Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 74

June Long Beach Coin Auction

Seated Liberty Quarter Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2743		1853. Arrows and Rays. NGC graded Proof 65 Cameo. A remarkable Proof that last appeared at auction in a Heritage sale over four years ago where a detailed provenance table of other 1853 Arrows and Rays Proofs was appended. According to the description, "Walter Breen's Proof Encyclopedia records a total of five proofs and Larry Briggs' Liberty Seated quarter reference does likewise, probably following Breen's lead. Breen identifies (while citing no reference) the occasion for the pieces' striking on March 3 as the introduction of the new Arrows and Rays subtype, whose business-strike coinage began on April 26. (This remark apparently dates to Harold Newlin in the 1880s, who pegged the striking of proof half dimes to that date. Breen leapt, rightly or wrongly, to the conclusion that all Arrows and Rays proofs were struck on that date.) The right arrow point nearly touches a dentil, while the shield point is over the right base of the 1 in the date. The left base of the 1 is about over the center of a dentil. Light recutting is visible south on the 53 and the right arrow. The bottom of the flag on the 1 is even with the left arrow shaft. On the reverse some faint die file marks are visible above the ER in AMERICA, and some die polish lines in the loop of the Q. Most of these die markers for the proof coinage are documented in either the Breen or Briggs references. "As any serious collector of 19th century proof coinage knows, proof coins of any denomination and year before 1858 or so are quite rare. This piece should be doubly popular, as it is not only incredibly rare in its own right, but it is also a one-year proof representative of the important Arrows and Rays subtype. (While the 1853 and 1854 are often collected and considered as a single type, the 1854 Seated quarters lack the Rays reverse, technically making the two issues distinct subtypes.) The proof 1853 Arrows and Rays quarter is considered the most important proof issue in the Seated Liberty quarter collection. "Although this coin is not attributed as such by NGC, it is clearly the specimen from the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, where Q. David Bowers cataloged it as "MS-64, prooflike," going into extensive detail on why the piece might be a true proof--at least, as that term might apply to coins dated 1853. Among the similarities he cites that are visible on this piece are "delicate champagne toning over mirror surfaces" and the die finishing lines just inside the denticles over stars 11 and 12. A small patch of darker toning midway down Liberty's right (facing) calf is a match, as is the tiny rim crease just above the Liberty cap, between stars 8 and 9 (this is, however, apparently in the die, as some other specimens in the roster below show the same feature). The color plate in the Eliasberg catalog is also a dead match." Pop 1; 1 finer in 66CAM. Estimated Value $80,000 - 90,000. Ex Eliasberg; Heritage, April 2009. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $80,500
Lot 2744		1860 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 64. Lightly toned. Only 1,000 Proofs minted. Well detailed for this more difficult P-mint that was struck prior to the disruption of war between the North and South which came to a crisis in December of 1860 and open warfare in April 1861. A coin with delicately toned highlights, swirling mirrors, and choiceness that adds considerably to the appeal of this nearly hairline-free Proof 64. Pop 42; 20 finer, 14 in 65, 6 in 66 (PCGS # 5556) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,070
Lot 2745		1861 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. Frosty and white. Pop 96; 44 finer at NGC . Estimated Value $500 - 550. The Arden Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $863
Lot 2746		1863 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 64 CAC Approved. A very choice example with a touch of light grey toning. Only 460 Proofs made. Proof issues declined during the 1861-65 years of conflict between the North and South. In those years. The United States was actually split into two countries during the conflict, so that a portion of the populace could no longer afford to buy collector Proof coins such as this handsome 1863 Seated Quarter Dollar since they were paid in a competing (and fast depreciating) Confederate States currency. Pop 56; 18 finer (PCGS # 5559) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. The Arden Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,530
Lot 2747		1865 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. NGC graded MS-64 PQ. Well struck, frosty, and white. Only 58,800 struck. The attractive example offered here not only shatters the normally seen striking woes, but its smooth surfaces border on Gem quality. Mint States are considerably scarcer than the Proofs this year. Pop 4; 4 finer in 65. Estimated Value $3,500 - 3,700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2748		1871 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. A frosty white gem. One of many unsung rarities in the Seated Quarter series, the 1871 is a lower-mintage issue with just 118,200 business strikes produced. Survivors are even rarer than this figure would imply, however, since many examples are believed to have been melted in the Mint after the Act of February 12, 1873 modified the weight of the Quarter. A beautiful Condition Census Gem, this piece is fully frosty with not even the lightest toning in evidence. Bold-to-sharp in strike, with only a few wispy abrasions precluding an even higher grade. Lovely! Pop 4; 2 finer, 1 in 66, 1 in 67. Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,025
Lot 2749		1873 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. Arrows. PCGS graded AU-58. Plenty of frosty mint luster remains. Untoned (PCGS # 5491) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2750		1880 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 65. Lovely blue toning. Only 1,355 proofs struck. Highly attractive and 100% original toning with warm highlights on both sides. Razor-sharp and fully struck, with just outstanding detail at the stars, Liberty�s figure, and the eagle and shield. Perfectly positioned to attract numerous bids. Adjust bid levels for that reason. Pop 44; 45 finer, 33 in 66, 1 in 66+, 9 in 67, 2 in 68 (PCGS # 5581) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,610
Lot 2751		1884 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. CAC Approved. Low mintage of only 8,000 struck. Lovely original toning. A satiny gem of the quality collectors like for this popularly collected Seated Liberty design. Full cartwheel luster blends smoothly underneath the natural patina showing off the frosted surfaces. A scarce issue from the mid-1880s. Pop 16; 29 finer, 18 in 66, 2 in 66+, 9 in 67 (PCGS # 5516) . Note: In the year 1884, Mark Twain, pseudonym for Samuel L. Clemens, published his "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,415
Lot 2752		1889 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. Only 12,000 minted. Lovely blue and gold toning on both sides. An endearing originally toned example with almost flawless semi-satiny fields and ultra gorgeous central devices. No blemishes to report either on Liberty or the eagle, or within the body of the fields. With so few business strikes issued this year ranks along with the 1879-89 issues as low mintage; the Philadelphia Mint's attention shifted to the artificially high production of silver dollars but was also affected by a plethora of earlier coinage that came streaming back into the country after January 1877, from of all places, South America. While hoarded at the time of issue, precious few Mint State pieces could possibly survive at this lofty grade level. Pop 25; 3 finer in 68. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,140