Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 78

January Pre-Long Beach Sale 17.5% BP

$5 Capped Bust/Large Eagle

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1753		1795. Large Eagle BD-15 Rarity 5+ NGC graded AU Details. Polished. One of the classic rarities in the $5 series. A remarkable specimen that has the appearance of a presentation specimen. Boldly struck throughout on a planchet that appears to have been carefully prepared. Totally lustrous and prooflike, partially the result of a light polishing, probably from being wiped with a jeweler's cloth. A rare and unusual coin that was likely struck in 1798! An anomoly, the obverse has 15 stars, yet the field of stars over the eagle on this reverse shows 16 stars! As we know, the Philadelphia Mint kept adding stars to coins as states joined the union, hence from 1794 through June 1, 1796 all silver and gold coins should show 15 stars to represent the states of the union. On June 1, 1796, Tennessee joined, making a total of 16 states, and hence 16 stars. Therefore, we know that this reverse die was engraved sometime after June of 1796. In addition, the heraldic eagle reverse design was finally adapted in 1796 at a time when the Mint had decided to stop adding stars every time a new state joined the union, as they were simply running out of room (also some of the Mint's employees seemed to have trouble counting that high, as numerous oddities in the star count occur in various denominations). Along with the 1798 small eagle reverse, this is one of the most curious die combinations to come out of the Philadelphia Mint. The circumstances for this issue may never be known, but they are regarded as some sort of emergency issue along with the 1798 small eagle reverse half eagle. Apparently no current dies were available, and these older dies were still serviceable, and hence, pressed in to service. It is now believed by experts in the half eagle series that these were struck in 1798. Always famous and in high demand, the heraldic eagle reverse 1795 half eagle has long been a coveted by numismatists. On this pair of dies, the obverse has a light crack down the back third of her cap well into her curls, and the reverse die is a fairly late die state, with a break connecting the tops of NITE and a complex break through ICA to the eagle's tail and arrows. No doubt the die was soon retired as these breaks progressed. Slightly Prooflike in the protected areas, as noted, the obverse die was in good shape when this one was coined. Fully struck on both sides, with no adjustment marks. Identifiable by a short series of adjustment line located on the reverse extending diagonally from the US of PLURIBUS to the top of the shield. The present specimen offers superb sharpness and good eye appeal that readies it for inclusion in any advanced collection of early U.S. gold types (PCGS # 8075) . Note: This important major variety tells us a great deal about early Half Eagles, most obviously that the date on the coin does not always align to the actual year of production -- this reverse type was not introduced until at least 1797, and this obverse die was leftover from an earlier use in a 1795 Small Eagle marriage. The Guide Book suggests, probably correctly, that this die pair was struck in 1798. John Dannreuther, writing with Harry Bass in their book on early U.S. gold, notes that only "30-35 Known.". Estimated Value $40,000-UP. Ex: Purchased from Abner Kreisberg in the 1970's and called "Gem BU rates with the finest known" The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $58,750
Lot 1754		1799 BD-6 Rarity 5. NGC graded AU-55. Well struck with excellent detail and lots of frosty mint luster still intact. Some scattered light handling marks and light scratches are noted in the right obverse field. A very scarce date. This Rarity-5 variety has an estimated 40 to 50 pieces known out of an original 10,000 minted; still, the variety is considered to be the most available variety of 1799 Half Eagles. Diagnostics include a wide date with the last 9 recut. On the reverse, the upright of E is right of a cloud space. Pop 8; 35 finer. Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000. Ex: Purchased from Abner Kreisberg in the 1970's The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $17,038
Lot 1755		1802, 2 over 1 BD-8 Rarity 4. NGC graded MS-63. A well struck specimen on a problem-free planchet with all details fully defined. Loaded with frosty mint luster throughout. The 2 in the date is high and touches the bottom edge of Liberty's bust. (Two obverse dies are known for this year and denomination, with either a centered 2 or a high 2 in the date. Both of these obverse dies show the 2 repunched over a previous numeral 1, indicating that both were made from unused 1801-dated dies.) The 1 in the date lacks its top serif. The lower right serif of E in LIBERTY is repunched. A long spine on the reverse runs from a leaf into the R in AMERICA. This die state is described by John Dannreuther (2006) as "Obverse state c, further clashed; Reverse State b, clashed, lapped, crack at UNI(TED)". (Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, A Study of Die States, 1795-1834; p. 255) A later die state followed in which a prominent cud affects the rim above ITE in UNITED. The surfaces display attractive mint bloom, giving this early Half Eagle a wonderful right-from-the-Mint appearance. The striking detail is first-rate, with Liberty's hair well defined; sharp feathers on the eagle's breast. The warm yellow-gold color is permeates strong undertones of sunset gold, increasing the coin's appeal. This coin escaped the usual die clashing seen on others. Some scattered marks here and there, along with a few trivial nicks at the obverse rim above the word LIBERTY. This very attractive piece, therefore, is one of the better-graded examples of the 1802/1, and we foresee great attraction and determined bidding when its Lot number is called. Pop 13; 15 finer, 1 in 63+, 13 in 64, 1 in 65 (PCGS # 8083) . Die Characteristics: BD-8 has the 2 in the date touching the bust; perfect T's on both sides. On the reverse, the last S over far right of a cloud. Estimated to be 150 to 200 known of the variety, which Dannreuther puts as Rarity-4. Estimated Value $20,000 - 22,000. Ex: Purchased from Jerry Cohen in the early 1980's The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $30,550
Lot 1756		1802, 2 over 1 PCGS graded Genuine AU Details. BD-7, Rarity-5. Cleaning. Still a nice looking example that is untoned. On this very scarce variety, the 2 in date touches the bust; all T's on the reverse from an imperfect punch. U away from arrows. Dannreuther estimates as few as 50 to 65 are known. Harry Bass had four examples in his collection, he liked BD-7 so! (PCGS # 8083) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,288
Lot 1757		1803, 3 over 2 BD-1 Rarity 4. PCGS graded AU-58+. A well struck, fully lustrous example. Struck on a problem free planchet and all details fully defined. The lovely mint bloom adds to its eye appeal. All 1803 half eagles are overdates. Two obverse dies were used, and both show strong remains of an underdigit 2. BD-1 shares its obverse die with two other varieties, so it is identified by the reverse. An arrowhead is centered beneath the N in UNITED. As on most, it displays a die crack through TED. It is clear to us the caretakers of this piece have preserved its choice surfaces very carefully. The coin is now 211 years old. What stories it could tell! (PCGS # 8084) . Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000. Ex: Purchased from Jerry Cohen in the early 1980's The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $18,213
Lot 1758		1804. Small 8 BD-1 Rarity 4+. PCGS graded AU-58. CAC Approved. Well struck on a nice clean planchet with plenty of golden mint luster present, all delicately toned in greenish-golden hues. A lovely coin with nice golden toning. The surfaces on this handsome coin are judged by us to be bright yellow to greenish gold in color, and quite lustrous, highly frosted, dramatically so, with the MS64 grade acting on behalf of its outstanding quality. Circumstances with the bloom off the dies being what it is, sharp-edged devices and lettering throughout add immensely to the coin's beauty. 1804 is noted for its sharp, clear detail, and this coin's strike is right up there among the finest seen. BD-1 has several notable identifiers. First is the "normal 8" in the date (formerly a small 8, but it is the correct 8 punch according to Dannreuther). The top of the 1 is blunt (missing its flag, like 1800. The 4 is small. On the reverse there is a graver line from the left shield point through B in ribbon, through star 12 to the upper beak. Those collectors who have a taste for sitting back and watching other people bid, so essential to the genre of this field, will do wise to pick up their bid card (or press the correct computer button) and show their willingness to compete for the honor of possessing this 1804 early half eagle! Pop 32; 69 finer (PCGS # 8085) . Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. Ex: Purchased from Abner Kreisberg in the 1970's The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1759		1805 BD-1 Rarity 3+. PCGS graded MS-62. CAC Approved. Boldly struck and lustrous with rich golden-sunset toning enriching the borders. In the neighborhood of 200 examples survive of BD-1, making it the most available variety of the five known die pairings for 1805. Satiny luster blankets both sides as does warm color, which boasts a well balanced "old gold" hue. In terms of any abrasions, one would be hard put to find anything untoward, with here and there a tiny distraction but otherwise everything centered on being smooth and defect-free. The reverse cud is noted on many surviving examples before the die reached its terminal state, shattered and with the huge cud eventually covering the tips of most of UNITED. There is a much smaller cud on this specimen, affecting only the two top points of the letter U and obliterating a fair number of rim denticles in the process. Regarding this date, the clearest details are found throughout the peripheral areas and also encompassing the key centers which are crystal clear as noted in beautiful crisp neck feathers, very bold E PLURIBUS UNUM, and exceptional hair waves on Liberty. Pop 48; 56 finer (PCGS # 8088) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000. The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $23,500
Lot 1760		1805. NGC graded AU Details, Harshly Cleaned. Popular early $5 gold. Only 33,183 struck (PCGS # 8088) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,935
Lot 1761		1806. Round 6 BD-6 Rarity 2. NGC graded AU-58. Mostly well struck with central details such as Liberty's hair completely defined. The bright lustrous surfaces are slightly reflective. Some faint hairlines are noted under magnification, most of which were probably present when struck. As noted before in our sales, the Round or Knobbed 6 BD-6 variety is the most often seen variety and also the most seen variety among all the Draped Bust Large Eagle coins, with perhaps 600 to 900 known (per Dannreuther) putting it in the Rarity-2 classification. Dannreuther-Bass explain in their expertly researched volume, "There are numerous clues to prove this variety was the last produced. The discussion under the previous combination (BD-5) that used this reverse has much of the information. This includes changed numeral and letter punches, as well as the change in star arrangement. This is the first variety to have the stars 7+6 instead of 8+5. "As with the 1806 half dollars, the Pointed 6 half eagle varieties had the obverse die in the hammer and the reverse die in the anvil position. For the Knobbed 6 half dollar issues and this half eagle variety this die alignment was reversed, resulting in better-struck obverses." Pop 27; 85 finer . Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $12,338
Lot 1762		1807. Bust Right BD-1 Rarity 4+ NGC graded Unc Details. Improperly cleaned. Mostly well struck with full hair detail. Bright and lustrous with some light hairline scratches in the right obverse field. Lovely golden overtones add to its appeal. As this is the only reverse with small stars used this year, it was likely a leftover one from 1806. The large letters on the reverse are further proof that the reverse die was produced in the previous year. Although BD-1's reverse likely cracked and failed, it was a productive die, as Dannreuther's estimate of 5,000 struck by the die marriage indicates (PCGS # 8092) . Estimated Value $5,000-UP. Ex: Purchased from Jerry Cohen in the early 1980's as "choice BU" The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,519