Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 34

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Peace Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1928		1921 Peace Dollar. NGC graded Matte Proof 65. Pop 2; None higher; only 3 graded by NGC; 1 in 62; 2 in 65. Never had a circulating U.S. coin been designed for peace when a proposal was made shortly after the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I, by Farran Zerbe at the ANA Convention in Chicago of 1920. Zerbe proposed a peace commemorative for a new half dollar, or should silver dollar coinage be resumed a new silver dollar instead. The ANA's enthusiasm was such that a committee was formed to submit a bill to Congress. On May 9, 1921 Morgan Dollar coinage resumed, on that same day a bill was submitted proposing a new "Peace" design. The bill languished while Congress adjourned because of a single objection and ensuing debate. Later, it was discovered that approval of the Peace dollar did not need Congressional blessing, as the Morgan design had been current well over its statutory 25 year tenure. Thus, the Federal Commission of Fine Arts announced a design competition on November 23, 1921 and invited eight of the nations leading sculptors to submit models. The winner was Anthony de Francisci, who submitted a lovely rendering of his wife as Ms. Liberty wearing a radiant crown similar to several Roman coins, and the reverse with an eagle breaking a sword, for disarmament (Isaiah 2:4). The design was publicized on December 19, 1921, the same day Congress approved his models, only to meet with howls of raging protest from officials. Somehow, the powers that be insisted the breaking of the sword implied defeat, not peace or victory! Due to these objections, Mint Engraver George Morgan altered Francisci's reverse design, remodeled the eagle, minus the sword and arrows but with the olive branch of peace, placed the eagle on a mountain peak inscribed PEACE. Hastily approved, Morgan's changed were even more hastily rendered into working hubs and dies in high relief, and 1,006,473 were struck December 26 to 31, 1921. A messenger delivered one to President Harding on January 3, others the same day to the Secretary of Treasury and Director of the Mint. These coins were probably the matte or satin finish Proofs. It is likely that the approval for coinage was based on these lovely Proof issues, and not from production coinage. Soon the Mint found that the high relief coins of 1921 were causing unexpected die breakage and were weak at the centers, as the Mint turned down the striking pressure to extend die life. Morgan, who was upset that his design had been superseded, lowered the relief on the electroplate model by pounding it down with a board and hammer! Thus, the high relief coins were once again (like the 1907 double eagles) greatly reduced in relief, allowing dies to last longer, and striking pressure to be greatly reduced. The sad result is the uninspiring low relief coins which are greatly diminished from the original concept designs of the artist. These Proof pieces stand as the only remnants of the glorious de Francisci design. All are extremely rare and desirable, and all collectors would do themselves a favor to study each of these coins to view these historic rarities offered individually. The example offered here boasts exceptional surfaces throughout. The fine sandblasting effect used gives the coin an even silvery gray color, with the periphery showing slight toning at the extreme edge. Sharply impressed by the dies, with incredible device detail over Liberty's ear and on the reverse eagle high points never seen on the production-run 1921 high reliefs. Breen notes that 6-8 are known; of these, one is located at the Smithsonian, another impounded at the ANS, making very few available for collectors. We're not sure if this is the Col. Green coin, Lester Merkin, 6/71 or the former Kagin example. Naturally, this coin carries its own credentials. NGC notes this coin alone in its grade category, with another graded Proof 62 below. PCGS has not graded any 1921 Peace dollars in Proof. Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000. View details	Realized $25,300
Lot 1929		1921 Peace Dollar. NGC graded Proof 64 Satin. The 1921 Satin Proof boasts light golden toning on both sides, the strike is sharp, although the curls over Liberty's ear show only minor weakness. Diagnostic die lines are visible as noted in Breen. NGC has graded thirteen of these, the Jack Lee coin as Proof-66, then this coin is tied with six as the second best seen as Proof 64. Others grade lower. As noted in Breen, these show no trace of mint frost. PCGS has not graded any of these. Pop 6; 1 in 65; 1 in 66. Estimated Value $18,000 - 22,000. View details	Unsold
Lot 1930		1921 Peace Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. A hint of light gold toning. About as close to flawless as can be expected, this robust MS65 first year coin, a landmark design of the early 20th century. Unfortunately for future generations, the mint chose to go with a lower relief starting in 1922, thereby stranding the 1921 issue as the sole high relief year (PCGS # 7356) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,500
Lot 1931		1921 High relief Peace Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Frosty white coin. Slight deviation in the sharp relief seen, mainly in the centers of the coin where the design failed to completely fill the dies in the hair waves and on the eagle's wing where is contacts the leg. Still a soild Gem MS65 example of this first year issue (PCGS # 7356) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,495
Lot 1932		1921 Peace Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Nice white coin. This is a generally well-struck example with good details. It has no bothersome abrasions or points of wear but as is often the case, the dies left their partly rigid impression behind with some modest weakness or imprecision only at the centers. The color is vibrant, given the Gem quality and near-pristine freshness (PCGS # 7356) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,500
Lot 1933		1921 Peace Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Mostly untoned. Lustrous golden gray accents with grand overall eye appeal on this Gem 1921 high relief coin. Only minor indistinct details at Liberty's hair; bold and original elsewhere (PCGS # 7356) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,668
Lot 1934		1921. NGC graded MS-64. Frosty white example. Faithful to every detail from a full blow by the dies, with only marginal softness found at hair above the ear and on the reverse where the wing crosses the leg. Extra frosty, smooth luster (PCGS # 7356) . Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $661
Lot 1935		1922 Peace Dollar. NGC graded Lowe Relief Proof 63 Satin. The 1922 Satin finish Proof features the low relief, and the coin has no mint frost but instead is entirely reflective. Despite the low relief, this coin is very sharply struck and boasts amazing detail on the curls over Liberty's ear. Only 2 have been graded by NGC, none by PCGS, making this coin extremely rare. Breen noted that only 3 were known in his encyclopedia, and apparently none have been offered in some years at auction other than the example in Superior's January 2005 sale. This coin has delicate gold toning on both sides, and because of its sharp strike, is obviously a Proof issue. Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000. View details	Unsold
Lot 1936		1922 Peace Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Lovely obverse. Rainbow toning. Seldom seen this pretty. Lustrous satiny golden gray surfaces below with rich colorful highlights. A truly beautiful gem specimen of a popular Peace dollar issue from the first year that the coining facility struck lower-relief coins. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1937		1925 Peace Dollar. PCGS graded MS-67. Light golden toning. An elevated degree of blistering luster springs to life beneath faint powder gray highlights. Somewhat yielding at the reverse eagle, though much more detail can be found there than on the typical example of the date. A rock-solid superb gem that will excite the bidder to bid even more forcefully. Pop 63; 1 in 68. (PCGS # 7365) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,335
Lot 1938		1926-S Peace Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Lovely light gold obv. toning. A frosty gem with eruptions of faint gold and rose on Liberty and near the date. Nearly fully struck, however just a hint of limitation in the detail at the central hair where it merges slightly with the cheek contour, as well as at the central area of the eagle's wing. A very pretty coin. Pop 44; 1 in 67. (PCGS # 7369) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1939		1928-S Peace Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. Light hint of gold toning however mostly white. Fresh surfaces throughout, this shows even silvery gray as a base color and there are no big abrasions on either side. Far from the normal example of this issue is the respectable amount of detail throughout with only moderate signs of weakness to the central hair and eagle's wing (PCGS # 7374) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1940		1934-D Peace Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Hint of light golden toning. If you have been traveling around a bit to local coin shows, you'll know that 1934-D isn't often found in lock-solid Gem MS65 condition. Pop 324; 50 in 66; 1 in 67. (PCGS # 7376) . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,035
Lot 1941		1935-S Peace Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Frosty white obv while the reverse is inclined toward lovely gold and lilac colors. Owning this handsome specimen will provide untold stories and remembrances for the new buyer, as fresh as a new spring morning and inviting quality from top to bottom (PCGS # 7379) . Estimated Value $575 - 625. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $719
Lot 1942		A partial set of Morgan and Peace Dollars 1878-1935-S. The collection lacks the following coins: 1880-CC, 1881-CC, 1885-CC, 1889-CC, 1891-CC, 1892, 1892-CC, 1893-CC, 1893-0, 1893-S, 1894, 1894-S, 1895, 1895-0, 1895-S, 1899, 1899-S, 1901, 1901-S, 1902-S, 1903-0, 1903-S, 1904-S, 1922-D, 1923-S and 1928. There ae 10 extra coins in the albums. Coins range in grade from Very Good to Uncirculated. A very nice collection that deserves inspection prior to bidding. Housed in two deluxe Dansco albums. Lot of 104 coins. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details	Realized $3,220
Lot 1943		A Complete set of Peace Dollars 1921-1935-S. Coins range in grade from Very Good to Almost Uncirculated. Housed in a deluxe Whitman album. Lot of 24 coins. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details	Realized $776
Lot 1944		1925. A roll of 20 coins. MS-63 to MS-65. A lovely roll of coins. Lot of 20 coins. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details	Realized $2,415
Lot 1945		1971-S. Silver. NGC graded Proof 68 Star. Lovely rainbow toning on both sides includes deep turquoise plus warm amber-brown. A sparkling jewel. Pop 6; 29 finer in proof. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $863
Lot 1946		1972-S. NGC graded Proof 69 Ultra Cameo. Beautiful rainbow toning on the obverse that includes deep aquamarine, green, and turquoise shades -- mouthwatering colors. Pop 149; none finer. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1947		1972-S Eisenhower Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 67 Deep Cameo. Lovely light gold toning on both sides. A flashy gem with strong cameo effect on the frosted devices. No Type set is complete without this beauty (PCGS # 97429) . Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1948		1974 Eisenhower Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Lovely rainbow toning on both sides (PCGS # 7415) . Estimated Value $550 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $633
Lot 1949		1974-S. Silver. NGC graded Proof 69 Cameo. Unbelievable rainbow toning on both sides. A run -a-way coin whose color scheme is vibrant, nicely balanced, and offers endless eye-appeal. Watch the activity on this one! Pop 312; 6 in 69 Cameo Star. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1950		1976-S. Silver. NGC graded Proof 68 Cameo Star. If several of the other Ike dollars from this group have lovely shades of toning, this 1976-S 40% silver-clad specimen has incredibly lovely shades of lilac, gold, green, and blue colors. Wow! Pop 285; 4 in 69. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1951		1977-S. NGC graded Proof 69 Cameo. Lovely shades of lilac, green, yellow pastel toning, who cares if it is "only" Proof 69 quality and not perfect Proof 70, the coin is magnificent! Pop 111: none finer. Estimated Value $900 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,265
Lot 1952		1978-S. NGC graded Proof 69 Cameo Star. Intense rainbow toning on both sides whose intensity and pure colorful beauty are clearly depicted in these stunning photographs. Pop 1; the finest graded in Proof Cameo, a remarkable achievement. This is the last year of issue for the short-lived Eisenhower dollar series (1971-78). Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold