Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 8

Coin and Currency Auction

Liberty Seated Half Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1752		1839. No Drapery. One of two or three known in Proof. PCGS graded Proof 63. A fantastic example of this rarity! The coin has been through the gauntlet of graders at PCGS where they awarded it a choice PR-63 grade. This is the only example they have graded in proof. NGC also reports this coin as PR-63 as "Reed Hawn" and another as P. Kaufman, graded by that service as PF-62. This coin now offered is apparently the better of two graded. Breen, in his Proof Encyclopedia enumerated only three examples. The first listed is in the Norweb collection, but this is in error, as the Norwebs did not have an example of this in Proof. Breen further notes appearances in the World's Greatest Collection Sale (January 1945), the 1946 ANA and 1948 ANA sales. With the Norweb pedigree removed, and none appearing in Eliasberg, it is probable that only 2 proofs exist. Plate matching is difficult as both are toned similarly. We do know that this is the Reed Hawn coin (Stack's 8/83:125) and prior to that it was likely in one or more of the sales in the 1940s. For future reference, this coin has a shallow planchet void just below the left elbow of Liberty in the left obverse field. On the reverse, there is a small planchet flake above the ME of AMERICA. Currently, the coin resides in PCGS holder #5782576. As the other proof example is described as having a reverse die crack from the rim to the upper leaves through the eagle to the R of AMERICA, of which this coin shows no trace of that crack, this coin was obviously struck first. We note a light die crack through the base of HALF DOL. which continues up through the tops of MERICA. There is no trace of the obverse crack to the base of the 1 as noted in the Worlds Greatest Collection Sale or in the other crack noted above. What makes this coin so special is the fact that is a one year type coin. The "No Drapery" designation is just one aspect of the design, the rock on which Liberty is seated is much larger and closer to the first star than the rock on the modified 1839 design. The actual mintage is unknown, but the no drapery coins represent a small fraction of the with drapery pieces for the year. When examined with a strong glass we note minor hairlines in the fields. These are toned over with delicate antique gray tones and hints of blue. The strike is, of course, exceptional, and all the devices are brought up completely. Die polishing on the fields is complete, including between the pales and gules in the shield. The coin is a no-nonsense proof, and any numismatist would agree after briefly viewing the coin. A foremost opportunity for the advanced specialist to purchase this one year proof rarity. Estimated Value $200,000 - 250,000. Ex: Stack's Reed Hawn Sale, 8/73:125. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1753		1851-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Sharpness of MS-60 but cleaned. The surfaces are prooflike, perhaps more from a past cleaning than manufacture. Now starting to retone with hints of gold in the fields. Boldly struck and only 402,000 struck. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $414
Lot 1754		1853-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows and rays. AU-50. Cleaned and starting to retone, still a bit washed out. Estimated Value $350 - 450. View details	Realized $414
Lot 1755		1854-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. PCGS graded AU-58. With a bit of friction on the high points, but very appealing. Nearly new quality for a big discount. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details	Realized $460
Lot 1756		1858 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. MS-63. This one has a few minor hairlines and specks in the fields, but it is toned with magnificent rainbow hues in rings near the rims. Frosty luster at the centers. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details	Realized $1,323
Lot 1757		1858-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar. MS-60. Choice for the grade, the obverse boasts clean surfaces and only moderate ticks from handling. The reverse is nicer, with frosty luster, well struck devices and excellent fields. Light gold toning. We note recutting in the date above the left side of each 8 attached to Liberty's rock. Probably Breen 4885, which may be a lapped die of Breen-4884. One for the specialist. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details	Realized $575
Lot 1758		1860 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Proof 64. Nice color and lightly toned, with heavily frosted devices. Minor hairlines in the fields, but they are expected on all proofs of this era. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500. View details	Unsold
Lot 1759		1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Proof 64. Bright and untoned, with excellent frost and contrast. We do note the usual hairlines from a cleaning, and there is a minute spot under the first A of AMERICA. Only 470 struck in proof, few of which survive today. Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 1760		1869 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Proof 63. Delightful toning on both sides, fiery orange at the centers and antique gray in the fields. Only 600 proofs were struck, few of which could be as appealing as this coin. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $805
Lot 1761		1870 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 64. Deeply and beautifully toned with shades Elvis blue at the rims and sunset gold at the centers. Minor hairlines from a higher grade. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,438
Lot 1762		1871-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. MS-60 Plus. This coin has some minor weakness in the strike at the periphery. Delicate pink toning and with clean fields and surfaces. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details	Unsold
Lot 1763		1872-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar. EF-45. This one has been cleaned in the past, and the upper obverse rim has an irregular area where some incrustation was probably removed. Scarce and usually found in lower grades. Nice gold toning around the periphery and well struck. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Realized $633
Lot 1764		1873 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. NGC graded Proof 65. An exceptionally beautiful example of this rare proof type coin. It is believed by Harry X. Boosel, the worlds authority on United States coins of 1873, that only 550 were struck of the with arrows variety. Of these, NGC has only graded 10 this high, with 5 graded higher. That certainly makes this in the top ten percent of those known. What makes this coin so superb is its magnificent rose and blue toning on both sides. The rims and peripheral areas are all toned with ocean-deep blue shades, while the centers are toned a stunning rose pink color. The fields are free of contact or handling marks, and the coin is well preserved. If one must complain, there are some minor hairlines in the delicate mirror fields, but they are minor. If you have been searching for a superb example of this date, then look no further than this coin and bid accordingly. Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,900
Lot 1765		1873 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. PCGS graded MS-65. A magnificent example of this scarce type coin. Satiny silver in color with just a hint of delicate gold toning near the devices. The fields boast fiery luster which leaps off the coin when examined. Boldly struck on all but a few of the letters on the reverse motto, which show minor weakness. Examination will find few faults, most hidden on the upper devices where they can scarcely be detected. In the PCGS Population Report, we note only 5 have been graded this high, with only 2 graded higher, making this one of the very best known of the date. Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $17,825
Lot 1766		1874 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. MS-63. A choice, untoned mint state example. This is important as a scarce type coin with arrows at the date. The arrows were placed there to broadcast a very slight adjustment in the silver content, supposedly to bring United States coinage into the metric weight system. The metric system is still not employed at the mints. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,438
Lot 1767		1877-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. AU-50. Lovely gray toning and well struck. Estimated Value $100 - 125. View details	Realized $98
Lot 1768		1891 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. MS-63 Prooflike. This coin is very prooflike, but the mirror polishing on the dies is missing from the central shield lines and the rims are not raised as usually seen on proof issues. Frosty devices and exceptional quality. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details	Realized $489