Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 85

May 31-June 2, 2015 Pre Long Beach

Draped Bust Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1395		1796. Small date, large letters. B-4, BB-61, Rarity 3. NGC graded AU-53. A hint of blue and gold tone near the edges. The obverse is attractive with well balanced curls on Liberty. The reverse has moderate adjustment marks, imparted prior to the coin being struck in order to bring the weight of the planchet down to the narrow tolerance levels required for circlation. The obverse die has the Small Date style, while the reverse is the Large Letters in the legend, an interesting and elegant combination. Long held in high numismatic regard as so few of the Draped Bust, Small Eagle design are known at this lofty grade level, and demand has always been strong when a high grade example like this, comes to market. Only 79,920 struck. Pop 5; 4 finer for the variety, 2 in 55, 2 in 58. Estimated Value $11,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $12,925
Lot 1396		1796. Small date, large letters. B-4, BB-61, Rarity 3. PCGS graded VF Details, Cleaning. Even grey toning. Only 79,920 struck (PCGS # 6860) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,526
Lot 1397		1797. 10 Stars Left 6 Stars Right, Small Eagle. B-3, BB-71, Rarity 2. NGC graded Fine-15. Light grey toning. Only 7,776 struck. Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,938
Lot 1398		1797. 10 stars left, 6 right. B-3, BB-71, Rarity 2. PCGS graded Genuine. Our grade is Sharpness of VF. Even grey toning. Only 7,776 struck (PCGS # 6865) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,821
Lot 1399		1798. Small Eagle, 15 Stars. B-2, BB-81, Rarity 3. NGC graded EF-45. Even grey toning on the obverse and reverse. This is the only die pairing of 1798 to have 15 stars on the obverse, and this feature is always paired with the Small Eagle style reverse die. What is most curious about this fact is that this obverse die must have been nearly completed in 1796, as that was the last time when 15 stars were used--as Tennessee joined the union in June of 1796, and 16 stars were needed. Rather than waste otherwise work-ready dies, the Mint elected to complete the die with the date 1798 and use it for coinage. The number of required stars reverted to the original 13 colonies when this die was used, which may have been the driving force to use this leftover die that would otherwise be wasted. Add to this the use of the Small Eagle style reverse, which appears on only two die marriages of 1798, and you have a clear case of house cleaning at the Mint! Thankfully for collectors, these coins are available for a price, and are eagerly collected as major type variations. This is one of the nicer examples to pass through our hands recently. Pop 27; 19 finer at NGC. Estimated Value $12,000 - 13,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $12,925
Lot 1400		1798. Small eagle, 13 stars on obverse. B-1, BB-82, Rarity 3. PCGS graded EF-40. A hint of light silver-gray to gold tone. There are only two die pairings that retained the old style "small eagle" reverse, one obverse had thirteen stars (this one) and the other obverse was a leftover from 1796 when 15 stars were used. Both are scarce and have long been in high collector demand. This particular example has more than the expected number of breast feathers on the eagle, and bold separation on Liberty's curls on all but a few that show light wear. A scarce issue and this one stands out as much nicer than commonly seen. Pop 29; 47 finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 6867) . Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $12,338
Lot 1401		1798. Large Eagle. B-27, BB-113, Rarity 2. NGC graded MS-61. Lightly toned with golden-russet over silver-gray surfaces and well struck. A mesmerzing example that is sure to capture the attention of any numismatist with a keen eye for originality. Its aesthetic appeal coupled with the historical significance of this type, makes this piece all the more desirable. A gorgeous addition to any Early Silver Dollar collection. Free of adjustment marks or distracting handling marks and a condition rarity in a mint state grade. The surfaces are generally smooth, and the strike is well balanced. These early silver dollars were struck on a screw press, and the coiner had to have enough strength to bring up the designs on these large silver coins. This took considerable effort, and many examples exist that are not as well struck as the present coin. Add to this the fact that 1798 silver dollars are rarely found in mint state, and you have a compelling list of reasons to pursue this high grade coin. Pop 19; 27 finer at NGC. Estimated Value $20,000 - 24,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1402		1798. Large eagle, close date. B-27, BB-113, Rarity 2. PCGS graded AU-50. Nice blue and gold toning around the periphery and a handsome example of this date. Minimal wear on the high points confirms the lofty grade, and a coin with strong appeal and clean surfaces that offer much numismatic enjoyment for one of these early silver dollars. Always in strong collector demand as 1798 silver dollars are tough to find this well preserved (PCGS # 6873) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,581
Lot 1403		1798. Large Eagle, Close Date. B-24, BB-124, Rarity 2. PCGS graded VF-25. A nice circulated but problem-free example with old antique toning. This is a great affordable collector's coin with all characters for the variety identification. Will be a perfect addition to any budget bust dollar collection (PCGS # 6873) . Estimated Value $2,100 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,939
Lot 1404		1798. Large Eagle, Wide Date, 13 Arrows. B-34, BB-126 PCGS graded Genuine VF Details. This is a recently discovered new die pairing for the year 1798. Both dies are known to have struck other die marriages, but this combination was heretofore unknown. As Bust dollars have been one of the most collected and studied series for seven generations, it is extraordinary that this new variety lay hidden all these years only to be discovered by Scott Mitchell, an independent coin dealer from New York. Even more remarkable is the fact that another new die pairing was discovered in the Bust dollar series late last year but that coin is dated 1803--prior to that it had been at least a dozen years since the discovery of a new die variety in this series. Collecting Bust dollars by die variety has always been challenging, but with these new unique pieces added to the possible varieties, a whole new twist must be considered if one is to pursue an advanced collection. Rather pleasing in appearance with deeper gray fields that offset lighter silver-gray devices. The surfaces are pleasing and lack all but a few minor nicks and scratches from circulation. The strike is likely characteristic of this variety, with the top of Liberty's hair rather poorly stuck up, and the area opposite, the shield, is even weaker. This localized weakness was probably caused by the two dies being slightly misaligned, so the greatest striking pressure was focused on the area near the date and the top of the reverse. Perhaps the dies were removed after a very limited production run of this variety, ending this variety and accounting for its great rarity. It would seem likely that no more than a couple of these may eventually be found, and it is entirely possible that this is the only surviving example of this die pairing. Collectors have been searching long and hard for some of the rarities of this series, and precious few new coins turn up in any given decade. This particular coin appeared in a small country auction, and this was likely the first time it was attributed by die pairing. Needless to say, the purchaser of this coin may acquire the only example of this die pairing that exists, and it will remain a lynchpin for specialists to fight over for generations to come. The PCGS coin number associated with this new variety is 541930. Estimated Value $20,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $49,350
Lot 1405		1799. B-11, BB-161, Rarity 3. NGC graded MS-63. Tied with perhaps two or three others as the second finest for the die variety and a coin which is one of the nicer examples to come down to us of the type or date. Precious few Draped Bust dollars remain in mint state at all, especially so for choice coins. As nearly always found on this particular die pairing, there is a sharp die crack on the reverse just touching the D of UNITED and extending toward the eagle's neck. An exceptional opportunity for the advanced specialist to secure a memorable example of this type. Nicely toned. Pop 2; none finer at NGC for the variety. Estimated Value $40,000 - 45,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $44,650
Lot 1406		1799. B-16, BB-158, Rarity 2. NGC graded MS-62. Lovely light golden toning. A challenging grade to find in this series as there simply are not many mint state coins that survived. Here is an attractive example that offers a sharp strike, clean surfaces and ample eye appeal. Delicate toning features the devices well, and a loupe will reveal traces of die clashing above the date from the clouds on the reverse die striking the obverse without a planchet between them. At this lofty grade level, this condition rarity will likely be scooped up by an advanced type collector, or perhaps someone who just enjoys these large and impressive early silver dollars. Either way this is a coin that will be cherished and featured in a prominent spot in an advanced collection. Pop 2; 1 finer in 64 for the variety. Estimated Value $27,000 - 30,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $29,375
Lot 1407		1799. B-21, BB-169, Rarity 3. PCGS graded AU-53. Very frosty with a hint of gold tone particularly on the reverse. This is the usual die state with a thin crack through the 99 of the date to the bust, other cracks exist as noted in the references. Probably within the top ten known for the variety at this grade level, and a pleasing example of this date (PCGS # 6878) . Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $7,050
Lot 1408		1799. B-5, BB-157, Rarity 2. PCGS graded EF-40. CAC Approved. Lovely rainbow toning. Pop 1; 7 finer at PCGS for the variety. (PCGS # 40049) . Estimated Value $3,500 - 3,800. Ex Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,995
Lot 1409		1799. B-8, BB-165, Rarity 3. PCGS graded VF-20. Pleasing antique grey coloration. This circulated example exhibits even wear and has a appealing look to it. Well deserving of our conservative estimate (PCGS # 6878) . Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,939
Lot 1410		1799. B-17, BB-164, Rarity 2. Sharpness of VG. Cleaned and retoned. Estimated Value $500 - 550. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $793
Lot 1411		1800. B-18, BB-193, Rarity 4. NGC graded VF Details, Improperly Cleaned. Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,234
Lot 1412		1800. B-16, BB-187, Rarity 2. Sharpness of Fine, cleaned with a few rim nicks. Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $881
Lot 1413		1801. B-1, BB-211, Rarity 3. PCGS graded Fine-15. Light grey toning. Only 54,454 struck (PCGS # 6893) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,880
Lot 1414		1802. Narrow date. B-6, BB-241, Rarity 1. PCGS graded AU-53. Mostly untoned save for a blush of pale gold at the periphery. The strike is sharp throughout, and the surfaces attractive overall. Scattered light marks are present from brief circulation. A classic type coin or one to represent the date, as this die pairing is rather plentiful (PCGS # 6895) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,519