Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 84

January 25-28, 2015 Pre Long Beach

Draped Bust Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1519		1798. Large Eagle, 10 Arrows B-21, BB-107 Rarity 5. PCGS graded EF-45. CAC Approved. Easily distinguished by an oblong die lump above the 79 in the date. Deep lavender and gray-green colors are seen over the evenly struck, well centered surfaces. Oddly enough for a coin with 15 points of wear, there are no singularly mentionable post-striking marks. This example even appears free of mint-made adjustment marks. No wonder it was awarded a CAC sticker. Pop 1; 2 finer at PCGS for the variety (PCGS # 6876) . Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1520		1798. Large Eagle, Pointed 9. B-11, BB-111, Rarity 3. NGC graded VF-25. A softly struck but fundamentally appealing mid-grade example with a few scattered minor abrasions and deep steel-gray and blue patina, particularly over the obverse. An ideal type coin. Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,821
Lot 1521		1798. Large Eagle, Close Date B-14, BB-122 Rarity 3 PCGS graded Genuine VF Details. A pleasing example with plenty of design detail still visible. Both sides present a medium steel-gray appearance. Just a few wispy hairlines remain from improper cleaning. An ideal affordable type coin (PCGS # 6873) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,351
Lot 1522		1798. Large Eagle, Close Date. B-25, BB-123, Rarity 4. PCGS graded Genuine, our grade is Fine-15. Planchet flaw at 5 o'clock on the obverse rim. A scarcer die pairing, this coin features even wear with good details remaining. An affordable example for the budget-minded type collector (PCGS # 6873) . Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,028
Lot 1523		1799. B-9, BB-166, Rarity 1. NGC graded MS-65. The BB-166 1799 dollar is a commonly seen die pairing easily recognized by the so-called "Apostrophe" reverse where a die break is seen after the final S in STATES. 1799 was the first full year that featured the Heraldic Eagle reverse and marked the largest mintage of Draped Bust dollar production. A total of 22 die varieties are known, and most, like this BB-166, fall into the 7x6 Obverse Stars category with a normal date and 13 reverse stars. While the first Philadelphia Mint worked to strike 423,515 1799 dollars, it is interesting to note that no half dollars, quarters, dimes, or half dimes with that date exist. The reason is that bullion depositors preferred the dollar denomination over its fractional counterparts, partly because the silver dollar had achieved general acceptance in most foreign markets. In East Coast commerce, Spanish-American silver was seen much more often than Bust dollars and remained legal tender until 1857. This truly memorable specimen features lilac-gray surfaces with rich, satiny underlying luster that exhibits accents of deep blue and green with the coin is rotated under a light source. Close examination reveals a crisscrossing streaky toning pattern on the reverse which only adds to the credibility of this wonderfully preserved Gem, and can help identify it to future collectors. All details are sharply defined, save only for a few of the tiny feathers on the eagle's neck. No visible marks or abrasions are seen on either side furthering the validity of the assigned grade. The fact that Mint State Draped Bust (or Flowing Hair) dollars of any date are known over 200 years after the fact is remarkable; that some actually warrant a MS-65 grade today is even more remarkable. The present Gem is no doubt headed for a world-class cabinet of early dollars or an advanced high-grade type set. Pop 7; 2 finer, 1 in 66, 1 in 67. Estimated Value $160,000 - 170,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1524		1799. B-15, BB-152, Rarity 3. PCGS graded MS-62. One of the two "Irregular Date" Dollars of 1799, this variety also features the "Blundered Stars Reverse." This is the only 1799 dollar variety to be coined from a reverse die used in the previous year. The "Blundered Stars Reverse" refers to reverse stars 3 and 4 that overlap the clouds. This is one of the finest, if not the finest, examples known of the B-15, BB-152 variety. The surfaces are partially brilliant with a smattering of mauve and russet patina displayed in a very light fashion. Captivating mint luster shimmers over each side, somewhat unusual for an early Bust dollar. All details are well struck on the obverse with especially strong hair details, however, there is just the slightest bit of softness evident on the stars and eagle's neck on the reverse. This MS-62 example presents as especially attractive for the assigned grade, and will be the highlight of any collection. Pop 20; 27 finer at PCGS (PCGS # 6878) . Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $29,375
Lot 1525		1799 B-10, BB-163 Rarity 2. NGC graded AU-50. This is an appealing high grade survivor that retains sharp striking detail and the absence of all but light wear. Richly toned in a blend of silver-lavender, sea-green, blue, and reddish-gold shades, the surfaces reveal traces of original luster as the coin rotates under a light. Few abrasions are in evidence, none worthy of singular mention. The desirability of this coin for high-grade type or date purposes cannot be overstated. Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,000. The Agora Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,405
Lot 1526		1799. B-16, BB-158, Rarity 2. NGC graded XF Details, Improperly Cleaned. Close 17 Obverse. Light color adorns the boldly struck, slightly worn surfaces. Cleaning has left some regions of the coin with a slightly unnatural appearance. One dark spot is noted at the base of Liberty's hair curls. Estimated Value $3,500 - 3,600. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1527		1799. B-21, BB-169, Rarity 3. PCGS graded Fine-15. A handsome Choice Fine example with ample boldness of detail awash in somewhat irregular, varied multicolored hues. A problem-free offering for the circulated type, date or variety collector (PCGS # 6878) . Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1528		1800. "Dotted Date." B-14, BB-194, Rarity 3. PCGS graded MS-63. This is the so-called "Dotted Date" variety that features curious die breaks or cracks inside and above the first 0 in date. Tiny dot-like die breaks appear in many other places as well, particularly between the L and I of LIBERTY, under the nose, before the chin, below the first star, and under stars 6 and 7. We theorize the steel used to make this obverse die must have been substandard, yet from the production numbers, it must have been able to withstand the constant pounding to strike these large pieces of silver. When examined closely, this piece exhibits characteristics of Die State IV, as is listed in Bowers' Silver Dollar Encyclopedia. This includes all of the die cracks as well as additional small lumps of die rust scattered about the obverse. Only one Mint State example of this variety was recorded by Bowers in his "Notable Specimens" list, tracing its pedigree back to the F.C.C. Boyd Collection sold by Numismatic Gallery. That coin was described with a nick on Liberty's chin. This lot represents a second (Select) Mint State coin, one apparently previously unknown to the current generation of Bust dollar collectors. This is a well centered specimen exhibiting full denticulation at the rims and a bold impression of the dies over the obverse and reverse including Liberty's hair strands and most of the central detail on the eagle. Only stars 5-7 on the left obverse and several letters of LIBERTY are not quite full. Both sides have frosty silver-gray luster beneath deep lilac and golden-brown toning that deepens to argent-blue at certain border areas, that being reminiscent of long-term storage in an old-time cardboard album. A tiny mark within the drapery above the first 0 in the date is the only individual mark that we can discern as a future identifier. Pop 1; 1 finer in 64. (PCGS # 6889) . Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1529		1801 B-2, BB-212, Rarity 3. PCGS graded EF-45. Pastel-gold and dove-gray colors are seen over each side of this barely patinated example. Uncommonly free from visible contact, selected design recesses display traces of mint luster. A very desirable, yet collectible Bust dollar. In recent years, intense collecting activity has concentrated on silver dollars of 1794-1803, with the low mintage 1801, 1802, and 1803 issues performing even more spectacularly than the so-called common dates of 1798, 1799 and 1800. Prior to 1800, the intrinsic value of silver dollars remained below face value, but as the price of silver increased, coins began to be withdrawn from circulation and were either melted or exported. Subsequently, mintages started to decrease. Compared to the previous year's mintage of 220,920 pieces, only 54,454 dollars were dated 1801, with most being struck in 1802 or later. In 1804, production ceased entirely (PCGS # 6893) . Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1530		1803. Large 3. B-6, BB-255, Rarity 2. PCGS graded AU-50. A common die pairing for this year. Traces of luster remain in the protected areas of the obverse and reverse. Each side presents an argent-gray appearance with gentle patina seen on each side. Light wear shows on the uppermost devices and the surfaces are highly appealing, as the rims, fields and devices show no disturbances beyond the lightest contact. Rare this well preserved and a top-notch coin for the date or variety specialist. Pop 21; 36 finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 6901) . Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,640