Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 75

September Pre Long Beach

California Fractional Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2247		1871 25¢. Breen and Gillio-718A. Rarity 8. EXTREMELY RARE 1871 CAL GOLD QUARTER DOLLAR BG-718A, RARITY-8. PCGS graded MS-62. Only 3 known. Untoned with reflective surfaces. The cataloger of the Jay Roe Collection that was sold in September 2003 noted at the time that just two examples were known of BG-718A, a variety that was discovered by Rick Montgomery while grading coins at PCGS about 1990. The Roe specimen is MS64 PCGS and another is MS64+ PCGS. There is only one other PCGS certified example, this lovely MS62, with none graded at NGC. One known specimen is a distinctly different die state. This piece has a perfect reverse die, while the Roe coin has a heavy die crack outside the left branch of the wreath at about 9 o'clock. Brilliant green-gold luster with reflective fields, as noted, plus frosty devices imparting attractive light cameo contrast. Pop 1; 2 finer, 1 in 64, 1 in 64+. (PCGS # 10955) Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $14,375
Lot 2248		1855/4 Quarter Dollar Octagonal Liberty. BG-106 Rarity 3. NGC graded MS-66. A marvelous gem example from an overdated die. Scarce in this outstanding grade: Pop 5; none finer at NGC . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250 View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,524
Lot 2249		n.d. (1852/4) Quarter Dollar Round. Breen and Gillio-222. PCGS graded MS-62. Early Period 1 strike with a well executed Liberty head surrounded by 12 stars (PCGS # 10407) Estimated Value $450 - 500 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $546
Lot 2250		1853 Half Dollar Octagonal. Breen and Gillio-301. Low Rarity 7. PCGS graded Genuine. Nicely toned with reflective surfaces. The first listed variety of the Frontier & Deviercy eagle half dollars, this variety has the largest head (as found on the round quarters, BG-216). FD below, 13 stars around. Reverse with eagle and shield, holding a scroll, copying the design of the Humbert fifties. FIFTY 1853 CENTS below (PCGS # 10416) Estimated Value $5,000 - 5,500 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,740
Lot 2251		1853 Half Dollar Octagonal Liberty. BG-303 Rarity 7. NGC graded AU-58. Touches of natural rose color toning rests about the devices. This handsome specimen represents one of the famous Frontier & Deviercy "broad head" Liberty fifty cent pieces with reverse eagle-and-rays design. "FD" in small letters with the date below. 10 stars around. There is repunching at 50. According to Breen-Gillio in their excellent reference book on the California Fractional Gold series, "the rays behind the eagle have induced some students to call this the �peacock� type, but tail feathers are plain below arrow. More likely the rays allude to those on the then new federal silver quarters and half dollars, a few of which may have reached San Francisco briefly before their one-way trip to the custom house." (Admittedly speculative, but this makes for an amusing anecdote.) Extremely rare. Pop 1; 1 finer in 62. Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000 View details and enlarged photos	Realized $11,213
Lot 2252		1853 Half Dollar Round. Breen and Gillio-435. Arms of California. Low Rarity 5. PCGS graded MS-63. A very popular California gold coin. Lustrous satiny light golden coin with a few areas of warmer orange-gold surfaces. Nearly details seated figure. A truly beautiful Mint State specimen of a popular scarce Arms of California mint issue from our westernmost region. One of the more innovative designs within the corpus of California small denomination fractional gold coins. The obverse represents the California state seal (see below for description), while the reverse loosely follows the eagle, ribbon, and shield found on the $50 slugs of the period and still in circulation. Varieties like these would soon be a thing of the past, once the majority of the Breen-Gillio varieties centered on Liberty, Indian, and wreath motifs. This example has natural light toning. The strike is even, as described, and fortunately, there are no injurious marks. Pop 17; 11 finer, 7 in 64, 3 in 65, 1 in 66. (PCGS # 10471) California State Seal: The Great Seal of the State of California was adopted at the California state Constitutional Convention of 1849 and has undergone a few changes since then, the last being the standardization of the seal in 1937. The seal features the Roman goddess Minerva (Athena in Greek mythology), the goddess of wisdom and war; a California grizzly bear (the official state animal) feeding on grape vines, representing California's wine production; a sheaf of grain, representing agriculture; a miner, representing the California Gold Rush and the mining industry; and sailing ships, representing the state's economic power. Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $12,075
Lot 2253		1854 Dollar Octagonal. Breen and Gillio-504. Low Rarity 5. PCGS graded MS-63. Nicely toned. A relatively high grade Mint State survivor of this seldom offered issue with the reverse mimicking the classic $50 Gold "Slug" issues. The surfaces have acquired a warm, orange-gold color that enhances the ample sharp definition. Remarkably abrasion-free for a gold coin that was made almost 160 years ago! Pop 8; none finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 10481) Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,000 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $7,763
Lot 2254		1854 Dollar Octagonal. Breen and Gillio-508. High Rarity 4. PCGS graded MS-62. Mostly untoned and fully Prooflike. Pop 19; 11 finer, 7 in 63, 3 in 64, 1 in 65. (PCGS # 10485) Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2255		1853 Dollar Octagonal. Breen and Gillio-530. Rarity 2. PCGS graded MS-63. Mostly untoned. A desirable A. L. Nouizillet dollar with large Liberty head, a beaded circle and N below. The head is as on this firm�s familiar octagonal and round halves. According to Breen-Gillio, "at least 10 (Roe says 11) were in the Winfield Scott treasure, suggesting the Nouizillet made these in quantity to circulate; many survivors are worn." Pop 14; 1 finer in 64. (PCGS # 10507) Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,438
Lot 2256		1854 Dollar Octagonal. Breen and Gillio-532. Low Rarity 4. PCGS graded MS-62. Mostly untoned. A frosted Liberty head set against semi-prooflike fields. Well struck and detailed. A few lilght hairlines. Pop 17; 4 finer, 3 in 63, 1 in 64. (PCGS # 10509) Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,323
Lot 2257		1875 Quarter Dollar Octagonal Indian. BG-784 Rarity 5. NGC graded MS-66 PL. Probably one of the finest examples known to exist. This gleaming prooflike gem is a true blazer! The obverse on this variety (used previously on BG-783) has doubled feathers, and the 1 merges in the bust point. Repunched 5 leans left. The reverse adorned with a wide flat bow, no period after CAL, and R away from the leaf. Die State II with rim break at corner right of 5. Pop 1; none finer at NGC . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500 View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,795
Lot 2258		1873 Quarter Dollar Round Liberty. BG-817 Rarity 3. PCGS graded MS-65. Delicate sunset golden toning adds to its appeal. Lustrous Gem. Pop 18; 4 finer in 66 (PCGS # 10678) Estimated Value $450 - 500 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $661
Lot 2259		1876 Dollar Octagonal. Breen and Gillio-1115. Rarity 6. PCGS graded MS-62. Housed in an Old Green Holder. Nicely toned with reflective surfaces. On this scarce variety, the Indian head leans forward with the bust point aiming at 8 of date. Reverse as in BG-1114 with a star below DOLLAR. Pop 5; 3 finer, 2 in 63, 1 in 64. (PCGS # 10926) Estimated Value $2,300 - 2,400 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,450
Lot 2260		1872 Dollar Octagonal. Breen and Gillio-1120. Low Rarity 5. PCGS graded MS-64. Light golden toning with prooflike surfaces. Same obverse as BG-1119 in which there is a period after the date below a Large Indian head. The reverse has a large star below DOLLAR, with a berry left of the middle of D. For this use, the obverse was repolished, removing clash marks and most of repunching at the 5th star from its previous use. Pop 13; 1 finer in 65. (PCGS # 10931) Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,000 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,025
Lot 2261		1876/5 Dollar Octagonal. Breen and Gillio-1129. Rarity 4. PCGS graded MS-63. Full reflective surfaces. From the 1875 die of BG-1127, but altered to read 6/5 in BG-1128 and 1129. On this variety, the reverse of 1128 has been further altered by the maker to include 3 extra berries at the bow and some ragged extra leaves. A scarce, desirable Indian head Octagonal Dollar. Pop 16; 13 finer in 64. (PCGS # 10940) Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600 View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold