,220
Lot 522		Draped Bust Half Dollar. 1806. Pointed 6, stem not through claw. O-109a, R-4. NGC graded AU-58. Luster glows up from beneath the dark blue and gray toning on both sides. Struck from rusted dies, but sharp enough to bring up most of Liberty's curls and the stars over the eagle's head on the reverse. Although a fairly common variety, this later die state is scarcer. Curiously the engraver forgot to engrave the branch stem which normally is seen through the eagle's claw extending well below. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,220
Lot 523		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1808, O-104, R-2. PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. This early Capped Bust half dollar is bathed in luster and very bright. On the reverse we see a light golden tone over the surfaces while the obverse remains snowy white. Sharp too, with full details on Liberty's uppermost curls and each star shows full radial lines. Identifiable by a tiny drift mark just touching Liberty's lower ear lobe, and this was caused by a faint streak in the planchet. Scarce this nice, with the PCGS Population Report showing 11 graded as MS-64 and 12 higher (best MS-67) (PCGS # 6090) . Estimated Value $3,500-UP. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,795
Lot 524		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1813. 50C over "UNI", O-101, R-2. PCGS graded VF-20. Natural lilac gray in color with lighter areas on the devices. Well struck and preserved (PCGS # 6104) . Estimated Value $80 - 100. View details Check results on similar lots	Realized $144
Lot 525		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1819, 1826 and 1828 Capped Bust half dollars, all grade VF-20. Each is toned. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $120 - 140. View details	Realized $173
Lot 526		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1821. PCGS graded MS-60. Medium to dark gray in color with areas of rich gold toning as well. A few scattered handling marks account for the grade, but nicer than one would expect (PCGS # 6128) . Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $978
Lot 527		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1822, 2 over 1, O-101, R-1. NGC graded MS-64. A highly appealing coin that boasts rich sunset gold toning near the devices in the fields, and touches of blue near the rims. Light gray luster and very pleasing. No doubt one of the finest of this variety, and in demand for the overdate as well. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 528		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1824, O-117, R-1. PCGS graded MS-65 Premium Quality. Delicate blue and gold tones over copious luster on this gem. The toning is complete and well organized, and spans both the obverse and reverse in appealing circles. Fully struck by the dies, each star is sharp to the center, and the curls on Liberty show minute separation imparted by the dies. Similar on the reverse, where the eagle's feathers are exceptionally sharp. Apparently an early die state, and likely tied for one of the very finest known of the variety. As to the PCGS population report, it shows 9 graded as MS-65 and just 3 higher, all MS-66 (PCGS # 6137) . Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,900
Lot 529		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1826. NGC graded MS-66. A simply superb example of this early Bust half dollar, which is not only fully struck, and boasts great color, but is a high end gem as well! Simply put, this must be one of the finest bust half dollars to have been graded. The colors will delight the collector, and the surfaces will command a worthy premium. Estimated Value $6,750-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,050
Lot 530		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1827, 7 over 6. NGC graded MS-66. A truly fantastic specimen, well struck with all the curls on Liberty well defined. The undisturbed frosty mint surfaces are over laid with a natural blending of grayish-violet and gold. We note that the population reports lists this as the sole specimen in this grade with none higher. Estimated Value $7,000 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,763
Lot 531		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1827, 7 over 6, O-102, R-1. PCGS graded MS-61. A rare date in mint state, and we note that this one resides in an older green insert PCGS holder. Nice steel gray in color, with a decent strike on all but a few of the lower reverse devices. Better surfaces than one might expect for the moderate grade (PCGS # 6147) . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 532		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1830, O-122, R-1. ACG graded MS-64. A very appealing coin that boasts medium gray toning and bright peripheral gold on both sides. Faint marks on the face, and well struck. Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 533		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1831, O-109, R-1. PCGS graded MS-65. Lovely bluish rose toning on both sides of this delightful gem, likely from an old coin cabinet or Wayte Raymond holder. Delicate luster beneath the hues, which comes alive when examined under a light. We note a few minor planchet lines from the rolling process, which can be seen along an approximately vertical axis. Sharp for the date, with minimal weakness on the scroll and stars. Scarce this nice, the recent PCGS Population Report shows 35 graded MS-65 of the date and just 4 higher, all MS-66 above. A delight for the type collector who demands gem grades for their collection (PCGS # 6159) . Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,520
Lot 534		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1832. NGC graded MS-65. O-103. Well struck and frosty with remarkably clean surfaces throughout. All is overlaid with a natural blending of dark grayish-violet and lighter hues. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,910
Lot 535		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1836. Reeded edge. NGC graded AU-50. The key date to the series, only 1,200 were coined using the Philadelphia Mint's new steam press. We note the surfaces are toned a light silvery gray, and there is a minor flaw left of the date. These were likely struck for circulation and were the first coins struck on the new steam coining press. It had been the goal of every Philadelphia Mint Director to use a steam press ever since Boulton demonstrated its value by coining over 34 million George III pennies in 1797 that were so identical in size that counterfeiters were unable to easily copy them without similar equipment. The idea of using steam for coinage had been the goal of John Pierre Droz, the Swiss watchmaker who worked briefly with Boulton in the early 1790s. One of the technical challenges was to invent a closed collar which could open and close as coins were struck. Droz tinkered with the idea and Boulton finally was successful. Thomas Jefferson tried in vain to have Droz come to America to assist or run the planned Philadelphia Mint, but he turned the offer down. Boulton had continued the experiments through the 1790s and with his enormous technical knowledge was able to overcome the obstacles. Meanwhile, America didn't have foundry capable of forging the necessary equipment to make the steam coining press until 1836, and thus earlier coinage was struck on the old screw presses using an open collar. Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,530
Lot 536		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1837. NGC graded AU-53. A delight to behold because of the colorful gold and green hues on both sides over traces of luster. Well struck by the Mint's new steam press, and this one circulated for just a brief time before being set aside to tone with these magnificent colors. A type or date collectors delight. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 537		Capped Bust Half Dollar. 1839. NGC graded MS-63. Bright and lustrous for this scarce Reeded Edge half dollar. Liberty's cascading curls are bold on all but the uppermost few, and the fields and devices are clean for the grade. A short-lived type coin. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,696
Lot 538		Half Dollars as follows: 1808 F-15; 1832 VG-8; 1855 VG scratches; 1867-S VF-30 and 1876 G-5. Lot of 5 coins. Estimated Value $100 - 115. View details	Realized $173