Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 44

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Commemorative Gold Coins

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2734		1903 Louisiana Purchase-Jefferson Gold Dollar. NGC graded MS-62. Delicate golden toning (PCGS # 7443) . Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $633
Lot 2735		1903 Louisiana Purchase-McKinley Gold Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Lovely light golden toning on surface luster whose Gem quality is there for all the admire. Bold detail on McKinley's hair, bow tie, and coat lapels, as well (PCGS # 7444) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2736		1903 Louisiana Purchase-McKinley Gold Dollar. PCGS graded AU-58. Delicate golden-orange toning (PCGS # 7444) . Estimated Value $500 - 525. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $552
Lot 2737		1903. Louisiana Purchase Cardboard Holder for 2 Gold Dollars. In excellent condition. Very rare and the first we have ever seen. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $834
Lot 2738		1905 Lewis and Clark Gold Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. A nice coin for the grade, lustrous with a few light hairlines on the portrait. The low mintage is what makes this scarce: 10,000 sold, plus 41 reserved for Assay purposes (PCGS # 7448) . Estimated Value $4,400 - 4,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2739		1915-S. Panama-Pacific International Exposition Set. Set in the original box of issue with paperwork. The set contains: a silver half dollar,a $1 gold, a $2.5 gold, a $50 octagonal gold, and a $50 round gold. Coins will grade from MS60-MS65. An outstanding set by all measures, the silver half dollar is naturally toned to a medium antique silver hue by its long residence in the velvet-lined box. The luster on these varies somewhat from frost on the dollar to more satiny surface on the half dollar and the two $50 pieces, while the $2.50 has a characteristic unique on a gold commemorative in having fine raised swirl lines in the fields. This was expressly done when the dies were prepared for striking. The five thematic coins issued for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition stand at the apex of American commemoratives. In all, 60,000 half dollars were coined, of which 34 were kept back for assay. Of the 59,966 pieces available, 27,100 were eventually sold while the remainder were destroyed later at the Mint. 25,034 gold dollars were coined, of which 34 were used for assay and the balance all sold. 10,017 $2.50 gold pieces were struck, of which 17 were set aside for assay, leaving 10,000 available. Of these there were 6,750 sold and the rest were melted. Turning next to the two prestige denominations in the set, there were 1,509 of the octagonal $50 pieces made, of which nine were used for assay, 646 were actually sold and the remainder went to the melting pot. There were 1,510 round $50 pieces including 10 for assay. Just 483 were sold. All the Pan-Pacific coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint and bear the "S" mintmark. For the coining of the massive $50 pieces an hydraulic press weighing 14 tons, with a striking power of 450 tons, ordinarily used at the Philadelphia Mint for the minting of medals, was shipped by rail to the San Francisco Mint. The octagonal $50 gold piece, the largest coin ever authorized by Congress, and the first minted since 1852 of any other shape than round, was made a prominent occasion at the mint. Prices were as follows: half dollars, $1 each or six for $5. Gold dollars, $2 each, or six for $10. $2.50 gold pieces, $4 each, or six for $20. $50 gold pieces, either shape, $100 each. Complete sets that were mounted in leather cases sold for $200. That both shapes of the $50 pieces were of similar design was probably done as an economy measure. In the years since the close of the Panama-Pacific Exposition, these commemoratives have become highly prized by numismatists. Today, the large and impressive $50 coins are especially admired, and it is always an occasion when a set in the original plush-line box cross the auction block. Lot of 5 coins. Estimated Value $100,000 - 115,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $138,000
Lot 2740		1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Octagonal. NGC graded MS-64. Nice rich golden toning. This shapely super-star of American numismatics has an obvious tie-in to California's gold rush private issues. The Octagonal $50 Pan-Pacific coin was sold in slightly greater numbers than the round form of similar design (645 versus 483 pieces). The enormous two-and-one-half ounce octagonal piece differs by the addition of dolphins around the margin, however, a symbol of the Panama Canal opening ceremonies that took place the year prior to this coin's release. Even under close scrutiny, this very choice piece appears to be worthy of the gem rating. Only upon close detection does one come across even a few hairlines or tiny abrasions, but none affect the portrait of Minerva. (Minerva -- known also as Pallas Athena in Greek mythology -- was a Roman goddess.) Desirable this lustrous with vivid color. Only 645 struck. Pop 156; 49 finer; 40 in 65; 6 in 66; 3 in 67. (PCGS # 7452) . Estimated Value $70,000 - 75,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $83,950
Lot 2741		1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Octagonal. NGC graded MS-63. Lovely rich golden toning. Minor black streaks at 6:00 near the edges. A very popular U.S. gold coin. Only 645 minted. To most collectors who see one of these for the first time, they are dumbstruck by its unbelievably impressive size and vivid designs. Also, the nature of the luster is eye-catching. Even when not sizzling gem quality, the textured effect combined with the unique allegorical design can create quite a stir. The reverse and obverse centers play host to a brilliance and originality always appreciated by the stronger buyers. In short, a choice lovely coin, one that certainly meets the qualifications for the grade. Who can say where this one will go. Nothing like it either before or since. A masterful design by an artist by the name of Robert Aitken (PCGS # 7452) . Estimated Value $60,000 - 65,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $69,000
Lot 2742		1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Octagonal. NGC graded MS-62. Wonderful rich golden toning on both sides. Elusive and quite costly as so few were distributed at the time of issue, this choice example is free of noticeable abrasions. The toning is especially attractive. The strike, while always full, shows clear detail in the stylized leafy branch on the helmet as well as Minerva's cascading hair, and both sides reveal splendid surface preservation. On the $50 octagonal only, there are 8 dolphins on each side inserted between the outer edge and inner circular border. Imagine the advances in technology which had to be met before these massive 2-1/2 ounce gold pieces could be struck. The Philadelphia Mint's fourteen-ton medal press was shipped by train and set up at the San Francisco facility for the striking ceremonies for the Panama-Pacific $50 gold pieces. It is claimed this press could strike a coin with a pressure of 450 tons per square inch. By comparison, Morgan Silver Dollars required no more than 150 to 170 tons of force. This medal press struck 1,500 of each $50 gold piece, for a total 3,000 coins or nearly 7,500 ounces (value today at $800 an ounce = $60,000,000). Unfortunately, there were few takers at the $100-per-coin asking price and so only 645 Octagonal and 483 Round 'fifties were sold. The overage was melted (PCGS # 7452) . Estimated Value $50,000 - 55,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $54,625
Lot 2743		1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Round. PCGS graded MS-63. Lightly toned and an impressive gold coin. Always in demand. Only 483 coins struck. In 1915 visitors from all over the world converged on a veritable new city that had been built of lath and plaster on the San Francisco shore front. Following upon the tradition established by the 1876 Centennial Exhibition (Philadelphia), 1892-1893 World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago), the 1900 Paris Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, and other events, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition showcased marvels of technology, art, history, and science. After the event ended, nearly everything was torn down. An exception was the Palace of Fine Arts, which, while never intended to be a permanent structure, survived to be used to store fire engines and other municipal equipment. In recent times it has been restored. This building in 1915 housed the numismatic exhibit of the Exposition. Under its huge dome was Farran Zerbe's Money of the World display and, after the fair's closing, his concession to sell the remaining Panama-Pacific coins by mail order. America's fairs and expos usually revolve around a theme. For 1915, the fair organizers honored the discovery of the Pacific Ocean (1513) and the aforementioned completion of the Panama Canal (1914) as the dual anchor points for their theme. A series of 5 coins was struck for the occasion, including complete sets mounted in metal frames or leather cases sold for $200. Many sales were made to banks and other novices; for this reason, high grade examples, especially of the two $50 gold denominations, are a challenge to find. The larger the denomination, the harder to locate. Some were also carried as souvenir pieces, in fact. When all was said and done, only 483 Round $50 gold pieces were sold. And it can be assumed (though no separate records were kept in this regard) that numerous specimens in the hands of the public were melted after the federal government seized America's gold coins in 1933. We estimate there are 200 or so of the round $50 pieces remaining. Today the five different coins issued in connection with the Panama-Pacific International Exposition stand as the high-water mark of American commemoratives. The $50 round is legendary in U.S. federal coinage, both for its size ($50 or two and one-half ounces of 900 Fine gold) and dimensions. The artistry was by Robert Aitken, noted sculptor and coin designer whose handiwork presents Minerva, goddess of the harvest, wearing a Corinthian plumed helmet. Aitken used a more down-home emblem for his reverse, a "wise" owl perched upon a pine branch. Curiously, the wisdom of owls is much overrated. According to the trainers who worked the various owls in the Harry Potter series of movies, owls are little more than flying sharks - sophisticated eating machines with only enough brains to get along with. They're downright unfriendly and almost impossible to train to do tricks. Nevertheless, Minerva's owl is golden and beautiful, and we'll just say "wise", on this foremost of all U.S. commemorative gold pieces! What a spectacular way to preserve the occasion than by this well struck, satin-gem Mint State 65 certified by America's top-tier grading firm, NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Corporation). Pop 120; 88 finer; 79 in 64; 9 in 65. (PCGS # 7451) . Estimated Value $60,000 - 65,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $89,125
Lot 2744		1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold Dollar. PCGS graded AU-58 PQ. Lovely golden toning, with premium levels of luster still adhering (PCGS # 7449) . Estimated Value $475 - 500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $529
Lot 2745		1916 McKinley Gold Dollar. ANACS graded Details of MS-60. Scratched. Frosty and untoned (PCGS # 7454) . Estimated Value $400 - 425. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $408
Lot 2746		1926 Sesquicentennial Gold $2.50. AU-55. Cleaned long ago yet lustrous overall. Struck to commemorate the 150th anniversary of independence (PCGS # 7466) . Estimated Value $325 - 350. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $456
Lot 2747		1926 Sesquicentennial Gold $2.50. ANACS graded Details of MS-60. Cleaned but still with attractive luster throughout. A well struck coin (PCGS # 7466) . Estimated Value $325 - 350. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $408