Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 78

January Pre-Long Beach Sale 17.5% BP

$2.50 Liberty

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1697		1843-D. Large D. PCGS graded Good-6. Even wear on both sides. Only 3,537 minted (PCGS # 97730) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,175
Lot 1698		1843-O. Large Date, Plain 4. PCGS graded AU-53. Light golden toning. Well struck, except on some of the reverse rim denticles. A lustrous example from the New Orleans Mint. Pop 8; 26 finer (PCGS # 7732) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,525
Lot 1699		1844-D. PCGS graded EF-45. A bold strike with a minute mark or two about the rims; all lightly toned. Only 17,332 minted. Rare (PCGS # 7736) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,468
Lot 1700		1844-D. NGC graded AU Details, Improperly Cleaned. Scarce nonetheless as an early, 1840s decade Dahlonega Mint issue (PCGS # 7736) . Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,645
Lot 1701		1847-C NGC graded AU Details. Plugged at date, whizzed. Only 29,814 minted (PCGS # 7745) . Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $734
Lot 1702		1848-D. NGC graded AU Details, Reverse Damage, Cleaned. Lots of contact marks on the obverse and a scrape appears across the eagle's neck. Only 13,771 struck (PCGS # 7751) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $823
Lot 1703		1852-D. PCGS graded MS-62. A nice untoned coin. Significant luster still evident. Only 4,078 struck. Quarter eagles were betwixt and between. Too small for convenient use in the maritime and export trade, and not needed for everyday domestic transactions normally serviced by silver coins or paper obligations convertible into specie, the quarter eagle denomination was made intermittently and only in small quantities, especially in the early years. A marvelous and highly important specimen of this major rarity, one of the very best known. (See Population Statistics which follow.) Not only is the current piece important for its grade, but in contrast it seems to stand far above the crowd concerning overall quality. Douglas Winter notes: "Most examples have very heavily abraded surfaces…there are usually conspicuous marks in the field." Again, the coin on offer is a treasure for the connoisseur and specialist, well struck at the centers and glistening. Die Note: Date high. On the reverse the D mintmark is high. About half of the interior is covered by a diagonal section of the arrow feather. On the reverse only, some of the denticles lack detail, this probably a result of insufficient metal flow into that area of the die, a common happenstance with Dahlonega gold coins. Pop 4; 3 finer, 2 in 63, 1 in 64 (PCGS # 7765) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $25,850
Lot 1704		1852-D. NGC graded AU-55. Generally well struck and untoned barring minor denticle flatness on the obverse rim from 6 to 8 o�clock, and more extensive denticle obliteration on the reverse. This is typical of most D Mint Quarter Eagles of the decade. Only 4,078 minted. Such low mintage means that the 1852-D is one of the half dozen rarest Dahlonega quarter eagles. Bidders might want to make a notation. There are possibly 75 to 85 known with 15 to 18 in About Uncirculated and only five or six in Uncirculated. The finest appears to be the PCGS MS63 in the Duke's Creek Collection while four are tied in the PCGS roster for second best at PCGS MS62. Beginning with this issue, the quality of strike for Dahlonega quarter eagles worsens somewhat, most noticeable on the eagle. However, this coin is quite well impressed, certainly above average. Some of the reverse dentils fail to show, however, as mentioned. The obverse has nice centers with no weakness on the hair above the ear. As for the luster, here we find a traces of it around the devices. There is a small mark in the field above the eagle. Curiously, this issue is sometimes found with very good luster, especially in comparison to other D-mint quarter eagles from this period. Now that you've decided to bid, it's all right to pay somewhat of a premium, because we believe that competition for this handsome 1852-D will be strong, with a passion for bidding often ineradicably implanted in the minds of those who will be opposing you (PCGS # 7765) . Estimated Value $5,000 - 5,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,756
Lot 1705		1856-O PCGS graded Genuine AU Details. Cleaning. Only 21,000 minted. The cleaning is barely noticeable (PCGS # 7780) . Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1706		1861. New Reverse. PCGS graded AU-55. Quarter Eagles from this year that are struck either from the old reverse hub (which are very scarce) or the New Reverse. Smaller arrowheads and letters reflect the New Reverse subtype, which is the only visible design change in the period of the Liberty Quarter Eagle Type, 1840-1907 (PCGS # 7794) . Estimated Value $275 - 300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $353
Lot 1707		1877-S. PCGS graded AU Details. Altered Surface. Only 35,400 struck. The San Francisco branch mint struck Quarter Eagles off and on between 1854 and 1879, when production of this gold denomination ceased at that facility. 1877-S is a popular year because of its association with the famous "1877" Indian cents. Far fewer of Quarter Eagles were struck, which has a mere 4% of the Indian Cent's mintage, and yet the Quarter Eagle is a bargain by comparison, valued at slighly over the melt value of the gold! (PCGS # 7827) . Estimated Value $200 - 225. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $494
Lot 1708		1878. PCGS graded MS-62. (PCGS # 7828) . Estimated Value $400 - 450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $564
Lot 1709		1878. PCGS graded MS-62. Well struck. Attractive golden-orange coloration (PCGS # 7828) . Estimated Value $400 - 450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $458
Lot 1710		1890. PCGS graded Proof 64 Deep Cameo. CAC Approved. A deep needle sharp strike with watery mirror surfaces. Only 93 Proofs minted. A delightful Proof that strains your eyes with its well frosted devices which show strong contrast against the deep orange peel mirror fields. Not only was this Proof quite properly struck (Proofs are given two blows by the dies using the Mint�s more powerful hydraulic press), but it also is very well preserved, a major plus. Near-gem level surfaces throughout, with no bothersome handling marks and only a few faint hairlines consistent with this choice Proof 64 grade. During this decade, the Philadelphia Mint really excelled in creating some of the most beautiful Proof gold and silver coinage ever seen. On the gold coins in particular, the fields enjoy a peculiar orange peel surface, which is both reflective and textured at the same time. Much the same, the lettering and devices are well frosted by the dies. Creating these Proofs took many steps: first the hardened high quality steel dies are dipped in either a weak acid or lightly sandblasted. This process created the "frosted" devices seen, raised on the coin but in recess on the die; next the fields on the die are polished to a fine mirror-like finish, which gives the coins their unique reflectivity in the fields and contrast with the frosted devices. Only a few Proofs were made each year, and often the dies were later used for normal business strike coinage as an economy measure. Exactly how the orange peel surface arose was a mystery for many years until recent explanation was given by Mint authorities. Pop 1; 7 finer, 1 in 64+, 2 in 65, 3 in 66, 1 in 66+ (PCGS # 97916) . Estimated Value $12,000 - 13,000. Ex: Purchased from Abner Kreisberg in the 1970's The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $17,038
Lot 1711		1890. PCGS graded Proof 64. CAC Approved. Well struck. Housed in an Old Green Holder. Only 93 pieces minted, 50 to 60 examples known according to PCGS Pop Report. Frosted motifs as on most this year (although left unstated on the PCGS holder) and deeply mirrored fields form a pleasing study in bright golden contrast. The present Choice Proof 64 example is a treat to behold. Its boldness of strike, delicate cameo contrast, and golden brightness reveal aspects of a finer grade. If you seek a worthwhile Proof Liberty Quarter Eagle struck in the 19th century, perhaps for a type set or any other reason, this splendid little coin would serve your numismatic objective well! Pop 6; 10 finer, 7 in 65, 3 in 66. (PCGS # 7916) . Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $12,925
Lot 1712		1896. PCGS graded Proof 65. CAC Approved. Housed in an Old Green Holder. Only 132 minted. Nice cameo coin. A tiny obverse spot in the right field. It seems that a limited original mintage of 19,070 business strikes plus 202 Proofs, makes the 1896 an understandably scarce coin at all levels of preservation. David W. Akers opines that most survivors are either Mint State or Proof, however, few seem to have circulated. According to Walter Breen (1988), the specimen strikings are attributable by having the date far to the right in the obverse field below Liberty's portrait. This is just such an example, a sleek cameo finish is also an assurance of Proof status. The fields are reflective with a gentle orange-peel texture, whereas the devices are richly frosted creating an almost matte-like texture. Neither side displays anything less than razor-sharp striking detail. There is a small "flake" (as struck) on the nose and the aforementioned minor toning spot by the third star. As a well-regarded Proof 64 example, this coin would serve as a centerpiece in any collection of 19th century Proof gold. Pop 7; 5 finer in 66 (PCGS # 7922) . Reference is often made to "orange peel" surface on Proof. After the dies are hubbed and the date is applied, the die is given multiple polishes with progressively finer and finer polish. The last polish given to the dies prior to being hardened gives the field a surface quite like a mirror. This is the deepest mirror attainable on the dies. When the die is hardened, the metal shrinks slightly creating a rippled effect on the polished surfaces. It looks somewhat like the surface of an orange. When you see orange peel on a Proof issue you can be sure that it is one of the first examples struck from those dies. Later polishing to the already hardened dies will produce a flatter and shallower mirror. Estimated Value $12,000 - 13,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $27,025
Lot 1713		1897. PCGS graded MS-66 PQ. Only 29,768 minted. A simply exquisite Gem, the fresh golden surfaces gyrate to-and-fro with full, mint bloom textured luster. Having covered the luster, we next take stock of the coin's detail. Clockwork precision seen in the eagle�s plumage and Union shield, full legends, and on the obverse, bold hair and beaded hair cord along with a sharp coronet and stars. Pop 28; 11 finer, 10 in 67, 1 in 68 (PCGS # 7849) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,936
Lot 1714		1897. NGC graded MS-66. Well struck with light golden tone. Only 29,768 struck. A sparkling Gem bursting with luster, fresh and warm hued in appearance. The surfaces are clear of marks. Putting aside the luster, we concentrate on the strike. Here again, as with most 1890s decade Liberty Quarter Eagles, it is easy to see this piece received a full, sharp blow by the dies. All stars are deeply impressed. Pop 50; 22 finer at NGC. (PCGS # 7849) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,763
Lot 1715		1898. AU-50. Cleaned long ago. Estimated Value $240 - 250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $317
Lot 1716		1900. PCGS graded MS-64. Light golden toning (PCGS # 7852) . Estimated Value $525 - 550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $588
Lot 1717		1902. PCGS graded MS-64. CAC Approved. Needle sharp exhibiting full mint brilliance, frosty from top to bottom (PCGS # 7854) . Estimated Value $600 - 650. The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $734
Lot 1718		1903. PCGS graded MS-62. Deeply toned on both sides, the luster frosty to satin-like (PCGS # 7855) . Estimated Value $425 - 450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1719		1905. PCGS graded MS-65. Well struck and untoned (PCGS # 7857) . Estimated Value $1,050 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,087
Lot 1720		A lot of $2½ Liberty gold coins. Dated 1873, 1896, 1897, 1903, and 1906. Coins will grade XF to AU, all lightly cleaned. Lot of 5 coins. Estimated Value $900 - 950. View details	Realized $1,351
Lot 1721		A lot of $2.50 gold coins. Dated 1861, 1873, 1873-S, 1879-S, and 1905. Coins will grade VF to EF, cleaned and some damaged. Lot of 5 coins. Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details	Realized $1,175