Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 81

The Pre-Long Beach Sale

$2.50 Liberty

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1257		1842-D. NGC graded AU-58. Untoned. Only 4,643 struck. Barring the elusive 1840-D, the 1842-D is the rarest pre-1853 issue in the Dahlonega Mint Quarter Eagle series. Survivors of this 4,643-piece delivery number perhaps 75-85 coins if that many, the majority of which grade no finer than VF. Attractive Extremely Fine examples are becoming increasingly difficult to come by, and the issue is exceedingly rare in AU58, the quality offered here. Writing in 2003 (Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint), Doug Winter states that the '42-D is unknown in Mint State. As of November 2006, however, NGC reports four coins in MS-61 and a single piece in MS-62. A few of the former listings might well represent resubmissions rather than distinct examples. One of the longest-lived of all U.S. coins series, the Liberty Quarter Eagle was produced in only one major type from 1840-1907. Whereas the Liberty Half Eagle, Eagle and Double Eagle were guaranteed at least one significant design change with the addition of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST in 1866, the Quarter Eagle was deemed too small to accommodate this wording. There is, however, an important hub change in this series, and this came in 1859 when Chief Engraver James Barton Longacre modified the reverse by reducing the size of the arrowheads, as well as increasing the space between them. While this Type 2 design made its debut on P-mint coins that year, the San Francisco Mint continued to use leftover reverse from the 1854-1857 era through 1876. Pop 8; 4 finer, 3 in 61, 1 in 62. (PCGS # 7725) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1258		1848-D. PCGS graded MS-62. Lovely rich golden toning. Only 13,771 struck. Sharply struck, with choice surfaces and medium to deep yellow and orange-gold color on the obverse and the reverse. This is another issue that tends to come with reasonably good eye appeal and sharp details, making it an excellent candidate for a Dahlonega Mint Type set. In 1848, the Dahlonega Mint produced the aforementioned 13,771 quarter eagles. There are perhaps 200 in numismatic holdings today, with the majority of these grading Very Fine to Extremely Fine grade range. Mint States are rare, although they are more available than most Dahlonega quarter eagles of this era. There are as many as two dozen certified in Uncirculated, with the preponderance of these in the MS60 to MS61 range. Condition Census: Pop 7; 6 finer in 63. (PCGS # 7751) . Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1259		1849-C. NGC graded MS-61. Only 10,220 minted. Pop 4; 1 finer in 65. Unusually well struck with some toning starting to form around the devices. This is a very presentable example with slightly reflective fields and much original gold luster. Extensive detail is visible including full star lines and hair curls. A few of the eagle's features are less than fully formed, but all in all detail on this side is much sharper than typical for the date. We note a short broken mark or scratch on the obverse from star 1 to Liberty's neck. Only 10,220 quarter eagles were struck in Charlotte during the course of the year, no doubt from gold mined exclusively in the southeast. The California gold rush was well under way with miners traveling west to pursue their chosen occupation. Western gold was shipped back to Philadelphia for coinage, mostly in larger denominations, but this probably did not begin in earnest until 1850-53. An obviously important date, the 1849-C, that belongs in a high-quality collection of Southern branch mint coins (PCGS # 7753) . Estimated Value $14,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1260		1862. NGC graded MS-61. Only 98,508 minted. Well struck, lustrous, and frosty throughout. A boldly original specimen whose mintage declined drastically after the huge 1861 production associated with the panicked opening of the American Civil War. Hoarding of gold and silver began almost immediately. Many of Quarter Eagles were exported. Survivors, as the census indicates, is relatively low for 1862: Pop 35; 20 finer, 14 in 62, 2 in 63, 4 in 64 (PCGS # 7796) . Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1261		1866-S. NGC graded VF-30. Evenly worn. Only 38,960 struck (PCGS # 7804) . Estimated Value $275 - 300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $341
Lot 1262		1878. Sharpness of AU-50. Estimated Value $250 - 275. View details	Realized $294