Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 8

Coin and Currency Auction

Half Dimes

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1535		1794 Flowing Hair Half Dime. . Val-1. NGC graded AU-55. This is the rarest of the four known 1794 die varieties. Light gray in color and well preserved. No signs of adjustment marks or other problems. We note a minor old scuff on Liberty's bust, and another in the field before her mouth. Sharply struck for the variety, including the fourth star which is diagnostically weak. Early die state, with the crack from the twelfth star to chin just starting to show up, it does not continue to the fourth star, and the crack through the Y hasn't appeared either. On the reverse, the curious die line (crack?) connects the eagle's two legs, just above his claws, and the faint crack is present to the left of the M in AMERICA.There is a tiny planchet void above the A of STATES on the rim, perhaps it is a small clip, but it is hard to tell in the holder. Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,188
Lot 1536		1794 Flowing Hair Half Dime. . Val-3a. PCGS graded MS-62. Magnificent deep blue toning around the periphery and bright gold at the centers of both sides. Fiery colors and blazing luster. Free of adjustment marks or other problems, close examination will only show the lightest hairlines. Certainly one of the finest of the variety, although there is a higher grade reported in the recent superb study by Russ Logan and John McCloskey. Over the decades many new die variety studies have been published on various denominations. As these books are distributed, it seems to take about five years for the denomination to suddenly become "collected". Half dimes were well covered by the 1930 Valentine study of die varieties, but new rarity and die state information now available has greatly improved the available knowledge. Collectors of the early pieces are few and far between, but we suspect more and more will begin collecting these fascinating coins soon. Here is a great way to start, this coin boasts stunning colors and is well struck. Further, there is an obverse die break from the sixth star, through Liberty's head and out the E of LIBERTY. On the reverse, the die cracks are heavier, with a light crack up through the right stem end (similar in placement to the V-4a reverse crack, but this is a different reverse die), and a heavy crack through the R of LIBERTY towards the eagle's tail where it meets the other reverse crack. A grand coin for the advanced numismatist to enjoy. Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $9,775
Lot 1537		1794 Flowing Hair Half Dime. . Val-4. NGC graded MS-63. This is the most common of the 1794 half dime varieties, but "common" is a relative term. All 1794 half dimes can rightfully be considered rare, especially so in mint state. The NGC Population Report shows just 6 are graded this high, with 19 in various grades higher. PCGS is similar, with 7 graded as MS-63, and 13 graded higher. What is important to keep in mind is not the raw numbers, but the quality of the piece on offer. A glance will tell the knowledgeable numismatist that this is a delightful coin. The surfaces are clean and show few marks, none of the annoying adjustment marks that are frequently seen, or handling problems which plaque this small coin. Steel gray in color with delicate silvery tones on both sides. Sharply struck from clashed dies, with at least three clash marks noted on the reverse, and a strong single clash on the obverse. The die engraver was probably Robert Scot, as there are numerous devices which show recutting. On the reverse, the die crack through the D of UNITED to the eagle's breast is light, and the crack up through the right stem has just started to form. Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,625
Lot 1538		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 1539		1795 Flowing Hair Half Dime. . Val-4a. AU-55. A common variety of this type coin. The surfaces are toned a medium gray and the coin is generally well struck, save for the lower reverse dentils, which are weak. A couple of minor circulation marks. Estimated Value $2,700 - 3,200. View details	Unsold
Lot 1540		1801 Draped Bust Half Dime. . Val-1. VF-30. This half dime has the die break through RT of LIBERTY and below the bust. A couple of marks near the second star and a few more above near the rim which slightly bent the coin. There is a thin scratch in the right obverse field. Steel gray and with nice details for the grade, despite its surface problems. One of the most fascinating dates which has been subject to much speculation as the Valentine 1 and 2 varieties were eventually found to be the same die pairing, but only after examination of dozens of pieces and micro photographs, this research done by Ed Price and Jules Reiver. Research continues, and collectors are always learning more as time passes. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100. View details	Realized $1,840
Lot 1541		1805 Draped Bust Half Dime. . Val-1. ANACS graded Sharpness of VF-20 Net G-6, Damaged-Graffiti. Damaged with pitting at the centers of both sides and with graffiti in the right obverse field. Nice details remain, and a coin that should be inspected. Estimated Value $450 - 550. View details	Realized $690
Lot 1542		1829, Valentine-3. . Val-3. PCGS graded Proof 64. Extremely rare as a Proof, only a few were minted, and most were not well cared for. The recent PCGS Population Report shows just 2 have been graded this high, with 2 graded higher. This coin has medium to deep gray colors on both sides and is very sharply struck. The stars, curls on Liberty, lettering, devices and scrolls are all crisp and fully brought up by the dies. The fields have some very minor handling marks, as well as some trivial hairlines, but this coin is nearly a gem, and many would in fact call it that. Perhaps these were struck to commemorate the restoration of the half dime denomination, none had been struck since 1805, and the nation still needed small change. Once the Mint started making half dimes, they kept cranking them out in fairly large numbers, so the denomination must have proven useful to the public. Here is one of the very finest to survive in proof condition. Estimated Value $10,000-UP. View details	Unsold
Lot 1543		1834 Capped Bust Half Dime. . Val-1c. MS-60. Sharply struck and without toning, allowing the luster to shine forth. The obverse die has a faint crack from the seventh star to Liberty's cap, and there is another crack from her nose down her face to her drapery, above the 1 in the date. This second crack is not noted in most reference works, and it apparently was lapped away before the next obverse due usage (LM-5). Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $288
Lot 1544		1837 Capped Bust Half Dime. Large 5c. . Val-1. MS-65. Delicate yellow and rose tones with some hints of blue at the centers on both sides. Frosty luster in the fields and well struck except on the extreme high points of the devices, which show minor weakness. Trivial handling marks, but a high end coin. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details	Unsold
Lot 1545		1837 Liberty Seated Half Dime. No stars, large date. PCGS graded MS-64. Light golden toning with some deeper blues around the periphery. Blazing luster and pristine fields and devices. Perfect for the type collector. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,955
Lot 1546		1840 Liberty Seated Half Dime. No drapery. MS-64. Flashy and white, with blazing luster in the fields and well struck devices. Most of the stars are fully struck, and we note a hint of gold toning starting to form. An outstanding example of this scarce early date. Estimated Value $450 - 550. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,093
Lot 1547		1840 Liberty Seated Half Dime. No drapery. NGC graded MS-62. Dull gray toning throughout with scuffs on the high points. Natural appearing toning on both sides. Estimated Value $225 - 250. View details	Realized $196
Lot 1548		1843 Liberty Seated Half Dime. . Val-6a. MS-62. The date is sharply doubled, especially on the 184 at the base. We note several scrapes around the periphery where the coin has been damaged, and a few similar marks on Liberty's knee, these are suprisingly well hidden. Prooflike fields, and always popular with collectors. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $230
Lot 1549		1860 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Legend. PCGS graded Proof 63. Bright and untoned, with minor hairlines on the fragile mirror fields. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $368
Lot 1550		1860 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Legend. NGC graded MS-65. Deep rose at the center of the obverse, with dark sky blue colors around the rims, on the reverse, the colors are opposite, deep blue at the center and rose around the periphery. Frosty luster beneath. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details	Unsold
Lot 1551		1861 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded AU-58 Premium Quality. Gold and blue toning on the obverse, white on the reverse. Well struck and nearly a grade better. Estimated Value $100 - 125. View details	Realized $196
Lot 1552		1865 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Proof 60. Only 500 coined in proof, but what makes this date very special is the low business strike mintage of just 13,000 coins. Hence, all 1865 half dimes are rare! The reverse has some weakness on the upper wreath, unusual for a proof coin. Untoned and worth a good premium. Estimated Value $500-UP. View details	Realized $506
Lot 1553		1868-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-63. Flashy gold luster but a couple of toning spots have formed. Estimated Value $350 - 450. View details	Realized $1,208
Lot 1554		1871 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-63. Mottled blue and red toning on both sides, with luster in the fields beneath. Sharp. Estimated Value $140 - 160. View details	Realized $138
Lot 1555		1872 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 64. Light gray to deep blue in color and quite flashy. Minor hairlines from a higher grade. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $437
Lot 1556		1872-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. Mint mark above bow. MS-64. This one is nearly a gem, and may qualify at that level. Untoned and frosty, this coin has excellent eye appeal. Well struck too, and scarcer than the mint mark below wreath variety. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details	Realized $604
Lot 1557		1872-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. Mint mark below bow. MS-64. A flashy little coin from a small hoard broken up years ago. Perfect for the type collector. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details	Realized $483
Lot 1558		1873 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 64. A lovely proof example that boasts dark toning near the devices and steel gray on the devices themselves. The reverse also has beautiful colors and surfaces. Estimated Value $400 - 450. View details	Realized $529
Lot 1559		1873-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-65. Deeply struck with mountain high devices on this tiny coin, and toned with golden shades on the obverse, deeper red with splashes of blue on the reverse. Perfect for the type collector. Estimated Value $850 - 950. View details	Realized $1,035