Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 2

Coins, Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

$3 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1718		Wonderful 1861 Proof $3 Indian Princess Only Gem Graded! PCGS graded Proof 65. What a coin! As the Civil War broke out this year, few people's thoughts drifted to numismatics--probably not even New York industrialists drooling over the upcoming profits they would garner from others' misery. In fact this coin was in all probability manufactured before the firing on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12th. Why do we suggest this? Because the mintage in 1860 was 119, then in 1861 it was 113--but in the war years it plummeted to a third or quarter of those figures. Curiously, for such a mintage, PCGS has graded only 7 coins, while NGC has seen just 5. What happened to all the rest of them? Melted? Spent? Exported to pay for war supplies? Time has not told us yet. What we have here, and in fact are thrilled to offer for sale, is a wonderful, wonderful Proof coin. We can find nothing critical to say about it. Nothing. It has the orange-peel surfaces of the best of these Proofs, virtually no hairlines, not even the faintest, and a splendid oldtime gold color. (Just below the left portion of the ribbon's bow is a tiny spot of surface granularity, but this is entirely normal for the period and metal.) In normal light it also sports a decided cameo appearance, although PCGS does not designate this on the insert. Pop figures: NGC's 5 coins are all 64s. PCGS has seen one PR63, 5 PR64s, and just this sole PR65. Nothing's been seen to equal it, and of course a better one has not shown up yet. Don't hold your breath for this coin's equal--just bid on it, and bid strong, if you happen to need a splendid Proof Three! Possibly the Trompeter coin. View details	Unsold
Lot 1719		Rare Superb Gem BU 1863 $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-68. Boldly struck from sharply clashed dies, the surfaces are remarkable for a coin of this grade. Close examination reveals some minor die marks around the rim and on the wreath. A phenomenal rarity in this grade and worthy of the finest collection of Three Dollar Gold pieces. A rare and precious survivor of the five thousand pieces coined in the middle of the Civil War. Most have perished, simply disappeared. The combined grading services have made just 2 coins in this grade, and none better. And it's a resplendidly beautiful coin! We really expect active bidding on this condition rarity--so, if it interests you, gather your thoughts and get ready to bid strongly. View details	Unsold
Lot 1720		1869. VF-30 Cleaned. Cleaned and now a bit shiny in appearance. A scarce, low mintage date (2,500). Nice surfaces otherwise. View details	Unsold
Lot 1721		Outstanding 1870 Proof 64 Three Dollar Gold. PCGS graded Proof 64. From a meager mintage of just 35 coins, this particular piece has somehow come down to us nearly as nice as the day it was struck. The fields have a few stray hairlines, which seem to have been attracted to all early Proof gold issues. Deep mirror fields that have the curious orange-peel roughness that Philadelphia perfected during this time. Devices are sharp and defined with razor precision; frosty in execution and undiminished by time. PCGS has only graded 7 so far in this grade, with a single coin graded higher. A rarity that will highlight any collection. View details	Unsold
Lot 1722		1870. Sharpness of AU-50 but polished to resemble a Proof. This coin was nearly Mint State when it was polished. Too bad it doesn't have an "S" on the reverse, but still scarce as a date. View details	Unsold
Lot 1723		Important 1874 Proof $3. PCGS graded Proof 64. With a mintage of just 20 Proofs this year, the collector of these exotic rarities has precious few pieces from which to choose. NGC has decided to call the five coins submitted to it 62, 64 (one cameo), and 65 (both cameo). PCGS, which has graded this lovely coin, has seen 14 (amazing--out of 20 coined), of which it called 3 of them 65, 8 of them PR64, one 63, and then a couple of impaired ones. PCGS does not put the CAM designation on its holders. This particular coin has moderate cameo contrast, which is more dramatic when viewed in normal light. Of the 14 graded, how many represent resubmissions? In any event, the presently offered specimen isn't far from the top of the list. It is bright and pretty, with an old-gold look to it. Holding it sideways, you notice a very thin pinscratch vertically in front of the portrait. This is invisible except when hunted for. In other words, the grade is fair, but the coin is beautiful. It's worthy of strong consideration if you're seeking a lovely example of this rarity. View details	Unsold
Lot 1724		1877. PCGS graded MS-61. Somewhat prooflike in the fields, and with reflective coppery toning. Low-mintage date, with 1,468 struck, in all of which perhaps a dozen exist in Mint State. A rare opportunity for the date collector. Moderate hairlines and no other detriments. Sharply impressed and splendid for the grade. View details	Unsold
Lot 1725		1877. EF-40. A meager 1,488 were struck by the Mint for the entire year. This one is a choice Extremely Fine example, with natural and original surfaces, and free of detractions. One for the astute date collector. View details	Realized $2,185
Lot 1726		Highest Graded 1883 $3 Gold Proof! NGC graded Proof 67 CAM. Longacre's design for the three-dollar gold is perhaps best illustrated by the Proof issues. In this late year, 1883, a mere 89 Proofs left the mint, and they were sometimes especially well made, with cameo contrast to the Indian Princess and to the wreath as well.This coin is a splendid example, having that orange-peel quality to the fields which is so highly prized, and of course the cameo appearance. It is also the highest graded coin of its date! PCGS has graded 3 PR66 pieces, none higher. NGC has graded just this one PR67. Worth a very strong bid, and clearly a standout among its elegant type. Among the numerous advances made by the United States in this year, as well as commercial breakthroughs such as the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge which began to link New York's boroughs into one mighty city, possibly of greatest significance was Congress's authorization of funds to build the first steel-construction cruisers, which was the start of what came to be known as the Steel Navy--crucial to America's transformation into a major world power a scant two decades later. Here is a great coin made in the very same year. View details	Unsold
Lot 1727		1883. EF-40. Well struck, but cleaned and retoned to a natural appearing circulated gold color. A few faint scratches are noted on the obverse. Only 900 business strikes were issued, this being typical of the few found today. View details	Unsold
Lot 1728		1885. Sharpness of AU-50 but cleaned and possibly repaired. Better than we make it sound. The surfaces have been cleaned, but the appearance isn't greatly diminished. One for the date collector with only 801 business strikes from the Mint. View details	Unsold
Lot 1729		1887. Sharpness of EF-40 but cleaned. Well struck and with some eye-appeal remaining. Free of circulation marks or other problems. View details	Unsold
Lot 1730		1888. NGC graded MS-64. A vibrant, original coin that is only a hairline or two from full gem condition. The devices--Liberty's hair, face and crown--are all fully struck and alive with surrounding luster. Similarly, the wreath and central devices seem to dance with fiery luster all around. Seldom found better. View details	Unsold
Lot 1731		Gem Mint State 65 1889 Three. PCGS graded MS-65. A splendid gem coin that has fully struck devices and lovely original mint color. Areas of rose-gold toning are starting to form around the periphery. One of the Finest available, with only 21 so graded and 8 graded higher by PCGS. The terminal year of production of this odd, little understood denomination. View details	Unsold
Lot 1732		1889. ANACS graded Proof 63 Cameo. A lovely, original Proof to represent the final year of this curious denomination. Of the 129 struck, few remain in choice condition, and the few that do remain in constant demand from collectors. Struck with the "orange-peel" fields with deeply frosted devices, combining to give the cameo appearance. A splendid coin that is graced with excellent color and only faint hairlines. View details	Realized $9,488