Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 81

The Pre-Long Beach Sale

Shield Nickels

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 703		1866. NGC graded MS-66. Lovely rainbow toning. Substituting for the usual virtually ice-white to nickel-bright fields of a well preserved 1866 With Rays business strike, this coin spreads light in every direction from its lovely almost pastel colored toning. The reverse is particularly awe inspiring. View it if you have a chance. Enjoy its gleaming rainbow effect that cascades around the reverse, with one color merging and blending seamlessly into the next. Having covered the mint bloom, which we could go on about forever, we take stock of the coin's detail. Clockwork precision seen in the leaves flanking the shield (note the central leaf vein in each), a resplendent shield, was this one of the first strikes from the die? A reverse as finely detailed and sharp as the obverse. One or two fine die cracks visible, as often found on this first year issue. The year 1866 is the first of two early Nickel Five-cent pieces produced with rays as part of the reverse design. Fewer coins were delivered with rays in 1867 than in 1866, but both dates are widely admired by collectors due to their brief production before the rays were eliminated. Early in 1867, the No Rays motif was substituted, a design which would continue in use through the end of the Shield Nickel series in 1883. Should you be looking for something quite pleasant and a little vacation from ordinary, everyday Shield Nickels, we encourage you to check this one out. A stunning beautifully toned 1866 With Rays. And from what we�ve seen of these, it will make a wonderful addition to any first-rate collection. Pop 24; none finer at NGC. Estimated Value $3,500 - 3,600. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 704		1871. PCGS graded MS-66. A nice untoned example. A satiny gem of the most advantageous order for a Shield Nickel collector. Its high degree of broad-spinning original luster pulses beneath untoned and shimmering nickel-fresh highlights. Well struck, too, with no sign whatsoever of weakness on the shield or leaves (a common problem with the hard nickel alloy in these). That puts this in the forefront of surviving 1871-dated examples. No reason to chase across miles of difficult terrain in search of one of these, it is here and it beckons. Pop 11; 1 finer in 66+. (PCGS # 3798) . Estimated Value $3,500 - 3,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 705		1871. PCGS graded XF Details, Cleaning. (PCGS # 3798) . Estimated Value $70 - 80. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $188
Lot 706		1876. NGC graded Proof 66. CAC Approved. PQ. Lovely multicolor toning. Only 1,150 struck. Pop 30; 5 finer, 1 in 66+, 3 in 67, 1 in 67 Star. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 707		1876. PCGS graded AU-55. Untoned (PCGS # 3805) . Estimated Value $120 - 130. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $200
Lot 708		1879. PCGS graded Proof 65. A lovely untoned proof. Only 3,200 struck. A frosty nickel-bright gem Shield Nickel with strong underlying luster and strong details on both sides. Nicely struck for the date, 1879 traditionally being well made we might emphasize, indeed fully struck to where it deserves honorable mention where fullness of design is concerned. Shield Nickel mintage declined greatly in 1877-81, with Proofs only being made in 1877 and 1878, Proofs and circulation strikes in 1879-81, at much reduced levels, before production increased again for 1882 and 1883. Always high on the popularity list. Pop 170; 88 finer, 72 in 66, 1 in 66+, 15 in 67. (PCGS # 3833) . Estimated Value $600 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $764
Lot 709		1880. PCGS graded Proof 66. CAC Approved. PQ. Well struck and lightly toned. Superior quality to most 1880 Proofs that are offered; it seems the small floating supply of outstanding Gems are now stashed away in coin collections and only surface on rare occasions. Only 3,955 struck. Pop 118; 16 finer, 1 in 66+, 15 in 67. (PCGS # 3835) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $764