Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 41

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Flowing Hair Half Dimes

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1022		1794 Flowing Hair Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-64. Valentine-2, LM-2. Mostly well struck includidng the breast feathers on the eagle. We note a tad of weakness on the falling hair curls of Liberty. A gorgeous example of our first half dime and free from adjustment marks and other defects that often accompany our earliest coins. Lovely original antique toning on both sides. The flowing hair half dimes of 1794-95, a key two-year Type, were by Robert Scot, the chief engraver of the Mint. His design differs from that found on Birch's 1792 half dismes (the spelling of "disme" would gradually change to "dime" in the writings of the period. On the 1792 coins, the denomination is spelled HALF DISME). Scot's design features a head of Liberty facing to the right with distinctive flowing hair. Fifteen stars, arranged 8x7, surround the head with the date below and the word LIBERTY above. On the reverse, an eagle stands amid an olive branch with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around it. There is no indication of this coin's value on either side, nor would there be until the Capped Bust design was adopted in 1829. All of the 7,756 Flowing Hair half dimes dated 1794 were actually struck in March of 1795. The 1794 half dime is a scarce coin in any grade. In Mint State it is a major rarity, although a group of a dozen or so extremely choice uncirculated pieces exist from a hoard found and dispersed around 1880, possibly the source of this beautiful MS64 specimen. Pop 11; 8 finer in 65 (PCGS # 4250) . Die Variety: This is the second rarest variety of the year, and it was struck second in the LM-1 to LM-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 $40,000 - 44,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1023		1794 Flowing Hair Half Dime. NGC graded AU-55 LM-3. Attractive uniform lilac and steel grey and blue toning. Lustrous frosty golden antique colored surfaces provide a smooth foundation for the lighter highlights of the interior design. Nearly full hair on Liberty and head details comparable to the finest Mint States, but at only a fraction of the price to the bidder. A truly exquisite specimen among the few surviving numbers of a fashionable first year First Philadelphia Mint issue half dime. There are, for reference points, a few light lines on the portrait and a short open-S shaped lint line on the shoulder. The eagle, which is far more detailed than usual for this variety, has nice wing and tail feathers showing, plus a clear beak and eye. The reverse die cracks associated with this variety are extensive and so add to the coin's charm. A major offering for the collector of these early silver pieces. Pop 1; 2 finer for the variety (PCGS # 4250) . The LM-3 variety is from the same obverse die as LM-2, but with only a single leaf below the final S in STATES. The obverse has a light die crack through star 6 and the hair to E of LIBERTY (both plainly visible). The reverse has three die cracks that appear to unite at the eagle's tail feathers. Estimated Value $8,500 - 9,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $10,350
Lot 1024		1796 Draped Bust Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-60 PQ. Very well struck Premium Quality coin with full hair separation and nearly all the breast feathers visable. All on a problem-free planchet! Uniform antique toning on both sides. A marvelous example of the desirable draped bust, small eagle 1796 for the grade, in many ways more pleasing than some graded much higher. Pop 2; 6 finer. V-1. (PCGS # 4254) . Estimated Value $14,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $18,000
Lot 1025		1797 Draped Bust Half Dime. 16 stars. . LM-2. NGC graded MS-62. Wonderful blue and lilac toning. An impressive Mint State with gleaming, "old silver" luster whose color is accented by sky blue iridescent around some of the legends. Representative strike for the date, somewhat unevenly struck in areas (center of the hair below the ear for instance) but with full hair waves elsewhere and a nice drapery at the shoulder area of the obverse. The wreath shows plainly (as does the die break through the E of UNITED, and though the eagle is typically soft in detail, it is fully original without adjustment lines or spotting. The draped bust, small eagle half dime series is one of the most difficult to obtain in any grade, let alone choice Mint State like this. Pop 3; 1 in 64, 1 in 66 (PCGS # 4259) . This is one of two varieties with 16 obverse stars. LM-2 has a leaf piercing the bottom of C at its center. The other 16 stars variety has a leaf close to the bottom of this letter but not touching. The final 7 in the date is larger than the other digits, and it is broken at the junction of the upright and top. The obverse has parallel cracks from the border to stars 7 and 8, the lower crack continuing into the field between these stars, the upper crack joining the upper outside point of star 8. The reverse has a small rim break in the dentils over ME. Clash marks are visible on both sides. Estimated Value $19,000 - 21,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1026		1801 Draped Bust Half Dime. Damaged and bent. Nice details and mostly untoned. Valentine-1 (PCGS # 4267) . Estimated Value $500 - 525. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $978
Lot 1027		1803 Draped Bust Half Dime. Large 8. . LM-3. Scratched and improperly cleaned. Nice sharp details on both sides. Valentine-2 (PCGS # 4269) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,645
Lot 1028		1840 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Drapery. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck and quite choice. The luster is frosty and unbroken with a hint of light golden toning, offering the viewer splendid aesthetic appeal. Robert Ball Hughes was picked by the Mint to modify Gobrecht's original 1837-40 No Drapery design. This With Drapery piece is his handiwork (PCGS # 4326) . Estimated Value $900 - 950. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,150
Lot 1029		1844-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded AU-58. Well struck with just a touch of light friction. Very lightly toned. One of the key dates in the half dime series. Pop 3; 5 finer (PCGS # 4334) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1030		1850 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-66. Light golden toning. A well struck gem. Indeed, this satiny gem dances with fresh, original toned surfaces that explode atop the blemish-free, hard-working luster beneath. Full bold strike throughout. Pop 15; 8 finer in 67. Very choice (PCGS # 4345) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,438
Lot 1031		1853 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Arrows. NGC graded MS-66. Well struck fully lustrous and delicately toned. A lovely gem with arrows specimen. Pop 38; 17 finer, 9 in 67, 8 in 67 Star (PCGS # 4356) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1032		1854 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-65 Arrows. Well struck with dark rainbow toning. An desirably lustrous gem with frosty cartwheels beneath the rich toning. The reverse rim are lightly struck in areas, although the key central elements in the design are full. A lovely coin, one that certainly meets the qualifications for the assigned grade. And an important three-year Type. This lovely toned specimen has been occupying our attention for so long that we have grown very fond of it. We expect the new owner will too. Pop 50; 16 in 66, 3 in 67 (PCGS # 4358) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1033		1861 Liberty Seated Half Dime. 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. (PCGS # 4379) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1034		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold