Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 60

Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction

$1 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2729		1849 and 1850 $1 Liberty Gold Coins. Grades include: 1849 Open Wreath ANACS AU55 and 1850 ANACS AU58. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $375 - 400. View details	Realized $506
Lot 2730		1849-D $1 Gold Liberty. PCGS graded EF-40. A bold strike with nice golden toning, there is a scuff mark on the cheek and a minor scratch at the rim behind above the head. Luster present around the stars, legends and devices. Normal weak rim denticles as on others struck at this Southern mint. Only 21,588 struck. In an old green PCGS holder (PCGS # 7507) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. The Estate of Winthrop A. Haviland, Jr. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,898
Lot 2731		1851 $1 Gold Liberty. Light hairlines though smooth, lustrous surfaces and a crisp strike. Our grade is sharpness of MS63 (PCGS # 7513) . Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $575
Lot 2732		1851-D $1 Gold Liberty. NGC graded AU-58. A nice strike with some luster and a hint of tone. Only 9,882 minted. An especially attractive About Uncirculated example that is boldly struck with an absence of the often-seen heavy die clashing on the reverse, only a faint ghost-image of Liberty appears within the wreath, mainly along the right-hand side. Ample luster is present within and around devices, and only a few modest handle marks can be detected. In spite of its low mintage of only 9,882 pieces, the '51-D is actually one of the Dahlonega Mint Gold Dollars more likely to be seen in the marketplace, although many of these have been cleaned or are worn. The preservation of this choice example places it in the upper rank its grade. Pop 44; 56 finer (PCGS # 7515) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,875
Lot 2733		1852 $1 Gold Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63 PQ. Lovely golden toning. Well struck and pleasing to the aesthetic sense of the collector. The design with small coronet-crested Liberty head ran from 1849 to 1854. Production was heaviest at Philadelphia, which the branch mints contributed a much smaller mintage (PCGS # 7517) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $978
Lot 2734		1852-D $1 Gold Liberty. NGC graded AU-55. Untoned. The planchet is rough but all details in the main designs, with the date and mintmark, naturally, are while not quite clear as a bell on this scarcer Dahlonega Mint Gold Dollar, are at least visible. Luster evident on both sides, bright golden and frosty (PCGS # 7519) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,645
Lot 2735		1852-O $1 Gold Liberty. PCGS graded AU-55. Lustrous. Has a few light surface marks, but nothing unusual for this high-end AU grade. Desirable New Orleans mintmarked issue (PCGS # 7520) . Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $322
Lot 2736		1853 $1 Gold Liberty. NGC graded MS-64. Boldly struck. A satiny, mostly mainly example, the reverse shows delicate iridescent patina. Crisply struck and problem-free for the grade and Type. The dies left behind a firm impression on the coronet and all hair waves (PCGS # 7521) . Estimated Value $1,150 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,380
Lot 2737		1853 NGC graded Unc Details Improperly Cleaned. Sharply struck with a few light marks on the surface; intense luster still prevails (PCGS # 7521) . Estimated Value $200 - 225. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $345
Lot 2738		1853-D $1 Gold Liberty. NGC graded MS-62. Fully brilliant untoned coin. 6,583 struck. One pair of dies was used to produce the D-mint gold dollars from this year. Many show incompleteness of strike. Only a small number of Mint State 1853-D are believed to be extant since most entered circulation. A Choice example, we see a better than average strike of the sort not often associated with Dahlonega Mint gold. The strands of hair show entirely while the stars have their full radial lines; the wreath is virtually complete. Dentils are weak in areas (as always). An appealing light greenish gold patina is evident on both sides with and there are no obvious marks, only a hairline or two. Easy Condition Census material for the issue. Desirable both from the standpoint of its remarkable condition as a gold dollar and also as a high quality Southern mint issue. Pop 11; 8 finer (PCGS # 7523) . Estimated Value $8,500 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $9,775
Lot 2739		1854 Type 2. PCGS graded AU-53. Well struck and decent for the grade. Normal clash marks on the obverse as made (PCGS # 7531) . Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $460
Lot 2740		1854 $1 Gold Indian. ANACS graded AU-53. A nice untoned coin (PCGS # 7531) . Estimated Value $375 - 400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $374
Lot 2741		1855 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded AU-55. CAC Approved. Nice even light toning with about 30% luster present, mainly around the devices and within the highest features of the design. Desirable three-year Type with the high relief small Indian head by Longacre (PCGS # 7532) . Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $529
Lot 2742		1855 $1 Gold Indian. ANACS graded Details of AU-55. Cleaned (PCGS # 7532) . Estimated Value $375 - 400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $322
Lot 2743		1855-O G$1. Sharpness of VF-35. Some obverse scratches. Estimated Value $225 - 250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $242
Lot 2744		1855-D $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded AU-53. Lightly toned. 1,811 minted. Type 2 Gold Dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1854 and 1855, at Dahlonega in 1855 only, in Charlotte in 1855 only, and in San Francisco in 1856 only. As can be seen in the listings in the Red Book, the lineup is somewhat unusual. Of the Gold Dollars in these three years, the sweepstakes winner for rarity goes handily -- with no close contender -- to the 1855-D of which a mere 1,811 were struck. (The runner-up is the 1855-C, with 9,803 at over five times as many.) Today, the 1855-D is the prime rarity in the group, a key coin in its own right, and probably as few as 25 to 50 exist. Most all are in heavily worn grades. Published grades and actual grades sometimes differ (although it is clear that the grading service graded the present piece correctly). Relative to this, it is appropriate to quote David Akers: "This is one of the rarest of all Gold Dollars and is extremely difficult to find in high grades. Because of its rarity, it is generally grossly overgraded, and most specimens that I have seen, including those called AU or even Unc., would barely make EF if they had been the more common 1854 Type II or 1855. Most specimens have an extremely weak 8 in the date, and exhibit severe clash marks on both obverse and reverse…" The same writer stated that certain numismatists had claimed that only a dozen specimens are known, but he suggested that "at least twice that many exist. most of them are very low grade." An incredibly important coin, therefore, and this one offers the opportunity to own a coin featuring everything the advanced purchaser would want from the grade, and probably more.Pop 7; 25 finer (PCGS # 7534) . Amusing things happen in a nation as diverse as the United States is. Even in 1855, the year that this rare Gold Dollar saw first light, the American government was up to its usual capacity. It was this year that the Congress appropriated $30,000 to create the U.S. Camel Corps., an experiment by the army in using camels as pack animals in the Southwest United States. While the camels proved to be well-suited to travel through the region, their unpleasant disposition and habit of frightening horses is believed to be responsible for their failure to be adopted as a mode of transportation in the United States. The plan fizzled in the early 1860s with the onset of the Civil War. The idea of using camels for military transport in the U.S. dated back to 1836, when second lieutenant George H. Crossman began pressuring the United States Department of War to use camels in campaigns against Native Americans in Florida. It was not until after the U.S.-Mexican War (1846-1848) that the idea was taken seriously. One has to wonder, Why is it that so many schemes are "taken seriously" by government officials? Is it because they are using Other People's Money (OPM) to hatch out their plans? Estimated Value $14,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $18,400
Lot 2745		1857 $1 Gold Indian. PCGS graded MS-66. Boldly struck. Frosty with light golden toning. An unbelievably lustrous gem with sizzling cartwheels beneath rich toning. The reverse and obverse centers play host to a golden brilliance and originality forever appreciated by the stronger buyers. In short, a lovely coin, one that certainly earns the credentials for MS66 quality. Pop 8; 6 finer, 5 in 67, 1 in 68 (PCGS # 7544) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,105
Lot 2746		1857 and 1858. Grades include: ANACS AU55 and ANACS AU58 respectively. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $350 - 375. View details	Realized $460
Lot 2747		1859-D $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-63. Fully brilliant and untoned. 4,952 struck. A die line across the forehead. Gold Dollar specialists react positively whenever a Dahlonega gold coin comes up for sale since this issue represent a dream come true. Graded MS63, few others have achieved this distinction under the auspices of the NGC experts. And only 10 finer (per the appended population figures). Both obverse and reverse are smoothly lustrous, not always the case with 1859-D, often a problematic date, but strikingly in evidence here. The devices have some lightness on the ostrich plume tops and in the central areas of the hair on the obverse, also at the wreath bow and center of the date on the reverse (the OL in DOLLAR and the 5 look like little blobs), but this seems to be standard fare for all authenticated specimens. Bearing that in mind, we mention them but do so without censure. The reverse shows typical horizontal die striae or finish marks inside the wreath. These may have been from relapping to remove traces of die clash, although some faint clash marks are still seen. Once it is realized that just 4,952 were struck, the 1859-D Gold Dollar is cast in its true light. None were numismatically saved at the time. Therefore, survival of high-grade pieces is left to chance. For the 1859-D, "high grade" usually implies anything from About Uncirculated to Mint State. The present MS63 sits near the top of the chart. We feel certain that the new owner will take great pleasure in owning the present piece. Pop 8; 5 finer, 4 in 64, 1 in 65 (PCGS # 7553) . Estimated Value $14,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2748		1861 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-63. Well struck and mostly untoned. A few obverse pin scratches (PCGS # 7558) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 2749		1862 $1 Gold Indian. ANACS AU53 and ANACS AU58. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $350 - 375. View details	Realized $449
Lot 2750		1863 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded Proof 67 Cameo. Finest Certified. Well struck with lovely even gold toning on both sides. Only 50 minted. Sold at a Heritage 2007 FUN sale, where it wherein was mentioned, "Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth, in their book entitled Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins, 1795-1933, estimate that less than one-half of the reported mintage of 50 coins is still known. The major grading services have certified about 25 pieces, but this certainly includes some resubmissions. This gorgeous PR67 Cameo, the finest seen by either NGC or PCGS, exhibits great contrast, that takes on a gold-on-black appearance when it is viewed from directly overhead. Orange-gold surfaces display crisply struck motifs, and are devoid of significant marks." We couldn't fault this expert description, for it sums up the coin nicely. Circulation strikes of the date because they are extremely rare, increase the pressure on the Proofs. Meanwhile, in referring to the Proofs, we suspect that the present specimen will see a lively round of bidding before it finally lands in a new owner's advanced collection. Pop 1; none finer at NGC (PCGS # 87613) . Estimated Value $12,000 - 14,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2751		1866 $1 Gold Indian. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ. Fully prooflike and looks like a Proof coin. In a new secure plus holder. Dates in the 1860s, with only a couple of exceptions, are all low mintage. 1866 is an example with only 7,100 pieces struck. Pop 9; 15 finer, 7 in 66, 1 in 66+, 4 in 67, 1 in 67+, 2 in 68 (PCGS # 7565) . The year 1866: The first big cattle drive took place this year as "cow-boys" as they were called drove 260,000 head from Texas to the meat packing plants of Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. In the next 20 years, between 4 and 8 million cattle were driven north. This practice was hotly opposed by Indians and farmers who lived en route, and many battles took place. (Once Philip Armour opened his meat packing plant in Chicago after the Civil War, cattle could be sold to northern markets for as much as $40 per head, making it potentially profitable for cattle, even from as far away as Texas, to be herded long distances to market.). Estimated Value $3,800 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,830
Lot 2752		1877 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-68 PL. A lovely gem with light golden toning. Looks like a Proof. Widely sought as an appealing example of the 1877 coinage, various dates this year are low mintage, or are Proof-only, or they have some other reason for enticing collectors to buy. The Gold Dollar's mystique is of course its impressively small mintage of only 3,900 business strikes (although the 1876 and 1878 compete). This is a gorgeous superb example and one of the finest Gold Dollars we have had the pleasure to auction for a consignor, that includes several similarly graded coins from the 1880s which are far commoner (if this is the correct word) in MS68. The surfaces are perfect to all intents and purposes and from a technical standpoint, and each side has lovely bright-gold color. The fields gleam with Prooflike reflection, but there is also a slight cartwheel effect which adds to the charm of this superb Gold Dollar. Pop 2; none finer at NGC (PCGS # 7578) . Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. The Estate of Winthrop A. Haviland, Jr. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $14,950
Lot 2753		1880 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-67 Prooflike. A frosty untoned prooflike coin. 1,600 pieces minted. Pop 7; 10 finer, 9 in 67 Star, 1 in 68 (PCGS # 7581) . According to the Breen encyclopedia, "Despite limited mintage of the Broad Head dollars 1879-89, mint state survivors are plentiful. Most of the [1,600] of 1880 went to hoarders; during the 1950s and '60s, the holdings of Horace L. P. Brand, Charles E. Green, and others yielded hundreds of choice examples. Smaller hoards turned up of other dates in the period; all are available for a price. Worn survivors are very unusual, and apparently nonexistent for 1880, which almost always comes prooflike UNC. Type collectors have snapped up many of these, especially as the coins are attractive sharp strikings." Of course, these have since been distributed into the marketplace, for multiple coin offerings are now almost unheard of. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,025
Lot 2754		1885 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded Proof 68 Cameo. Lovely light golden toning on both sides. The mint's production of Proof Gold Dollars rose in the period after 1880; in 1885 the number breached a thousand pieces (1,105 to be exact) as collecting interest developed for the affordable Gold Dollar denomination. Although the mintage figure might suggest that the 1885 is an easily obtainable issue, nothing could be further from the truth. Or, to put it in less emphatic form and without hyperbole, this supposition is completely untrue, they are decidedly rare in superior Gem Proof grades. In fact, it could be that fewer than a hundred examples of this issue are extant, the majority of which grade miles below this Proof 68 level, per the population figures which come at the end of this discussion. Given the high grade of the piece, there is little wonder why it exhibits vibrant, deep-gold luster on sparkling, sleek-mirrored fields. Close examination reveals an "orange peel" texture and there are no post-striking distraction, none whatsoever. Devices carry a strong cameo frost. This delivers true two-tone quality which makes the coin a very special offering for the gold enthusiast. Pop 2; none finer at NGC (PCGS # 87635) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2755		1889 $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-67. Well struck and frosty. 28,950 pieces minted. A desirable superb quality coin, this example displays almost enthralling untoned golden surfaces, with sharp detail aplenty. Final year of the type. The Coinage Act of 1890 abolished the gold dollar, the $3 gold piece, the three-cent nickel, as well as standardized mint processes. The Act requires Congressional approval to change a coin if its design has not been in circulation for 25 years. Pop 216; 16 finer in 68 (PCGS # 7590) . Estimated Value $2,600 - 2,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,990
Lot 2756		A Lot of ANACS Slabbed $1 Gold Coins. Dates and grades include: 1856 SL-5 AU53 Details, 1873 Open 3 AU58 Details, 1874 MS60 Details, 1874 AU58 Details. Lot of 4 coins. Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details	Realized $776
Lot 2757		1856 $1. ANACS graded all AU-55. Slanted 5. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $525 - 550. View details	Realized $633