Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 42

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Half Dimes

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2558		1795 Flowing Hair Half Dime. PCGS graded VF-30. V7 (LM6). Nice even original toning on both sides. A problem free coin. Attribution of 1795 Half Dime varieties begins with the reverse, where a simple count of the berries below the eagle's left wing is really the only requirement for attribution. The reverse die is instantly recognized by the lack of berries beneath the left wing, either inside or outside the branch. Six obverse hair curls rounds out the attribution. This is an early die state with a crack from the rim through the digits 9 and 5 to the bust. The LM-6 variety remains an important rarity among 1795 half dimes (PCGS # 4251) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,750. Ex: The Brentwood Park Estate. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,080
Lot 2559		1796 Draped Bust Half Dime. "LIKERTY" error. NGC graded MS-65. Boldly struck with a hint of light gold toning. A wonderful type coin. Struck from clashed dies. Beautiful surfaces, color, and depth of detail, in fact, the quaity is utterly unstoppable in terms of its aesthetic beauty. On this always well-struck variety, the I in LIBERTY is very close to the L, diagnostic for the variety. Although only two die varieties are known of 1796 (the other being the overdate 6/5), the Guide Book of United States Coins continues to list three different entries for the date, including the Normal Date, the Overdate, and the LIKERTY variety. This latter issue is merely a die state of the Normal Date variety. John McCloskey and the late Russ Logan, authors of the current half dime reference, made no mention of the LIKERTY die state. This example is a later die state with several obverse and reverse cracks and die clash marks. An impressive coin in spectacular condition! Pop 2; 1 finer in 68 Star (PCGS # 94254) . When Henry William DeSaussure became director of the Mint on July 9, 1795, in place of David Rittenhouse, there was a certain amount of criticism of the current Flowing Hair designs on the silver coins (though modern collectors generally consider the Flowing Hair design a good one). DeSaussure expedited new designs on the silver coinage. It is not at all clear who instigated the design change although conventional wisdom, based on little more than the fact that DeSaussure happened to be Mint director at the time, says that he was responsible for the new head of Liberty, called the Draped Bust design by modern collectors ("Fillet Head" in older numismatic references). It may just as easily have been Thomas Jefferson, who, as secretary of state, was the cabinet officer in charge of Mint affairs. Estimated Value $150,000 - 175,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2560		1796 Draped Bust Half Dime. "LIKERTY" error. PCGS graded VF-30. V-1. Lightly toned on both sides. Mintage: 10,230 pieces. Valentine-1 (LM-1) is distinctive with or without LIKERTY. On this variety, the I in LIBERTY is much too close to the L, diagnostic for the variety. Although only two die varieties are known, the Guide Book continues to list three different entries for the date, including the Normal Date, the Overdate, and the LIKERTY variety. This latter issue is merely a die state of the Normal Date Valentine-1 variety. John McCloskey and the late Russ Logan, authors of the current half dime reference, made no mention of the LIKERTY die state. Evenly toned with some lighter areas on the drapery and face, tops of the stars, and on the eagle. The reverse has more of a russet tone than the antique-gray obverse (PCGS # 94254) . Estimated Value $3,800 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2561		1797 Draped Bust Half Dime. 15 stars. PCGS graded VF-25. V-2, LM1. Toned on both sides with even wear and all design elements clear. A popular two-year type that features a draped bust Liberty matched up with a small eagle reverse. Half dimes of this year are scarce, and even more interesting, there are three major varieties that center on different star counts -- 13, 15, and 16 -- certainly an unusual happenstance. The 1797 as a date, discounting the individual varieties, is more elusive than the 1796, the other small eagle year. The present Very Fine 25 will make a tempting addition to a Type set (PCGS # 4258) . Estimated Value $3,500 - 3,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2562		1800 Draped Bust Half Dime. PCGS graded AU-55. Valentine-2, LM3. Lightly toned with nice details. Only three varieties this year from a mintage of 24,000. This is the first year of issue for the new Heraldic Eagle reverse design. The R in LIBERTY is open at the top, which makes the letter resemble a crude K. If an award were given for original "antique silver" surfaces and abundance of luster, this coin would score high on both counts. It has richly lustrous fields and devices on both sides. And while there are a couple of weak areas in the strike, and a few scattered marks, it earns points for visual appeal. Pop 23; 50 finer at PCGS for this date (PCGS # 4264) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2563		1829 Capped Bust Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 67. PCGS #50052491. Perhaps the finest known. Wonderful toning on both sides. Sharply struck with full mirror surfaces. Among half dimes dated 1829, a total of 18 different varieties are known. These coins represent were produced from a combination of six obverse dies and 10 reverse dies. A very attractive Gem Proof with gorgeous toned surfaces that burst out atop the flashy and hard-working mirror-strength luster beneath. Superb is the one word to describe the overall effect this produces on the studied eye of the numismatists. And not a single weak spot in the strike is to be seen. It is easy to understand why this piece was delivered a hard blow by the special Proof dies. The dies were obviously new and perfectly set in the equipment to impart the requisite force, a force which imparted their sharpness to the struck planchet. Here is likely the very finest to survive in Proof condition. Pop 1; none finer @ PCGS (PCGS # 4294) . Estimated Value $85,000 - 90,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $97,750
Lot 2564		1832 Capped Bust Half Dime. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck with sharp detail throughout. A total of 22 different die pairings were used to strike half dimes in 1832, but this has to be among the most sharply impressed, and aesthetically impressive of them all with its serene white luster and ageless beauty. A lovely and very choice untoned example. Pop 129; 117 finer. Estimated Value $950 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,001
Lot 2565		1832 Capped Bust Half Dime. NGC graded MS-64. Very well struck and delicately toned. This example has shimmering frosty surfaces and no toning detractions (PCGS # 4279) . Estimated Value $950 - 1,000. View details Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,380
Lot 2566		1835 Capped Bust Half Dime. Small date, large 5¢. NGC graded MS-63. Lightly toned with sharp devices and an attractive appearance. There were numerous size changes to the numeral punches in 1835-37 on the small size bust half dimes (PCGS # 4284) . Estimated Value $425 - 450. Ex: The Brentwood Park Estate. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $656
Lot 2567		1857 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-65. Old holder. Vibrant light blue toning. The strike is crisp in some areas, though some lack of detail may be noted at the lower stars and rim dentils as well as portions of Liberty's body. The toning includes some deeper lavender shades. Pop 87; 44 finer; 37 in 66; 6 in 67; 1 in 68. (PCGS # 4365) . Estimated Value $850 - 900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2568		1858 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck with lovely gold and royal blue toning. Lustrous. In an old style NGC holder (PCGS # 4367) . Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2569		1860 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded Proof 64. Nice even toning over very choice surfaces. Only 1,000 Proofs struck. Pop 36; 33 finer, 17 in 65, 8 in 66, 8 in 67 (PCGS # 4443) . Estimated Value $500 - 525. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $604
Lot 2570		1861/0 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-63. Somewhat softly struck as noted on the head of Liberty. Frosty and nicely toned on the obverse. Pop 6; 14 finer (PCGS # 4380) . Estimated Value $650 - 675. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $690
Lot 2571		1863 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 66. The obverse displays partial blue toning while the reverse has full rainbow toning. A beauty. A more than moderately bright silvery gem with strong underlying mirror luster and no-compromises bold strike on the frosted devices. Everything a bidder could want in a Civil War era Proof half dime. 1863 is a noteworthy low-mintage year. If your opportunities of finding a competing specimen are infinitesimal, then go with your first hunch and place a bid on this vibrant 1863 Proof. Only 460 Proofs struck. Pop 7; 2 finer in 67. (PCGS # 4446) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. Ex: The Brentwood Park Estate. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,450
Lot 2572		1871 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded Proof 67 Ultra Cameo. A gem white coin. Among the finest ever graded in Ultra Cameo. Virtually "black ice" fields spread light in a single direction, hence the deep mirror aspect of this fine Proof. Devices are satin white. As far as the strike goes, putting the results in a few words we can say it was struck with systematic exactness throughout. A joy to behold. Certainly a coin that will worm its way into a collector's heart without the least difficulty. Only 960 Proofs struck. Pop 2; None finer at NGC. (PCGS # 4454) . Estimated Value $7,500 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2573		1871 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 67 Cameo. A wonderful gem with rainbow toning. Pleasant, almost cheery satin frost on the devices displays lots of fresh cameo contrast. Far in advance as the luster goes, so too are the designs: bold in the key areas with pinpoint detailing. Nothing about this superb coin falls through the cracks; everything is presented right up front and center, including the sharp photographs. Only 960 Proofs struck. This is the highest certified 1871 Proof according to PCGS's latest tabulation: Pop 1; None finer. (PCGS # 84454) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. Ex: Superior Auction June 1977 Lot 1057 Ex: The Brentwood Park Estate. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $9,200
Lot 2574		1871 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded Proof 66. Lovely blue and lilac toning on both sides, iridescent throughout. A diminished impression is sometimes found on the Proofs of 1870-72, but in contrast, this gorgeous 1871 half dime was left very boldly detailed by the recoil of the sharp Proof dies; a fortunate occurrence. The colors are blindingly attractive! Only 960 Proofs struck. Pop 11; 7 finer, 5 in 67, 1 in 68 star, 1 in 69 star (PCGS # 4454) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,070
Lot 2575		1873 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 64. Strikingly beautiful blue and gold toning, deep and deeply iridescent. 600 Proofs struck. Pop 68; 47 finer; 31 in 65; 13 in 66; 3 in 67. (PCGS # 4456) . Estimated Value $500 - 525. Ex: The Brentwood Park Estate. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,208