Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 39

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Draped Bust Half Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1428		1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar. . Overton-102. NGC graded VF-30. Housed in NGC holder 1773138-003. Very popular type coin. Lightly toned with nice even wear. For the date, a well-centered, problem-free pale golden brown and neutral gray delight with smooth surfaces on both sides. There are no marks. The rims are in excellent shape without bruises. Indeed, about as attractively struck as can be, with just outstanding centers. When James F. Ruddy was acquiring the thousands of coins to photograph for his "Photograde" grading book, the two most difficult types to find in the range of grades he required were this draped bust, small eagle style half dollar of 1796 and 1797, and the similar draped bust, small eagle half dimes of the same year. They just weren't available in representative grades; most were (and are) problem coins. That this lovely 1797 half dollar is among the most attractive graded Very Fine 30 will please every bidder who senses its value and makes a stab at becoming the successful high bidder. Only 2,984 estimated struck (per the Breen encyclopedia). A total of 13 graded in all grades of VF. Estimated Value $60,000 - 65,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $75,000
Lot 1429		1806/5 Draped Bust Half Dollar. . Overton-101, 5 Berries. NGC graded AU-58. Some luster present. Lovely russett and electric blue perhieral toning. A hard to believe array of rich golden brown hues enhance the surfaces of this handsome overdate draped bust half dollar. A small region of striking weakness that is often found on these at the centers is absent here; the eagle's neck feathers show entirely, as do the lines of the shield (the "chief" or horizontal bands as well as the vertical stripes representing the 13 original states (alternating bands and blank areas of the shield). All in all the present prize is very beautiful. Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,210
Lot 1430		1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large stars, 50 over 20. PCGS graded Overton-112. AU-55. Nice original toning on both sides. Softly struck in the center as usual. No more prestigious example of 1807 capped bust half dollar coinage is likely to be found than the 50 over 20 reverse error, and any collector will be quite proud of this lustrous coin. Pop 25; 36 finer. (PCGS # 6086) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,520
Lot 1431		1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. . Small 8. Overton-105a, diebreaks. NGC graded MS-68. Encapsulated in NGC holder 1742687-003. An exceptional bold strike. Violet thru the centers, royal blue at the borders. In the early part of the century in which these were current, bust half dollars, being the largest silver coins then in use, were held as cash reserves in banks along the East Coast, just as Morgan dollars would be held as backing for bank deposits and currency 50 years later. However, unlike the later silver dollar, most of these halves did eventually wend their way into circulation. Today mint state bust half dollars from 1811 are a scarce and worthwhile U.S. type coin. Superb examples are exceedingly rare. This is an exceptional piece that is virtually perfect. Blemish-free, the surfaces are highly lustrous with warm, glowing satiny frost beneath the light to medium patina that covers both sides. The peripheries deepen to an iridescent golden, blue, and rose color. Very sharply struck including almost complete details on each design element, with only star 7 flat. At the moment when superior quality Type coins are under intense pressure for a price rise, the simply amazing quality found here causes this to be easily the finest known example of the date and variety. Distinctive late-stage die break on the reverse from the leaves through the tops of UNITED and STA, then curving down through TES to the ribbon above UNUM, continuing on around where it exits through the 5 of the denomination and the rim. Candidate for "Finest Known". Pop 1; none finer. Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $72,000
Lot 1432		1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Uniform greyish-violet with some natural iridescense. The satin-like luster is almost unimpaired by abrasions of any size on this full-gem MS65 specimen. The strike is crisp in most central areas including the hair curls and shield, the motto and wing, leg and neck feathers of the eagle, though some lack of detail may be noted at the periphery as the letters and stars are "stretched" toward the rim. A later stage of this die paring. Pop 14; 13 finer. In the winter of 1811-12, the central Mississippi Valley was struck by three of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history. Even today, this region has more earthquakes than any other part of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The 400 terrified residents in the town of New Madrid (Missouri) were abruptly awakened by violent shaking and a tremendous roar. It was December 16, 1811, and a powerful earthquake had just struck. This was the first of three magnitude-8 earthquakes and thousands of aftershocks to rock the region that winter. Survivors reported that the earthquakes caused cracks to open in the earth's surface, the ground to roll in visible waves, and large areas of land to sink or rise. The crew of the New Orleans (the first steamboat on the Mississippi, which was on her maiden voyage) reported mooring to an island only to awake in the morning and find that the island had disappeared below the waters of the Mississippi River. Damage was reported as far away as Charleston, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C. Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. Overton-110a. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $10,350
Lot 1433		1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Small 8. NGC graded Overton-110. MS-65. Well struck with nice original toning on both sides. NGC holder 32282006. A impressive gem by any criterion used to grade an early half dollar. The luster is not in the least shy or acquiescent, while natural champagne, gray, and other toning hues, some iridescent, blossom on both sides. The strike, like the vibrant luster, is confident, indeed, as bold as ever seen at the cap, the curls, drapery and clasp, the eagle's feathers and on the shield. If any negative comment was to be spoken about the devices, it would deal solely with a few stars on the left, which are a bit compacted. Those on the right show full radials and sharp points. Pop 1; the finest graded for the variety at NGC. (PCGS # 6097) . Estimated Value $9,000 - 11,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $10,925
Lot 1434		1814 Capped Bust Half Dollar. . Overton-103. NGC graded MS-66. In NGC holder 2019118-016. Struck from clashed dies. Beautiful toning around the borders. A hard to believe array of rich toning hues enhance the frosty surfaces of this handsome gem early bust half dollar. A small region of striking weakness, possibly from the die clash, is seen at Liberty's shoulder on the obverse, but the present prize is still extraordinarily beautiful and among the finest ever certified. A prize! Pop 6; 4 better; 3 in 67; 1 in 68 Star. Diagnistic die break from scroll to left wing. Estimated Value $12,000 - 14,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1435		1818 and 1827 Capped Bust Half Dollars. EF-45. Both raw coins are naturally toned. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details	Realized $288
Lot 1436		1822 Capped Bust Half Dollar. NGC graded Overton-104 MS-65. Lovely rainbow toning on both sides. Nice original coin. Enclosed in PCGS holder 50249901. There is a single tiny toned spot on the drapery below the curl. An intensely beautiful, delightfully pleasing bust half dollar, a coin with superb underlying luster. What's more, it has a strike that is amazingly close to complete for a coin minted on a hand-operated press. Intense concentric rings of color -- which the fine photographs easily pick up -- suggest that the present specimen spent much of the last century in an old style Wayte Raymond album or coin envelope. (The few other 1822 bust halves grading MS65 or better that have sold in recent decades tended to sport flat "old silver" toning. Not a single one could boast this coin's symphony of colors!) Pop 1; Finest graded. (PCGS # 6129) . Estimated Value $7,500 - 8,500. Ex Heritage 7/2002:8091. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $10,925
Lot 1437		1824/4 Capped Bust Half Dollar. . O-110. NGC graded MS-66. In NGC holder 6866271-005. Well struck. Uniform antique greyish-violet toning. A splendid lightly toned gem with forceful luster, a confident strike, and eye appeal that just won't relinquish your attention. Devices are crisp and bold in the centers, as struck, which the grading service has taken into consideration in assigning the grade. The stars being flat, this is often seen on the O-110 variety with a recut 4 in the date. One of the finest ever seen and clearly this is the finest certified by NGC! Pop 1; none finer. The tip of a 4 is apparent to the right of the prominent 4. Early die state before the reverse cracked at UNITED. Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1438		1826 Capped Bust Half Dollar. PCGS graded AU-53. Old green holder. Lightly toned around the edges with copious amounts of luster throughout the devices and extending across the fields on both sides. Sharply struck centers (PCGS # 6143) . Estimated Value $250 - 275. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $575
Lot 1439		1828 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Square base 2, small 8's, large letters. NGC graded MS-65. Lovely shades of blue toning. Well struck. Nice and original. A more than moderately fresh and lively gem with strong luster underpinning the attractive surface color. Furthermore, it possesses a sure, no-compromises strike. Only the tiny clasp on the shoulder is at all weak. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is strongly impressed by the die. Everything a collector would want from the grade, and probably then some. 1828 was a year in transition at the Mint. Several different date punches were used (the Guide Book of United States Coins lists five major varieties). Pop 20; 7 finer in 66. (PCGS # 6151) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 7,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1440		1829 Capped Bust Half Dollar. . O-103, Small Letters. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck with lovely gold and blue toning. Very choice. A satiny gem whose intense underlying luster bolsters the beauty of the toning. All this is perhaps obvious from the photos. What we need to emphasize further is that the strike is downright crisp and detailed for the 1829 period, with sharp metal flows into the deepest recesses of the dies on both sides. Liberty's hair curls are particularly impressive. This is the sort of quality that makes people bid whatever it takes to get. Pop 1; none finer at NGC (PCGS # 6154) . Estimated Value $6,700 - 7,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,625
Lot 1441		1830 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large 0. . O-122. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck with nice original toning. Elusive and yet not costly as a Gem. Most 1830 half dollars in Mint condition trace to the (later cleaned) 19th century Economite Hoard of bust half dollars. This home-run example, on the other hand, is free of noticeable abrasions. The strike, while not complete on the stars, is well above par for the issue and earns points from the outstanding centers, fresh appearing color, and satin-fresh luster. Pop 2; none finer for the variety (PCGS # 6157) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 7,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1442		1832 Capped Bust Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. Star. In NGC holder 1848581-008. A spectacular gem! Well struck with "bull's eye" toning. This is an extremely vital coin for the stellar-quality Type collector and the Bust half dollar specialist putting together a collection of "finest knowns." It is safe to say this is the finest example of this die marriage extant (Overton's Condition Census reads: 65; 65; 63; 63; 62). It is also possibly the finest-known 1832 half dollar irrespective of variety. Simply put, this is a beautiful Superb Gem whose vivid surfaces more than uphold the validity of the "star" definition for "eye appeal." Electric-blue peripheral toning frames softer, reddish-apricot centers, the former color more widespread on the obverse. One can also discern pale-gold highlights toward the rims as the coin dips into the light. There is not a single noticeable abrasion. The surfaces shimmer with a full endowment of satiny mint luster. Combined, it forms a coin that directs attention to itself for the advanced numismatic buyer. Upon his appointment to the position of chief engraver in 1824, William Kneass was initially tasked with refining the coinage designs then in use by the United States Mint. In 1832, he put his hand to John Reich's capped bust half dollar. Examples differ from earlier-dated pieces chiefly in the fine points of Liberty's hair and features. Thanks to Kneass' work, extant 1832 halves display the bust in higher relief, with finer hair curls and a slightly altered profile. Of the 23 known die marriages this issue, all but one (O-101) display small letters in the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Throughout virtually its entire production, the half dollars with Lettered Edge (1807-1836) were the largest silver coins being struck by the United States. This was the preferred denomination of contemporary banks and bullion depositors, exporters and merchants. Most dates in this series have reasonably large mintage, and survivors can be found in circulated as well as lower Mint State grades without difficulty. Examples higher than MS-63 are, however, scarce-to-rare from the standpoint of market availability. The relatively robust mintages posted for most Lettered Edge halves required a number of working dies each year. As such, this series is perhaps the most widely collected by variety specialists. Many die marriages are plentiful in an absolute sense, but some are significant rarities. Pop 1; none finer at NGC. (PCGS # 6160) . Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $40,800