Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 41

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

$2.50 Gold Capped Bust

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1509		1860-C $2.50 Liberty. Sharpness of Extremely Fine. Cleaned and lightly toned. Only 7469 coins struck, and the last Quarter Eagle struck at the Charlotte Mint (PCGS # 7792) . Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,208
Lot 1510		1863-S $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded AU-58. Well struck with some scattered minor contact marks in the fields. Attractive rose toning deepening at the devices. The abundant level of luster is found throughout and around the devices, but also spreading out across the open areas of the coin. The date is rare enough in Mint State grades that the noted gold coin collector Harry Bass was more than satisfied to find an attractive About Uncirculated 58 example, no doubt comparable in quality to this piece. It seems the majority of specimens that can be traced today reside at Very Fine or sometimes Extremely Fine level. Bowers, in one of his sale catalogs, stated: "Records of only a few Mint State examples can be found in the literature …" which is why we heartily recommend this handsome About Uncirculated 1863-S. Only 10,800 minted. Pop 10; 6 finer (PCGS # 7799) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,750
Lot 1511		1865 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded AU-55. Only 1,545 struck. A date that seldom appears in auctions. Well struck and lightly toned. A lovely high-grade business strike, and a rarity as such. Few were made for circulation, of which only a small number, a mere handful exist. Walter Breen poignantly observes: "Rarer than Proofs, unknown Uncirculated." Not only is the 1865 $2.50 a rarity in an absolute sense, the coin offered in this lot is of consistent visual beauty, inasmuch as the rich gold surfaces display a hint of prooflike character. The date logotype deeply punched into working die and placed high. As best we can tell, this is the only obverse die used for business strikes this year. Pop 3; 7 finer, 6 in 58, 1 in 63 (PCGS # 7801) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $15,238
Lot 1512		1866 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Light golden toning on both sides. This is a very attractive example with original warm gold surfaces. Completely frosty (a few have prooflike surface), it is also nicely struck. In a word, a spectacular Philadelphia Mint rarity in every respect -- low mintage, Mint State quality, and best of all, eye appeal. Few equivalent pieces exist in all of numismatics in this frosty condition. Just 3,780 business strikes were issued, and none were intentionally saved for numismatic purposes (the few collectors who desired such pieces typically bought Proofs). Today not more than a couple hundred examples of this date exist, the greater part of those in VF. The quality of this handsome NGC-graded piece is virtually unimproveable for the grade. Very rare date in mint state. Pop 1; 4 finer, 2 in 62, 1 in 64, and 1 in 65 (PCGS # 7803) . Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,913
Lot 1513		1867-S $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Lightly toned on both sides. Lustrous and frosty. An outstanding, dare we stretch and say dazzling, specimen of a variety which is usually encountered only well worn, and for which even an About Uncirculated would be a notable rarity! The 1867-S obverse has the date logotype high, but with both digits clear of the truncation and each about the same distance from it. The reverse is of the Type I die, as expected. There is some lightness of strike at the eagle's leg to the left. The mintmark is of medium size and is situated upright, compactly so as not to overlap any other design elements. Only 28,000 struck. Pop 8; 1 finer in 62 (PCGS # 7806) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,565
Lot 1514		1874 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-61. Well struck, untoned with reflective surfaces. There is a slight graze in the field below the chin. Only 3,940 struck. Pop 4; 10 finer, 2 in 62, 4 in 63, 3 in 64, 1 in 65 (PCGS # 7821) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,128
Lot 1515		1877 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-63. Lightly toned with reflective surfaces. Lustrous golden colored surfaces with grand overall eye appeal, the main result of it being free from nicks and luster-grazes. In fact, Liberty's profile is high quality personified, with a smooth contour of golden frost against the semi-reflective character of the surface. This lively combination will surely draw-in the bidders. As will the low mintage of 1,632 struck. Pop 4; 3 finer; 2 in 64; 1 in 66. (PCGS # 7826) . Estimated Value $7,500 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $7,475
Lot 1516		1879 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo. A wonderful untoned example. Housed in PCGS holder 10907201. 30 Proofs struck. Consistent with the gold dollar of this year, a mere 30 Proofs were made and of that very small number, perhaps only a dozen to 18 pieces, may still remain as recognizable Proof pieces. Faintly hairlined, the highly reflective fields are sleek-mirrored and go "deep" when angled properly beneath an incandescent or halogen light. In terms of contrast, the devices are nicely frosted to give a robust cameo outcome on each side. There are no flaws such as discoloration spots to injure the beauty nor to harm the value or future potential of this rare Liberty quarter eagle! Pop 1; 2 in 65; 2 in 67.; finest cameo at PCGS and the only 1879 Cameo at PCGS. (PCGS # 87905) . Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $13,225
Lot 1517		1885 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 66 Ultra Cameo. A blazing bright gem. Excellent detail from a strong strike, the surfaces show sharp bright reddish gold color. Don't expect the anything in the way of a halfhearted impression left by the striking of the always-fresh Proof dies that made this piece, for we are glad to report the strength in the design is all that is expected: 100% needle-sharp detail. The luster glows. The fields resonate with smooth watery reflection. The coin itself is noteworthy since 1885 is a scarce year as a business strike. Proofs are rarely offered for sale. Only 87 Proofs struck. Pop 1; finest graded by NGC; only 2 Ultra Cameos graded at NGC. (PCGS # 7911) . Estimated Value $22,000 - 25,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $27,600
Lot 1518		1886 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 65 Deep Cameo. Rich golden sunset toning rests about the borders on both sides. This magnificent Gem Proof has a needle-sharp strike with incomparable cameo contrast. The deeply mirrored fields are virtually undisturbed. Moreover, they are overlaid with natural shades of toning. While all Proof Liberty quarter eagle issues struck in the 1880s have low mintage figures (usually below 100), the same can be said for this handsome 1886 production. Only 88 proofs struck for this low mintage year. Pop 3; 1 in 66 DCAM (PCGS # 97912) . History anecdote for today: On June 2, 1886, Grover Cleveland, the second bachelor to be elected President (the other was James Buchanan), developed a sudden case of matrimony and became the first Chief Executive to be married in the White House. In the Blue Room, he was wedded to his ward, the daughter of his deceased onetime law partner, 21-year-old Frances Folsom. Cleveland was 48 years old. The marriage lasted 22 years, until his death at the age of 71. Estimated Value $22,000 - 25,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1519		1902 $2.50 Liberty. SEGS graded Proof 63. A glittering example. We note some faint hairlines, but overall the surface as well as the strike is very select. Our grade is PR-62 (PCGS # 7928) . Estimated Value $2,700 - 2,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,220
Lot 1520		1908 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-65. Rich golden toning on both sides. A blaze of mint luster. Popular first year of issue. The obverse depicts Brule Lakota Chief Hollow Horn Bear, who had taken part in Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade, March 4, 1905. The raised flat fields of the new Bela Lyon Pratt design meant that any wear would first affect the delicate luster of the "fields". That is why so very few Gems are around today, with the preponderance of occurrence being the 1908-dated quarter eagle since this is the First Year. Pop 368; 77 in 66, 2 in 67 (PCGS # 7939) . Estimated Value $3,300 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,335
Lot 1521		1911-D $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. Nice light golden toning. Well struck and choice for the grade. A bold mint state example of this well-liked and valuable key date Indian quarter eagle. Smooth, satiny luster with clean surfaces that show a few minor marks and wonderful warm coppery gold color. The mintmark is strong and the strike is well brought up in all areas. Very near full gem condition. Pop 263; 15 in 65; 4 in 66. (PCGS # 7943) . Estimated Value $25,000 - 28,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $28,750
Lot 1522		1911-D $2.50 Indian. NCS graded Details of Uncirculated Reverse scratched. Nice sharp mint mark (PCGS # 7943) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,200
Lot 1523		1915 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. Lightly toned. The mint luster rolls around both sides with a pleasing frosted sheen, and none of the features reveal any bothersome distractions. Pop 563; 88 finer, 85 in 65, 3 in 66 (PCGS # 7948) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,438
Lot 1524		1915 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-63. Lightly toned on both sides. Only 606,000 pieces made. After this year, quarter eagles weren't struck again until 1925 (PCGS # 7948) . Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 1525		1925-D $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-63. Frosty and lightly toned. Last of the mintmarked dates in this 15-coin series: 578,000 made (PCGS # 7949) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $690
Lot 1526		1926 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-65. A splendid frosty mint gem exhibiting pale olive and light golden luster on both sides (PCGS # 7950) . Estimated Value $2,700 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,105
Lot 1527		1927 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. A nice example with frosty golden luster (PCGS # 7951) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,050. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,150
Lot 1528		1927 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-63 PQ. A well struck beauty exhibiting orange and golden overtones. A Premium Quality specimen (PCGS # 7951) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $719
Lot 1529		1927 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-63. A frosty beauty exhibiting rich mint bloom color with grand eye-appeal (PCGS # 7951) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,035
Lot 1530		1927 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-63. Light natural toning on both sides. A minor obverse scrape is noted on the head feathers (PCGS # 7951) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $719
Lot 1531		1929 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-63. A very choice frosty mint example. Last year of issue (many were melted in the 1930s) (PCGS # 7953) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $719
Lot 1532		1929 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-63. One of several well struck, frosty Mint State quarter eagles of the Indian design featured in the sale (PCGS # 7953) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $780
Lot 1533		1929 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-63. Lovely golden-orange luster with sharp detail (PCGS # 7953) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $719
Lot 1534		1929 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-63. A very choice frosty mint example, though a few marks on the portrait and in the field nearby (PCGS # 7953) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $780
Lot 1535		1908-1929 Complete Set of $2.50 Indians in NGC MS-63. A beautiful well matched set, each NGC graded MS-63. The key date 1911-D shows a nice strong mint mark. It is rare to find a nice set of these intriguing coins, especially with a choice Uncirculated 1911-D, the show-stopper that always stops the collector from completing his set. Lot of 15 coins. The obverse of this type portrays Brule Lakota Chief Hollow Horn Bear, who had taken part in Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade, March 4, 1905. The Chief died March 15, 1913, age 54, at Providence Hospital, according to the notice in the April 1913 Numismatist, which misidentified him as the model for the 1899 $5 Silver Certificates. His identity as Boston sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt's model for the 1908 Quarter Eagles and half eagles first came to light in an exhibit in the 1988 ANA Convention. When Bela Lyon Pratt's new Indian head motif was launched upon the American scene in 1908, the public was traumatized (to put it mildly). Never before in American numismatics had a coin designer broken with tradition in such an overt way as did Pratt. For what Pratt did was to recess the design below the surface of the coin! Forget the fact that his half eagles and quarter eagles were far more aesthetically challenging than the long-running and tired-appearing Liberty heads they replaced. Unlike his predecessors, Pratt chose to honor a real American Indian for a change, not some made-up Greek goddess wearing an incongruous Indian headdress. And because of this, his design helped to propel American coin design into the World Class league. Estimated Value $34,000 - 36,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $31,050

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