Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 20

Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction

$3 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 885		1854 $3 Gold. PCGS graded MS-64. Heavy mint frosting and sunny, yellow luster. A thin layer of milky toning rests atop the obverse surfaces; the reverse is untoned. The eye appeal is impressive, suggestive of a higher grade, but a thin, squiggly scratch on the lower left obverse and traces of lacquer on the reverse, keep this otherwise exceptional coin from the Gem category (PCGS # 7969) . Estimated Value $5,200 - 5,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,600
Lot 886		1855-S $3 Gold. AU-58. Light wear. Traces of dirty toning around some of the design elements. A rare date in this grade and one of only four dates in the Three Dollars Gold series that were struck at the San Francisco Mint. Only a handful of examples have been graded Mint State by NGC and PCGS combined, making this an unusual opportunity for the serious collector. This example is said by the consignor to be ex-Browning, but we have no direct confirmation. Estimated Value $6,800 - 7,200. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 887		1860-S $3 Gold. Population report of only 24 with 35 higher, the best being MS-61. NGC graded EF-45. A pleasing example of this scarce low mintage date as only 7000 were struck of which 2592 were melted at the mint. Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,530
Lot 888		1873 $3 Gold. Closed 3. PCGS graded AU-55 PQ. One of the rarest dates in the entire Three Dollar Gold series, with a reported mintage of only 25 pieces, all Proofs. Today, we know that this number is understated, due to restriking in the late 19th century. Perhaps a many as 50 Proofs (Originals and Restrikes combined) were struck of this date. This guess-timate is supported by the PCGS Population Report that shows 19 in this grade, with 25 higher. PCGS graded this one AU-55, hinting that this might have been struck for circulation, which is certainly not the case. The AU-55 grade simply means that the once-mirrored surfaces now have some light friction and abrasions -- the "wear" that a coin might receive from being carried as a pocket piece, for instance. In the protected areas, the surfaces are still fully reflective. This example appears to be an Original, as the fields are flat and not dished as they are on later Restrikes. All this discussion about reported mintage versus actual mintage and Original versus Restrike is moot, anyway, since every collector we know would love to have an example, any example, of this date. Identifying marks: squiggly lintmark between the bases of the T and A of STATES; coppery-red toning streak on the inside bottom left of the wreath (PCGS # 7995) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $9,200
Lot 889		1881 $3 Gold. ANACS graded Net graded AU-50 Cleaned. Well struck and lustrous, obviously cleaned at one time, now a pale greenish color gold. Popular low mintage date as a mere 500 were struck for circulation (PCGS # 8003) . Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 890		1883 $3 Gold. Population of 6 with none higher. PCGS graded Proof 66 Premium Quality. A marvelous example with pristine watery mirror fields and lightly frosted devices. In an older green insert holder before PCGS gave the Cameo designation. A rare and popular date as only 900 business strikes and 89 proofs were coined for the year. This beauty is a candidate for Finest Known. (PCGS # 8047) . Estimated Value $30,000 - 40,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 891		1889 $3 Gold. MS-60. Popular last year of issue and only 2300 issued for general usage. Well struck with semi-reflective surfaces, lightly toned with faint hairlines. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,495