Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 67

The Pre-Long Beach Auction

$20.00 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2021		1925. PCGS graded MS-64. Intensely lustrous (PCGS # 9180) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,013
Lot 2022		1925. PCGS graded MS-63. Frosty (PCGS # 9180) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,898
Lot 2023		1925-D. NGC graded MS-65. A nice frosty coin. Very scarce date. Like the 1924-D twenty, the 1925-D also had its rarity level lowered since the mid-20th century by the emergence of a few small hoards overseas. While both dates are similar in overall rarity, the edge in high grades such as this resplendent MS65 goes to the 1925-D. We have not offered a Gem for a year or so, yet we have no need to remind bidders that an MS65 example appearing at auction is an event worth remembering. Typically well impressed for the issue, the devices rise boldly above the fields with solid overall definition. The luster is frosty throughout, the surfaces bathed (dare we say "refreshed") by original reddish-gold color. A tiny set of marks occurs to the right of Liberty's hip; this is the only worthwhile pedigree marker to use. Regarded coolly, without moving from the chair in which you are seated reading this, we can honestly say that to find another beautiful gem like this, especially at the incredible visual level this coin supplies the viewer, is an undertaking not to be ignored. We could make a big show of it, but will just say that bidders might as well hope to climb Mount Everest or book passage on the first Branson flight to the Moon! Liberty seemingly glides forth from a rich glowing orange rose aura into the bright golden dawn, while a whisper of the same lovely orange and warm gold hues spreads throughout the eagle's plumage on the reverse. Do not let the mintage figure of more than 2.9 million pieces dissuade you; it fails to take into account that most pieces were stored in bank vaults or at the various Treasury buildings and Federal Reserve Banks in the late 1920s and early 1930s. During the gold recall of 1933-34, nearly all the issue was put behind locked doors and later melted (1933-37). The gold bars that resulted were interred in Fort Knox (1937). Only a few individual pieces escaped the melting furnaces. Indeed, the 1925-D double eagle was once considered to be a major rarity. It was only after a few had been brought back from Europe that the price declined and now is within the reach of advanced collectors. Before this time, only an extremely wealthy individual on a par with Andrew Mellon or Edward Green could hope to obtain one. The present Gem gets our nod (and NGC's stamp of approval) for physical originality and attractiveness. It belongs in a world-class collection. Pop 7; 1 finer in 66 (PCGS # 9181) . Estimated Value $65,000 - 70,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2024		1925-S. NGC graded MS-65. A sparkling untoned gem whose luster uncurls and spreads across the surface in effortless profusion.There is great similarity in the 1924-S and 1925-S Saints; both have had rarity rankings realigned since the mid-20th century after the emergence of a few small supplies turned up overseas. While both are popular with advanced collectors in this series, the edge in high grades clearly goes to the 1925-S. We have not offered many Gems in our auctions, for obvious reasons since Gems are few and far between. This handsome specimen is typically well impressed for the issue, the devices risen intrepidly and with all due prominence above the fields, including solid reference definition at Liberty's face, her knee, the toes, the gown folds; sliding next to the reverse, we see strong detail throughout the eagle's breast feathers and trailing wing feathers. There is much more we could write about the sharp relief, but this gives a fair outline of what is in store for eager bidders. As for the luster, this too is spectacular: frosty in quality, with the surfaces awash in vivid original reddish-golden color. A shallow diagonal mark is evident on Liberty's torso; also seen, a pair of similar diagonal ticks along the upper curve of one wing of the eagle. These are the only notable pedigree markers. Belief is that only 275-330 1925-S $20s have survived the gold recall of the early-to-mid 1930s. Pop 2; 2 finer with 1 in 66, 1 in 67 (PCGS # 9182) . 1925 was a busy time for the historian to talk about. For one thing, Harry Houdini, the famous magician, was at the pinnacle of his career, while in the deep South, there was a spectacular Florida land boom going on (which crashed the year following this after an unexpected hurricane blew through and devastated the region along with all the false hopes that investors had had for an easy "Put Only 10% Down" profit). Meanwhile, a few hundred miles away and inland from Florida in 1925 occurred the remarkable Scopes Monkey Trial, when two high-priced lawyers of the day battled in the courts to discover whether mankind really is just a higher form of ape. The trial in the friendly sociable town of Dayton, Tennessee, made headlines around the world and put this little spot on the map on the front pages for all time. In fact, it made quite a show during an otherwise broiling hot summer that year, with the pious William Jennings Bryan on one side fighting the State's case against an avowed atheist, Clarence Darrow, lawyer for the defense. In the end, the "defendant," a school teacher by the name of John Scopes, was found guilty for teaching evolution to his high school class and fined $100 for breaking a law which prohibited such instruction. (The fine was afterwards rescinded on a technicality.) As Wikipedia describes it: "The trial drew intense national publicity, with modernists pitted against traditionalists over the teaching of evolution in the schools and a Fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. The trial proved a critical turning point in the American creation-evolution controversy." Such is the environment in which this handsome $20 gold piece entered the world. It, at least in numismatic circles, has become a legend in its own right! Estimated Value $90,000 - 100,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $83,375
Lot 2025		1926. PCGS graded MS-64. Lovely shades of golden toning. Bright rolling-fresh finish, lustrous as when first issued. Not difficult to find, but always enjoyable to gaze upon (PCGS # 9183) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,013
Lot 2026		1927. NGC graded MS-65. CAC Approved. A rousing "In the morning to you" greeting is what this glittering gem example says to all whose eyes rest on its golden beauty for the first time. Far in advance as the luster goes, so too are the designs: Fully struck in all areas with pinpoint detailing on the face, gown and feet of Liberty, wings, chest and feet of the eagle (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,473
Lot 2027		1927. NGC graded MS-65. A lustrous golden gem example. No one can honestly deny the vibrancy of the surfaces. This, too, shows in the fully struck devices exhibiting fine detail to all the high points. 2000 (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,128
Lot 2028		1927. PCGS graded MS-65. A sparkling untoned gem specimen. Struck with preciseness always found on this desirable collector date (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,099
Lot 2029		1927. PCGS graded MS-65. Light hint of gold tone, a solid-looking Gem BU for the connoisseur of Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,128
Lot 2030		1927. PCGS graded MS-64. A nice looking coin (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,041
Lot 2031		1927. PCGS graded MS-64. Lovely light gold tone. After World War I ended in 1918, a modified version of the pre-1914 Gold Standard was adopted at the old established figure of $20.67 per ounce. But many countries had expanded their money supplies during the war, doubling them upon the same base of gold. This mismatch, in time, had economic consequences in the 1930s. It was one of the reasons America (along with most of the other nations) left the gold standard (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,013
Lot 2032		1927. PCGS graded MS-64. Frosty and mostly untoned (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,984
Lot 2033		1927. PCGS graded MS-64. Nice light gold tone (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,041
Lot 2034		1927. PCGS graded MS-64. Lovely golden toning with sharply made features and booming luster (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,984
Lot 2035		1927. PCGS graded MS-64. A lovely golden gem thus a Premium Quality example for the grade (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,041
Lot 2036		1927. PCGS graded MS-64. Bold, booming luster; crisp detail in all design areas. In a first generation PCGS holder. Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,984
Lot 2037		1927. NGC graded MS-63. Untoned (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,898
Lot 2038		1927. PCGS graded MS-63. Nice gold toning with choice, lustrous surfaces. An eye-appealing example (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,869
Lot 2039		1927. PCGS graded MS-60. Full mint bloom colors. Estimated Value $1,550 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,840
Lot 2040		1928. NGC graded MS-67 Star. Lovely rich golden toning. From an original roll. The surfaces on this handsome coin are judged by us to be bright gold in color, and fantastically lustrous, with the grade acting on behalf of its premium quality. Don't expect the usual halfhearted impression left by the striking of the (sometimes worn) dies that made this denomination, for we are glad to report the opposite is true. This is a very bold coin with sharp centers including face, knee and toes on Liberty, wing and flight feathers, breast and claws on the eagle. A superb coin! Pop 5; none finer at NGC (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2041		1928. PCGS graded MS-65 CAC Approved. A frosty gem, untoned. A Premium Quality coin that should be regraded a point or more higher (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,565
Lot 2042		1928. PCGS graded MS-64. Lovely gold toning on the reverse. A nice radiant golden tint tantalizes the eye from this lustrous piece, a coin whose mint glow goes round and round (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,041
Lot 2043		1928. PCGS graded MS-63. Frosty and untoned (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,650. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,926
Lot 2044		1928. NGC graded Mint Error MS-62. Reverse struck thru. Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,099

Page 4 of 4

1 | 2 | 3 | 4