Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 47

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Ohringer Collection $20 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 4472		1861-S $20 Liberty. Pacquet reverse. PCGS graded AU-53 PQ. CAC Approved. In PCGS holder 10963669. A very rare coin and missing in most collections. Lightly toned. One of the classic rarities of the series, this beautiful About Uncirculated 53 coin will be long remembered by specialists. Smooth, even wear, it has far fewer abrasions than usually encountered for the grade. The fields retain luster, and the strike is complete and balanced. Free of annoying rim marks, too, or other circulation-related problems, this coin will no doubt enthuse the experienced numismatist who appreciates such quality in the early double eagles. The internal politics within the Philadelphia Mint continued unabated when 1861 rolled around. Mint Director Snowden and others seemed to dislike Chief Engraver Longacre, and actively worked to undermine his authority. One such attempt was this new reverse die engraved by Anthony C. Paquet, the reverse letters were taller and more narrow than on the Longacre design. The new design was briefly accepted, but when a few were coined it was realized that there was insufficient room for the border, thus the design elements would wear quickly, and the Philadelphia Mint stopped production. Mint Director Snowden cabled the San Francisco Mint and asked them to use the old leftover dies rather than the new Paquet reverse, but 19,250 had already been coined. These Paquet reverse double eagles were released into circulation, along with the regular dies coins. In 1937 A. J. Fecht finally noticed the reverse die, and called it a pattern in The Numismatist 3/37 page 199. It wasn't until 1951 that the archives were examined and the story behind this reverse die came to light. Most of the survivors came from Europe and are heavily bagmarked. The Paquet pieces are generally referred to as having "taller letters," than the coins struck from Longacre-produced dies. There were more changes than this made by Paquet, with the letter size being relatively minor. The scrolls and eagle are larger, and placed closer to the denomination; the eagle's head has been remodeled, while the ring of stars is widened with the rays removed from within it. In the process of enlarging the shield, Paquet seems to have made an error: he put 17 horizontal lines, thus creating a 16-stripe shield instead of the official United States 13-strike one. Pop 10; 7 finer, 5 in 55, and 2 in 58 (PCGS # 8936) . Estimated Value $75,000 - 85,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $96,025
Lot 4473		1896 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64 Deep Cameo PQ. CAC Approved. Mesmerizing golden toning on both sides of this flashy coin. Great eye appeal. Taking stock of another key aspect of the Proof grade, this piece has knife-edged devices throughout, including centers, rather than a soft, mushy strike as most often seen on the business strikes. The stars are incredibly detailed on Proofs, which is one of their endearing features. Only 128 Proofs struck. Pop 3; 6 finer, 2 in 65, 4 in 66 (PCGS # 99112) . The decade of the 1890s is sometimes referred to as the "Mauve Decade," because William Henry Perkin's aniline dye allowed the widespread use of that color in fashion, and also as the "Gay Nineties", under the then-current usage of the word "gay" which referred simply to merriment and frivolity, without the connotations in present-day usage. The phrase, "The Gay Nineties," was not coined until 1926, however. Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $60,375
Lot 4474		1897 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64 Deep Cameo. PCGS holder 3699393. Lovely rich golden orange toning on both sides. Only 86 minted. A deeply reflective specimen whose appreciable degree of contrast stands out for this normally well-produced double eagle Proof. Close inspection of the delicate surfaces makes us even more approving of the quality of this handsome representative. The obverse is boldly struck while on the reverse light magnification reveals incredible detail in the ornate design features; any hairlines are faint and wispy. These, of course, have no ill-effect on the dramatic eye appeal, only serving to shave a point off the coin's overall numerical guidance. It is believed that only a small minority of Proof 1897 twenties qualify at this or a better grade level. Meaning that this beautiful specimen represents a vital break for the gold enthusiast to acquire a glittering example. Pop 2; 4 finer in 65DCAM (PCGS # 99113) . Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $46,000
Lot 4475		1897 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo PQ. CAC Approved. PCGS holder 21591569. Mostly untoned and very choice for the grade. Only 86 proofs minted. A refreshingly beautiful coin from a technical viewpoint and also visually quite striking since it combines deep mirror fields with "orange peel" Proof surfaces along with cameo frosted devices. The detail of striking is needle sharp. To anyone who has ever owned one, a Proof Liberty $20 gold piece is a prized rarity. Possibly 30 to 40 survive, some impaired, others cleaned. We suspect that fewer than half the reported Proof mintage for the date ever found buyers, since numismatists in America with the wherewithal to buy one at the turn of the century were relatively few. PCGS holder 21591569. While the present coin will answer the call for the double eagle specialist wanting an outstanding example of this Proof date, probably a wider audience is provided by those who seek an outstanding specimen for inclusion in a collection of rare United States coins. Among Proof double eagles of this era, only a small percentage have survived in quality matching this. Pop 3; 1 finer in 65 (PCGS # 89113) . Estimated Value $35,000 - 40,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $63,250
Lot 4476		1899 $20 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 65 Ultra Cameo PQ. CAC Approved. A beautiful gem proof. Mostly untoned. Only 84 Struck. An resplendent "Ultra Cameo" Gem Proof with incomparable contrast between the smooth mirror field and extra frosty, lustrous devices. This piece has rich shades of golden color and is appreciably nicer than most surviving 1899 Proofs. As expected, the coin is fully and boldly detailed. Every individual design feature detailed as intricately as it was on the original die. The stars are needle-sharp. The surfaces pristine and virtually perfect with only here and there a microscopic hairline regulating the grade. There is no evidence of any pedigree markers to help establish the provenance of this coin, but then again, how could there be? So we provide its NGC serial number: 1819891-001. When the board of directors, or whoever it was at the Mint, was arranging to vote on the use of Longacre's third Type mofits in 1877, they selected a design that has stood the test of time for balance, artistic merit, conservative traditions, and just plain beauty in the eyes of 21st century numismatics. This lovely 1899 Liberty head $20 gold Proof is the shining example of that spark of genius in their systems for choosing a final design. Pop 3; 4 finer; 1 in 66; 3 in 67. (PCGS # 9115) . Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $109,250
Lot 4477		1900 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo PQ. CAC Approved. PCGS holer 50248063. Vibrant golden orange tones magnified by impressive mirror surfaces. Only 124 proofs struck. First of the aughts (as in nineteen-aught-zero) and a whale of a Proof coin, one destined for the record books. Proof 1900 twenties are very rare in our experience. This is one of the few pleasing Cameo examples we have offered for sale at public auction in the last few years. The defining feature is the small mintage; with so few struck and the estimates of survivors between 35 and 40 coins, a choice one like this deserves your attention. From our experience, and judging from the way bidders react, it may well be that a fair show of hands will start off the bidding on this sparking specimen. Pop 3; none finer at PCGS (PCGS # 89116) . Estimated Value $35,000 - 40,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $66,125
Lot 4478		1902 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo. PCGS holder 21575021. A hint of light golden toning on both sides. Choice for the grade. Only 114 proofs minted. A rare date as a Proof with few of the pieces struck 106 years ago in this outstanding condition. Of the original number perhaps 30 or 40 still exist, high grade examples being especially rare (just run your vision over the supplied population figures at the end of this description). We believe the 1902 deserves special mention, due in part to the scarcity of existing business strike population figures, but chiefly from the paucity of certified samples from the main the grading services. This is an attractive piece that shows some of the field-to-device contrast that gives it the "cameo" mention. The deep, watery mirrored fields display a plethora of visible mint sparkle and dancing light when the coin is held at various angles, a common occurrence for many of these high grade Liberty double eagles. All things considered, a very attractive example of this elusive year. Pop 1; 1 finer in 65 (PCGS # 89118) . Estimated Value $35,000 - 40,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $43,700
Lot 4479		1903 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64. PCGS holder 50245579. Stunning golden orange colors displayed on both sides. A few reverse spots. Only 158 struck. Hardly any hairlines. All 1903 Proofs are the same, stylistically. This particular date has the obverse field deeply basined, from the die-making process, adding more curvature than normal, and giving an especially interesting satiny accent to the devices and also creating a little break at the bridge of Liberty's nose from the method used to polish the die. Every collector who contemplates buying a classic Proof Liberty $20 gold piece will want to check this out for its beauty as well as for the instructional experience. The present specimen combines classic conservative coin design, attractiveness, rarity, and everything else desirable. Certainly it will be an exciting moment when the sale occurs. Pop 12; 2 finer in 65 (PCGS # 9119) . Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $40,250
Lot 4480		1905 $20 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 64. NGC serial #1996341-002. Mostly brilliant with some minor hairlines visable. Only 92 pieces struck. Sleek mirrors throughout makes this as a first-rate Proof 64 specimen, and among the more tricky late-issue Proofs obtainable if the roster of certified grades listed below is any guide. But first, the coin itself: exceedingly choice fields go with bright satin gold all-brilliant devices, and even the bold stars have incredible detail to them from the way the die was prepared. For some reason, the mint switched to an "all brilliant" finish for many later Liberty $20 gold pieces, a look that differs from the traditional Proof two-tone "look." The advent of new coinage design techniques in 1907 forced the mint to switch to a matte or sandblast finish for the Saint-Gaudens $20 gold coins. This beautiful coin will surely delight its new owner, providing many hours of enjoyment and conversation among numismatic associates and non-collector friends. Pop 6; 1 finer in 65. (PCGS # 9121) . Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $40,250
Lot 4481		1906 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo PQ. CAC Approved. PCGS holder 22104676. A hint of light tone. A nice strike. A tiny flaw on Liberty's cheek. Only 94 minted. One of the more memorable pieces with sleek mirror surfaces, deep and watery. The light taste of patina over each side lends a fully original appearance. The strike is typically sharp, and including the hair behind Liberty's ear and the central reverse design which are sometimes marginally incomplete on the Proofs of 1900 to 1907. No obvious distractions other than the one mentioned to prevent this example from attaining the highest possible attraction for its grade. With low mintage that rarely exceeds 100 pieces, Proof Type 3 Liberty double eagles possess the maximum value and desirability. The abraded state of many of these serves to enhance the attraction of this choice Proof 64 coin. There are only a few full "cameo" Proof 1906 twenties available to collectors. (This 1906, has strong details before polishing removed the bridge of Liberty's nose, a common occurrence seen on the last Proofs to be struck, not only in the double eagles but other gold denominations as well.) Pop 4; 1 finer in 65 (PCGS # 89122) . Estimated Value $35,000 - 40,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $47,150
Lot 4482		1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High relief, wire rim. PCGS graded MS-66 PQ. Lovely golden toning. boldly struck and choice for the grade. Indeed, this is truly an enthrallingly beautiful example of the prized High Relief issue, a smooth, satiny gem richly lustrous with yellow surfaces. There is a nuance of pale olive iridescence as well. Nearly all 1907 High Reliefs come sharp and appealing, except for the fact that many were later mishandling and received a few marks and rim problems. This is a coin that shows the much heralded Saint-Gaudens design to its fullest, with serene perfection in the luster and a virtual absence of contact signs. About the only one we can find for you to act as an identifier is a small tick on the left leg thigh. The eagle is virtually perfect! A coin type that has been appreciated since the time of inception by numismatists for its strikingly original theme as well as for the prestige that comes with owning a specimen. MCMVII High Relief double eagles were struck in limited numbers due to the painstaking process required to manufacture them. Only the most serious buyers can afford one in high standing such as this MS66. Not to be confused with the steady stream of specimens of the date ranging from Very Fine and Extremely Fine thru About Uncirculated. When a sterling gem such as this comes up for bid, the level of excitement in the room becomes palpable. Pop 64; 20 finer; 16 in 67; 3 in 68; 1 in 69. (PCGS # 9135) . Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $85,100
Lot 4483		1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High relief, wire rim. NGC graded Proof 65. A nice bold strike. "High Reliefs were struck in 3 blows of the dies on a medal press in the Philadelphia Mint," according to Stack's, in reference to a unique plain edge 1907 High Relief $20 gold piece the firm auctioned a few years ago. "The first two strikings were made utilizing a plain collar, presumably to prevent the raised edge lettering from being disfigured from successive strikings. It was only during the third striking that the plain collar was replaced by the lettered collar to produce a ''complete'' High Relief Double Eagle with Lettered Edge. Due to the work-hardening of metal that results from the pressures of the striking process, the as yet ''incomplete'' coin was removed from the press after the first and second strikings to be annealed, or softened by heating." It must be evident from this account of the minting procedure how painstaking it was to strike a single High Relief $20 gold piece. Now include the special effort it took to prepare the Proofs and one sees the end result in this marvel of early 20th technical perfection. The fully brilliant example we now hand over bidders beats (from an aesthetic angle) practically all of the Proofs that have passed through the grading services. Unlike the usual Mint State survivor with its minor imperfections left by mishandling, this handsome coin is very sharp from top to bottom, center to periphery, the very essence of superior preservation in a Proof $20 gold coin. Pop 12; 22 finer, 9 in 66, 1 in 66 star, 6 in 67, 4 in 67 star, 1 in 68 star, 1 in 69 (PCGS # 9135) . Estimated Value $60,000 - 65,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 4484		1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High relief, flat rim. NGC graded MS-66 PQ. CAC Approved. Mostly untoned and well struck. In a typical sale, we usually offer several High Relief double eagles. However, it is always a great pleasure to be given the opportunity to catalog an example that grades as fine and as strictly on-target as this mesmerizing '66 Gem. This truly is a special coin. The sleek surfaces are undisturbed and satin-like, without even the tiniest alloy spot, and we are also free to say we cannot see a single abusive surface abrasion. Both sides are layered in fresh golden color that serves to highlight the already impressive high-rise devices. In sum, a coin that would enfold itself around the virtuous collector who demands everything the finest for his collection of U.S. gold coins. Pop 50; 16 finer; 10 in 67; 3 in 67 Star; 2 in 68; 1 in 68 Star. (PCGS # 9136) . Concerning the flat rim: Approximately 7,250 were struck with partial wire rim and about 4,000 with flat (without wire) rim. This was publicized in 1908, soon after striking, and for a long time thereafter many listings included these as separate varieties. The matter was not one of a different die, but simply a spacing in the collar which allowed metal to squeeze upward from the rim; those with the wire rims, sometimes called "knife rims" or, in Mint parlance, "fins," are common elsewhere, such as in 19th century Proof coinage. Estimated Value $60,000 - 70,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $83,375
Lot 4485		1925-D $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-65. NGC serial #2090959-012. Lovely rich golden toning on both sides. A key date. About as close to watertight perfection as can be expected, this vibrant 1925-D makes for eye-popping originality when examined closely and with a discerning eye. As soon as one sees the booming luster, it comes as no surprise everything is razor-sharp on all devices. All sorts of succulent thoughts come to mind when we examine it, but the best that can be said its that the coin easily fits into the fabric of MS65 standards. It is a lock-solid MS65. And it has the enormous advantage that it can never be repeated in many auctions due to the low population, which we list at the end of this discussion. When a numismatist has given you those lengthy virtues, which is about all he ever thinks of, then the baton is passed to the auction bidder to tell the world what he believes the coin thus described is worth. Pop 7; 1 finer in 66. (PCGS # 9181) . Historic note: Like the 1924-D twenty, the 1925-D also had its rarity ranking readjusted since the mid-20th century by the emergence of a few small hoards overseas. Estimated Value $70,000 - 75,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 4486		1925-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. Light golden toning. A scarce date. A solid choice BU in all regards. The satiny luster alight with enviable sparkle, the strike is clear-cut for what is sometimes a not-so-sharp date, and the eye appeal more than adequate, with only slight abrasions on Liberty and the sun rays, fewer still on the reverse, with a particularly choice eagle. Pop 75; 29 finer; 24 in 64; 2 in 65; 1 in 66; 1 in 67; 1 in 68. (PCGS # 9182) . Estimated Value $17,000 - 18,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $19,550
Lot 4487		1926-D $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. PCGS holder 11689489. Lovely golden toning on both sides. This is one of the key dates to find in Choice Mint State of the Saint-Gaudens series of double eagles. Mintage declined to 481,000 for the year, all of which (or nearly all) circulated. A few later surfaced in Swiss banks vaults, but clearly the supply was insufficient to fill the burgeoning demand. It can be said with some assurance that in this condition, the 1926-D is a great rarity, with few peers and only a handful in higher grades. The color of this beautiful coin is spectacular, with no disturbance in the luster copper stains. The strike is sharp as any we have seen, and we note a complete absence of weakness on either side. Every detail is full. There is one hidden insignificant scrape down Liberty's outstretched arm, but a glass is needed to see any other marks for the most part. One of the rare and desirable branch mint double eagles from the Roaring Twenties, and a coin in full MS64 condition worthy of the finest set. Pop 17; 7 finer; 5 in 65; 2 in 66. (PCGS # 9184) . Historical note: When David Akers, a well-respected double eagle author and authority, wrote about this issue twenty years ago he stated "In every respect except one, the 1926-D is virtually identical in rarity to the 1925-S (The one area in which they differ is that the 1925-S is often seen in circulated condition whereas the 1926-D is nearly always seen only in Mint State.)" Today, the tide has shifted a bit in favor of the 1926-D. With regards to overall rarity, today the 1926-D is theoretically twice as rare as the 1925-S. Estimated Value $60,000 - 65,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $71,875
Lot 4488		1930-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. CAC Approved. In PCGS holder 11617033. Lovely golden toning. A popular key date. Well struck and choice for the grade. The production run was a mere 74,000 pieces, helping to explain the low supply of coins available for collectors to obtain. There do not appear to be many abrasions that would bar this frosty double eagle from its lock-solid MS64 designation by the grading service. Since it is a near-Gem we encourage one and all to formulate a strict market price. There will be no slipping through the cracks when it comes time for bidding. In addition to the coin's smooth features, both sides reveal a precision strike that conforms well with what we know about other 1930-S $20 gold pieces, that this date was more carefully produced than other S-mint twenties in the Saint-Gaudens series and that few escaped into the channels of commerce. Identical to other issues in the late 1920s and early 1930s, this was a heavily melted year. Like the 1929, 1931, 1931-D, and 1932 from the standpoint of total number of coins known, the amount saved was drastically reduced after the great gold seizure by the Federal government in mid-1933 (approximately $2.8 billion in gold valued at the then $20.67 per ounce fixed price). Pop 20; 13 finer; 8 in 65; 5 in 66. (PCGS # 9191) . Estimated Value $120,000 - 130,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $149,500
Lot 4489		1931-D $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. PCGS holder 10843344. A lovely rose-gold toned example of this rare date. Very choice for the grade. One of the finest offered of the date, to be precise, and desirable in all grades. Breen estimated in his Encyclopedia that as few as 30-35 survived, but this number appears low now (the encyclopedia notes were taken in the 1970s and updated for publication in 1988) since the combined NGC and PCGS Population Reports surpasses that in the number of pieces graded in all grades. All the same, this is certainly one of the better ones known, and a lustrous borderline-gem boasting full luster around the periphery and throughout the devices. Minor handling marks but not enough to cause bidders as a class to turn away; indeed, a strong glass will reveal only a couple of noticeable bagmarks on the eagle's wing. The rarity of this D-mint issue should be readily evident after Akers referred to a group of fifteen to twenty examples that surfaced in the mid 1980s. While the coins in that "hoard" were sufficient to knock the 1931-D out of the same rarity class as the vaunted 1930-S, most of these graded no higher than MS63. This leaves choicer specimens like the one offered here as better condition rarities. The present toned 1931-D $20 gold piece is among the most attractive of the late date issues we have offered in recent sales, primarily due to its spectacular aesthetic appeal! Pop 38; 19 finer, 16 in 65, 3 in 66 (PCGS # 9193) . Estimated Value $90,000 - 100,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 4490		1932 $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-66. NGC serial #1508325-003. Lovely shades of golden and orange toning. A rare date. What is most noticeable when one first examines this coin is its vibrant mint luster -- it swirls from side-to-side unimpeded by noticeable abrasions and unscathed by even a hint of tarnish. A coin of singular beauty and importance to the collector. We have mentioned the luster. In winding down this description, we point to it being a strongly struck coin, with sharp detail to all the important high points. The 1932 Saint-Gaudens is a modern day rarity whose numbers have not been increased over the years by hoards or European stockpiles as have other dates in the series. There were 1.1 million pieces struck. This is a fair number, given the increased pressure on the banks for gold coins for hoarding as the year 1932 went along and the worldwide bank panic spread throughout America. All the same, only a few score exist today in all grades, mainly bagmarked MS61 to MS63. The 1932 is a member of a very select group, not unique, but certainly exclusive among the 1929-32 club of rare dates, a string of $20 issues whose numbers were nearly all melted down. Most coin collectors and non-specialists have never seen one of these coins. Most would mortgage their mother-in-law to Countrywide Bank if it would provide the funds to bid on it. It goes without saying these only appear for sale in major public auctions. Pop 10; 3 finer in 66 Star. (PCGS # 9194) . Estimated Value $110,000 - 120,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $126,500