Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 54

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Colonial Coinage

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2203		1652 Massachusetts Oak Tree Shilling Noe-4 Rarity-4. NGC graded MS-62. Glossy light to medium gray with darker gray toning in protected areas. The toning contrast accents the design details and the eye appeal of this example is outstanding. The surfaces are virtually flawless, free of any identifying marks or planchet flaws. The obverse (oak tree side) is misaligned slightly to the bottom causing the tops of S IN M to be tight to the edge or slightly off the planchet, but everything else is complete and the oak tree is strong. The reverse is perfectly centered. This is certainly one of the finest known of the variety and is superior to the Norweb example and well as pieces offered in most of the finest collections. This piece was the 1991 ANS Exhibition coin (#35). Usual die state with several minor die breaks. Weight shown as 74.8 grains on the NGC label. In a new NGC 4 pronged holder. Pop 2; 4 finer, 3 in 63, 1 in 66. Estimated Value $17,500 - 20,000. Ex Spink & Son (London)-Robert Vlack Collection-Andrew Hain, Stack's 1/15/2002:19. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $21,850
Lot 2204		1652 Massachusetts Pine Tree Shilling Noe-10 Rarity-3 NCS graded VF details damaged. Glossy light silvery gray with darker bluish steel covering the protected areas. The contrast in toning accents the designs and the eye appeal of this piece is quite nice. The "damaged" assessment by NCS refers to a dull dent at the right top of the Oak Tree and another between the M in DOM and the N in NEW. Both dents create a minor swell on the opposing side, but the negative effect on the eye appeal is not very significant. The date and legends are clear except for the E in NEW, which is faint due to uneven wear at that spot. The backwards N's (first one in ENGLAND and the N in IN) are strong. The "Hollow Trunk" Oak Tree is clear except for weakness on a couple of the lower limbs under the first S in MASATHVSETS. A decent example in spite of the minor marks. Weight shown on the NCS label is 70.7 grains. Estimated Value $1,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,013
Lot 2205		(1672) London Elephant Halfpenny on Thick Planchet Breen-186. PCGS graded MS-64 Red & Brown. Choice lustrous mint red fading to chocolate and bluish steel brown, about 25% of the mint color remaining on both sides. Great eye appeal, virtually flawless. One of the finest of the type we have seen. A small spot of slightly darker olive brown toning resting on the top of the upper tusk is the best identifying mark, and it is barely visible. Variety without diagonals in the center of the shield. Estimated Value $5,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,475
Lot 2206		1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny Nelson-3 Rarity-3 The "VOOE" Variety. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Frosty light chocolate brown with peeps of original mint red remaining on both sides. Nicely struck except for the centers, which is typical of the variety, but the overall strike is much better than normally encountered. Struck very slightly off center to K-10 but the legends are not affected. Struck from a later state of the dies and the break closing the C to create the "VOOE" error is bold. A remarkable example of this popular "Redbook" variety. Far superior to any of the pieces offered in the John J. Ford, Jr., sale. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS . Estimated Value $7,500 - 8,000. Ex James A. Stack collection, and this provenance is noted on the PCGS label. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,475
Lot 2207		1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny Nelson-4 Rarity-3. NGC graded MS-61. Frosty medium brown and light chocolate with specks of dark olive verdigris in the mix, mostly on the reverse. Many of these specks appear to be bits of impurity in the planchet itself, but they distract from the eye appeal regardless of their origin. Otherwise this piece is nicely struck and free of notable marks. Variety without the added "P" on the obverse. Pop 1; 11 finer, 8 in 62, 2 in 63, 1 in 64. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,438
Lot 2208		1766 Pitt Halfpenny Token Breen-251. PCGS graded EF-45. Attractive light chocolate brown with darker chocolate toning in protected areas. The surfaces are smooth and choice, free of any distractions. The legends are complete and strong. A choice example for the grade. Pop 16; 42 finer. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,645
Lot 2209		1722 Rosa Americana Penny with Short Ribbons Breen-113. PCGS graded MS-63. Glossy dark olive with frosty golden brown covering the protected areas. The surfaces are smooth and virtually flawless, which is unusual for pieces struck in Bath Metal. The legends are bold and complete with both sides nicely centered on the planchet. A premium example of the VTILE and short hair ribbons design type. Pop 2; none finer at PCGS . Estimated Value $3,200 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,360
Lot 2210		1723 Wood's Hibernia Halfpenny Martin 4.14-Fb.1 Rarity-3. PCGS graded MS-64 Red & Brown. Lustrous mint red fading to steel brown, more than a third of the original mint color remaining. This piece is a flawless gem except for some of the usual tiny planchet chips on the portrait and in the center of the reverse, all as struck. Struck very slightly off center to K-2. A premium example of the type, at least equal to the Martin plate coin for the die variety. Pop 18; 6 finer, 4 in 65RB, 2 in 66RB. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2211		1723 Woods Hibernia Halfpenny Martin 4.5-Fa.4 Rarity-4. VF-20. Glossy chocolate and olive brown. The only defects are a couple few thin, shallow planchet fissures across the obverse, as struck. The date and legends are all bold. LDS with a cud break over BER in HIBERNIA. Comparable to the Martin plate coin for the die state. Estimated Value $70-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $115
Lot 2212		(1828) Holt's American Plantation 1/24 Real Restrike of 1828 Breen-78. PCGS graded MS-62. Lustrous bright silvery gray with darker steel gray toning on the highest points of the design. This piece is choice except for a few spots of "tin pest" on both sides. The largest spot is nestled between the front legs of the horse and a smaller one covers the back of the neck of the rider. These pieces, struck on nearly pure tin planchets, originally were intended for the American plantations (the operative term for American "colonies" at that time), but they were not well received due in part to their rapid deterioration in the humid atmosphere of New York and New England. Tin is a highly reactive metal, and it is understandably difficult to find examples that have survived without any spots of tin pest. Many are heavily corroded. About 1828 a coin dealer in London, Matthew Young, obtained a couple pairs of the original dies and struck about two hundred pieces for collectors. The example offered here is from that group of restrikes. Pop 6; 5 finer in 63. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,553
Lot 2213		1739-A French Colonies Billon Sou Marque Vlack-18 Rarity-8. VF-35. Struck at the Paris mint for use in Louisiana. This rare variety has an inverted "V" in place of the normal "A" mintmark for the Paris mint, and it is missing the usual stop following NOM. Vlack was aware of only a single example when he wrote his 2004 volume on the series, and this is not the same coin. Choice glossy medium chocolate brown with frosty lighter gray covering much of the surface thanks to the silver wash used on these billon (mostly copper with a minor percentage of silver) planchets. The planchet is a bit egg-shaped causing some of the legend to be slightly off the planchet. A narrow rim cud break shows over the IT in SIT, and this cud is not present on the Vlack plate coin for the variety. Comes with a photo certification from the Colonial American Coin Club signed by Walter Breen and Don Taxay on which they assigned a grade of "choice, very fine, lustrous." Estimated Value $500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $391
Lot 2214		1773 Virginia Halfpenny with Stop after S Breen-180. MS-64. Lustrous mint red fading to steel and light olive on the highpoints, at least two-thirds of the original red remaining. No spots or stains. The only marks are some barely visible nicks under the X in REX; otherwise this piece is a solid gem. Variety with 7 harpstrings. These Virginia Halfpennies were struck by the English government specifically for use by colonists in America. The example offered here is most likely from the small keg of bright mint state examples obtained prior to 1803 by Israel Cohen. This hoard was completely dispersed by Cohen's descendants by the end of 1929. Thanks to this hoard, mint state examples of the Virginia Halfpenny are often available in the marketplace, but this is one of the really nice survivors from that group. Comes with a photo certification from the Colonial American Coin Club signed by Walter Breen and Don Taxay on which they assigned a grade of "Absolutely blazing red uncirculated, and rare so." Obviously this coin looked as special to Walter Breen in the mid-1970's as it does to us today. Estimated Value $1,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,438
Lot 2215		1785 Nova Constellatio with Pointed Rays Crosby 3-B Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Glossy light to medium chocolate brown. Virtually flawless surfaces offering excellent eye appeal. The only marks are tiny lumps in the fields and around the legends thanks to fine die rust and faint die cracks associated with the late die state. Nicely struck. The date and legends are bold and completely contained on the planchet. A premium example of the Pointed Rays type. Pop 4; 3 finer, 2 in 64, 1 in 65. Estimated Value $2,700 - 2,900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,415
Lot 2216		1786 Connecticut Miller 5.4-G Rarity-2. PCGS graded VF-30. Mailed Bust Left. Slightly glossy dark olive brown with lighter chocolate and steel toning covering the devices. The surfaces are decent but not perfectly smooth under magnification. No verdigris or contact marks. The only flaws are a few tiny planchet voids in the field before the face, at the top of the C in AUCTORI, and in the field at the knee of the seated figure on the reverse, as struck. The lower third of the date is off the planchet but the remainder is strong and the legends are bold. Not perfect, but still comparable to the Perkins example of the variety. Estimated Value $200-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $391
Lot 2217		1788 New Jersey Maris 75-bb Rarity-4. NGC graded AU-58 Brown. Sharpness very close to mint state but covered with uniform extremely fine granularity that's mostly hidden under a glossy patina of very dark steel and olive brown. No verdigris, and the only marks are a dull nick in the field under the N in NOVA and a few diagonal scratches or thin nicks under UM in UNUM into the shield below. Sharply struck. The obverse is slightly misaligned to K-12 leaving a few letters of the upper legend on that side tight to the edge of the planchet. Late die state with several obvious die cracks and rim cud breaks. A premium example of the "Running Fox" type, sharper than the John Ford example of the variety. In a new NGC 4 pronged holder. Pop 1; none finer at either service. Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2218		1783 Washington Georgivs Triumpho Copper Breen-1184. VF-20. Attractive glossy light chocolate and olive with medium chocolate brown toning in protected areas. Smooth and attractive, free of any notable defects. Later die state with the usual die failures on the reverse that weaken many of those details. Nonetheless, the date and legends are complete and clear except for minor weakness on the 7 in the date. Comes with a photo certificate from The Early American Coin Club signed by Walter Breen and Bert Cunningham on which they assigned a grade of "Choice very fine." Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $518
Lot 2219		1783 Washington Triumpho Copper Breen-1184. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown. Lustrous medium chocolate brown with attractive frosty mint luster showing in protected areas. The surfaces are very attractive, nearly flawless. A collection of microscopic planchet chips in the center of the obverse and a hint of darker olive toning at the E in VOCE are the only marks, and they are not at all distracting. MDS with the usual vertical die crack through the center of the reverse. A remarkable example of this variety, certainly one of the finest known. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS. Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,510
Lot 2220		1783 Washington UNITY Cent Breen-1188. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Lustrous chocolate and steel brown with traces of very faded mint color showing through in protected areas. Subtle overtones of attractive bluish steel toning show on both sides, and this piece offers outstanding eye appeal for the type. There are some of the usual planchet striations or file marks near the rims around both sides (these were added to the planchets prior to striking); otherwise this piece is virtually flawless. A small spot of darker toning in the dentils over the left edge of the E in AMERICA is the best identifying mark. A superior example of this popular Washington copper designed to imitate our early large cents. Estimated Value $2,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,830
Lot 2221		1783 Washington & Independence Draped Bust Cent without Button Taylor Restrike in Copper with Center Grained Edge Breen-1193 Baker-3. PCGS graded Proof 67 Red & Brown. Bright original mint red fading to steel and light olive brown on the highpoints, more than half the bright original color remaining, mostly on the obverse. No spot or stains, and the eye appeal of this piece is breathtaking. The only marks are a small tick on the front edge of the neck and a few more hidden in the drapery folds above the 7. Sharply struck on a flawless planchet. The fields are nicely reflective while the devices are satiny, thus creating an attractive cameo appearance. These restrikes were made by W. J. Taylor of London circa 1860, and this piece is certainly one of the very finest (if not the finest) of the survivors. It certainly is superior to any of the examples offered from the Norweb Collection. The bottom of the 7 in the date is clearly double struck, which means this is the Vlack 14-J die variety. Estimated Value $2,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,025
Lot 2222		1783 Washington & Independence Draped Bust Cent Breen-1193 Silver Plated Copper. AU-50. Variety with a center-grained edge and no toga button. These restrikes were struck by W. J. Taylor of London in the late 1850's to early 1860's. Frosty silvery gray with bluish steel overtones. This copper piece was carefully plated with silver to appear to be struck on a silver planchet (Breen-1195). No defects, only very light wear on the highpoints. Estimated Value $200-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 2223		1783 Washington & Independence Cent with Large Military Bust Breen-1203. NGC graded MS-62 Brown. Plain Edge. Frosty chocolate brown with traces of faded mint color on both sides. No marks or stains. Nicely struck except for the second N in WASHINGTON, which was weakly impressed. An attractive, well balanced piece. Struck in coin orientation, head-to-foot. Estimated Value $500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,553
Lot 2224		1783 Washington Cent with Large Military Bust Breen-1203. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown. Very attractive glossy chocolate brown with frosty lighter brown toning in protected areas. No spots or stains, only a few microscopic ticks in the fields on both sides plus a collection of tiny planchet chips in the field over the outstretched arm of the seated figure. The fields are slightly reflective, especially in areas protected by the legends where the fields appear prooflike. Sharply struck. Excellent eye appeal for the grade. Pop 8; 1 finer in 63. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,553
Lot 2225		(1815-1820) Washington Double-Head Cent Breen-1204. NGC graded MS-61 Brown. Glossy light olive and medium chocolate brown. Smooth surfaces with only a few trivial contact marks, including a tiny pinprick on the forehead on the ONE CENT side. Sharply struck and nicely centered on the planchet. Variety with a plain edge. In a new NGC 4 pronged holder. Pop 1; 3 finer, 1 in 62, 2 in 63. Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 2226		1791 Washington Cent with Small Eagle Reverse Breen-1217. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Choice glossy chocolate brown blending into a slightly lighter shade of steel brown in the protected areas. Great luster and eye appeal. The only marks are a few microscopic hairlines in the obverse fields. Pop 13; 29 finer, 19 in 64, 6 in 65, 4 in 66. Estimated Value $2,800 - 2,900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,300
Lot 2227		(1795) Washington Liberty & Security Penny with Lettered Edge Breen-1254. PCGS graded MS-64 Red & Brown. Frosty mint red fading to steel brown and chocolate with 25% of the slightly faded red remaining. Nice luster and great eye appeal. The only defect is a swipe of very fine carbon at the rim over ORGE on the obverse. Otherwise this piece is a solid gem. Struck with the usual "ASYLUM" edge lettering, which is noted on the PCGS label. Estimated Value $2,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2228		(1795) Washington Liberty & Security Penny Breen-1254. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Choice glossy chocolate brown with traces of faded mint color remaining on both sides. The surfaces are smooth and flawless, nearly prooflike, except for a shallow planchet fissure from the B in LIBERTY into the left top of the adjacent shield, as struck. Sharply struck except for on the lower stars in the shield, which are relatively weak as they are opposite Washington's head. Variety with the usual "ASYLUM" edge, which is shorthand for the politically significant edge inscription "AN ASYLUM FOR THE OPPRES'D OF ALL NATIONS". The edge inscription is not readable in the slab, but it is noted on the PCGS label. Pop 18; 4 finer, 3 in 65, 1 in 66. Estimated Value $2,400 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,926
Lot 2229		1795 Washington Grate Halfpenny with Large Buttons Breen-1271. PCGS graded MS-64 Red & Brown. Frosty steel and olive brown with faded mint color covering the protected areas on both sides, at least 15% of the planchet displaying some mint color. Flawless except for a faint wisp of darker toning in the field under ACE in PEACE. The edge is diagonally reeded, which is normal. Sharply struck with all of LONDON fully impressed, which is not the usual case for this variety. A premium example in every respect. Estimated Value $800-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2230		(1792-95) Washington Success Token Large Size in Brass with Reeded Edge Breen-1286. PCGS graded MS-63. Frosty light golden steel brown and tan. The planchet is covered with a very thin layer of oxidation that subdues the luster, but otherwise the surfaces are mark-free. Sharply struck on a flawless planchet. The obverse is perfectly centered while the reverse is off very slightly leaving the tops of TO THE close to the edge. The die state is relatively early as the always-present die crack from the nose to the rim at NG is light. This is the so-called "Bob Hope Nose" type as George's nose is rather prominent. Another very attractive Washington colonial piece offered in this sale. Estimated Value $2,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2231		(1792-95) Washington Success Token Small Size with Reeded Edge Breen-1289. NGC graded MS-63. Frosty steel gray with much of the lustrous original silver plating intact. The highpoints are a slightly darker shade then the protected areas as the plating has worn a bit on those places. The only marks are a few very tiny scratches near the rim over ESS-TO on the reverse. Nicely struck. Excellent eye appeal for this popular Washington piece. Estimated Value $1,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2232		(1795) Washington North Wales Halfpenny with Plain Edge Breen-1294. PCGS graded EF-40. Choice glossy light chocolate brown. Smooth and virtually flawless. The only mark is a tiny pinprick on George's collar below his chin. Nicely struck for this type with the legends complete on both sides. The only notable weakness is on the harp, which is almost never fully impressed. This is the common variety with single cinquefoils on either side of the base of the harp. A premium example of the Washington "evasion Halfpenny" that was purposely struck in a crude manner to make it appear well circulated and thus make it more acceptable in commerce. Estimated Value $600-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,035
Lot 2233		(1795) Washington North Wales Halfpenny in Copper with Plain Edge and Double Stars Breen-1298 Baker-35. PCGS graded Fine-15. Glossy dark steel brown and chocolate. The surfaces are smooth, void of any suggestion of corrosion or verdigris. The only marks are a faint hairline from the eyebrow to the I in GEORGEIVS (which was purposely misspelled in the "evasion halfpence" tradition) plus a few scattered ticks of absolutely no consequence. The obverse die is heavily worn in this marriage and severely broken at the top indicating the double stars version was struck after the more common type with the single star (cinquefoil) reverse. The double stars reverse die is unbroken and has sharper details throughout. The NORTH WALES legend is easily readable, but parts of the harp are weakly struck, as usual. The double stars (cinquefoils) on both sides of the base of the harp are strong. This is a very nice example of one of the rarest Washington colonial coppers with 11 examples known in copper and brass combined (some researchers suggest the total is less than 10), and all are in relatively low grade. This is a rare opportunity to obtain a real prize for an advanced cabinet, and this one comes with the famous Norweb provenance (which is noted on the PCGS label). Weight listed as 111.7 grains in the Norweb catalog. Estimated Value $10,000-UP. Ex Norweb Collection, Stack's 11/7/06:2044 (where it realized $18,400). View details and enlarged photos	Realized $12,650
Lot 2234		(1785) Bar Cent Breen-1145. PCGS graded AU-55. Glossy light chocolate brown mellowing to medium chocolate brown in the protected areas. The surfaces are smooth and offer outstanding eye appeal. The only marks are a hint of reddish chocolate toning in the field over the left top of the U, a tiny pinprick just right of this small stain, and another in the field left of the U. Struck slightly off center to K-2, but the offset affects only the dentils on both sides. The tiny spur up from near the left end of the second bar from the bottom is strong and a fine die crack connects bars 6 & 7 near the centers. Both of these minor die markers are used to certify genuine examples, which is important since Bar Cents are often copied. These famous colonial coppers were modeled after the buttons on the uniforms of our Continental Army (the USA monogram) and the 1782 version of our Great Seal (for the 13 stripes). They were made to order for a merchant in New York and struck by George Wyon in Birmingham, England. Pop 16; 19 finer . Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $11,500
Lot 2235		1787 Auctori Plebis Copper Breen-1147. VF-35. Choice glossy chocolate and olive brown with frosty lighter brown toning in some of the protected areas. The surfaces are smooth and nearly flawless. The only mark is a small, dull rim nick over the P in PLEBIS. The lower third of the date is off the planchet, as usual, as the designs on the reverse die were too large for the planchets employed. For the same reason parts of the legend at the top of the reverse are also off the planchet. A well struck example with outstanding eye appeal, choice in every respect. It comes with a photo certification from the Colonial American Coin Club signed by Walter Breen and Don Taxay on which they assigned a grade of "Very fine plus for coin which is habitually weakly struck, especially on the head." Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $489
Lot 2236		(1792-94) Kentucky Halfpence with Lancaster Edge Breen-1156. Fine-12. Glossy chocolate brown. Very slightly sharper but there are a couple light rim bruises on both sides. Otherwise the surfaces are smooth and attractive, just worn. The tiny letters representing the 15 states remain visible, including the "K" representing Kentucky at the top of the pyramid. Estimated Value $50-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $150
Lot 2237		1794 Franklin Press Token Breen-1165. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Lustrous medium chocolate brown with hints of light bluish steel overtone in protected areas. The surfaces are satiny and offer excellent eye appeal. The only mark is a microscopic planchet chip (as struck) over the left upright of the N in FRANKLIN. Nicely struck MDS. There is a small internal cud break inside the right part of the press. The AN in FRANKLIN are not quite fully impressed, but the strike is better than usually found on this variety. Another premium colonial from this outstanding offering. Pop 17; 6 finer, 5 in 64BN, 1 in 66BN. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2238		1787 Fugio Cent Newman 13-X Rarity-2. Fine-15. Pointed Rays with STATES UNITED. Choice glossy medium brown and light chocolate. The surfaces are smooth and the eye appeal is very nice for the grade. The only flaws are some minor planchet striations at BUSINESS, as struck. The date is bold and the legends are complete and easily readable, including STATES UNITED on the label. Struck slightly off center to K-4 causing a few of the rings to be tight to the edge of the planchet. Estimated Value $200-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748