Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 39

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

$5 Capped Draped Bust

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2253		1807 $5 Capped Draped Bust. Bust left. NGC graded MS-61 Breen-5D. Frosty untoned coin. A sparkling original Mint State specimen of affordable quality for this actively collected capped bust left design. Some residual cartwheel luster blends effortlessly with pale greenish golden highlights on the satin surfaces. Not to go overboard, but there is a wealth of detail seen throughout this well struck 1807 half eagle, a date that is sometimes poorly struck. Pop 40; 95 finer. (PCGS # 8101) . Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $10,350
Lot 2254		1807 $5 Capped Draped Bust. Bust left. . Breen-5D. NGC graded AU-58. Toned. Pleasing honey color. This is the first of a new breed of Half Eagle, designs by John Reich now features a capped bust Liberty facing left. 1807 introduces as well the "chipped" star phenomenon -- in which the 13th star (lowest on right) has a small indentation in the outermost point. This it is believed is John Reich's secret "signature" and is found thereafter on the same star, in the same placement, on half dollars, gold coins, through the end of Reich's ten year tenure at the Mint. Warmly toned; sharply impressed; impressively original early capped bust gold coin! (PCGS # 8101) . Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,625
Lot 2255		1808 $5 Capped Draped Bust. . Breen-4A. PCGS graded MS-63. Lightly toned. Well struck and frosty. The surfaces range from warm golden to pale orange frost. A lustrous and nicely struck MS63 with traces of die clash on the reverse above the eagle. A generous amount of detail for the type, indeed the coin features strong metal flows into the deepest channels of the dies leaving full sharp curls and cap with razor-sharp stars on the obverse. The eagle is also much sharper than seen on this type, with outstanding detail in all but the left claw (the one holding the branch). Only 55,578 struck. Nice looking coin. Pop 15; 9 in 64; 1 in 65. (PCGS # 8102) . On Breen-4A, the 5D. is spaced much closer together than on the other variety of the perfect date 1808. Estimated Value $19,000 - 21,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $24,150
Lot 2256		1808 $5 Capped Draped Bust. . Breen-4B, M-107. PCGS graded MS-63. Normal date, Wide 5 D. Intense frosty mint luster, with light perfiperal toning. This lovely Mint State is lightly abraded, hence the mid-range grade, but we are hard pressed to find even a single defect or tarnish spot on the surface, a notable exception to that normally found. Pop 15; 9 in 64; 1 in 65. (PCGS # 8102) . On Breen-4B, the 5D. denomination is spaced more widely than on the other variety of the 1808 perfect date (B-4A). An interesting feature of these capped bust left half eagles is the notched ray of the star at the lower right. This was a secret signature of dies prepared by John Reich. Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $20,700
Lot 2257		1808/7 $5 Capped Draped Bust. . Breen-1A. Bisecting crack. PCGS graded MS-62. A hint of light golden toning. Scarce overdate. Breen-1A, the overdate variety described by Walter Breen as having a wide overdate, is considered quite rare in Mint condition and has a bisecting die crack from the rim at 1:00 through the bust and past the right side of the first digit 8. On this overdate obverse, the upright and crossbar of the previous 7 are visible within the top loop of the 8. Thanks to modern photographic techniques this full color bright golden specimen displays its rich highlights to full effect. Sharp and appealing, and among the finest struck examples of the date certified by the grading service. The strike is convincing in all places, including outstanding detail on the eagle and shield. Choice, smooth surfaces, there is a faint hairline in the surface above the eagle's neck. Pop 5; 1 in 63; 2 in 64; 1 in 65. (PCGS # 8103) . Estimated Value $17,000 - 19,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $23,000
Lot 2258		1808/7 $5 Capped Draped Bust. . M-104, R-4+. NGC graded AU-58. Light yellow gold. Satin frost is boldly hypnotic on this fresh-appearing, high-end About Uncirculated. Given the proper amount of strike pressure, the coin would have been fully brought up by the dies. However, there are a few soft areas in the middle that are often encountered on this date, including weakness around the ear (possibly from broken dies), and similar lack of detail on the shield and eagle's neck feathers. Elsewhere the design is complete and in many areas bold. Rims are choice as well, without injury. Pop 38. Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,913
Lot 2259		1809/8 $5 Capped Draped Bust. NGC graded MS-63. Nice and frosty. Lightly toned. Some faint adjustment marks on the obverse rims to right of date. Splendidly lustrous, both sides of this orange-gold example exhibit oscillating cartwheel effects. A solidly graded, premium value MS63, this coin displays impressive striking detail for an early half eagle from first decade of the 19th century. This is also to say that the strike is full, including those below Liberty's ear which often keep this from full sharpness. Pop 17; 27 in 64; 9 in 65. (PCGS # 8104) . Estimated Value $18,000 - 19,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $23,000
Lot 2260		1809/8 $5 Capped Draped Bust. . Breen-1A. AU-50. Light gold toning. Golden bright luster retained on satiny surfaces around (and within) the main devices. A strong sense of bold detail is seen at all areas of Liberty's bust as well as throughout the reverse, including a full motto on the scroll, sharp wing, leg, neck feathers, and complete shield: clearly the dies were given the correct amount of pressure to impart strong metal flow into all the die recesses. The result: a beautiful specimen with ample opportunity for study and visual enjoyment by the collector. This is the only die variety known from a mintage of 33,875 coins. The obverse die is considered by most to be an 1809/8 overdate; however, it may actually represent a digit 9 first inverted and then corrected. This example is of an early die state with very faint obverse die cracks. At the last digit the undertype very strong on this example. By no means a rare variety, this issue commands considerable attention due to its overdate obverse and also its status as a single variety coinage date. Estimated Value $5,000 - 5,300. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2261		1810 $5 Capped Draped Bust. Large date, large 5. . Breen-1A. PCGS graded MS-62. A hint of light golden toning. Shimmering luster that glitters and swims in almost a "cartwheel" fashion. A solidly graded example, this coin displays average striking definition for the year. This is not to say that the strike is incomplete, since all hair strands on Liberty are full, but some of the feathers in the eagle's neck and wing are flat due to insufficient die pressure. A very choice, appealing example of the Type. Pop 27; 103 finer. (PCGS # 8108) . Four varieties are recorded in the Guide Book of United States Coins for this coinage date. This variety, with Large Date obverse and Large 5 in the denomination on the reverse, is clearly the most plentiful of all four varieties and ranks as one of the most affordable of all varieties of this capped bust left design. Estimated Value $11,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $12,650
Lot 2262		1810 $5 Capped Draped Bust. Large date, large 5. . M-109, R-5. NGC graded AU-58. Nice strike and untoned. Lustrous, mint-frosty surfaces still put in on a show with their pale greenish gold color, the overall appearance choice with some minor contact marks on the surface. Regarding this date, there were four minor varieties issued in 1810, varying in the size of the date numerals as well as the "5" of the denomination. This affordable large date, large 5 example is the perfect choice for a gold Type Set. Pop 45. Estimated Value $7,000 - 7,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,188
Lot 2263		1810 $5 Capped Draped Bust. Large date, large 5. NGC graded AU-55 Breen-6459. Light yellow gold toning with a few hairlines on Liberty's profile. A high degree of luster graces the satiny old-gold surfaces of this generally well made half eagle from the early period of American history. The rims are choice on both sides. Four major varieties are recorded in the Guide Book for this coinage date. This variety, with Large Date obverse and Large 5 in the denomination on the reverse, is clearly the most affordable of all four varieties and ranks as one of the most plentiful of all varieties of this design, 1807-1812. Estimated Value $6,800 - 7,200. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2264		1811 $5 Capped Draped Bust. Small 5. PCGS graded MS-64. Well struck with light golden toning. A truly mint-fresh example, almost as crisp and glossy as when it was first released from to the Treasury for distribution so many eons ago. We could go on and on about the luster, but first-hand experience plus the solid MS64 grade by PCGS needs no further discussion; the high-resolution photograph we provide also shows off this feature admirably. The discussion of the luster now turns to the detail. This piece is not just close to, but completely and sharply struck, with terrific detail at the obverse stars, all of Liberty's curls, the drapery with its small clasp (note the tiny design featured at the center of the clasp). The reverse, as well, shows just how carefully this 1811 five was made, and it displays lovely patina that deepens in areas around the legends. Full, frosty, beautiful: what more could a collector ask? Tied for the finest.graded. Pop 14; none finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 8109) . Disappearance of early U.S. gold coins. When America's second war with Great Britain came to a close in 1815, trade resumed in earnest, as if there had never been any animosity between the two foes. Congress, loath to modify America's coinage laws, allowed gold to be overpriced relative to silver and hence, to be hoarded. Then, to add to the shock of readjusting after the war, private individuals and banks began flooding the country with often-worthless bank notes called, appropriately, "wildcat notes." Prices of goods advanced dramatically between 1814 and 1819. Coins such as this 1811 Half Eagle saw nearly the entire product of the Mint's output exported to Britain and Europe. This was mainly in payment for imports. Once in foreign hands America's gold half eagles were melted, to be recoined into local moneys. So whenever a numismatic article refers to low survival rates of early US gold such as the 1811 offered here, this is one of the chief reasons why. Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $40,250
Lot 2265		1811 $5 Capped Draped Bust. Tall 5. . Breen-1A. PCGS graded MS-63. Well struck with clashed dies on the obverse as indicated by some of the E PLURIBUS UNUM motto showing between the lower bust and the date. A hint of light gold toning. The surfaces are mainly untoned, bright golden in color, and quite lustrous. This date is difficult to find fully struck. In light of that, it is important to say up front that this coin shows extensive detail to the stars, cap folds, drapery and hair curls, as well as crisp detail in the eagle's wings and shield. Even the neck shows ample feather detail (a notorious weak spot in the design on some dates). All in all a very handsome example of the 1811 Tall 5 variety half eagle. Pop 13; 6 in 64; 1 in 65; 1 in 66. (PCGS # 8110) . Two varieties have been identified from the 1811 half eagle mintage of 99,851 coins. These have a common obverse die mated with two distinctly different reverse dies. These reverses are quickly identified by the denomination, which is either tall and wide as displayed here, or short and close. Neither variety is rare, per se, although this Tall 5 variety is considerably scarcer in choice Mint condition. This variety shares the same reverse as the 1810 Small Date, Tall 5 variety. Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $21,850
Lot 2266		1812 $5 Capped Draped Bust. . Breen-1B. NGC graded MS-63. A nice strike with hint of light gold toning. A frosty fresh example with choice surfaces and nice luster, barring some adjustment marks across the shield and eagle, virtually as choice as any MS63 holdered by the NGC grading service. Indeed, only a few examples of this popular War of 1812 issue have been certified finer. Mostly well struck on the legends and main device, with just a touch of weakness at the eagle, again due to the mint-caused adjustment lines. Pop 33; 26 in 64; 10 in 65. (PCGS # 8112) . Estimated Value $18,000 - 19,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $20,125
Lot 2267		1813 $5 Capped Head. . Breen-1A. PCGS graded MS-63. Well struck. Lightly toned and frosty. The surfaces are highly lustrous and each side has a light coating of greenish yellow to golden patina that swirls and alternates slightly between lighter and darker hues. A razor-sharp strike, as well as without the usual distracting clash marks, a most appealing coin for the issue. This is the first variety of 1813 half eagle, with a different reverse die than that displayed at Breen-1B. A quick attribution point is the position of the first S in STATES, in relation to the E directly below. On this variety, 1A, the serif is over the center of E. On the 1B reverse, the lower left serif of S is over the upright of E. Pop 52; 55 finer. (PCGS # 8116) . John Reich joined the Mint's engraving staff in April 1807 and remained until 1817. This new large capped bust design is a modification of his earlier fuller bust introduced on 1807 half eagles. Issues dated 1813 through 1815 are clearly the work of Reich, with his signature scalloped star at lower right. (Note the indentation on the side of the southeast ray of the 13th star.) This same feature may be seen on all three obverse dies, dated 1813, 1814/3, and 1815. Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $20,125
Lot 2268		1827 $5 Capped Head. NGC graded MS-66. Encased in NGC holder 1716198-003. Fully struck. Needle sharp and intense mint luster. Probably ex Starr coin. Look at this year's ANA Sale. Candidate for finest known. During the 1830s, large quantities of silver entered the market from Mexican and South American mines. One result of this was that the price of gold rose sharply in relation to silver, upsetting the pre-1834 gold to silver ratio in our bimetallic monetary setup. United States gold coins became worth more as bullion than as currency. Many were exported. The 1827 is a Capped Bust Left Half Eagle that rarely appears in the market, and Breen opines that fewer than 0.05% of the original mintage of 24,913 pieces escaped destruction. Analyzed another way, the extant population of this incredibly rare 1820s gold issue is believed to be no more than 15-20 coins. Most are either About Uncirculated or scratched Mint State grades, although unexpectedly, there are a few truly exceptional representatives in numismatic hands. We are aware of the following Gem-quality 1827 Half Eagles (provided by Bowers and Merena's research department): 1. Ex: Garrett Collection Sales (Bowers and Ruddy, November 1979), lot 469. The Garretts acquired the coin from William Hesslein on November 25, 1919. 2. Ex: Walter P. Innes, Jr. Collection (J.C. Morgenthau, July 1937), lot 31; Floyd T. Starr Collection (Stack's, October 1992), lot 1200. The present example, identifiable by a thin, faint reverse planchet streak (as struck) in the left field. 3. Ex: The September 7, 8, 9, 1997 U.S. Coin and Currency Auction (Superior), lot 2930. Certified MS-65 by PCGS at the time of sale, and identifiable by a slanting abrasion over Liberty's portrait behind the nose. To date, this heart-stopping piece is the single-finest graded 1827 half eagle known to the grading services. This coin is intensely lustrous with yellow-gold, satin-to-softly frosted luster and even color over both sides. Razor-sharp devices include definition you'd never see on a half eagle of this type unless a miracle occurred. A few slight abrasions occur, but none warrant mention; again, referring to the above (Coin #2): the primary provenance marker other than the PCGS holder number is the little reverse planchet streak (as made). In a sale replete with gold rarities, this 1827 Half Eagle stands as a strong contender for your attention among the gold offerings. Years may go by before another coin of this issue is listed for sale; we encourage interested collectors to get ready potent bids in preparation for this coin's price action in the sale. Pop 1; none finer. (PCGS # 8136) . Estimated Value $225,000 - 250,000. From Stack's sale of the Floyd T. Starr Collection, October 1992, lot 1200. Earlier from J.C. Morgenthau's sale of the Walter P. Innes, Jr. Collection, July 1937, lot 31. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold