Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 59

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Patterns

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1449		1836 Pattern Two Cents. Billon, plain edge. PCGS graded Proof 63. Low Rarity 6. Housed in an Old Green Holder. Nice bold strike, attractive color and surfaces. Pop 4; 4 finer, 3 in 64, 1 in 65 (PCGS # 11194) . This year is notable for the appearance of Patterns for two denominations which were not regularly issued until many years later, the two-cent piece and the gold dollar. The two-cent piece had been proposed first in 1806 in a bill introduced into the U.S. Senate by a Mr. Tracey. The proposal was defeated probably because of the strong opposition of the Director of the Mint, Robert Patterson. By a strange coincidence, on December 12, 1836, his son, Robert M. Patterson, who had been appointed Director of the Mint by President Andrew Jackson, May 26, 1835, proposed the coinage of a two-cent piece, as well as a gold dollar, when he appeared before a Congressional committee considering the bill which became the Act of Jan. 18, 1837. In the early fall of 1836, Christian Gobrecht and Franklin Peale had collaborated in making Patterns for a two-cent piece. Originally pieces were struck in billon (10% silver and 90% copper) with a reeded edge and in copper with a plain edge. Some of the billon pieces were dipped in acid or "pickled" to determine how this process would affect this alloy both immediately and after the coins had seen some wear. Pickling gave them the appearance of good silver for a few days, but after a little handling they became dull and gray. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,255
Lot 1450		1858 Judd-208. Pollock-253 Rarity 1. Spot removals (PCGS # 11885) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1451		1866 Pattern Five Cents. Nickel, plain edge. NGC graded Proof 65 Cameo. Low Rarity 6. An incredibly bright and highly lustrous Gem Proof of this very popular George Washington-portrait Pattern for a five-cent piece. View it as a benchmark for other examples that share this design and lofty grade. Because the strike is bold and crisp, it stands out forcefully. The reverse, as well is needle-sharp on the broad wreath. Strong cameo contrast between gemmy smooth mirrors and raised frosted devices. One of the finest known! Pop 3; 1 finer in 66. Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,105
Lot 1452		1879 Pattern Dime. Copper, reeded edge. PCGS graded Proof 63 Brown. A handsome Pattern Dime displaying in lightly variegated brown luster that emits boldly beneath shimmering undertones. The head of Liberty is similar to the one used on the Morgan silver dollar, 1878-1921, and is by the Mint's chief engraver at the time, George T. Morgan. High Rarity 6. Pop 1; the only Brown piece graded at PCGS (PCGS # 61964) . Estimated Value $3,800 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,600
Lot 1453		1855 Liberty Seated Dollar. NGC graded MS-62 PQ. Well struck and lightly toned. A lovely frosty gold example. Upon receiving his post to Mint Director in 1853, Colonel James R. Snowden readied plans to modify the gold dollar that James B. Longacre had executed in 1849. To this end, Longacre increased the diameter of the denomination from 13 to 15 millimeters and reduced the thickness proportionately. At the same time, he seized upon the opportunity to redesign both the obverse and reverse devices. The chief engraver altered the gold dollar's resemblance to the double eagle when he utilized his replica of the marble Venus Accroupie from the three dollar gold piece. The wreath of corn, cotton, maple, and tobacco that Longacre would in due course immortalize on the Flying Eagle cent also made the move from the three dollar gold piece to the new gold dollar. Estimated Value $3,500 - 3,800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,188