Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 62

The Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Nickels

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1236		1867. Rays. NGC graded Proof 65 Cameo. A key date Proof nickel. Well struck and fully untoned except at 2:00 near the edge in the fields. Approximately 25+ Proofs struck. A solid strike in all regards, we wish to emphasize this. Also, the smooth surfaces gleam with varying nickel to silver-gray hues, the legends are clear-cut, and the eye appeal is exactly what one hopes to find on a distinguished Proof 65 1867 With Rays Shield Nickel. Walter Breen, in his Encyclopedia of United Stated and Colonial Proof Coins, notes that 25 or so specimens were minted in Proof condition. although Proof sets were distributed on various occasions throughout the year 1867, Breen postulates that the With Rays were included only on one occasion. In his words, "Now known to have been issued only with the initial or February 5, 1867 delivery of silver Proofs, with possibly at most a few more in minor Proof sets at that time. Exceedingly rare, not over about a dozen survivors traceable ." Breen specifically enumerates seven examples he had examined plus a few other listings and notes that "at least two have been poorly cleaned." The present example is clearly one of the finest known and fully merits the Gem Proof 65 designation. A marvelous coin for the specialist. Pop 6; 4 finer, 2 in 66, 2 in 66+. Historical background: Introduced in 1866, the "nickel" Five-Cent piece has remained an integral part of the United States' circulating coinage ever since. The origins for this denomination can be found in the monetary disruption of the Civil War. Specie payments were suspended during the early part of that conflict. Silver coins rapidly disappeared from circulation in the Eastern part of the country. The Half Dime was eventually replaced in circulation by Five-Cent Fractional Currency notes. Although troublesome to use, the fractional notes circulated long after the war ended in 1865. In fact, until about 1873-75, specie payments remained difficult for American commerce. For the Shield Nickel, Congress followed the example set by the Three-Cent Nickel in 1865 and authorized a Five-Cent piece made from the same 75% copper, 25% nickel alloy with the Act of May 16, 1866. (Breen, 1988, goes into some detail to explain how the proposed weight was to be 30 grains but was repeatedly increased until Congress settled on 77.16 grs. Perhaps the final weight was chosen as a concession to Joseph Wharton, the owner of a monopoly on nickel mines at the time.) James Barton Longacre prepared the designs. The obverse displays a shield with crossed arrows at its base, an inverted laurel wreath around, and a broad cross at the top. For his reverse motif, Longacre used a large numeral 5 to form the focus. Thirteen stars form a circle around with 13 rays interspersed between the stars. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is at the top, and the word CENTS is at the bottom. The reverse rays proved troublesome since they impaired striking quality for many 1866 and early 1867 business strikes. As a result, Treasury Secretary McCulloch ordered that the rays be dropped from the reverse, this decision coming on January 21, 1867. Production was interrupted so that the new No Rays design could be implemented beginning February 1, which explains the low With Rays Proof mintage. Estimated Value $50,000 - 55,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $46,000
Lot 1237		1868. PCGS graded MS-64. Light golden toning and an attractive of America's first design for a nickel five-cent piece, the Shield Nickel (1866-83). Pop 242 (PCGS # 3795) . Estimated Value $200 - 220. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $242
Lot 1238		1868. NGC graded MS-64. Delicately toned and, due to its sharpness, suitable for a 19th Century Type Set. Estimated Value $200 - 220. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $253
Lot 1239		1868. PCGS graded MS-63. Delicately toned. Pop 139 (PCGS # 3795) . Estimated Value $140 - 150. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $219
Lot 1240		1883. Without "CENTS". PCGS graded MS-65. Lovely light golden toning. A gem (PCGS # 3841) . Estimated Value $170 - 180. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $219
Lot 1241		1885. PCGS graded Mint Error MS-64. Reverse planchet flaw. Well struck and mostly untoned. A scarce coin for the specialized collector who recognizes the date as one of the most important in the Liberty Nickel series due to its low mintage (PCGS # 3846) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,250. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1242		1886. About Good. Quite worn. Estimated Value $70 - 80. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $63
Lot 1243		1899. NGC graded Proof 66. Light toning and very vivid with smooth reflection in the field on both sides. Razor-sharp detail. Pop 71; 22 finer, 21 in 67, 1 in 67 Star . Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 1244		1905. PCGS graded MS-65. Light obverse gold toning, smooth Gem quality luster throughout. Pop 206; 67 in 66; 1 in 66+ (PCGS # 3866) . Estimated Value $350 - 375. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $357
Lot 1245		1909. NGC graded Proof 67 Cameo. Lovely light golden toning. Only 4,763 pieces struck. All devices are as keen as the sharp edge of a cutting knife! What a joy to behold. Pop 24; 12 finer, 5 in 67 Star, 5 in 68, 2 in 68 Star . Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 1246		1912. PCGS graded MS-65. Lovely light golden toning. A well struck Gem. Pop 159; 4 in 65+, 24 in 66 (PCGS # 3873) . Estimated Value $400 - 425. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $374
Lot 1247		1912-D. NGC graded MS-65. A very choice example with lovely light natural toning, the surfaces smooth and clearly into the Gem quality class. Denver and San Francisco for the first time struck five-cent coins in 1912. Due to the change in design to the Buffalo Nickel the next year, 1912 would prove to be the only Denver branch mint Liberty nickel issued. Pop 92; 22 in 66; 3 in 67. Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1248		1912-S. NGC graded MS-63. Nicely toned with some light green and rose toning on both sides. Popular Key Date with a low mintage of 238,000. Pop 83. Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1249		A Complete Set of Liberty Nickels 1883-1912-S. Housed in a deluxe Whitman album. Coins will grade Fair to Very Fine. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details	Realized $460
Lot 1250		A large lot of miscellaneous Nickels. Consists of: Liberty Nickels (429); Buffalo Nickels with dates (166); Buffalo Nickels dateless (46); Silver War Time Nickels (120) and $16.00 face value in Jeffersons. All are circulated coins. Estimated Value $300 - 400. The Haveland Estate. View details	Realized $368
Lot 1251		A lot of Shield Nickels. Consists of: 1866 Rays, 1867 no rays, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1872, 1873. Coins will grade Fine to Extremely Fine. Housed in an old blue folder. Lot of 7 coins. Estimated Value $150 - 175. View details	Realized $403
Lot 1252		1913. Type 2. NGC graded Proof 67. Well struck and untoned. Only 1,514 struck. A desirable array of attributes on this 1913 T2 reveals superlative surfaces, for one thing. All regions show striking clarity and boldness, as well, including at the bison's shoulder on the reverse, the hindquarters and tail. Further, still, the present prize is extraordinarily beautiful. We leave it to bidders to sort out the price. Pop 36; 6 finer, 1 in 67 Star, 5 in 68. Estimated Value $2,300 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,105
Lot 1253		1913. Type 2. PCGS graded Proof 65. Well struck with natural light golden toning. Only 1,514 Matte Proofs coined. For the Type 2 design, a bold, satiny gem with deep smooth luster on both sides. Attractively struck as well, which one expects when the mint strikes a Proof, with just gorgeous definition on the Indian's hair and braid as well as throughout the buffalo's hide, head, and tail detail. Pop 97 (PCGS # 3990) . James Earle Fraser had made numerous studies of Native Americans before undertaking the task of creating an Indian head for the nickel. The obverse portrays a mature warrior facing right. His hair is braided in the style of the plains Indians with a ribbon securing the braid. Two feathers are affixed near the part of the hair, and a third one is only partly visible. The garment across his shoulder provides a foundation for the coin's date, and Fraser's initial letter 'F' appears below the date. Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,668
Lot 1254		1914. PCGS graded Proof 65. Pleasing natural golden toning. Only 1,275 Proofs struck. An desirable and lustrous gem with sizzling detail beneath the natural toning. The reverse and obverse centers play host to a brilliance and satin quality always associated with the best quality Proof Buffalo Nickels of this decade; the stronger buyers will want to jump in. In short, a lovely coin, one that certainly meets the qualifications for the grade. Pop 129 (PCGS # 3991) . An immediate question that arose following the introduction of the Indian head nickel was the identity of the obverse model. Pressed for an answer, designer James Earle Fraser eventually felt compelled to respond: he revealed the names of Iron Tail, a Sioux, and Two Moons, a Cheyenne, as being among the three models engaged. His memory failed him on the identity of the third, but the most reliable evidence suggests that the third model was Big Tree, a Kiowa. Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,610
Lot 1255		1914-D. PCGS graded MS-66 PQ. CAC Approved. A premier example for this date. At one and the same time this is a sparkling gem of the optimum quality for this actively collected D-mint date. Rarely seen except in the finest survivors, intense luster blends effortlessly with pale toning highlights on the satin surfaces. Pop 40; 5 finer in 67 (PCGS # 3925) . Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1256		1914-D. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck and untoned. A bright gem that spares no compromises with its rich nickel-gleam iridescence on both sides. Strike is much sharper than average for the Type, without the usual minor weakness that occurs at the hair braid and on certain areas of the bison. Estimated Value $850 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $834
Lot 1257		1915-D. PCGS graded MS-66 PQ. CAC Approved. Housed in a new secure plus holder. Boldly struck and very choice. A satiny gem like the 1914-D from the same consignor and offering the prospective bidder graceful underlying luster. The luster supports nickel bright iridescence. Which makes it a pleasing example of the date, clearly fully struck, and with keen-edged detail in the head, horn, split-tail and shoulder area of the reverse bison. Pop 29; 2 finer in 67 (PCGS # 3928) . Estimated Value $3,200 - 3,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1258		1916-D. PCGS graded MS-65. Housed in an Old Green Holder. Lovely golden toning. A beaming gem rolling in unbeatable cartwheel luster that emits boldly beneath multihued highlights. Possessed of a much better-quality strike than is normally found for a '16-D Buffalo nickel. Pop 109; 12 finer, 1 in 65+, 11 in 66 (PCGS # 3932) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1259		1918-S. NGC graded MS-65. Lovely light gold toning. Better than average strike. Has a couple of small marks on the hair above the braid; die clash shows below the Indian's chin from the legend on the reverse side of the coin. A satiny and lustrous gem with a nuance of faint champagne color. The strike is as complete as these S-mints usually occur, although the MS65 grade permits a hint of weakness is seen at the lower shoulder and on the pelt where it meets the bison's shoulder. Regarding the strike on this particularly gemmy MS65 1918-S we see it stands head and shoulders above the rest (forgive the pun). Pop 14; 2 finer, 1 in 66, 1 in 66 Star . Historic reference: The climate of repression and intimidation established by the Wilson administration during World War One against the evil "Huns" (Germans) continued after the war ended: this time, government scare tactics (to justify expanded funding for various police activites) focused on communists, Bolsheviks and "reds" generally. The climactic phase of this anti communist crusade occurred during the "Palmer Raids" of 1918-1921. Estimated Value $11,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1260		1920-D. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ. Housed in a new secure plus holder. Well struck with lovely golden toning. The glistening luster makes this an example with a luxurious display of mint glow on both sides. Nicely socked by the dies as seen in the full Indian's braid, though perhaps not fully sharp so at the bison's head, but still well enough that its attraction is enhanced. Pop 51; 2 finer in 66 (PCGS # 3945) . Estimated Value $4,400 - 4,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1261		1924-S. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ. Well struck with lovely toning. A highly lustrous gem supporting variegated toning on both sides, all of which is underpinned by full satin freshness. Struck from better than average dies that imported clear detail to the Indian hair and hair braid, the bison's hide, horn and hindquarters, and especially noteworthy in the clear legends at the outer periphery. A popular key date. Pop 31; 1 finer in 66 (PCGS # 3953) . Estimated Value $8,500 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1262		1934-D Small D. NGC graded MS-64. The "934" of the date is actually doubled. Nicely toned and choice. Possibly scarce (PCGS # 3973) . Estimated Value $100 - 125. The William Pannier Estate. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $150
Lot 1263		1936 Satin. NGC graded Proof 67 PQ. CAC Approved. Well struck and near perfect. A satiny, delightful untoned example, the reverse shows the same careful preservation and absence of spots as the obverse. Crisply struck and problem-free. When Proof coinage resumed in 1936, the first cents and nickels produced had a satin finish. This differed from the previous matte or brilliant finishes, but it was a short-lived test. Like the matte finish coins from the teens, these show extreme sharpness, with detail only visible on a Proof. Pop 129; 23 finer in 68. Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,668
Lot 1264		1937. NGC graded Proof 68. Fully white and among the finest known. A superlative gem by any measure, the luster is not in the least timid or yielding, in fact, it is close to blinding. The strike, like the luster, is confident, indeed, as audacious as ever seen on any Proof in the Buffalo Nickel series. Pop 40; none finer at NGC. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,370
Lot 1265		1937. NGC graded Proof 68. A fully untoned gem. A highly glossy Gem Proof that has moonbeam white patina and a razor sharp strike. No one can honestly deny the vibrancy of the surfaces, this being a top-notch brilliant-finish Buffalo Nickel. Fortunate, too, the quality shows in the fully struck devices exhibiting fine detail to all the high points. Pop 40; none finer at NGC. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,715
Lot 1266		1937-D. 3 legs. PCGS graded MS-64. Housed in a new secure plus holder. Lovely toning on both sides. A highly lustrous specimen of the scarce 3-legged variety with a nuance of pale champagne toning on both sides along with other colors, all of which is underpinned by full satin iridescent freshness. Struck from typically-worn dies that imported a coarse texture in a few areas, especially at the central temple and hair on the Indian and around the hindquarters and below the head of the bison. It is believed that die clash marks resulted in the die being ground down to remove the evidence, in the process, obliterating the bison's foreleg. Pop 142; 55 finer (PCGS # 3982) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1267		1937-D. 3 Legs. NGC graded MS-64. FS-020.2. Lovely toning on both sides with muted luster effects from the worn dies. This die-polishing variety was the first of its kind to capture the imagination of collectors. Discovered soon after its issue, 1937-D 3-leg nickels were advertised for sale in an ad in The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine as early as 1937-38. The variety was caused by excessive polishing of the dies to remove clash marks. Die clash occurs when the feeder mechanism of a coin press fails to deliver a planchet, the dies strike one another, and each receives an impression of the opposing die. This disfigurement, when discovered, usually results in the replacement of both dies. In the case of the 1937-D 3-leg nickel, however, the urgency of completing a coinage run may have precluded this customary practice, and a swifter solution was sought. Very few Uncirculated examples are known, coin collectors being equally scarce in that part of the country, it seems. (For a more detailed account of this popular variety, see David W. Lange's The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels.) Pop 205; 76 finer . Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1268		1937-D. 3 legs. NGC graded VF-30. Popular 20th century major variety. Estimated Value $525 - 550. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $661
Lot 1269		A lot of Mint State Buffalo Nickels. Consists of: 1919, 1920, 1935 P-D-S, 1938-D and 1938-D/D. Coins grade MS-60 or better. Lot of 7 coins. Estimated Value $150 - 160. The Dr. Charles Richman Collection. View details	Realized $403
Lot 1270		1938. Gem Proof. In a special H. Sergl paper holder. Estimated Value $70 - 80. View details	Realized $81
Lot 1271		Complete Set of Jefferson Nickels 1938-1983. Housed in a deluxe Whitman album. A very choice set of Mint State and Proof coins. Estimated Value $225 - 250. View details	Realized $311
Lot 1272		A Lot of Jefferson Nickels. Consists of: 1941-D NGC MS67 5 FS, 1942-D NGC MS67, 1943-P NGC MS65FS, 1960 NGC MS66, 1964 PCGS PR70, 1974-S PCGS PR69DCAM. Lot of 6 coins. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details	Unsold