Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 72

February 2-5. 2013

Balance Of Nickels

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1225		An Impressive Fantasy Wooden Buffalo Nickel Box. This example is the only one that we have seen. The top is marked "Property U.S. Government Mint" while the sides read "1913 Property of U.S. Government Denver Mint Colorado." There is also an Obverse and Reverse image of a 1913 Buffalo Nickel on opposing sides of the box. The condition is quite nice. Dimensions of the box are: 16½" x 9¼" x 9½". An intriguing piece. Our research indicates that it is not an official mint product. Estimated Value $200-UP. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $414
Lot 1226		1916. Doubled Die Obverse. PCGS graded VF-35. Popular variety. Mostly untoned. Very clear Doubled Die variety. A small toned spot at TY of LIBERTY; complete horn and tail on the bison. Given the rarity and extremely high price of this error nickel in Mint State, the attractive VF35 example that we highlight here should be of obvious importance to advanced Buffalo nickel collectors. The surfaces have been carefully preserved with a natural endowment of nickel-gray patina over both sides. We are led to believe that only a tiny percentage of the 63.4 million Buffalo Nickels struck in the Philadelphia Mint in 1916 were from this doubled obverse die, so the error was rare from the start. Then came circulation, the doubling eluding numismatists for nearly 50 years (PCGS # 3931) . Estimated Value $7,500 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $16,388
Lot 1227		1920-D. PCGS graded MS-65. Lovely golden obverse toning while the reverse is a little darker. An issue that seems to have seen considerable circulation beginning in the year of delivery, the 1920-D is a difficult coin to locate in Uncirculated grades despite a mintage of 9.4 million pieces which might suggest more even availability. This cataloger is pleased to describe a '20-D Nickel whose surfaces are as smooth and blemish free as those of a higher grade example. The strike is outstanding in all regards with only a little rounding on the bison�s head, plus smooth mint luster beneath the veil of toning, all areas display a satiny texture. A coin of near-singularly attractiveness and charm among surviving 1920-D Nickels, this handsome gem belongs in a top-end collection. Pop 64; 4 finer (PCGS # 3945) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1228		1923. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ. Well struck with lovely even toning on both sides. A lustrous Gem (PCGS # 3949) . Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $546
Lot 1229		1926-D. PCGS graded MS-65. Lovely golden obverse toning while the reverse shows gold and lilac colors. A sharp strike. We have handled few '26-D Nickels that are as well made as the Gem MS65 coin in this lot. Specialists in this series learn almost at once about the striking problems that plague this D-mint date. In fact, soft detail is often so extreme for most examples that, if they are submitted for third-party certification at all, such coins are generally quite limited as to the grade that they can obtain. The present example, however, possesses all of the elements that one should demand for the Gem Mint State level. To start with the strike, it is overall sharp in appearance. In fact, those few isolated design elements that are not keen-edge are still boldly defined. As for this coin's other attributes, the luster is full and satiny, with the fields free of outwardly bothersome abrasions. Best of all, there are no carbon flecks. The multicolor toning enhances the beauty all the more. Worthy of a strong bid. Pop 90; 25 finer (PCGS # 3958) . Estimated Value $4,500 - 4,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1230		1927-S. NGC graded MS-65 Star. Well struck with lovely peripheral toning. Emphasis should be made of the fact most San Francisco nickel issues of the 1920s are show weak luster and undistinguished strikes. This resolute 1927-S provides something of a relief for the Buffalo nickel enthusiast. While available in lower Mint State grades, Choice and Gem examples are decidedly scarce, with Gems approaching condition rarity status. That coin has a distinct, and distinctly beautiful toning pattern. In addition, the strike is astonishingly crisp, particularly on the Indian's braid and the bison's horn. A marvel that it has survived in such condition. A piece that would be a high spot of any specialist collection. Pop 3; 5 finer. Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1231		1927-S. ANACS graded MS-65. Deeply toned in shades of dusky gold and amber. Our grade is MS64 Nicely struck, with just a hint of weakness here and there; overall, a uniformly standard strike is present. Elusive in Choice Mint State, and especially so at this grade level; very few finer specimens of the date have been offered for sale. Slightly more than 3.4 million examples of 1927-S issue were struck, but few coins have survived this choice. The potential demand for high quality Buffalo Nickels of the 1920s outstrips the available population by a long country mile, hence the market regulates the availability through price adjustment; and bidding activity for the lot should prove that statement true. A word to the wise: timid bidders will quickly be left in the cold when this attractive condition rarity crosses the auction block. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,163
Lot 1232		1936. Satin. PCGS graded Proof 66. CAC Approved. Light even toning. A gleaming Gem. The first production of Proofs had a satin-like finish; later strikes use a more highly polished die. All are scarce due to the low mintage: Only 4,420 minted (PCGS # 3994) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,553
Lot 1233		1937-D. 3 legs. PCGS graded AU-53 PQ. Well struck and choice with muted luster in the fields and around the devices. Both dies show deterioration from hard use well past their normal retirement. Scarce (PCGS # 3982) . Estimated Value $900 - 950. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,035
Lot 1234		1937-D. 3 Legs. Numistrust graded MS-62. Our grade is AU50 (PCGS # 3982) . Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 1235		1937-D. 3 Legs. PCGS graded EF-45. CAC Approved. Nice even toning and well struck (PCGS # 3982) . Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $834
Lot 1236		1937-D. 3 Legs. PCGS graded EF-40. CAC Approved. Nicely toned (PCGS # 3982) . Estimated Value $800 - 825. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 1237		A Large Holding of Buffalo Head Nickels. Years were put into assembling this group. Lots of better dates and some nice coins. This lot will take a full hour to figure. Consists of: partial dates (262), full dates (333), XF or better coins (73), Type I Nickels (48), better dates (44), 1936-S PCGS MS65, 1937 PCGS MS64, and partial sets (5 sets). Careful study recommended. Estimated Value $800-UP. View details	Realized $3,680
Lot 1238		A Lot of Buffalo Nickels. Consists of: 1913-D Type 2 PCGS MS63, 1914 NGC AU53, 1917 XF45, 1918 XF45, and 1927-D PCGS MS64. Lot of 5 coins. Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details	Realized $1,495
Lot 1239		A Lot of U.S. Nickels. Consists of: Shield Nickels Poor to VF (24), 1913 Type I Good to XF (9), better date Buffaloes (23), common Buffaloes (50), 1950-D Jeffersons Unc (42), Jeffersons (8), 1883 No Cents Liberty Nickels Good to Unc (19), 1883 With Cents Liberty Nickels About Good (2), and mixed date Liberty Nickels Good to XF (7). A nice lot to review. Estimated Value $500-UP. View details	Realized $978