Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 39

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Half Dimes

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1261		1794 Flowing Hair Half Dime. . Valentine-2, LM2. PCGS graded MS-63. Encapsulated in PCGS holder 10909789. Lovely rainbow toning on both sides. The multicolored hue reciprocates between levels of frost and satin-texture which propels the lovely gold, amber and greenish blue hues into your eyes with a mighty force! Lustrous and well struck, which is most unusual, plus rocking-fresh surfaces, making it doubly so. In addition, the coin possesses a crisp, clear-cut detail for all areas with outstanding detail at the hair waves and on the eagle's wings. Pop 15; 9 in 64; 8 in 65. (PCGS # 4250) . V-2 is the second rarest variety of 1794, and it was struck second in the V-1 to V-4 sequence. On the obverse, star 2 points between curls 3 and 4 while the reverse has a double leaf below the final S in STATES, confirming the identity of the variety. A short die crack from a dentil into the field between A and M is about the same as found in later die states of LM-1 which shares this reverse. Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000. Ex. Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1262		1794 Flowing Hair Half Dime. . Valentine-1, LM-1. PCGS graded MS-62. Well struck, problem-free. Lovely deep turqouise toning on both sides with some reddish highlights. A Mint original beauty. Level, rolling luster with a blending of rich iridescent and gray "antique" finish of the rich sort encountered only on old estate coins of this caliber. The colors mingle smoothly atop the satiny choice MS62 quality surfaces with sharp bold relief on the stars, the hair, and, impressively so for this 1794 issue, on the eagle's breast and wings. This variety is quickly recognized by the obverse, with the third curl joined to the upper inside point of star 2. The obverse die is perfect while the reverse has a short crack from a dentil into the field between A and M. It may well be that all 1794 half dimes were struck in 1795, since the first delivery of any half dimes was reported on March 30, 1795. It seems unlikely they might have been struck in 1794, then were held aside waiting to be counted, packaged or delivered to the Treasurer! (PCGS # 4250) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1263		1796 Draped Bust Half Dime. PCGS graded EF-45 Valentine-1. Light even toning. Popular type coin. An elevated degree of sharp detail springs to life beneath rich gold and faint powder gray base of color. Nowhere yielding, even at the reverse, with more detail found there than on the typical example of the date. A rock-solid coin in its grade that will have Type Set collectors salivating. Pop 4; 27 finer. (PCGS # 4254) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1264		1796/5 Draped Bust Half Dime. . LM-2. NGC graded MS-60. A bit soft in the center, plus adjustment marks on the reverse. A memorable coin for its original mint luster and seldom offered in Mint condition. Pop 2; 2 in 62; 2 in 63; 1 in 66. On the LM-2 (Valentine-2) overdate, the previous 5 is centered below the 6 with its flag visible above the 6. The reverse has a bisecting crack from the second T of STATES, through the eagle, and down to the right stem end and border, which along with the adjustment marks, possibly accounts for the softly defined centers. Choice rims and fine detail in the wreath. In the year 1796, the draped bust obverse with small eagle reverse made its appearance for silver half dime coinage. Artist Gilbert Stuart, contemplating the flowing hair motif, remarked in 1795 that "Liberty on the other coins had run mad. We will bind it up and thus render her a steady matron." Accordingly, Stuart created what we know today as the draped bust obverse motif. The new design depicted the draped bosom of Liberty facing right, the word LIBERTY above, the date below, and stars to left and right, on the obverse. The reverse showed an eagle perched on a cloud within a wreath composed of an olive branch to the left and palm leaves to the right, tied with a bow at the bottom. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds. There is no denomination present; size alone told the owner what it was. The edge is milled (reeded). Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1265		1796 Draped Bust Half Dime. "LIKERTY" error. . LM-1, Valentine-1. NGC graded MS-62. NGC holder 1951210-001. Lightly toned with sharp details on both sides. Only two varieties this year, the other being the overdate. The I in LIBERTY on LM-1 is crowded close to the L, diagnostic for the variety. Although only two die varieties are known, A Guide Book of United States Coins. insists on listing three different entries for the date, including the Normal Date, the Overdate, and the LIKERTY variety. This latter issue is merely a die state of the Normal Date variety. John McCloskey and the late Russ Logan, authors of the current half dime reference, made no mention of the LIKERTY die state. This example, as mentioned, is a splendid well-toned Mint State whose sharp relief and choice surfaces make it in a general sort of way far superior to what one expects for this grade. No one should be baffled, then, when it realizes a price commensurate with its true condition and rarity! Pop 6; 7 finer. Designer of the draped bust, small eagle Type is Robert Scot. These were minted only in 1796 and 1797. Estimated Value $20,000 - 22,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1266		1805 Draped Bust Half Dime. . LM-1. NGC graded AU-55. Light antique greyish-violet toning. The 1805 is the final issue in the draped bust half dime series; for that matter, it is also the final U.S. half dime delivered prior to 1829. Those remaining from this 15,600-piece coinage tend to be offered no finer than Extremely Fine, the chief reason for the importance of this lovely About Uncirculated 55 coin. The bottom of Liberty's bust on the obverse (and the corresponding area on the reverse) are weakly detailed, but the balance of the coin displays suitable clear detail for a barely circulated silver coin of this classic period. The surfaces are predominantly light-gray in color, but there are also combined a few bands of russet-tan from the upper left obverse and lower left reverse borders. There are no distracting abrasions -- an enviably feature for any early half dime that saw actual use -- and the fields present agreeable smoothness in most areas. To sum things up, this is an important condition rarity for the specialized collector, one boasting a fine provenance stretching back well into the last century. Pop 1; 2 in AU-58; 1 in 65. Estimated Value $17,000 - 19,000. Ex: Eliasberg/Price. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1267		1838-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. No stars. . Valentine-2. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck and fully lustrous with some tone starting to form. V-2. This is the scarcer of the two known die marriages of the 1838-O half dime. The present example is a late die state from a heavily rusted, worn obverse die. Nevertheless, all features on that side are clearly demarcated save for the lower right portion of Liberty's legs and the rock upon which she sits. The reverse, from a crisply delineated die, has sharp detail, while both sides possess full, satiny mint luster. Lightly toned in mottled golden tinting, with no abrasions that would call into question the validity of the near-Gem assessment. This is a scarce issue in all grades that is downright rare in Mint State. There are two known die marriages, and Al Blythe (The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes, 1992) rates V-1 as a Rarity-7 in Mint State and V-2 as Unknown at the same level of preservation. The visual record shows that this 70,000-coin delivery saw extensive circulation throughout the antebellum South. Since the 1838-O is also the first New Orleans Mint half dime, and also the only O-mint issue in the No Stars Type of the seated Liberty series, one can easily appreciate why survivors are so hard to get hold of from a market availability standpoint. Among our favorite types in the entire U.S. silver series is the No Stars half dime of 1837-1838. This is one of the few coins that displays Christian Gobrecht's initial seated Liberty design so clearly. The obverse is particularly attractive as the absence of 13 stars around the border creates an open, airy, almost cameo-like design that allows full appreciation of the central theme. Despite the attractiveness of this design, it was destined to be produced for just two years: in 1837 at the Philadelphia Mint and in 1838 at the New Orleans facility. The 1838-O is a scarce-to-rare issue in all grades that represents an important purchasing opportunity for the advanced numismatist whenever an example is available for sale. Pop 3; 1 finer in 65. (PCGS # 4314) . Estimated Value $14,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $16,100
Lot 1268		1843 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-64. Mostly untoned with a splendid appearance derived from its smooth and flowing satin white finish, the result of careful striking by the dies. Desirable with this meticulous strike on the stars, Liberty's hair and gown, the shield, as well as the wreath. Aside from this, the coin is desirable as part of the Stars on Obverse Type (1840-59). Estimated Value $425 - 450. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $489
Lot 1269		1844-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-62. PCGS holder 07438988. Well struck with nice golden toning. V-2. Small O. Inverted reverse with medal-turn alignment. This is one of the most difficult issues to find in the half dime series, and it is seldom found so fine. Only the 1846 and 1853-O No Arrows issues are more highly thought of by specialists. Some design weakness is noted on both sides, although most of the die work is quite sharply delineated, especially for a product of the New Orleans Mint. The Valentine-2 variety, with its small mintmark, is often found with the rotated reverse as on the present example. This is a lovely coin with satiny fields beneath medium gray-rose and coral-tan toning. The surfaces have minor blemishes as expected, but no individually distracting marks. To emphasize once more: a very rare date in Mint State.Pop 3; 3 in 64; 1 in 65. (PCGS # 4334) . The modern era of missile launches misfiring has its counterpart in the year 1844, the year this half dime was struck. On Feb. 28, 1844, President John Tyler, with a group of distinguished guests, boarded the steam frigate, U.S.S. Princeton, for an outing on the Potomac which was to demonstrate the ship and its tremendous gun, the euphemistically named Peacemaker. The gun could hurl a 212-pound shot 3 miles. Among those on board was Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of State, who had been secretly carrying on negotiations for the annexation of Texas. The gun misfired and exploded, killing Upshur and 7 others. Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $7,705
Lot 1270		1848-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. . Valentine-4. NGC graded MS-67. Boldly struck. Mottled royal blue with a touch of iridescense. Solidly in the Condition Census for this elusive New Orleans Mint date, both sides are beautifully and originally toned. Blended swirls of electric-blue and pinkish-silver colors adorn surfaces that are also possessed of full, softly frosted luster. Furthermore, the original mint bloom is vibrant for a survivor of the issue, and we do not hesitate to describe this superb coin as the finest '48-O Half Dime that we have ever handled. It seems this too was a heavily circulated issue, since the 1848-O is scarce in all grades despite a fairly stout mintage of 600,000 pieces. Of the three known mintmark varieties, the Small O (Valentine-4 and Valentine-5) is the scarcest. While retaining Christian Gobrecht's original intent for Liberty's figure, the modified seated half dimes struck in 1838 and later included an arrangement of 13 stars around the obverse border. This design was adopted by the New Orleans Mint the following year, and the stars would remain an integral part through 1859. Pop 2; none finer @ NGC. (PCGS # 4340) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1271		1851-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-66. Housed in PCGS holder 8968287. A frosty gem and lightly toned. Candidate for finest known. Ideal for a type Registry Set. With 860,000 pieces struck, this is one of the more available New Orleans half dimes in low-level mint condition. However, in MS66, the evidence points the other way, the point being this is one of the finest graded, and likely one of the finest known of the date, this piece dazzles the eye with silvery gray to warm russet luster on both sides. Furthermore, there are no blemishes or frustrating contact marks found even with a glass. The strike gets the nod, too, wherein we note virtually full stars around Liberty and clear details on her head, with perhaps only adequate dentils. Some die file marks on the upper right obverse rim towards a few of the stars may interest the die variety specialist. A rare coin in this grade, and a true gem for the connoisseur. Pop 1; none better. (PCGS # 4348) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,625
Lot 1272		1854 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded Proof 65. Needle sharp with full mirror fields. All with medium greyish-lilac toning. A needle-sharp well made example of this three year only type. Both the obverse and reverse show the full detail engraved into the Proof dies. Liberty's features are crisp and clear while the wreath on the reverse is sharp, showing complete inner definition. As stated, the coin is medium toned overall with a muted shades. Originality and freshness are the two aesthetic qualities which immediately spring to mind when viewing this coin. The 1854 With Arrows is a very rare date in Proof. The exact number of Proof half dimes struck in 1854 will never be known since Mint records are missing. Breen simply wrote that they were very rare. We suggest perhaps 15 to 20 survive, an opinion that is generally shared among specialists. Pop 4; 2 in PF66. Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1273		1857 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded Proof 66. In NGC holder 1500894-005. Uniform midnight violet-blue toning on both sides. This crisply made specimen glows richly with original toning. The dominant hue is dove-gray, but magnification reveals unfolding layers of lovely cobalt-blue color that are seen at indirect angles. The best part about this Gem Proof is that it is free of detracting contact marks, free of spots or tarnish, and exemplifies the solidly graded status as a premium-quality Gem. The 1857 is one of the final Proof Stars Obverse seated half dimes produced for which we do not have a listed mintage figure. Estimates as to the number extant vary, with Al Blythe (1992) giving a total of just 16 to 20 coins in all grades. This seems low to us, yet the estimate of 25 to 30 survivors that we would propose is not significantly higher. Pop 5; 1 finer in 67. (PCGS # 4436) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,613
Lot 1274		1857 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-65. Old green holder. Light hint of gold toning. Frosted glass luster and impressive gem-quality fields underneath the splendid toning. A hint of weakness at the main devices, stars, and rim denticles as typically seen in 1857 half dimes, although the other areas are generally better impressed by the dies. Pop 53; 16 finer; 14 in 66; 2 in 67. (PCGS # 4365) . Estimated Value $950 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $891
Lot 1275		1861 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-66 Star. Nice rainbow toning gives a vivid reminder that this probably resided in a collector's coin album for many years. One would be hard pressed to locate a more jewel-like 1861 half dime, even if one were known to either NGC or PCGS. The richly frosted, icy smooth surfaces underlying the color seem like a layer of unimpeded mint luster. Pop 1; 6 finer at NGC. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,553
Lot 1276		1861 Liberty Seated Half Dime. 1 over 0. NGC graded MS-66. A nice frosty white coin. From one end to the other the intense luster gyrates with almost atomic intensity. Razor-sharp on all devices including the key upper left area of the cereal wreath where flat areas are bound to occur due to design limitations. Faint die clashing evident around Liberty. A gorgeous gem. Pop 30; 7 finer. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1277		1862 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 64. Gorgeous multi-color toning on both sides. The surfaces are lightly dappled, while each side has underlying mirror smoothness that swirls and alternates between lighter and darker shades. Not to overlook a second key element affecting the grade, there is needle-sharp detail seen throughout this well struck 1862 Proof half dime. Only 550 proofs made. Pop 41; 49 finer; 23 in 65; 14 in 66; 2 in 67. (PCGS # 4445) . Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 1278		1863 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 65. Old green holder. Light even toning. An incredibly fresh and lively gem with intense mirror sparkle plus a bold strike. Everything you would want from the grade, and probably then some. Also, this ranks as one of the scarcer Civil War era dates with only 460 Proofs struck. Pop 33; 9 finer; 7 in 66; 2 in 67. (PCGS # 4446) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,265
Lot 1279		1864-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck and frosty white. Pleasant satin luster ripples across untoned silver surfaces of this gem quality branch mint half dime from the Civil War period. The main devices show strong, constant detail, with freedom from marks or spots that is consistent with this gem grade. A bold MS65 for collectors to admire. Many collectors would give a lot to see this coin in their collection. It has the appearance of a higher grade. Only 90,000 minted. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,220
Lot 1280		1866 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded Proof 66. Uniform midnight blue iridescent toning on both sides. In an old NGC Holder. A diminished impression is a virtual impossibility for a scarce Proof coin of this year, which is why this piece was left very boldly detailed by the recoil of the sharp dies; a fortunate occurrence. The surfaces are highly lustrous and glowing under the original toning, as each side has a hue and sparkle that takes full advantage of the nearly pristine condition. Pop 13; 2 better. Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,000. Ex: Superior Galleries May 31 - Jun 1 1993 sale. Lot 319. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,553