Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 2

Coins, Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

$5 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1733		Tied for Finest Graded 1795 Half Eagle. NGC graded MS-65. An exceptionally well-struck example of the first year of this denomination, with a tiny mintage of just 8,707 pieces, virtually all of which have since disappeared as the known population, in all grades, is far smaller than that. The strike on both obverse and reverse of this specimen is very nearly medallic: all obverse stars display full definition and Liberty's locks are crisp from forehead down to her shoulder. All of the eagle's wing feathers, as well as its eye, also stand out in high relief. The wreath in the eagle's grasp also shows sharp definition down to the veins in the leaves. Only the highest points of the eagle's breast feathers and legs may be said to lack full detail, but this is probably because the obverse is so medallic in appearance (the minting pressure, at this period, normally could not bring up the deepest design details on both sides on the same coin). The coin's color is bright and original. Small pebbles of die-rust can be found near the date and at the bottom of Liberty's portrait (and a small circular patch on the reverse above the F in OF by the border), the result no doubt of humid storage conditions for the dies in steamy colonial Philadelphia. From an historical standpoint, this coin virtually defines its numismatic age. Struck in the seventh year of Washington's term as President (and just four years before he died), this coin witnessed frenzied changes in the young Republic's emergence: passage of the first Naturalization Act requiring five years of residence to become an American citizen, the migration of French settlers into still-wild Ohio (called the Northwest Territory, where battles raged with Indians of the twelve native tribes until the previous year; in 1795 those tribes signed a treaty of peace with General "Mad Anthony" Wayne), and the United States paid tributes to the foraging Barbary Pirates to keep them at bay while American commercial ships sought to create trade routes past Spain and into the Mediterranean. At the same time, at home, the first primitive railroad in the new nation was laid down in Boston. So, for the really serious collector seeking to acquire one of the very finest known of this nation's earliest federal gold coins, the present example represents a chance to reach--and reach hard--for a coin to be proud of and to place among his most prized possessions. Few extant examples of the 1795 half eagle come close to this coin; and few collectors, surely, have ever even seen an example with this coin's qualities. One of five pieces given this grade by NGC, while PCGS has graded only one other MS65. Neither service has seen a better example, making this piece a tie for finest graded to date. View details	Unsold
Lot 1734		1795 Mint State 62 Half Eagle. PCGS graded MS-62. A lovely example for the grade with no sign of wear or other detriment from handling. As an added bonus, this is the popular S over D in STATES, where the final S was first punched in as a "D", then corrected. On the reverse, the eagle's chest feathers are visible, and any coin receiving wear quickly loses such details. Examination notes a few faint lines through Liberty's cap, possibly these are adjustment marks, but they are hidden and unimportant. All too often, these early gold coins have heavy adjustment marks which mar the surfaces. Not so here. The fields do have minor hairlines and similar tiny handling marks, but nothing deep or annoying. PCGS has graded only 9 thus, with 6 graded higher. An expensive delight no matter how you view it, this is an American classic and instantly recognized by virtually every numismatist in the country. Owned by few, but desired by all. View details	Unsold
Lot 1735		1795 Small Eagle. PCGS graded AU-58. One of only 8,707 coined in the first year of gold production. If the awesome uncirculated examples of this wonderful design are not in your budget, perhaps you should consider this coin. The strike is normal for the issue, with some softness in Liberty's central curls (but not much--and Liberty's eye is sharp) and also on the eagle's head and breast. Evidence of some circulation is also present: hairlines from being in pockets, little marks all over. There's even a thin longish scratch beneath the eagle's beak, and there are a few shallow strike-throughs in the obverse field. Having said all that for accuracy, it's important to remember that these are normal things to see on essentially ancient, soft-metal coins like this. So, after you've looked hard at it, take it out of intense light and let the coin's natural reflectivity and the many appeals of its design take hold of you. Then bid accordingly. We're talking about one of the neatest of all American gold designs here! View details	Unsold
Lot 1736		1800. Sharpness of EF-40 but cleaned and repaired. The surfaces have been cleaned, with the resulting hairlines and a satiny, artificial look. Well struck and always in demand, these early Half Eagles have long been popular with numismatists for their rendition of Liberty and the reverse Great Seal of the United States. Probably repaired on the rim above Liberty's cap, and a small mark has been removed from the rim above the second T in STATES. One that should be inspected by prospective bidders. View details	Unsold
Lot 1737		Near Gem 1803/2 Half Eagle. PCGS graded MS-64. A fabulous coin for the grade that boasts resplendent mint bloom in the fields. While not as nice as the Mint State 66 we offered in our last sale, this coin has a similar appearance. The fields and devices are clean, without the usual handling marks that reduce both grade and value. A glass fails to note the problems that infect virtually all early gold, hairlines are virtually nonexistent, bagmarks are tiny and scattered, mint luster is everywhere in abundance. On the reverse the story is the same, a touch of weakness in the strike is noted on the eagle's claw and arrows, as well as the left side of the shield. Everything else is bold. Struck from an early die state without the many cracks that often are seen on others of this vintage. One of only 6 so graded by PCGS, with 3 graded higher. View details	Unsold
Lot 1738		1803/2. Sharpness of EF-40 but probably repaired on the edge. The edge appears to have been carefully repaired, perhaps to remove some rim bumps, but most of the reeding is still intact. A glass will note some surface scratches, but none are deep or offensive. The design elements are sharp and well defined. As with so much of this early gold, it often has some degree of problems. Be sure to inspect this one before bidding. View details	Unsold
Lot 1739		1806 Round Top 6. Sharpness of EF-40 but repaired and cleaned. The rim above Liberty's cap shows signs of repair work. Retoned with coppery fields and lighter devices. Well struck, but a touch weak on the shield lines and lower reverse. One to be inspected. View details	Unsold
Lot 1740		1807 Capped Bust to Right. EF-45. Lightly cleaned, but still lustrous. Struck on a slightly rough planchet. Carefully repaired on the rim above S O in STATES OF, with some of the reeding filed down, probably to remove a rim mark. Late die state with a full cud over the T of UNITED. View details	Unsold
Lot 1741		Lustrous 1811 Half Eagle. NGC graded AU-58. Well struck on the obverse, with full curls on Liberty and luster near the stars. Similar on the reverse, with full feathers on the eagle and all lettering sharp. Minor handling marks, as expected from brief circulation, but nothing deep or annoying. Popular and worth a strong bid. View details	Unsold
Lot 1742		A true gem 1812 Half Eagle. NGC graded MS-65. Here is a premier rarity in high grade. While many coins of this date exist in lower circulated grades, only a handful remain in choice or gem condition. This piece is one of the very few gems; in point of fact, NGC has only graded 4 this high, with none graded higher. PCGS has only graded a single coin in MS-65, with a single coin graded higher. Therefore, this is one of the very finest in existence of the date. Boldly struck and without a flaw on the obverse. Similar on the reverse: the only complaint is minor mint-caused adjustment marks along the left rim and a few on the surrounding letters. These do not affect the value, but do distract the eye a bit. Numismatists who've spent years searching for a truegem will instantly appreciate this piece. Its fields, devices and rims are pristine in their preservation. Color, too, is outstanding: the familiar yellow gold of the early alloys blazes forth from untoned surfaces. If you have been frustrated in your search for a truly splendid gem coin of this era, then here is the coin for you. Historical remembrance: In 1812, the second year of King George III's "insanity" (he in fact suffered from an inherited condition called porphyria, which turned his urine purple and his mood black), England came under the Regency rule of bonny George IV and America came under cannonfire from British warships and Redcoat troops. The White House (unprotected on its grassy knoll in the still-rural capital) was nearly burned to cinders as the Brits chased everybody out of town, seeking to end the new Republic almost before it got established. Congress issued the first-ever U.S. bonds to pay for the defense. Meantime out in the far western part of the original 13 united states, Chief Tecumseh and his braves renewed attacks on American settlements. So, the new nation was under siege everywhere, it must have seemed, and fright pervaded the entire land. How did anyone maintain the presence of mind to produce and save such a wonderful memento of the times as this magnificent coin? View details	Unsold
Lot 1743		1812. Sharpness of MS-60 but obverse cleaned. The reverse of this Capped Bust, or Turban Head, half eagle grades a frosty MS64, but some poor soul has attempted to improve the obverse, unsuccessfully. While the coin has enough going for it to appeal to literally thousands of collectors who aspire to own one of these neat pieces, the obverse is technically marred by a well-done buffing. The strike's real sharp, there aren't the usual adjustments or flaws, and overall the appearance is fairly aesthetic. Remember, too, this was made way back during the War of 1812. Inspect this coin and make your own decision what it's worth to you. It will never "grade," but it should still please many collectors in the years ahead. View details	Realized $2,990
Lot 1744		One of the Finest Known 1839 Half Eagles. NGC graded MS-64. Tied with a total of 7 by all the grading services for the Finest Known of the date. Frosty luster in the fields; and well struck, with full curls on Liberty and separation on the fine details of the eagle's claws. This is the first year of issue of this new type, replacing the Kneass design with the modern Gobrecht rendition. Liberty herself is a much more graceful figure and the eagle has been trimmed down, losing the lumpy appearance of the previous efforts. Apparently this design worked well, as it lasted until 1907. An outstanding opportunity for the astute numismatist who needs the finest available of the first year of issue. View details	Unsold
Lot 1745		1842-D Large Date. PCGS graded AU-53. Considerable brilliance remains, in fact more than usual for this AU level, but the piece seems to have been net-graded because of an unusuually large number of abrasions. The strike, however, is above average. View details	Unsold
Lot 1746		One of the Finest Known 1842-D Small Dates. NGC graded MS-62. One of the Finest graded of this date. NGC has awarded this grade to 3 coins of this date, there are none graded higher. Lustrous fields surround well struck devices. Moderate handling marks accounting for the grade, but far better than most of the not-so-uncommonly wannabes that we contend with. One for the date collector who simply must have the best. View details	Unsold
Lot 1747		Mint State 1843-O Half Eagle. NGC graded MS-60. Rare in this state of preservation. Satiny luster in the fields, but rather hairlined from improper handling. Many people don't know how soft gold is: even when coined with alloys like copper, gold remains very susceptible to bagmarks or hairlines; far moreso than silver or copper. Sharply struck on the central devices, but weak along the left side of the reverse. View details	Unsold
Lot 1748		Scarce 1845-D Half Eagle in AU-58. NGC graded AU-58. Satiny luster in the fields and well struck, even on Liberty's upper curls. The eagle too, is boldly impressed, with every feather full of fuss and ruffle. One of 22 so graded by NGC with only 10 graded higher by that service. View details	Unsold
Lot 1749		One of the Finest Known 1846-C Half Eagles. NGC graded AU-58. One of the Finest graded by NGC where the recent Population Report shows only 4 in this grade with 3 graded higher. The fields and devices are clean to the naked eye, but a glass reveals the usual fritzies in the fields and on the devices. Sharply impressed and without the weak striking characteristics that often diminish these early mintmarked gold coins. One for the date specialist who is assembling a high grade date set. View details	Unsold
Lot 1750		1846-O. NGC graded AU-55. A scarce date in tip-top condition! The fields show the usual light bagmarks and faint gold toning. All devices are crisp and complete, from the dentils to the shield. Lustrous in the protected areas and with very little actual wear. One for the advanced date collector. View details	Unsold
Lot 1751		Possibly the Finest Known 1849 Half Eagle. PCGS graded MS-62. This is the Finest graded coin of this date by PCGS, and the only one in the MS-62 category. NGC hasn't graded any higher either. Quite possibly this is the Finest Known of the date. Frosty and original throughout; with light golden toning around the edges. Free of heavy bagmarks or problems. The date is recut, especially on the 84. A condition rarity that was issued the first year the California Gold Rush really got started. View details	Unsold
Lot 1752		Rare and desirable Mint State 1849. PCGS graded MS-61. According to a recent Population Report PCGS notes that only 4 have been so graded of this date, with a single coin graded higher (MS 62). In particular, this coin has prooflike fields and a bare minimum of tick marks, as one expects for the grade assigned. The obverse is well struck; with a touch of weakness at the center, similar on the reverse with the weakness confined to the eagle's neck and arrow shaft feathers. A frosty delight for the gold specialist, and popular for the beginning of the great gold rush in California. View details	Unsold
Lot 1753		1853-C. PCGS graded AU-55. Porous surfaces but a great strike. Maybe this is the coin for you, if you like looking at design detail but don't want to stretch for any of the higher graded pieces. Worth examining closely. View details	Unsold
Lot 1754		1854-D. PCGS graded MS-61. Some disturbance in the luster and some weakness of strike, as nearly always found, but this coin has a pleasant enough look: old-gold toning and just a nice mellow softness about it. The strike is also way above most seen on these issues from Dahlonega. View details	Unsold
Lot 1755		1855-C. NGC graded MS-62. A Charlotte rarity whose surfaces are blessed with a real clean look, free from the usual messy bagmarks. Only problem is, there are some hairlines on both sides, from being wiped. A little weak here and there as well. View details	Unsold
Lot 1756		1859. NGC graded AU-58. Darned good luster remains on this Philly issue, which unfortunately shares the bagging so common to the nicer remaining coins of this period. Good strike and color; probably never saw any commercial circulation. View details	Unsold
Lot 1757		1859-C. NGC graded MS-61. Although it's a little mushy in strike on the reverse, this is actually quite an exceptional Charlotte Mint half eagle. Plenty of abrasions, but mostly they are minute. Enough of them to diminish the eye appeal, but then again there is the color, which is very pleasing, a "set" old gold look. Nice sharp stars, date, and all-important mint mark. Pop: 1 graded MS63, 2 in 62 holders, and 3 in 61 holders like this piece. Puts this coin near the top of the known pieces, so it should be eagerly sought after by Southern Mint collectors. View details	Unsold
Lot 1758		1859-C. NGC graded AU-58. A rarity from the Charlotte Mint. A few coins have been graded higher than this, but it's still an unusually well-preserved coin. Usual bagmarking but plenty of luster and not so bad a strike. View details	Unsold
Lot 1759		Nearly Mint State 1859-C. NGC graded AU-58. Moderate handling marks in the fields on both the obverse and reverse. Sharply struck for the issue, with all sharp save for the neck feathers on the eagle. NGC reports just 9 so graded thus of this date, with six graded higher. An opportunity for the Charlotte specialist. View details	Unsold
Lot 1760		1861-C. NGC graded AU-58. As the Civil War approached, gold coinage at this mint dwindled rapidly from its usually meager output. In 1861 the mintage was just 6,879 pieces, which amounted to only $34,395 face. Scarcely any escaped the pandemonium of 1861-1865. One or two have been graded MS, but low MS numbers, meaning they can't look all that much better than this coin does. In fact, this piece is well struck and has a nice old-gold color, although it does have the usual army of abrasions marching across both its sides. All of these marks are small, however, producing a balanced look. The sparkle of the dies which made this 138 years ago lives on in this gold coin, the last of its kind from the Charlotte Mint, whose destiny was tied to the upcoming battle over slavery and freedom. View details	Unsold
Lot 1761		1861-C. PCGS graded AU-50. Certainly one of the better survivors of the date and mint, with only a few dozen known in this grade or better. The fields retain some luster near the devices, and ever-present bagmarks are noted on the devices and in the fields. Seldom found with an eye-pleasing look, this coin should find a happy home with a collector who's searched far and wide to locate a select high-grade example. View details	Unsold
Lot 1762		1861-S. NGC graded AU-58. Although tied with 7 others for the AU58 spot in the Population Reports, there are none in higher grades at NGC. At PCGS the best one seen is an AU53. So, despite the myriad of abrasions these all seem to share, you don't have much option in finding a better one. Consider it! View details	Unsold
Lot 1763		1861-S. NGC graded AU-53. Some old dirt clings to the devices of this coin that came out of the Old West, an indication of its use in commerce (dirty fingers do this to coins). Otherwise this S-mint rarity's got some luster left, a fairly good strike, and surfaces showing only normal use. No inordinate bangs mar it. It looks like what you should expect for this grade. View details	Unsold
Lot 1764		1862-S. NGC graded EF-45. Just 9,500 struck, and quite rare. A few graded in the AU range, but this piece has unusual luster for EF, and the softish strike suggests perhaps a conservative grade. View details	Unsold
Lot 1765		Rare 1873 Proof Half Eagle. PCGS graded Proof 58. A decidedly rare coin in Proof; with a mintage of just 25 pieces. This one was spent at some time in the distant past and retrieved by some happy collector who recognized its value. In the fields one sees trivial tick marks, and a few moderate scrapes and bumps. Affordable quality for this issue, and certain to find a date collector who appreciates the rarity of this issue. View details	Unsold
Lot 1766		Gem 1873 Half Eagle, One of the Finest Known. NGC graded MS-65. We are proud to present one of the two Finest graded 1873 Closed 3 Half Eagles. NGC has awarded this gem grade to exactly 2 coins, PCGS hasn't graded any above Mint State 64. This is likely the Finest of the date in existence, tied with a single other coin. The fields are bright with abundant luster; the strike is a touch weak on Liberty's upper curls and similar on the eagle's neck. Another condition rarity for the date collector. A glass notes a few trivial handling marks, but nothing that knocks this coin from the gem class. Be sure to view this before the sale so you can raise your bid accordingly. View details	Unsold
Lot 1767		One of the Finest Known 1873 Half Eagles. PCGS graded MS-64. This is tied for the finest graded 1873 Half Eagle with only 4 so graded by PCGS, there are none graded higher. Frosty mint bloom abounds on this specimen, the surfaces are pristine, no evidence of handling or cleaning. Both sides have a golden glow that radiates from the centers. Well struck on all but the uppermost curls on Liberty, similar on the reverse with all the wing feathers crisp, the only slight weakness on the eagle's billowy neck. Struck during the panic of 1873 when a number of companies failed and money became very tight for several years in America, few could afford to set aside a small fortune like this coin, which is why so few were coined, and even fewer were saved. An important coin. View details	Unsold
Lot 1768		1873 Open 3. AU-50. Frosty and lustrous, with the usual weakness on the eagle's neck. Nice surfaces for the grade. View details	Realized $173
Lot 1769		Extremely Rare 1873-CC PCGS graded EF 40. PCGS graded EF-40. Here is a low mintage date in top condition. PCGS, for all its years grading coins, has only graded 2 as EF 40, with a token 3 graded higher. What happened to most of the 7,416 minted we can only guess. But out there they aren't. Years of scratching around in shipwrecks and under clap board sidewalks have failed to turn up more than a couple of these '73-CCs. Some luster adheres in the fields; and remarkably clean for the grade. As collectors soon learn, "CC" coins usually circulated very hard, and show value shaving-marks everywhere. Here is an exception, with relatively clean surfaces and no heavy marks. Don't wait for a better one to show up, they just don't exist. View details	Realized $8,050
Lot 1770		One of the Finest Known 1875-S Half Eagles. NGC graded AU-58. One of the Finest Known of the date, with both NGC and PCGS having graded a combined 6 coins this grade, and only a single coin graded higher by both services. This coin may never have circulated, but does have moderate bag marks on both sides. No doubt this piece, like virtually all the others of the period, was parked in a mint bag propping up some shaky bank out west. As years scrolled by and inventories taken, the coins were tossed about, and the soft gold surfaces show a showering of tick marks. However, the luster is undiminshed, and it blazes forth as surely as the day it was struck. A splendid coin for the date collector. View details	Unsold
Lot 1771		Choice Mint State 63 1876 Half Eagle. PCGS graded MS-63. While overshadowed by its big brother 1875, the 1876 Half Eagle also deserves praise. Philadelphia plinked off a total of 1,432 for the year, and of these only 2 have been so graded by PCGS, with but 3 graded higher. Festivities for the United States Centennial focused elsewhere, and Half Eagles weren't in demand. As with all others, some prooflike reflectivity remains in the fields, as these dies were polished for production, and simply didn't stike enough coins to wear away the normal polishing during the year. A few scattered marks from perfection, but certainly one of the better ones known of this scarce date. View details	Unsold
Lot 1772		1879. PCGS graded MS-64. One of the very finest known of this date, with the recent Population Report showing only 4 so graded and three graded higher. The obverse is satiny and has a delicate orange-gold tone, while the reverse fields are a bit prooflike, with peripheral toning. Struck from lapped dies with Liberty's mouth open wide. An outstanding, original coin that has mint fresh surfaces and remains in a superb state of preservation. View details	Unsold
Lot 1773		1882-CC. PCGS graded MS-62. This is a pretty satisfying example, kept from the 63 level by a diminishment of luster, not by its general look. A rare coin this nice. View details	Unsold
Lot 1774		1882-CC. NGC graded AU-58. Lustrous and choice for the grade. A strong glass notes very light hairlines from circulation, but none distracting or annoying. Boldly impressed, with full stars surrounding Liberty and sharp details on the reverse devices. Only 11 have been graded higher by NGC, making this grade the best generally available. Popular Carson City Mint. View details	Realized $2,990
Lot 1775		1884-S. AU-58. Frosty and lustrous, with the usual array of tick marks in the fields. Scarce. View details	Realized $184
Lot 1776		1886-S. MS-60 Plus. Frosty luster throughout, well struck and scarce. View details	Realized $242
Lot 1777		1892-CC. NGC graded MS-61. A frosty uncirculated example for the "CC" date collector. The fields have a hint of prooflike reflectivity, while the devices are frosted. Lightly toned with a few coppery areas, choice and original for the grade. Popular date and Mint. View details	Unsold
Lot 1778		1893-S. NGC graded MS-64. Good-looking old gold color, and a decent strike, but a number of contact marks, none heavy and mostly in the fields. Liberty's lookin' good! View details	Unsold
Lot 1779		Condition Census 1894 Half Eagle. PCGS graded MS-64. A satiny, lustrous coin that is well struck and very eye-appealing. Minor tick marks are noted in the fields and on design elements; however, there are far fewer than usually encountered. Here is a condition rarity, it is one of 10 so graded by PCGS, with none graded higher. Coppery-gold toning throughout. View details	Unsold
Lot 1780		1899. MS-60 Plus. Bright and lustrous. Well struck and pleasing. Minor handling marks. View details	Realized $253
Lot 1781		1900. NGC graded MS-64. A sparkling near-gem that has full radiant luster and mark-free surfaces. A few copper spots attest to the original, uncleaned surfaces, and every nuance is fully struck. View details	Unsold
Lot 1782		1900-S. PCGS graded MS-65. Under a glass you immediately see small abrasions, but PCGS must have liked the wonderful overall look of this flashy and beautiful coin enough to give out the coveted MS65 designation. Liberty's truncation bears most of the marks, but others are scattered about. Has the ticks of a nice 64 but the flash of a much nicer piece. View details	Unsold

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