Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 60

Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction

$5 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 3773		1820 $5 Capped Head. NGC graded MS-61. Attractively toned and boldly struck. The 1820 date is one of the more interesting years in the 1820s. Not as rare as others from this decade, the coin is nevertheless elusive with Bass-Dannreuther suggesting about one hundred examples known. (The mintage of 1820 half eagles, 263,806 coins, would seem to be an anomaly since it was never again approached during the 1820s.) There are, however, nine varieties of 1820 half eagle, explaining the large production figure. The Square Base 2, Large Letters variety also isn't rare. However, with so many different dies used in this single year, this piece displays the smooth, shimmering frosty fields one would expect. The devices are also retain their original frost. One would be hard put to find a more truly snappy looking, sharp example of an early gold issue with not even a smidgen of softness on the eagle or shield. There are no objectionable abrasions on either side. All of which adds up to a coin with splendid eye appeal for the grade. An mint-original Capped Head Left half eagle. Pop 4; 40 finer. Note: Large letters reverse style with defective Ts, each having a small notch at the right juncture of the foot and stand. An interesting characteristic shared with other reverse dies for this and other years through 1826. Estimated Value $18,000 - 19,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3774		1823 $5 Capped Head. PCGS graded MS-64. Well struck and lightly toned. Only 14,485 pieces struck. A frosty head of Liberty in bright vivid yellow gold against the equally lustrous and frosty fields. We note a small surface mark crossing from the third star past Liberty's upper lip, otherwise all is bright and fresh and bordering on Gem quality. Some scattered hairlines on both sides, also, almost always seen on the delicate golden surfaces of early Capped Head $5 gold pieces. Only a single die pair was used in 1823, so all coins of this date are considered rare. Locating a Mint State example can take years of patience. Boldly struck for the issue, as well, and we might add, without the usual areas of weakness at the eagle's talons on the reverse or along the junction line of the shield with the wings. The 1823 is one of the few dates in the design type (1813-29) that can be found with any regularity (regularity being comparative in this illustration). Still, with that in mind, it is worth noting that a choice Mint State 64 specimen such as the present coin is a rarity in the absolute sense. To quote the expert numismatist Q. David Bowers when preparing his landmark work on the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II, "on an absolute basis, very few 1823 half eagles exist, and no doubt a survey of leading dealers would reveal that many if not most have never handled even a single specimen in any grade." This particular coin would be a stellar addition to a Type set of museum-class quality. Pop 5; none finer at PCGS (PCGS # 8131) . Estimated Value $60,000 - 65,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3775		1838-D $5 Classic Head NGC graded AU Details Mint Error. Obverse lamination. Improperly cleaned. Only 20,583 minted. A nice well struck coin. From 1834 through 1838 large quantities of Classic Head half eagles were produced with bullion supplied from gold production in North Carolina and Georgia and by gold shipments received from France as an indemnity for spoliation against American commerce during the Napoleonic Wars. Most of the mintage was accomplished at Philadelphia. In 1838, the branch mints at Charlotte and Dahlonega opened and began producing coins for the first time. Such mintmarked pieces are rare today. The total business strike mintage of the Classic Head type totaled 2,113,612 coins. In addition, a few dozen Proofs were made for presentation and display. The Type set collector can readily obtain examples of Philadelphia issues in this span in grades from Very Fine to Extremely Fine. AU coins are scarce, Uncirculated pieces are elusive, and superb Uncirculated coins are very rare. The C and D mint issues, on the other hand, are all rarities and valued highly as such (PCGS # 8178) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,760
Lot 3776		1844-D $5 Liberty NGC graded XF Details. Improperly cleaned and some light surface marks from time spent in circulation. Well struck for the issue. Only 88,982 minted (PCGS # 8221) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3777		1845-D $5 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-61. Well struck and nicely toned. A small mark on Liberty's face and a light obverse scratch. Attractively lustrous with satiny surfaces with lovely fresh golden iridescence. Much original surface is seen with very little in the way of marks other than the one mentioned; particularly is this so on the reverse. An elusive example of the date and mint. In general, Dahlonega Mint pieces are notorious for their unavailability in Mint State, the ultimate business strike classification. On this specimen, a fine reverse die crack runs horizontally across the bottoms of ERICA, then to the tops of FIVE D, then crossing the center of U in UNITED, terminating at the second upright of that letter. Pop 8; 6 finer (PCGS # 8224) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 7,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,050
Lot 3778		1847-C $5 Liberty NGC graded XF Details. Improperly cleaned. Nice looking coin all the same with its greenish gold accent of color. Charlotte Mint struck gold coins exclusively from 1838 until the mint closed at the breakout of the war in 1861. Only 84,151 minted (PCGS # 8233) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3779		1848 $5 Liberty. NGC graded AU-58. Attractively toned, with deep rich coppery reds prevailing at the rims. Some marks on Liberty's cheek and eye. Scarce. Pop 115; 42 finer (PCGS # 8236) . Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3780		1848. Sharpness of AU-50. There is a edge ding on the reverse at 3:00. Estimated Value $275 - 300. View details	Unsold
Lot 3781		1852 $5 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-62. Light gold toning. The present specimen displays smooth, golden color that would settle for nothing less than a full MS62 grade. Quite scarce above the About Uncirculated level. Most of the delicate detail is seen on this coin; were it only possibly for all the design to be as crisp as the lettering and outer areas are. Any softness is centered on the hair and neck of Liberty as well as in the central region of the eagle.Pop 36; 28 finer (PCGS # 8250) . Estimated Value $2,300 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3782		1884 $5 Liberty. NGC graded MS-62. Well struck and untoned, a handsome coin. Pop 56; 20 finer (PCGS # 8364) . Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $805
Lot 3783		1912-S $5 Indian. PCGS graded AU-58. Toned (PCGS # 8524) . Estimated Value $525 - 550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $575