Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 63

The Pre-Long Beach Auction of US, World Coins and Currency

Capped Bust Half Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 790		1811 Small 8. . O-110. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck and nicely toned. A hard to believe array of luster supports bright vibrant toned highlights. Nicely struck with the design comparable to the best preserved specimens of this date; if one wanted to quibble slightly, reference might be made to the lack of most rim dentils on the reverse, perhaps this is from a worn die. Luster glows. Pop 16; 11 in 66, 3 in 67, 1 in 68. Estimated Value $11,000 - 12,500. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,225
Lot 791		1812, 2 over 1. Small 8. O-101a. Rarity 5. PCGS graded AU-58. Nicely toned with natural light iridescence around the borders and darker toning on the cheek. Lustrous. Die clash ghost image agove date from scroll on reverse. Most stars flat. Pop 16 (PCGS # 6101) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,438
Lot 792		1813. O-106. NGC graded AU-58. Well struck and untoned, a lustrous early Capped Bust Half Dollar. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,050. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $949
Lot 793		1817. O-110. Rarity 2. PCGS graded MS-64. Lovely deep blue and violet toning on both sides. A glistening near-gem with luster that practically flies off the surface. The rich toning really brings out the expansiveness of the strike while it enhances the unexpectedly beautiful eye appeal of this coin. Pop 12; 6 in 65, 2 in 66 (PCGS # 6109) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,463
Lot 794		1818. . O-107. NGC graded MS-64. Intensely lustrous with lovely golden toning with blue-green colors about the borders. A flashy and very choice example. The estimated mintage of 1,960,322 half dollars for 1818 were struck from a combination of fifteen die marriages for this year. Pop 23; 4 finer, 3 in 65, 1 in 66. Estimated Value $3,900 - 4,500. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,588
Lot 795		1819. . O-114. PCGS graded MS-64 CAC Approved. Attractive natural antique toning which is slightly iridescent. There were fifteen die marriages to produced the estimated 2,208,000 half dollars of 1819. Pop 10; 3 in 65 (PCGS # 6117) . Estimated Value $5,750 - 6,750. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,050
Lot 796		1819, 9 over 8. Large 9. O-102. Rarity 2. NGC graded AU-58. Lovely multi-color toning on both sides adds to its strong eye appeal. Pop 13; 3 finer for the variety. Estimated Value $900 - 950. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 797		1822. O-104. Rarity 3. NGC graded MS-65. Gorgeous multi-color iridescent toning covers both sides of this gem specimen. What's more, a high degree of luster spins smoothly on the satin-surfaces of this well-toned and elusive gem. The strike is crisp in most areas, though some lack of detail may be noted at the curls at the back of the head. Razor-sharp stars. Pop 1; none finer for the variety. Estimated Value $11,000 - 12,500. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,225
Lot 798		1823. . O-106a. NGC graded MS-62. Well struck an a most appealing example for the grade. Intensely lustrous with beautiful obverse toning exhibiting shades of iridescent blue and russet tones. Pop 56; 69 finer. Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,530
Lot 799		1824, 4 over 4. O-110a. Rarity 2. NGC graded MS-65. A marvelous gem! This beauty is loaded with booming mint luster and golden hues cover the majority of the obverse. Most stars flat. Hair curls bold. The included photographs show plainly the wonderful volatile cartwheel luster that graces the satiny and dynamic surfaces here. What also sparks our interest is the varying hues of toning that mingle broadly, beneficially with the rich iridescence. An attractive gem that shows off its bold detail proudly. Pop 4; none finer. Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $9,775
Lot 800		1825. O-111. Rarity 3. NGC graded MS-61. Deeply toned on both sides, this is a lustrous, well struck example with noticeable recutting on 50C. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 801		1826. . O-115. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck throughout with outstanding toning featuring shades of gold framed by electric blue iridescence. A lovely example that presents the viewer with lots of mint frostiness. Pop 1; none finer for the variety. Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,400. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,485
Lot 802		1827. . Overton-105, Rarity-3. NGC graded AU-53. Lovely multi-color toning on the obverse. Top of 5 in 50 is recut. Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 803		1827. Square base 2. . O-128. PCGS graded MS-64. Beautiful multi-color toning on both sides. A very attractive near-gem with frosty surfaces that burst out atop the bright and hard-working toning on top. Some weak spots in strike is seen at the cap and topmost curls and stars; sharp scroll, eagle, and shield, with the denomination faint and most letters pulled toward the rim. Pop 82; 23 finer (PCGS # 6144) . Estimated Value $2,600 - 3,000. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,220
Lot 804		1828. O-114. Rarity 3. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck with marvelous original golden and russet toning on both sides. Here it is -- everything desirable wrapped up in a single coin. The present piece is sharply struck on both sides, the very definition of the Capped Bust style minted from 1807 through 1836. Beyond that the piece has luminous silver surfaces with exquisite colors shimmering above. The entire suite is a festival to the eye. There are sufficient Mint State half dollars of the 1820s and 1830s in existence that finding a choice one rarely pose a challenge, although like as not the offerings tend to be in the 1830s and not as often of earlier dates. However, the aspect of sharp strike, if this is important to you (and for the vast majority of buyers, particularly investors, little attention is paid) the equation changes dramatically and only one coin in several will qualify. Light striking on other coins is apt to include the star centers, the central hair details of Miss Liberty, and flatness or weakness in the ribbon bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The detail of this piece is marvelous for the variety; the obverse appears perfect, the reverse the same. Pop 18; 7 finer. Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,500. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,763
Lot 805		1829 Small Letters. O-103. Rarity 1. NGC graded MS-65. A well struck gem with capitavating original multi dimensional toning. The borders are iridescent while the centers are a soft lilac-grey. Quite a desirable example. Pop 1; none finer for the variety. Identifiers include: all stars on left drawn to the edge; on the reverse, the 5 higher than the 0, tipped more to the left and the knob is nearly closed to the broken end of the stand. 0 in 50C recut at bottom. Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,625
Lot 806		1829, 9 over 7. O-101a. PCGS graded MS-62. A nice frosty mint example of this popular overdate, and delicately toned. On O-101a, the tail feathers and feathers on the right side of the shield as well as arrow shafts at claws have been nearly removed by lapping of the die at the mint (possibly to remove die clash marks.) Pop 10; 25 finer (PCGS # 6155) . Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,013
Lot 807		1830. Small 0. . O-103, Rarity-3. PCGS graded MS-64. A lustrous example and quite choice with attractive hues of golden toning spread on both sides. Weakly struck in centers and the stars pulled toward the edge, possibly indication the worn state of this die. Pop 83; 26 finer (PCGS # 6156) . Estimated Value $2,600 - 2,850. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,875
Lot 808		1830. Large 0. O-122. ICG graded MS-64. A gorgeous example and a Premium Quality coin for the given grade. Intensely lustrous featuring soft pasel toning on both sides. Destined for a "break-out". The estimated mintage of 4,764,800 half dollars with the 1830 date was completed using 23 die marriages. Small O varieties are the most often seen; several Large O varieties were made as well. Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,700. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 809		1831. . O-106, R-3. NGC graded MS-65. Each side displays original deep golden toning. The satin-like luster is almost unimpaired by abrasions of any size, thereby earning it the coveted MS65 Gem grade. Devices were struck with the primary energy required to impart the design to the inner areas such as the hair curls and eagle as well as enough vigor by the dies to impart some clear-cut outer areas. The stars are all flat-topped and portions of the reverse scroll lack detail from their position on the die opposite the bulge of Liberty's breast on the other side (a common sight on Bust Half Dollars in the 1830s). Pop 39; 12 finer in 66. Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,500. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,900
Lot 810		1834. . O-111, R-1. So-called Child's Head. NGC graded MS-64. Nicely struck with attractive and smooth semi-reflective fields on both sides; all, overlaid with appealing multi-dimensional toning. Pop 127; 75 finer. Estimated Value $3,800 - 4,000. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,565
Lot 811		1834. O-101. Rarity 1. NGC graded MS-64. An outstanding bust half ! Iridescent toning encircles the lilac-grey centers giving this beauty outstanding eye-appeal. The supporting luster gleams and skips across the surface as the viewer tips the coin under a light. Pop 127; 75 finer. Estimated Value $3,500 - 3,700. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,220
Lot 812		1834. . O-106, R-1. Large crude 4 over small 4. NGC graded MS-63. A lovely fully lustrous example with glittering frosty mint surfaces throughout. On this variety the date is 8 mm. wide with a tall rather narrow 4 that is crudely cut over a small 4. Part of the crossbar of the first 4 is visible about one-quarter mm. above crossbar of the final large 4. Estimated Value $2,750 - 3,500. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 813		1834. Small date and letters. O-110. NGC graded MS-66 Prooflike. A needle sharp strike, untoned and totally brilliant with mirror fields on both sides. The seventh and final stylistic change to Reich's venerable capped bust left Half Dollar is seen in the 1834 to 1836 lettered edge pieces. There had been a massive redesign by the mint, with a smaller, sharper face and a downward-tilted bust line. Stars also are smaller. Most of these modifications were aimed at improving the striking quality of the dies. Extremely well defined in all areas, with reflective qualities in the fields that are reminiscent of a proof striking from these relatively early years at the Mint. Each side is coated in olive-gold with slight russet mottling near the margins. An abrasion begins just left of star 4 and extends into the left obverse field. "A circular die crack from the tail feathers crosses upper pair of olive leaves, tip of the left wing, through UNITED under first S, along top of scroll, then curving down across corner of same to top and across right wing to junction of arrow shaft and claw. Thereby forming a large loop around the inner design of this variety." (Early Half Dollar Die Varieties, 1794-1836, Third Edition, Al C. Overton, p.568) A memorable Bust half dollar, regardless of the date or die variety. Pop 1; the finest prooflike graded at this service. Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000. Ex Heritage Baltimore Sale, July 2003:7500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 814		1835. O-109. Rarity 2. ICG graded MS-65. Mottled iridescent toning over semi reflective surfaces on both sides. A solid gem in all regards. The satiny surfaces are alight with sizzling luster, the strike is clear-cut, and the eye appeal is nothing short of exceptional. On this variety, the date is in a straight line while stars 7, 11 and 13 are recut. On the reverse, the small 5 is nearly closed and the C is much larger than 50. Estimated Value $3,400 - 3,600. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 815		1836. O-115. NGC graded MS-62. Nicely toned around the obverse edges as well as on the reverse. A lustrous example for the Type Set buyer. Pop 2; none finer for the variety. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,093
Lot 816		1836. Lettered edge. . O-114. NGC graded MS-65. A lovely gem example displaying shades of golden toning on both sides. A satiny gem. Supple underlying luster is enveloped in pale toning iridescence. A pleasing example of the final Lettered Edge date, completely struck, with outstanding detail in the head, curls and shoulder area of the obverse, and an eagle that shows its major plumage and detail in the feet better than most. Pop 15; 3 finer. Estimated Value $4,400 - 4,600. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,038
Lot 817		1836. Reeded edge. PCGS graded EF-40. Nice even antique gray toning. Only around 1,200 minted making this one of the lowest mintages in the entire half dollar series. The elusive 1836 Reeded Edge Half Dollar has long been mislabeled a Pattern. Based on Mint delivery figures for December 1836, and for the first half of 1837, as well as on the relative ratios of the two weights for specimens whose weights are known to us, it is believed that some 200 Halves were struck and delivered in December (on the old weight standard), and 1,000 more in February 1837 (struck on the new standard). Since the weight differential between the two issues was only one and three-quarters grains, circulation would quickly blur any distinction. Pop 49; 127 finer (PCGS # 6175) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,760
Lot 818		1836. Reeded edge. PCGS graded VF-25. Pleasing uniform toning on both sides medium gray in the fields offset by lighter silver-gray accents on the high points. In a new shield holder. Every coin collector, new or old, when scouring the Red Book looking for low mintage dates to acquire, immediately stops at this Reeded Edge piece because it has the second lowest total in the series, 1794 to present behind the fabled 1838-O! Only 1,200 minted (PCGS # 6175) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 819		1837. NGC graded MS-64. Lovely golden and electric blue iridescent toning on both sides. Highly lustrous with the shimmering satin luster this revised Capped Bust half dollar coinage of 1837-39 is so well known for. The half dollars starting with 1836 (Reeded Edge) were struck on the new steam press at the mint using revised designs and a close (as opposed to open) collar die. A collar die, acting as a third die, imparts the milling on the edge at the moment the coin is struck. A great selection for numismatist who needs this short-lived type. Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,300. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 820		1837. PCGS graded MS-63 CAC Approved. Well struck and a Premium Quality coin for the given grade. An extremely appealing example with original multi-dimensional toning. The reverse color is particularly attractive. The 1837 is one of only two issues of Christian Gobrecht's Reeded Edge, 50 CENTS Reverse half dollar. The scarcity of the low mintage (1,200 pieces) 1836 steers most Type collectors in the direction of the 1837. This piece has exceptionally choice appearance (PCGS # 6176) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,415
Lot 821		1838 Reeded Edge. NGC graded MS-62. Well struck, untoned with a slight degree of reflectivity. There are several aspects that go into making up the grade of any given coin. Strike, luster, surface quality, toning. And on any given coin there is one element that immediately captures the viewer's attention more than any other. On this Mint State piece it is the smooth surfaces. Delicate and satin-to-prooflike, it is almost easy to ignore the fullness of strike at Liberty and the eagle, or the almost mark-free surfaces that also go into the makeup of the grade. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100. The Frank McCarthy Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,093