Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 60

Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction

Seated Liberty Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1664		1841 Liberty Seated Dollar. EF-40. Attractively toned with some minor marks and spotting on the reverse. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633
Lot 1665		1842 Liberty Seated Dollar. AU-50. Well struck with even light grey toning. We note a few small rim nicks on the reverse. Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $805
Lot 1666		1845 Liberty Seated Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 65. In a new secure plus holder. Sleek original toning on both sides. This is a deeply mirrored example with warm gold to gunmetal-blue color on both sides. The mirrored surface in the fields overlays the devices with a smart display of reflectivity in the vertical shield stripes on the reverse. To say the least, this is an extraordinary Gem quality example, and one of the finest known of the elusive 1845 Proof Seated Dollars certified by PCGS! Examination with a loupe will note a clear avoidance of marks and spotting in the delicate mirror field, which is decidedly rare to find. Handling on any early Seated Liberty No Motto Proof dollar tends to occur regularly. Liberty is well frosted by the dies, and shows up with excellent contrast for an early Proof issue. As to the rarity, is it estimated that as few as 15 survive of this extraordinarily rare early Proof. The date is clearly repunched on this coin, with the 84 showing below the final punching as seen on most of the known survivors in Proof. Over the decades the early Proof issues, those struck prior to 1858 before retail sales to collectors began, were seldom offered for sale. Even today, a collector may search for years to locate a prime example of a specific date, and it is often problematical to find one in such Gem condition as offered here. The few that are sold usually arise from famous name collections. In-between, as we said, years may pass before another similar one returns. This is a rare opportunity to purchase an 1845 Proof worthy of a king's collection, in superlative condition. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS (PCGS # 6986) . Estimated Value $80,000 - 90,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1667		1849 Liberty Seated Dollar. NGC graded Proof 65. Nice original toning on both sides. High certified grade and eye appeal sometimes part ways in the field of numismatics. In the early Liberty Seated Proof dollar series, many of the pieces dated prior to 1858, when sales began to collectors, tend to be dipped or cleaned or have problems and can be a great challenge to find choice. Gems are clearly in the minority. The present coin has attractive, natural (acquired over a long period of time) toning, old-silver "antique" toning, lightly dappled and of medium intensity. The obverse is a combination of dusky blue, russet-gold, and around devices, has a mottled aspect. The strike is needle sharp including stars. The date logotype is very high on the coin, close to the base of where sits Liberty. The reverse is also toned: a blended gunmetal-gray with speckled russet, all over reflective surfaces. The reverse die is from the one with two tiny projections after the final A (AMERICA) used on a number of other dates of the era. Among Proof Liberty Seated dollars the 1849 is one of the key issues, easily surpassing nearly all others of the decade. As to Proof Seated dollars in general, coins with this finish were made from 1840 through 1850, then apparently again in 1852, but always in very small numbers, then again from 1854 onward. To fill in the gaps and furnish collector demand in the spring of 1859 certain people at the Philadelphia Mint commenced restriking early Proofs for collectors. Eventually restrikes were made of the 1850 and 1851 Liberty Seated Proof dollars, for the 1851 the first time that Proofs were made (no originals having been struck). Proofs were also made of 1853, again for the first time. Pop 4; 1 finer in 67. Estimated Value $55,000 - 60,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1668		1857 Liberty Seated Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. The Mint's Annual Report for 1857 and the Guide Book of United States Coins list the mintage of the 1857 Seated Liberty Dollar as 94,000. Most found their way into the China trade, and eventually wound up melted in Asia, the result being that they are rarer in Mint condition than once believed by numismatists. Perhaps a hundred or so may still be around in worn grades. However, Mint State examples are "quite rare." An wonderful opportunity for the experienced collector of this series, the coin boasts an array of luster whose supporting silvery glow includes the high points. A sharp impression was left by the recoil of the dies that struck this piece, barring the usual flat areas on some upper stars and Liberty's head. The reverse is generally crisp also, we should add, though we note a few light roller lines through ED-ST and some minor softness in the feathers at the top of one wing. Full frosty luster displays on this side as well. Pop 15; 2 in 66 at NGC. Estimated Value $11,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $10,063
Lot 1669		1859-O Liberty Seated Dollar. NGC graded MS-61. Untoned with reflective surfaces, the striking details are "all there" including the 13 obverse stars, with both shields finely struck. An attractive Type coin. Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,013
Lot 1670		1860 Liberty Seated Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. A well struck white gem. The finest example we have ever seen. Primarily satiny in appearance with pinpoint sharpness and subtle hints of toning. A serious collector will see in this series everything that is advantageous, from the size of the format (largest regular-issue U.S. silver coin up to that time), exquisite design by Christian Gobrecht, historic connotations, and an almost limitless flow of fresh luster covering the entire coin. There are a restricted number of choice to Gem Uncirculated survivors, this near-Superb example ranks among the very finest. Let it be said, too, this example is very well struck. Although 1860 is not the scarcest year in the series, bagmarks seem to be common on lesser grade Mint States, making this superior coin all the more desirable and scarce in the premium state of preservation one finds it. The NGC population report supports this: Pop 5; 1 finer in 67. Bit of trivia: The U.S. population in 1860 was 31,443,321. It was the year New York City became the largest Irish city in the world with 203,740 Irish-born out of a total population of 805,651. In April 1860, baseball's ritual for relieving spectator fatigue -- the "7th-inning stretch" -- was adopted widely for the first time. According to some experts (you be the judge as to how expert), the custom had superstitious origins. It was thought to bring good luck to the home team, since "7" was a winning number at dice. Estimated Value $45,000 - 50,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1671		1864 Liberty Seated Dollar. NGC graded Proof 68. Tied for finest certified. Lovely rainbow toning on both sides. Well struck and choice. 470 pieces minted. A fantastic Superb Gem Proof of the date, a coin with frosted motifs and deeply mirrored fields. Central obverse brilliance near the shield gives way rapidly to impressive, deep iridescent violet, rose, and electric blue, while the reverse is a study in similar but deeper hues. One of just 470 Proofs struck during this tumultuous Civil War year. The present beauty is an old favorite within the coin community, so to speak, as this was Lot 577 in ANR's sale of July 2003, where it was noted by the firm (now merged with Stack's of New York City): "Overall the superb quality of the coin combined with the spectacular old time toning creates an aesthetically magnificent effect reminiscent of the coins found in collections such as that of Walter Childs, where such coins were purchased directly from the U.S. Mint and carefully stored and preserved for generations." We expect that our own firm's clients will form an identical opinion of this incredible beauty, once they lay eyes on it, an opinion that will not have changed an iota in the ensuing time from the assessment made back in 2003. Pop 3; none finer at NGC. Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1672		1868 Liberty Seated Dollar. NGC graded Proof 68 Cameo. Lovely blue and lilac toning. A great looking coin. One could spend a lifetime searching and not encounter a more beautiful, unashamedly original Proof Seated Liberty Dollar of any date than this Magnificent 1868 With Motto specimen. Both sides are layered in iridescent blue iridescence that provides awe-inspiring eye appeal as an encircling frame around the more potent and beautifully saturated colors that it blends into further inward towards the center. There is a faintly lilac "spotlight" of near silvery brilliance that glows from the Liberty. The eagle, too, shines forth surrounded by deep, wonderful color. As expected, the surfaces are free of even a single distracting problem, offering a deep mirror sheen that is easily readily apparent at all angles. Furthermore, one can discern bold field-to-device contrast despite the depth and beautiful tint of the original toning. Cameo frosted to a fare-thee-well! Fully struck throughout, too, this exquisite razor-sharp Proof would make a lovely addition to U.S. nineteenth century Type set or an advanced portfolio of silver dollars in top condition. The Mint struck 600 Proof silver dollars in this year, the third date with the new motto IN GOD WE TRUST above the eagle. All of these coins were distributed with the year's silver Proof sets, but many seem to have fallen victim to the vagaries of troubled times that led to the ruination of many a fine numismatic treasure. Some were simply mishandled by their owners. This makes locating an unimpeachable, top-end representative in today's market all the less easy. When encountered, such coins command big premiums. Well they should. Not only because of their own status as condition rarities, but also due to the elusiveness of the business strike 1868 Seated dollar in higher grades. The Proof Seated Liberty dollar series is one of the more difficult to complete in all of U.S. numismatics. From the series' inception in 1840 through 1858, the Mint did not record the number of Proof coins struck each year. It is likely very few examples were made, particularly when one finds that there were scarcely any numismatists active in the country before the 1860s. Although mintage figures increased in 1859, collector demand remained low-key. Many Proofs struck from 1859 through 1865 were melted as unsold at year's end according to Mint records. The onrush of the Civil War in April 1861 resulted in considerable disorder and confusion at the Mint. This reduced the already limited number of collectors which further contributed to the rarity of Proof No Motto and With Motto dollars in today's market. Pop 1; the finest graded at either service. Estimated Value $50,000 - 60,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1673		1868 Liberty Seated Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 61 PQ. Housed in an Old Green Holder. A nice well struck Proof with a hint of light tone. Mostly untoned. 600 struck. Congress authorized the newly established motto IN GOD WE TRUST appear on the nation's coins beginning in 1864. The addition came to the Seated Liberty Dollars in 1866, with this razor-sharp 1868 Proof the third year of issue for the Type (PCGS # 7016) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,760
Lot 1674		1871 $1. EF-45. Nice original toning; normal abrasions from circulation underneath. Estimated Value $400 - 440. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $604
Lot 1675		1873 Liberty Seated Dollar. NGC graded AU-53. Untoned with a reverse toning streak. Probably removable. Pop 8; 98 finer. Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719