Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 36

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Shield Nickels

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1569		1867 Shield Nickel. Rays. PCGS graded Proof 66 Cameo. Fully brilliant and choice. Key date in proof. Approx 25 proofs struck. James Barton Longacre prepared the first design for the new metric weight five-cents (77.16 grains) in 1866. The obverse depicts a shield with arrows at its base, a truncated laurel wreath at the sides, and a cross at the top. For the reverse, a large numeral 5 surrounded by 13 tars that form a tight circle. (This inconsistency with the three-cent coin that has the denomination as a Roman numeral was fixed with the introduction of Barber's Liberty head style in 1883.) Interspersed between the stars are 13 fat rays, with the statutory legend and denomination around. Due to problems in striking this first issue, the rays were deleted in the early months of 1867. The reverse rays proved problematic from the start, although you wouldn't know it from the impressive striking quality of this handsome Proof 66 specimen! This aspect of the design also draws the most attention from collectors of the series. The Proofs struck in 1866, while quite scarce, are offered regularly in auctions. The Proofs struck in 1867, on the other hand, are exceedingly rare. This is a sparkling Gem Proof 66 specimen radiating mint bloom, powerfully struck and impeccably preserved with strong cameo frost on the devices. The luster is full, glittering, and without a hint of toning. Unlike most which are not quite fully struck, this marvel of precision minting shows all regions crisply detailed including the centers as well as the star radials. A superb rarity of one of the most illustrious of all 19th century American Proof issues, a coin often associated with the 1864-L Proof Cent, the 1864 Small Motto Two-cent Piece, and to the 1884 and 1885 Proof Trade dollars. Pop 4; none finer. (PCGS # 83818) . As a historical aside, R.W. Julian learned through his researches that Chief Coiner Snowden refused to make any Proofs of the With Rays design for type sets in 1867, realizing early in the year that the this design was soon to be supplanted. An order was sent on January 21, 1867 to suspend all coinage of the design and to change the reverse. It was believed that this With Rays design was too complicated from a technical coinage standpoint, the amount of metal flow to fill the reverse engraved cavities interfering with a sharp obverse strike. Estimated Value $120,000 - 130,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1570		1867 Shield Nickel. No rays. NGC graded Proof 66. Fully brilliant and should be classified as a cameo. Brilliant and lustrous with a fabulous strike and not a single carbon spot. Deficiency isn't in the cards when it comes to this coin's detail, either; in fact, outstanding is the word to describe the striking detail on shield lines and leaf veins, the stars on the reverse and all legends that come within an eyelash of utter perfection! Only 600 minted. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,600
Lot 1571		1871 Shield Nickel. NGC graded Proof 66. Older holder. Nicely toned. Pop 21; 3 in 67; 1 in 68. Powerfully struck devices reveal intricate detail on this coin, a Proof whose once brilliant surfaces show today warm golden brown and natural gray patina. Only 950 Proofs were minted in 1871. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,438
Lot 1572		1873 Shield Nickel. Closed 3. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. Well struck and untoned. Approximately 1,100 proofs struck. Pop 9; 3 in 67 Cameo. Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1573		1874 Shield Nickel. PCGS graded Proof 67. Well struck and untoned. A glistening superb gem with reflectivity that practically grabs you and draw you down into the swirling mirror depths. Subtle hints of champagne brown and other toning bring out the expansiveness of the strike on the shield and leaves while it enhances the unexpectedly beautiful eye appeal of this coin. None finer. Approximately 700 Proofs struck. Pop 7; none finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 3828) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,255
Lot 1574		1874 Shield Nickel. NGC graded Proof 66. Approx. 700 proofs struck. Mostly untoned without spots. Among the more poorly defined Proofs in the series, this scintillating example breaks that tradition and displays uncommon glittering mirrors on both sides with frosted relief on the highest points of the design. Even the normal softness on the leaves of some 1874 nickels is absent. Pop 36; 3 in 67. (PCGS # 3828) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1575		1875 Shield Nickel. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. Brilliant and untoned without spots. Although essentially brilliant, the smooth, satiny surfaces show a decided tinge of iridescent nickel-fresh color cast at certain angles. The devices were struck with such force and vigor by the razor-sharp Proof dies that all design elements show boldly. Approx 700 proofs struck. Pop 7; 2 in 66 Star Cameo; 1 in 67. Estimated Value $2,400 - 2,700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1576		1876 Shield Nickel. PCGS graded Proof 66 Cameo. Well struck with a hint of light gold toning. Blazing luster on satiny-mirror lightly toned surfaces. A strong strike is seen at the on the shield as well as the two branches full of olive leaves, as well as full star radials on the reverse. 1,150 proofs issued. Pop 19; 3 finer. (PCGS # 83830) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1577		1876 Shield Nickel. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. Hint of light toning on both sides. Although uniformly frosted on the relief, the surrounding fields are slightly brighter than average with nice mirror tendencies. The toned iridescence is noted throughout, but the overall appearance is one close to full brilliance. Only 1,150 proofs issued. Pop 17; 6 finer. Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1578		1876 Shield Nickel. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo Star. A very flashy coin. In fact, an incredibly bright and lively gem Proof of the Centennial year with intense luster and a bold strike. Everything you would want from the Proof 66 grade, and probably then some since the devices are nicely cameo frosted. Approximately 1,150 proofs minted. Pop 2; 4 finer at NGC. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1579		1879 Shield Nickel. 9 over 8. PCGS graded Proof 66 Cameo. Light even toning. No black spotsw visible. A glittering gem with a wealth of underlying detail on its smooth lightly toned surfaces. Ideally struck in all areas with not even a touch of incompleteness on stars or leaves. A lovely Proof. Pop 22; 7 in 67 Cam. (PCGS # 83834) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1580		1883 Shield Nickel. PCGS graded MS-66. Well struck. Untoned. An impressive gem with brilliant luster and lively surface highlights. Representative strike for the date, somewhat flat on the date digits with the second 8 in the date having a filled lower loop, but still strictly Gem quality where objective value is concerned. Pop 88; 9 in 67. (PCGS # 3813) . Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,150