Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 60

Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction

$3 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2818		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2819		1854 $3 Gold. NGC graded MS-61. Well struck with light golden toning (PCGS # 7969) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,415
Lot 2820		1854-D $3 Gold. PCGS graded AU-55. Nice even light golden toning on both sides. Three mints produced this denomination the first year. Obviously, it was anticipated that the $3 would become an integral part of the American coinage system. However, reality proved otherwise. This beginning was also the end for Dahlonega (and New Orleans), since no other $3 pieces were ever struck at either facility. The 1854-D three dollar has a very distinctive look to it completely different from the 1854 P-mints that usually line the bourse cases at coin shows. Dahlonega used what was for that day up-to-date equipment but the mint staff weren't as sure-footed as their better-trained brethren in Philadelphia. Most specimens of the 1854-D, even the Mint States, have obverse denticles that are diffuse from about the 7 o'clock to 3 o'clock position. The U in UNITED is usually weak as well, but here it is clearer than average while the curls below IBE in LIBERTY are not as sharp as on a P-mint. The reverse denticles, too, are inclined towards softness from 8 to 3 o'clock, while the center shows better detail than seen on most other examples. The date and mintmark are quite sharp. The overall quality of strike, then, is generally above average. This lustrous coin is free of problems. The texture of the surface is a blend of mint frostiness and modest graininess yet, again, is far above average for this issue. A rarity destined for a home in a major collection. Pop 19; 12 finer, 8 in 58, 1 in 60, 2 in 61, 1 in 62 (PCGS # 7970) . The $3 denomination was designed by James B. Longacre, who became chief engraver at the Mint in 1844, after the death of Christian Gobrecht. The obverse features the head of an Indian princess, facing left, wearing a feathered headdress upon which is a band inscribed LIBERTY. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds. The same motif was later used on the Type III gold dollar 1856-1889. The reverse displays one of Longacre's "cereal [agricultural] wreaths" enclosing 3 DOLLARS and the date. The reverse wreath was later used on the Flying Eagle cents of 1856-1858. As is demonstrated, Longacre liked to copy his own work. Estimated Value $32,000 - 35,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $42,550
Lot 2821		1854-O $3 Gold. Obverse damage. Light golden toning. Still a nice looking coin and a scarce one at that. Once and once only did the New Orleans Mint strike $3 gold pieces. The year was 1854, the initial year of the new design & denomination. It may well be that the contract was given to New Orleans (and Dahlonega, Georgia) in addition to Philadelphia, to fill the pipeline, so to speak, with the odd new $3 in order to familiarize the populace with it. Only 24,000 pieces struck with the O mintmark. The denomination never became popular. In time, only Philadelphia would continue striking ever-decreasing quantities until Congress abolished the $3 gold piece with passage of the Coinage Act of 1890 (PCGS # 7971) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2822		1854-O $3 Gold. ANACS graded VF-35. Lightly toned (PCGS # 7971) . Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,006
Lot 2823		1856 $3 Gold. NGC graded AU-55. Nice golden toning. Thee is luster virtually everywhere on this handsome $3, upwards of 30% to 40% of the surface covered in original golden glow. The strike is also choice, with the finer detail present on both sides. Only 26,010 pieces struck (PCGS # 7974) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,725
Lot 2824		1856 $3. Sharpness of EF-40. Cleaned years ago and now nicely toned. Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $805
Lot 2825		1856 $3 Gold. ANACS graded Details of EF-45. Plugged and whizzed (PCGS # 7974) . Estimated Value $300 - 325. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $311
Lot 2826		1862 $3 Gold. ANACS graded Details of AU-55. Cleaned (PCGS # 7983) . Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,265
Lot 2827		1868 $3 Gold. PCGS graded Proof 62. Housed in an Old Green Holder. Only 25 proofs minted. Lovely golden toning on both sides. Collectors really like the fact that, in addition to the $3 coins being very attractive, they also boast extremely low mintage in Proof, as seen here. This delightful coin has some hairlines and a few contact marks, which of course, account for the grade. However, the color is outstanding, the fields sparkle and glow, being free from heavy toning haze. The devices are lightly frosted and are surrounded by reflective mirrors in the fields, so creating a light two-tone appearance. A rare opportunity for the specialist. Pop 1; 4 finer, 1 in 63, 2 in 64, 1 in 65 (PCGS # 8031) . Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $13,225
Lot 2828		1876 $3 Gold. NGC graded Proof 65 Cameo. A magnificent brilliant untoned gem. Only 45 struck for this Proof-only year. An important American rarity. The Proof-only 1876 $3 gold piece is made famous by its low mintage and similarly low survival, with possibly as few as 25 to 30 believed extant. It is in the good company of several other extremely rare Proof dates in the $3 series including the Proofs of 1861, 1874, and 1878, but with the proviso that these other issues are not the desirable Proof-only years. Glowing luster with crisp definition and exceptionally clean surfaces. Strong cameo contrast on both sides. There is an identifying small tone spot in the reverse field above the 3 of the denomination that may be used when tracking this specimen. Definitely, a premium example of the grade. In fact, the defining Cameo Proof 65 $3 gold coin! Adding to those results, a further word about strike: this piece has needle-sharp devices, with gorgeous detail on the headband pears, the feathered headdress itself, all hair waves, and throughout the Wreath of Cereals made famous in American numismatics by the artist and mint engraver who created it, James B. Longacre. Among the most attractive Gem Cameo Proof 1876 three-dollar gold pieces that bidders will ever see presented for sale. Pop 5; 1 finer in 66 (PCGS # 88040) . Estimated Value $90,000 - 100,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2829		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2830		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2831		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2832		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2833		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2834		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2835		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2836		1878 $3 Gold. MS-60. Lightly toned and frosty. A last minute consignment, too late to send to the services. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. The Fedorchuk Estate. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,783
Lot 2837		1878 $3 Gold. PCGS graded AU-58. Lovely golden toning, lustrous. A few opening remarks: beautiful. And so we close (PCGS # 8000) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,668
Lot 2838		1878 $3 Gold. AU-50. Plenty of mint luster remains. We note a small ark on Liberty's face. A last minute consignment, too late to sent to the services. Estimated Value $900 - 950. The Fedorchuk Estate. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,093
Lot 2839		1878 $3. Sharpness of EF-40. Worn as jewelry. Solder on the edge at 12:00. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $437