Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 84

January 25-28, 2015 Pre Long Beach

$20 Liberty/With Motto

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2096		1866. NTC graded AU-55 Details, Rim Bumps on Obverse. Rich reddish-gold surfaces. Scarce and desirable, several rim nicks are visible on the obverse. Also, one abrasion is near Liberty's nose. First year of issue of the "With Motto" design type. Estimated Value $2,400 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2097		1870-CC. NGC graded AU Details, Improperly Cleaned. The first coins to bear the distinguishing "CC" mintmark of the Carson City, Nevada Mint were struck in 1870. Featured were quarters, half dollars, silver dollars, half eagles, eagles, and double eagles (the first dimes would be forthcoming in 1871). All 1870-CC issues are rare, key-date coins in their respective series, but the '70-CC double eagle stands out as a particularly central issue even in this highly select group. Rivaling only the 1870-CC eagle for this honor, the 1870-CC $20 is widely regarded as the rarest gold coin struck in the Carson City Mint. It is an important offering at all grade levels and one that is always greeted with considerable fanfare of approval when offered either through auction or for private treaty purchase. Treasury Department records indicate that only 3,789 double eagles were struck in Carson City during 1870, and most of those coins have since been lost. Writing in 2001 (Gold Coins of the Carson City Mint), Douglas Winter and James L. Halperin account for just 35-45 survivors in all grades. The authors further state that there are no Mint State examples known to exist. As the leading highlight, the present 1870-CC twenty dollar is also among the most prestigious coins an collector could own. And as a long-hidden example of this very rare issue, it is a piece that is sure to have no difficulty finding its way into another world-class portfolio of gold rarities. This specimen is well struck with plenty of detail save for the diagnostically soft stars surrounding the obverse. A normal allotment of marks and abrasions have collected on each side, these being typical of most Carson City gold issues, although for purposes of future provenance research we point to a diagonal mark on Liberty's cheek ending at her ear. The yellow-gold surfaces have probably been cleaned at one time (as indicated by NGC), however, this is not an overly detracting factor. Close examination still reveals traces of mint luster in selected protected areas of the design. This high grade example represents the classic Carson City double eagle gold rarity (PCGS # 8958) . Estimated Value $100,000-UP. Ex: Purchased from Abner Kreisberg in the early 1970's The Del Valle Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $102,813
Lot 2098		1870-S. NGC graded EF-45. Honey-golden color with hints of red-orange in selected recesses. Typical wear for the assigned grade with no mentionable marks (PCGS # 8959) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2099		1871-S. PCGS graded EF-45. Subdued yellow-gold with a few marks confined to the obverse (PCGS # 8962) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2100		1872-S. NGC graded EF-45. CAC Approved. Nominal wear with a typical strike for the date. Some darker accents are noted on the design highpoints (PCGS # 8965) . Estimated Value $1,550 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,704
Lot 2101		1873. Open 3. PCGS graded AU-55. CAC Approved. Residual luster in the fields with average surfaces for a lightly circulated Type Two double eagle. Soft yellow-gold color with a few marks on the obverse (PCGS # 8967) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. The Agora Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,528
Lot 2102		1875-S. NGC graded AU-55. Pleasing honey-gold color, especially over the reverse. Numerous small abrasions pepper the obverse (PCGS # 8975) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2103		1875-S $20 Sharpness of VF35. Once cleaned but re-toning nicely. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,250. View details	Realized $1,293
Lot 2104		1876-CC. PCGS graded AU-53. Still partly lustrous honey-gold color with rich mint frost on the devices. Pleasing for the assigned grade with a minimum of marks on either side and a reflective nature to the fields. One of the more available Carson City double eagles from the mid-1870s (PCGS # 8977) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. The Agora Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,935
Lot 2105		1876-S. PCGS graded AU-58. Nearly full luster remains on this coin that likely never saw circulation, only abundant bag handling. One curving mark is noted in the right obverse field, and a couple more on Liberty's cheek (PCGS # 8978) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2106		1879-S. NGC graded MS-60 PL. In 1879, the San Francisco Mint struck over 1 million double eagles for only the ninth time since it opened in 1854. Most of these coins either entered circulation, or were later exported for international transactions. Large quantities of the exports have since returned to America, but most examples were lightly worn or heavily abraded from rough bag handling. Mint State pieces remain quite rare, and prooflike examples such as this coin are virtually impossible to locate. Pop 3; 4 finer, 2 in 61, 2 in 62 (PCGS # 8991) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2107		1883-S. PCGS graded MS-62. A partially reflective appearance is presented in the fields on each side. Deep orange-golden color overall, a single milling mark is reported above the mintmark and below the eagle's tail feathers (PCGS # 9000) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,998
Lot 2108		1884-S. PCGS graded MS-61. CAC Approved. A solid strike and frosty mint luster are both noted. The surfaces show minimal signs of bag handling, and present soft reddish-gold color over slightly reflective fields (PCGS # 9002) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,586
Lot 2109		1884-S. PCGS graded MS-61. Red patina combines with honey-gold color. The obverse exhibits signs of stacking friction on the portrait (PCGS # 9002) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,586
Lot 2110		1885-CC. NGC graded XF Details, Damaged, Improperly Cleaned. The surfaces have been harshly cleaned and edge damage and filing is reported on each side. An affordable example for the budget-minded collector. Only 9,450 pieces were struck (PCGS # 9004) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2111		1888. PCGS graded MS-62. CAC Approved. Sharply struck and attractive. The motifs are satiny and the fields exhibit a satiny texture. In general, the coin presents as a soft golden-orange color, however, several coffee-colored spots are noted at the reverse rim. Rarely encountered finer than MS-62. Pop 212; 29 finer (PCGS # 9008) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2112		1890-CC. NGC graded AU Details, Improperly Cleaned. Boldly struck, honey-gold features are minimally worn with hints of remaining luster in the most protected areas on both sides. A few wispy hairlines are noted that point to an old cleaning. Scarce in all grades with a typical late Carson City mintage of 91,209 pieces (PCGS # 9014) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,998
Lot 2113		1890-S. NGC graded MS-61. Mostly untoned, a frosty, carefully struck San Francisco Mint dates from the first year in the 1890s. Normal contact marks (PCGS # 9015) . Estimated Value $1,700 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2114		1892-S. PCGS graded MS-65. An especially appealing condition rarity at the lofty Gem level, most survivors seen show considerable handling marks and field scuffs, thus lower grade assignments. No so on this carefully preserved specimen as the surfaces are mint-fresh and highly attractive without the usual myriad surface distractions so often seen. Liberty's cheek and neck are clean and smooth with a frosted appearance which contrasts lightly with the satiny fields. Rich honey-golden patina lends a fully original appearance to this carefully preserved Gem. This piece is included with a select group as one of the top examples seen by PCGS excelled by just four pieces at that service. Pop 17; 4 finer in 65+. (PCGS # 9021) . Estimated Value $30,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2115		1898-S. NGC graded MS-63. An attractive double eagle that exhibits bold, frosty luster and a reasonably good strike. Several, shallow scuffs are present, yet none of these are heavy or detracting (PCGS # 9034) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,350. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,469
Lot 2116		1900. NGC graded MS-63. Rich honey-gold surrounds the `outer areas on each side. Minor discoloration is noted on Liberty's cheek (PCGS # 9037) . Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,469
Lot 2117		1900. NGC graded MS-63. Attractively toned a bright honey-gold color. Well defined throughout (PCGS # 9037) . Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2118		1904. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo PQ. CAC Approved. As a business strike, the 1904 is perhaps the single most commonly found issue of the entire Liberty $20 series today. PCGS, alone, has certified nearly 175,000 pieces as Mint State. On the other hand, proof 1904 double eagles are very rare with just 98 pieces originally struck; now it is estimated that perhaps half that number have survived. With rich golden color overall, the satiny golden frost on the devices is remarkably hypnotic on this fresh-appearing specimen. Being a Philadelphia Mint proof, one of the best made U.S. coins, the devices were struck with systematic exactness throughout. There is no need to ignore the central part of Liberty's hair or the shield ornamentation where a somewhat rounded impression is often left by the dies on business strikes. The strike is equally precise, especially on the reverse denticles, which are squared off as expected on a proof product. This glittering Choice Proof is decidedly bold in the centers, only a few minor scattered hairlines are reported in the fragile fields, a couple more on Liberty's cheek. In 1904, few collectors could afford to purchase a proof example from the Mint, a time when $20 exceeded a week's wages for most workers. When hard times arrived, such as World War I and the Great Depression, a proof double eagle that had been saved was an obvious target for redemption at the bank. The sale of such a family heirloom was better than the alternative, going hungry or without shelter. Even early 20th Century dealers with financial resources, such as B. Max Mehl, a local Fort Worthian, would sometimes deposit proof gold coins in his local bank, since their numismatic premium was so low that they were unworthy of the effort to sell them to collectors. By the 1940s, all U.S. gold coins achieved a premium above face, and proof pieces were on their way toward their present status as the caviar of numismatics. Pop 6; 7 finer in 65 (PCGS # 89120) . Estimated Value $40,000 - 43,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $45,825
Lot 2119		1904. NGC graded MS-64. Bathed in rich yellow-gold color, this smartly impressed near-Gem would fit nicely into any high-grade gold set. One diagonal mark is seen on Liberty's chin (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,645
Lot 2120		1904. PCGS graded MS-63. Bright and fully lustrous with a typical mark count for a coin of this grade (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,381
Lot 2121		1904. PCGS graded MS-62. Light golden toning with a few small marks in the fragile fields (PCGS # 9045) . Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,250. Ex: The Agora Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,293
Lot 2122		1907 Liberty. ICG graded MS-64. Rich orange-golden toning over each side. There are no mentionable marks or spots. A very Choice example of this final year issue. Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,115
Lot 2123		1907-S $20 Sharpness of VF30. An even worn example with old time toning on both sides. The surfaces still show a hint of original luster. Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,150. View details	Realized $1,234