Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 4

The Dr. Jon Kardatzke Coin and Currency Collection, Part 1

Patterns

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1787		Scarce 1856 Pattern Flying Eagle Cent, Judd-184. Proof 63. Regular dies of the Flying Eagle Cent on the obverse, the reverse with an oak wreath with a large, broad shield at the top. Thought to have been extremely rare by Judd, more have turned up and the rating has been reduced to Rarity-6 today. Cracked out of a PCGS holder where it was graded PR 63. A glass notes some minor hairlines and a couple of small tick marks on the upper obverse in the field. View details	Realized $3,624
Lot 1788		1864 25c. J-387. Rarity-7. Copper Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 65 RB. Regular dies but for IN GOD WE TRUST on the banner over the eagle. Reeded Edge. P-455. Mostly brick-red in color and delightful. Very PQ to the cataloguer's eye. A neat companion to the unique piece struck in nickel in this sale--as well as the R-8 J-388 piece struck in aluminum. In fact, owning them all would make for a remarkable collection in itself, wouldn't it? View details	Unsold
Lot 1789		1864 25c. J-388. Rarity-8. Aluminum Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 67. Regular dies except that IN GOD WE TRUST flies on the banner above the eagle's head, as adopted later than 1864. Trial piece. P-456. Die rust beneath the eagle's wings. A touch dull but the surfaces are simply splendid. This is obviously the best there is! View details	Unsold
Lot 1790		1864 25c. J-389. Unique (?) in Nickel Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 65. The regular obverse die; the reverse with IN GOD WE TRUST on the banner over the eagle. Struck off-metal. Reeded Edge. P-457. Die roughness on Liberty's breasts and legs. The only one graded, thus far still considered unique. View details	Unsold
Lot 1791		1865 G$1. J-438. Rarity-7. Copper Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 64 BN. Regular issue die trial. Reeded Edge. P-511. This is a deep-chocolate-brown beauty with just one minute carbon spot on each side. The grade seems unfair, for its appearance is that of a Gem. View details	Realized $5,750
Lot 1792		A Fantastic Double Eagle Pattern in Copper. PCGS graded Proof 64 BN. Regular dies for the Type 2 twenty, struck off-metal in copper. Reeded Edge. P-669. A very choice specimen of this trial piece. The surfaces are mark-free, glassy for a copper piece, and are of a variegated brown color with bright hues of greenish iridescence. A tiny bit of debris may be seen on the reverse at about 5 o'clock in the legend, but this is nothing to complain about. In fact, the coin just delights the eye. View details	Unsold
Lot 1793		1868 50c. J-651. Rarity-7. Aluminum Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 65. The regular-issue dies struck off-metal as a trial piece. Reeded Edge. P-724. Some horizontal hairlines on the obverse, so you could argue for a 64 grade--but does it really matter? It's R-7 after all. If you don't need the absolute best but are truly collecting, not investing, this should be a wonderful acquisition. View details	Unsold
Lot 1794		1869 $2.50. J-770. Rarity-7. Aluminum Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 65. Regular dies trial piece. Reeded Edge. P-855. A couple flyspecks of carbon on Liberty's face, hardly noticeable, but this coin is a blazing Proof with nearly full reflectivity and no dullness in the metal. And that's amazing, for this metal is subject to problems. None here, though! View details	Unsold
Lot 1795		1870 25c. J-915. Rarity-6. Copper Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 65 RB. Diademed head of Liberty. Plain Edge. P-1011 (as R-7). Like many of the beautiful patterns in this group, this piece was graded ten years ago. It is PQ, like most of these. Almost no carbon specks, but some finger oil, it looks like, could be removed from the obverse fields. View details	Unsold
Lot 1796		1872 3c. J-1185. Rarity-7. Copper Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 65 RB. Regular dies trial piece for the classic 3c Nickel. Plain Edge. P-1325 (as R-8). Fiery purplish red surfaces with only a small carbon spot on the reverse, just at the upper right serif of the first I in III. Overall, a delight. View details	Unsold
Lot 1797		Stunning 1872 Commercial Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 64 BN. Barber's Indian princess married to the ornate reverse with a double cornucopia between the words by which this piece has come to be known. Reeded Edge. P-1357. The faint hairlines fade even more once you just let yourself appreciate the beauty of this specimen, which has no spots or other problems at all. The look is one of variegated chocolates mixed with hints of the original mint red. Here indeed is a classic--carrying as it does all the symbols of America, making for one of the finest of our pattern designs. Indian, flag, globe on which the only country is the USA, Liberty cap on a pole, 13 stars, proclamation of freedom, "the rock," the agricultural wreath, GOD OUR TRUST motto, proposed fineness in grains, and the aforementioned cornucopia--this coin has it all. View details	Unsold
Lot 1798		1873 50c. J-1273. Rarity-7. Aluminum Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 65. No arrows. Closed 3. Regular dies. Reeded Edge. P-1415. Some very faint lines, but remarkable for a coin of this era struck in this metal, which is notorious for its dulling qualities. View details	Unsold
Lot 1799		Magnificent Copper Seated Liberty Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 65 RB. Regular dies trial piece. Reeded Edge. P-1416 (as R-7). Some flyspeck carbon does not take away one iota from the sheer physical beauty of this specimen, which is mostly a purplish red in color, offset by a film of bluish iridescence. On top of that, this coin is the only one graded in the Red and Brown category, and very nearly stands alone in all slabbing categories. If you want a great coin, especially if you are fascinated by dollars, this coin almost demands that you try to buy it! View details	Unsold
Lot 1800		A Jewel of a Bailly Head Dollar! PCGS graded Proof 64 RD. Bailly Head combined with an eagle facing opposite that on the regular issue, and holding a bannered shield. Reeded Edge. P-1425. A clutch of patterns exists for the Trade Dollar series, all of which are interesting and delightfully executed. As a whole, they make for one of the most interesting collections of the entire pattern series. This piece is truly a jewel, having nearly perfect surfaces (a whisper of a scratch, mostly in the toning such as it is, may be seen just to the right of Star 9). Graded ten years ago, and a sure-fire candidate for an upgraded holder, if ever there was one. If you don't care about the number, then bid vigorously, for this is a wonderful coin! View details	Unsold
Lot 1801		Scarce J-1310 PCGS graded PR-63. PCGS graded Proof 63. Smoke silver toning on both sides over vibrant mirror fields. The continued use of native American themes was tried again with Liberty sporting a feather bonnet while holding her cap extended on a pole (symbolic of freedom). The reverse has a smaller eagle but the lettering is similar to the accepted design. A popular pattern issue. View details	Realized $2,300
Lot 1802		1873 $10. J-1343. Rarity-7. Aluminum Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 65. Regular dies trial piece. Reeded Edge. P-1487. A cameoed beauty having strong contrast on both sides. The fields are deeply reflective, giving off a black-and-white look. An impressive example of this great pattern rarity--in fact, it's the only one graded! So if it appeals to you, prepare to bid liberally as another chance may be some time off. It's certainly a lot rarer than the same item minted in gold, and much more affordable. View details	Realized $7,188
Lot 1803		A Gem Example of Bickford's International Eagle in Copper. PCGS graded Proof 65 BN. This International Ten Dollar pattern, by Dana Bickford, was part of the extensive series of experiments to enter the worldwide money market which the Trade dollar also attempted to fulfill. This coin's reverse attests to the challenge of European exchange (still ongoing 125 years later, of course): the denomination is fixed in six cartouches revolving about the central legend, 10 dollars being supposedly tradeable in English sterling pounds, German marks, Dutch guldens, Austrian kronen, and French francs. The experiment failed but the pattern was a triumph of design, showing on its obverse an elegantly engraved Liberty sporting a diadem topped by stars. This piece is a Gem Proof in darkish chocolate brown, but has some oil on its surfaces which should be removed, truth to tell. Nonetheless it's a wonderful specimen. View details	Unsold
Lot 1804		Exquisitely Rare 1875 Proof Quarter Eagle in Aluminum. PCGS graded Proof 65. Regular dies trial piece. Reeded Edge. P-1578. A great rarity, even though it's never been the subject of much whoopla. And the quality here is superlative: fully reflective mirrors without hazing or any spots or impurities. Most coins struck in this metal fade quickly in intensity, and encountering a piece with this much sparkle is highly unusual. A true Gem of a rarity! View details	Unsold
Lot 1805		Barber's 1878 Eagle in Exquisite Copper! PCGS graded Proof 66 RD. William Barber's engraving, evidently inspired in part by Gobrecht's 1830s sketches. Reeded Edge. P-1773. The eagle is spread-winged and highly reminiscent of the gorgeous pattern half dollars of 1877. Barber's Liberty head has flowing hair partially covered by a "very French" style of Liberty cap: look at engravings of women marching in the streets of Paris during The Terror of the French Revolution, and you will see the inspiration for this immediately. Across the cap is a very broad band with thin, high letters proclaiming LIBERTY. So, the designs are patriotic and utterly classic of 19th-century America. They "sell themselves" to the enthusiast. Only question remaining is one of quality. And in this specimen, nothing more could be asked. It is a glowing full red! It is fully struck. A tiny (1 mm) stain or toning spot may be found on the lower eyelid of Miss Liberty. It should serve to identify this particular piece forever. All in all, then, this fabulous coin screams out for a new owner to adore it! View details	Unsold
Lot 1806		1879 25c. J-1594. Rarity-7. Copper Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 64 RD. Morgan's design with the "erect" eagle. Reeded Edge. P-1788. Pinkish red surfaces showing some carbon specks and a few larger carbon spots, the largest about 1mm right behind Liberty's eye. A classic rarity, tied with one other 64RD at PCGS, with a sole 66RD above them. There are also two graded PR65RB. View details	Unsold
Lot 1807		Fantastic Flowing Hair Stella in Copper. PCGS graded Proof 66 RB. George Morgan's adopted dies struck off-metal in copper. Reeded Edge. P-1834 (as R-6 to R-7). The only specimen graded Red and Brown, and the finest of just 3 seen at PCGS--another 66 but Brown, and a gilt piece in PR63. Cataloguers love to pick apart 3rd-party grading, but in this case there is nothing whatsoever to quibble over. The surfaces are immaculate and the color is an exquisite 50-50 red and brown highlighted by iridescent greenish blue hues. So, if you want the finest, and a wonderfully engraved and extremely rare pattern for a gold coin, this is indeed it! View details	Unsold
Lot 1808		Fabulous 1850 Metric Dollar. NGC graded Proof 67. Barber's design of the Goloid Metric Dollar. Reeded Edge. P-1853. A great rarity in this metal with almost none to select from. PCGS has made a PR66 and NGC has reviewed this one. Other than that, there is zilch to choose from. Certainly this is the finest known! It is fabulous, gleaming, nearly perfect. The portrait is also Cameo. Aluminum was a rare metal in 1880--witness its use as the capstone of the Washington Monument. Today it is among the most common of metals, thanks to industrial exploitation of its qualities. It is subject to dulling, and the sheer existence of a coin of this date and quality is simply astounding! View details	Unsold
Lot 1809		1883 5c. J-1715. Rarity-7. Copper Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 66 BN. The "standard" Liberty Head nickel, but with the word LIBERTY across the border above the allegorical figure's head, and the headband plain. Plain Edge. P-1920. An unbelievably deep impression creates a starkly beautiful specimen in this piece. Surfaces all but flawless. Iridescent blue atop a mahogany color, with hints of mint red around the legends. Curiously, the final star is double-cut. View details	Unsold
Lot 1810		1885 $3. J-1753. Rarity-7. Aluminum Pattern. PCGS graded Proof 63. Regular dies trial piece. Reeded Edge. P-1966 (as R-7 to R-8). A bright coin which has suffered some scratching, most noticeably on the first S in STATES, where some black debris remains (all that was needed, probably, was an ultrasonic cleaner to get rid of that). Too bad, but this is so rare that you may not care--this is the only one yet to be put in a slab. View details	Unsold