Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 84

January 25-28, 2015 Pre Long Beach

Twenty Cent Pieces

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1247		1875. PCGS graded Proof 65 Cameo. An attractive snow-white Gem proof with deeply reflective fields and heavily frosty motifs. From the first year of the short-lived series, one of 2,790 pieces struck in the proof format. Collectors of the day eagerly sought freshly coined proof examples of the new denomination. By the following year, 1876, the demand for proofs had been cut by better than 50%, this despite it being America's Centennial year. Only proofs were struck in the final two years of the denomination, 1877 and 1878, without business strikes as before. A glittering Gem example for the finest cabinet. Pop 10; 3 finer in 66. (PCGS # 85303) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1248		1875. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo PQ. CAC Approved. From the first year of the short-lived series, one of 1,200 pieces struck in the proof format -- evidently collector demand was strong for the new denomination. The following year, 1876, the demand for proofs rose slightly being our nation's Centennial year as 1,500 were coined. Proofs only were struck in the final two years of the denomination, 1877 and 1878, without any more circulation strikes. This is an attractive pale lilac example with frosty motifs and nicely reflective fields. The toning deepens somewhat toward the rims on each side. Choice and appealing. Pop 20; 12 finer, 9 in 65, 3 in 66 (PCGS # 85303) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,400. Ex: The Agora Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,935
Lot 1249		1875. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo. Lightly toned with deeper hues at the borders on each side. Frosty motifs and mirror fields explain the assigned Cameo designation. One of 2,970 proofs struck during the initial year of this short-lived denomination (PCGS # 85303) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1250		1875-S. Proof Dies/Wide Collar. SEGS graded SP-55. Very little information is known about why and when this alleged branch mint proof was struck, and what (if any) occasion could have prompted its manufacture. Breen estimates 12 pieces were coined at San Francisco that exhibit pronounced proof characteristics. Unfortunately, the dies used to strike these coins were later used for regular business strikes, as a number of normal production pieces have been examined and found to bear the same diagnostics as the proofs. This specimen is razor sharp throughout with light rubbing on the highpoints from improper handling. A sharp wire edge still shows on both sides. Deep, mottled toning of questionable color blankets much of each side. An important offering, any interested party should closely examine this lot prior to purchase. Estimated Value $1,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,763
Lot 1251		1875-CC. NGC graded MS-66. CAC Approved. PQ. The twenty cent coin made its debut in 1875, being struck at three mints: Philadelphia, Carson City, and San Francisco. Soon, complaints started rolling into the Mint because its size and design were too easily confused with the currently circulating quarter dollar. The twenty cent coin never gained popularity, and was subsequently discontinued in 1878. In 1875, the employees at the Carson City Mint pushed hard to be the first to strike the new twenty cent coin ahead of the San Francisco Mint. It is not clear who won the race, but Carson City still claimed the honor onward as a source of pride. Carson City issued the twenty cent coin for only two years. Only about 20 examples of the 1876-CC rarity exist today, so the 1875-CC is the only chance most collectors have to own a Carson City produced twenty cent coin. The example offered in this lot features wonderful turquoise-blue toning over each side that also exhibits deep red highlights in the recesses of the design. Full, satiny mint luster lies just under the toning and there are no mentionable marks. The strike is well above average for the date, but not quite full on all details. This 1875-CC twenty cent coin is scarce in its own right but very rare at this exceedingly high grade level. Pop 4; 1 finer in 67 Star. Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1252		1875-CC. PCGS graded MS-62. Deep russet-red and sea-blue colors dominate the obverse border, similar russet and sunset hues overlay most of the reverse. One dark spot is noted over the eagle. A frosty and richly toned example of the only collectible Carson City issue in the short-lived twenty cent series; the only other Carson City issue, the 1876-CC, is one of America's most famous rarities (PCGS # 5297) . Estimated Value $2,700 - 2,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,468
Lot 1253		1875-CC. PCGS graded EF-45. Medium argent surfaces with lilac accents. A lightly circulated example of this only readily collectible Carson City twenty cent piece. A couple of small marks are seen above the eagle (PCGS # 5297) . Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $764
Lot 1254		1875-CC. PCGS graded AU Details, Cleaning. A light amount of toning rests on the once-cleaned surfaces. Still, an affordable example of this popular Carson City twenty cent piece (PCGS # 5297) . Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1255		1875-S. NGC graded MS-67. Given that the denomination was intended to make life easier for those in the Western United States, it should come as no surprise to find that the 1875-S boasts the highest mintage in the twenty cent series. Indeed, this is the "type coin" for the series, with examples eagerly sought in both circulated and Mint State grades. All the same, the 1875-S is a genuinely scarce coin in an absolute sense whose original mintage of 1.1 million pieces is fairly limited when compared to, say, the number of dimes and half dollars minted in San Francisco the same year. A mere five issues constitute the business strike pieces in the series. All are scarce, the lower-mintage 1875, 1875-CC and 1876 especially so, and the 1876-CC being a well-known and highly prized rarity with just a few examples known. The mostly brilliant surfaces allow full appreciation of the frosty mint bloom that liberally coats each side. The strike is quite sharp over virtually all elements of the design, save for the usual soft stars on the obverse. An absence of marks or abrasions will further preserve the validity of the high-end Superb Gem 67 grade designation. A silky-smooth representative of this curious, short-lived denomination and certainly a noteworthy specimen at this grade level. Pop 7; 1 finer in 68 Star. Estimated Value $17,000 - 19,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1256		1875-S. NGC graded MS-65. A lustrous Gem with attractive, mottled reddish-russet toning on both sides. Frosty, lustrous surfaces with a bold strike. This coin will fit nicely in a Gem type set. Pop 198; 62 finer (PCGS # 5298) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1257		1876. NGC graded Proof 66 Ultra Cameo. Fully white. Only 1,260 struck. Pop 3; none finer at NGC. Tied for the finest example graded at either service. Estimated Value $18,000 - 19,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1258		1876. PCGS graded Proof 66. A beautifully toned Gem proof with rich cobalt-blue shades across the majority of both sides, save for an area of deep gold on the lower right obverse. Boldly struck and flashy with undisturbed surfaces. This represents a scarce four-year proof type, as the twenty cent piece was discontinued in 1878 after only striking proof coins. A well preserved survivor, and among the finest available. Population: 13 in 66, 11 in 66 Cameo, 1 in 66 Deep Cameo, 1 in 67 Cameo. (PCGS # 5304) . Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1259		1876. PCGS graded Proof Genuine, AU Details, Spot Removed. Unfortunately, someone tried to remove a spot on the obverse which resulted in an even larger spot. This proof has spent a little time in circulation resulting in several small marks and abrasions. An affordable example (PCGS # 5304) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $517