Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 48

Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction

$3 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1424		1854 $3 Gold. PCGS graded MS-62. Rather choice for the grade with attractive golden and pale olive toning. Bright frosty finish, sparkling underneath the toning with dancing luster on both sides almost mimicking the cartwheel luster seen on later-issue gold coins. Difficult to find in Mint condition. In an old green label holder (PCGS # 7969) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,888
Lot 1425		1854-D $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-61. In NGC holder 2064543-001. A popular key date. Untoned. Only 1,120 pieces minted. Three mints produced this denomination the first year. Obviously, it was anticipated that the $3 would become an integral part of the American coinage system. However, reality proved otherwise. This beginning was also the end for Dahlonega and New Orleans, and no other $3 pieces were ever struck at either facility. The 1854-D three dollar has a very distinctive look to it completely different from the 1854 P-mints that usually make the rounds. Dahlonega used what was then pretty up-to-date equipment but the mint staff weren't as sure-footed as their better-trained brethren at Philadelphia. As seen on most specimens of the 1854-D, Mint State or worn, the obverse denticles are diffuse from about the 7 o'clock to 3 o'clock position. The U in UNITED is usually weak as well, but here it is clearer than average while the curls below IBE in LIBERTY are not as sharp as on a P-mint. The reverse denticles, too, are inclined towards softness from 8 to 3 o'clock, while the center shows better detail than seen on most other examples. The date and mintmark are quite sharp. The overall quality of strike, then, is generally above average. This lustrous coin is free of problems. The texture of the surface is a blend of mint frostiness and modest graininess yet, again, is far above average for this issue. A rarity destined for a home in a major collection. Pop 5; 1 finer in 62 (PCGS # 7970) . The $3 denomination was designed by James B. Longacre, who became chief engraver at the Mint in 1844, after the death of Christian Gobrecht. The obverse features the head of an Indian princess, facing left, wearing a feathered headdress upon which is a band inscribed LIBERTY. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds. The same motif was later used on the Type III gold dollar 1856-1889. The reverse displays one of Longacre's "cereal [agricultural] wreaths" enclosing 3 DOLLARS and the date. The reverse wreath was later used on the Flying Eagle cents of 1856-1858. As is demonstrated, Longacre liked to copy his own work. Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $77,625
Lot 1426		1854-O $3 Gold. EF-40. Popular as the only "O" mint $3.00. Only 24,000 struck. Lightly toned. A lightly circulated example of the scarcer O-mint $3, the only year this mint struck the denomination. Bold strike. In a new style ANACS holder. Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,156
Lot 1427		1855 $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-61. Naturally toned with a mint caused tar streak behind Liberty. A satiny Mint State of the most advantageous order for a collector since it is not well known that the 1855 issue is much scarcer than the higher-production 1854. Its subdued but still broad-spinning luster gives a pleasing effect beneath the original mellow golden highlights. Nicely struck, too, with just a small amount of weakness at the usual Achilles' heel for the $3 gold, that being the ribbon bow at the bottom of the wreath (PCGS # 7972) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,795
Lot 1428		1860 $3 Gold. NGC graded AU-58. Nice golden toning. A very attractive early $3 of the finest order for the grade. The lustrous surfaces exhibit mingled medium gold and reddish orange patina. Nicely struck as well, more fully so than most dates in this period, and therefore nice enough to merit mention here. Only 7,036 minted. Pop 85; 71 finer. (PCGS # 7980) . Estimated Value $2,400 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1429		1860-S $3 Gold. NGC graded AU-58 CAC Approved. Well struck and delicately toned. A carefully protected high-end circulated specimen with residual luster that peeks through the naturally toned surface. Subtle hints of champagne and orange toning brings out the expansiveness of the strike while it enhances the unexpectedly beautiful eye appeal of this scarce S-mint $3 gold coin. There is the usual minor weak detail in the upper feather ends and on the bow and lower leaves of the wreath. Only 7000 minted and most survivors are only encountered well worn. Pop 18; 5 finer with 1 in 60, 4 in 64 (PCGS # 7981) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $14,375
Lot 1430		1862 $3 Gold. NGC graded Proof 66 Ultra Cameo. In NGC holder 3210948-003. Tied for finest certified Proof 1862 $3 gold piece. A fully struck and untoned gem. While occasionally seen in auctions, the 1862 Proof three-dollar gold piece tends to be found in lower grades with hairlines being the main grade-limiter. A bright reddish golden sheen, this lovely specimen is sharply contrasted between frosty devices and rolling glowing fields. The devices are razor-sharp in striking definition, and all areas are equally free of distracting spots or blemishes. In fact, the outward appearance seems to suggest an even better, museum-quality status. One of the most spectacular Ultra Cameo gold Proofs of any denomination that bidders will remember seeing in an auction. Only 35 struck in proof. Pop 2; None finer. Monetary conditions in the Eastern part of the nation were disturbed in the early 1860s. Few depositors were bringing their bullion to the Philadelphia Mint for coinage. That, in part, explains the low business-strike emission of 5,750 pieces for the three dollar gold in 1862. As for the Proofs, it has been observed that the Proof die from 1861 was reused for the 1862 strikes, and accordingly only the tops of the JBL (James Barton Longacre) initials on the bust truncation are visible, the result of die polishing. This specimen has a high wire rim on both sides; this appears to be from extra sharp die pressure applied to the gold planchets. Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1431		1878 $3 Gold. PCGS graded MS-62. A frosty mint beauty exhibiting lovely natural rose color toning on both sides with resonating luster throughout (PCGS # 8000) . Estimated Value $3,700 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,485
Lot 1432		1878 $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-62. Lightly toned. The most common date thus ideal for a Mint State type set, immediately identifiable as select BU by its rolling frosty surfaces (PCGS # 8000) . Estimated Value $3,700 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,220
Lot 1433		1878 $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-62. A fully lustrous example with excellent surfaces throughout. The bright gold color erupts everywhere untouched by toning. A decent strike as well, making this an advantageous coin for the focused collector and an ideal coin for a Mint State gold type set (PCGS # 8000) . Estimated Value $3,700 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1434		1879 $3 Gold. NGC graded AU-58 Prooflike. Well struck and very lightly toned. Nice prooflike surfaces. Low mintage date as only 3000 were made. Pop 4; 18 finer (PCGS # 8001) . Estimated Value $2,300 - 2,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,875
Lot 1435		1880 $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-64 Prooflike CAC Approved. Well struck and untoned. More often than not prooflike for the issue, as seen here, the golden colored surface is nearly gem with few distracting bagmarks. No need to worry about an unsuccessful strike left by the rebound of the dies that coined this, either, since even a cursory examination of the piece reveals nice clarity of detail, including the centers. Only 1,000 minted for circulation. Pop 4; none finer (PCGS # 8002) . Estimated Value $13,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1436		1882 $3 Gold. PCGS graded MS-64. Well struck with prooflike surfaces on both sides that exhibit a hint of light toning. Crisp light hazy golden color, points to long, careful storage, while undisturbed mint frost on the devices offers a nice contrast for the reflective field that surrounds. Carefully struck, too, with just outstanding detail at the portrait and wreath. A scarce, low-mintage year. Only 1500 struck. Pop 19; 5 in 65, 3 in 66, 2 in 67 (PCGS # 8004) . Estimated Value $13,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $13,800