Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 79

Relics

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 673		Birdstone Cherokee Pipe - 18th to 19th Century North Carolina. This beautiful carved and ground birdstone pipe dates to 18th-19th century North Carolina and the Cherokee Indian tribe. Used in ceremonies, this pipe was finely crafted from greenstone and is approximately one foot tall, an important and rare size for these pipes. With two holes at the back and a notch at the front for the tobacco, this pipe has been ornately inscribed and shaped throughout -- a true work of art. Small chip tip of beak and another modest chip back side right leg; neither effect the overall beauty of this piece. Unlike the white man, the Cherokees would only smoke their pipes in ceremonies or to frighten away evil spirits. This is a large example of an important Cherokee artifact. Estimated Value $750 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $677
Lot 674		Rappahannock River and Florida Excavated Relics. From the historic 1930s discoveries of Startzman and Zirkie - Luray, Virginia Museum - as described in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. These nine artifacts were unearthed in the 1930s by the Startzman-Zirkie excavation of the Rappahannock Indian mounds in Virginia and from digs in Spanish Colonial Florida. Documented in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography and exhibited in a private museum until de-accessed in the 1950s. This amazing collection includes a blue-green beaded necklace example which is from the actual Rappahannock dig. Other items included: white shell necklace from Florida; A quartz pendant found by Brian Emerson near Tampa, Florida; Three beautiful Spanish Colonial religious medallions from the 16th to early 18th century from the Spanish Mission site at Amelia Island Florida; A very rare 1565-1580 Spanish Colonial wax seal from the Mission Nombre de Dios period, which was found in St. Augustine, Florida, is an excellent addition to this archive; A 1550-1560 Spanish doublet military ball button and a spear point made from kettle brass. All itmes have been individually boxed for display. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $590
Lot 675		Birdstone Effigy from the Ohio Valley. This polished variated green stone is from the Ohio Valley culture of Native Americans. Centered on the Ohio River, the culture began about 1000 A.D. and spread to present day Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New York. This beautiful birdstone effigy was made from polished green stone and was probably used as a counterweight to a throwing spear. It is so elegant it could be mistaken for a work of modern art, but, was a valued artifact in the Native American culture. One of the best examples of birdstone seen from the Ohio Valley culture. Estimated Value $600 - 800. From the Steve Hess Collection. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $504
Lot 676		Ohio Valley Culture Birdstone. This Ohio Valley Native American culture birdstone is a work of art. Carved and finely polished, perhaps over 650 years ago. The exact use is not certain, but it is surmised that they could have been used as counterweights on throwing objects such as spears. Estimated Value $600 - 800. From the Steve Hess Collection. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 677		*Relics Recovered from the Treasure Ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha.* A grouping of 13 historic artifacts as found by Mel Fisher: A grouping containing items used in the everyday activities of life such as sharpening swords and knives of the soldiers and sailors sent to conquer and plunder the New World. The rarest and most important item is a large stone grind wheel (one-half) encrusted with marine life. Also included is a bronze crucifix; an ornate belt buckle; a large spoon and part of a small spoon; a white clay tobacco pipe, a partial Spanish -piece-of-eight; etc. Several pieces encrusted with marine life from over 300 year rest on the seabed off of Florida. Lot of 13 items. Estimated Value $500 - 750. From the Nuestra Señora de Atocha found by treasure hunter Mel Fisher in 1985 off the Florida coast. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $418
Lot 678		Three Native American Blades - Early Native American periods, 1200-1700 A.D. -. These three Native American blades are fine examples of the essential tools fashioned by America's first inhabitants. The first, a volcanic black obsidian blade has been sharpened for use in cutting meat and carefully chipped down to a sharp edge, the piece is still sharp today. Also included: a Mississippi culture white axe blade used for cutting trees and bushes; a green knife blade incised with linear decorations, from the indigenous peoples of the modern day Florida area. A very attractive set of historic blades. The largest measure: 10¼". Estimated Value $400 - 600. Ex noted Steve Hess Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 679		A Very Rare Rattlesnake Figurehead Bowl - Mississippian Culture, circa 1000 A.D. This Mississippian, Native American diorite bowl is from the Gillyard Collection of Gainesville, Florida. This rare bowl is an excellent example of the Mississippian, Native American culture that extended through Midwestern, Eastern and Southeastern North America, from about 800 to 1500 A.D. The diorite igneous rock lent itself to carving by the tribal peoples and took many forms, including that of a serpent, and in this case, a rattlesnake. This is a very rare anthropomorphic snake figure in that it includes a human face at the front. Diameter: 10½". We note one minor repair at handle; museum numbers on base. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $517
Lot 680		Frog Pot and Tall Pot- Rappahanock River Mound Startzman Collection. These two pots are some of the most beautiful found in the former Startzman Collection. The zoomorphic pot in the form of frog is in excellent condition with an incised rim; Height: 4"; The taller, round pot has linear decorative markings toward the top; Height: 6½"; ¾'s of the top rim is missing; a tiny hole below top rim; Overall in good condition. Both items are a great representation of Rappahannock River culture. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $344
Lot 681		Two Human Effigy Pots - Mississippian Culture. These two mound clay anthropomorphic figure pots are great examples of the figural pottery work producted by the Native Americans of the Mississippian culture. The small, seated figure, perhaps giving birth, is smooth and polished, a beautiful reminder of the humanity of the native people; Height: 5"; marked on base: "Hampton Collecting, Bradley Site, Crittenden Co., Ark." The larger figure is kneeling, possibly in prayer, with mouth open and head tilted back, hands on knees; Height: 7". These are perhaps two of the finest examples of anthropomorphic figures of the Mississippi culture seen in one lot. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $432
Lot 682		Artifacts from the Rappahannock River Mound Site - Startzman Collection. This is a remarkable collection of artifacts salvaged from the noted Startzman Collection, all from the Rappahannock River culture. However, one piece, a bronze crucifix stands out as being a European object left in the area where these items were found. Some of the other items that are historically important include: two strands of shell necklaces, one a primitive white necklace and the other multi-colored necklace, both in excellent condition; a small striking clay mask; a bronze spear point; a beauiful stone bird pipe. All items are indiviually boxed for display. A very nice ready-made collection of eight artifacts. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $541
Lot 683		*Important Artifacts from the Wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha.* The Nuestra Señora de Atocha, a Spanish ship which sunk off the coast of Florida in 1622 was filled with treasure from the Spanish colonies in America. Loaded with jewelry, gold, silver and tobacco for the Spanish monarch, the ship was driven onto a reef during a hurricane near the Dry Tortugas, 35 miles west of Key West. A severe economic loss to the Spanish crown, salvage efforts were largely a failure - until the American treasure hunter Mel Fisher recovered the treasure in 1985. Since then, the treasure was sold off and is highly prized by collectors as being from one of the most valued shipwrecks ever found. Six of the items salvaged from the shipwreck include: Emerald Ring, silver and partially intact ring, has a chipped green emerald at the center, once flanked by smaller stones. Surely destined for royalty back in Spain; Silver Ring, missing its original stones and partially intact. However, the significance of it being salvaged from the most important treasure bounty ever found cannot be denied; Round Necklace Bead, small bead drilled through for application onto a necklace; Small Brass Buckle, used by a sailor; corroded, but the oval buckle still has the anchor stud for the leather belt that would have been attached; Measure: ¾ x 1"; intact after being on the ocean floor for over 360 years; Large Brass Buckle, engraved and still intact; Measure: 1 x 1½"; some corrosion but overall fine; Rolled Piece of Brass, a point of a staff, most likely attached to the end of a wooden staff carried by one of the troops on board; Length: 2¼"; An excellent example of treasure recoved after hundreds of years buried at sea. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $467
Lot 684		Group of Seven Rappahannock River Pots - Native American Mounds. This group of seven Rappahannock River pots from Native American mounds are from the Startzman Collection of Hagerstown, Maryland. From a smaller more primitive black bowl with some chipping, the collection includes larger, wider-rimmed bowls that have been elaborately hand decorated with small indentations, one with a beautifully arced handle. This is an excellent, ready-made collection for the experienced or novice collector. The Rappahannock Indians produced remarkably beautiful pottery and this collection includes fine examples of their work and culture. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $517
Lot 685		White Shell Necklace from the Rappahannock River Mound Museum Collection. From the Startzman Collection of excellent Rappahannock River culture artifacts. This excellent white bead necklace is made from individually crafted beads re-strung onto white cord material. These were highly prized by the Native Americans and have been excavated and saved by the Startzman Collection archeologists and now available for private acquisition. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $234
Lot 686		16-Piece Treasure Trove from an Unknown 17th Century Spanish Vessel lost off St. Augustine, Florida. Hundreds of Spanish and other European ships were lost off the coast of the Americas during the period of European conquest. Most have never been found - only bits and pieces such as these artifacts from the waters off St. Augustine, Florida. Included here is a bronze medallion, ball shot, belt buckles, buttons, necklace beads and an interesting small bell. Estimated Value $250 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 687		Three Rappahannock River Mound Hammer Stones - Startzman Collection. These three hammer stones are from the noted Startzman Collection of Rappahanock River culture mound effects. The artifacts are excellent examples of the stones used by the Native Americans to smash vegetables and for many other uses. Two gray granite stones, one with a hole and the other, larger stone, have been polished to a smooth finish. The smaller brown stone has been incised in a cross pattern. *Total weight: 12.6 oz*. Estimated Value $250 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $160
Lot 688		Indian Trade Copper, Copper Money. Recovered from St. Augustine, Florida, these copper pieces were used by the Native Americans as trade money. One piece has been rolled to spear point, the remaining two pieces, intact, to be used as currency. These historic items are from the Baldwin Collection and have been extensively exhibited. Estimated Value $200 - 300. From the Bill Baldwin Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold