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Sale 91
June 2016 Pre-Long Beach
| Midwestern Family Collection - $20 Liberty/No Motto |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 1639 |
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1850 $20 Liberty PCGS MS64. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. CAC Approved. Semi reflective surfaces on both sides of this majestic near gem! The obverse, particularly the fields are outstanding in quality and appeal. Type 1 double eagles are seldom found above a low grade of mint state, even for these so called common dates. Look at the Population Report of PCGS and the Census of NGC. Rarely are coins found in choice grades of MS-63 or finer for most dates, the only real exceptions are the various issues found on shipwrecks. The obverse is simply stunning, and would easily grade gem were it not for a minor scrape running roughly horizontal behind Liberty's ear in her curls. On the reverse the originality can't be denied, with a solitary ancient copper speck at the N of UNITED and faint traces of copper toning elsewhere. Overall this is a great looking coin for the first major year of production.
Recall that the double eagle or $20 dollar gold coin was first authorized in 1849, coinciding with the floodgates of gold opening from the mines, valleys, streams and fields of California. As the gold floated its way across the oceans to the east, an opportunity to create a new and larger gold eagle was presented, and sure enough the double eagle was born. This date has been particularly popular because this is the first year these were produced for circulation, as the two pattern coins of 1849 were never available even to collectors. Pop 2; none finer at PCGS (PCGS # 8902) Estimated Value $50,000-UP
Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection.
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| Realized
$170,375 |
Lot 1640 |
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1850-O $20 Liberty PCGS AU53. PCGS graded AU-53. Nice golden toning over vibrant, fiery fields that offer reflective surfaces on both sides. This early New Orleans double eagle is one of the first of its kind, first authorized in 1850 these tend to be found in much lower grades than seen here, and often with abraded surfaces from general circulation that lasted for years--even decades. This prized date and mint was clearly set aside early on, and remarkably saved. The eye appeal is strong for the grade assigned, and the quality of this handome piece will never go out of style. Many of the ships carrying newly discovered California gold made a stopover in New Orleans and no doubt one of the miners made a deposit of gold at the New Orleans Mint to create this amazing double eagle. Certainly quite scarce this nice and tough to find appreciably finer. Pop 25; 18 finer (PCGS # 8903) Estimated Value $14,000 - 16,000
Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection.
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| Realized
$18,800 |
Lot 1641 |
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1851-O $20 Liberty PCGS MS63. PCGS graded MS-63. Fully untoned and well struck. Reflective fields on both sides which is commonly seen on these early New Orleans double eagles. Rarely are they found so well preserved, particularly so for this issue. In fact, noted expert Doug Winter believes that the only other MS-63 example certified by NGC was likely an MS-62 high end coin that just became upgraded to MS-63 in recent times. That makes this example all the more desirable as it earned an MS-63 from PCGS the first time through, notice the quality of the fields and devices and see what you think! Its a great looking coin, and which we believe will stand tall as the Finest Known for this issue.
It is notable that several examples of this date and mint were found in the shipwrecks of the S.S. Central America and S. S. Republic but none of these coins were mint state, having been in circulation for some time before those ships were lost. Thus, despite a mintage of 315,000 pieces, the 1851-O double eagle is quite elusive in mint state. Add to this fact that the present coin has been out of the numismatic marketplace for generations, and you have a real treasure that was sitting in a safe deposit box for decades! If you are a specialist in New Orleans coinage, or just appreciate high quality branch mint pieces, then be sure to stop and enjoy this elegant double eagle before it crosses the block, for once it is sold, it may not appear again for many years to come. Pop 1; none finer. Tied for the finest at either grading service (PCGS # 8905) Estimated Value $75,000-UP
Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection.
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| Realized
$99,875 |
Lot 1642 |
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1855-S $20 Liberty PCGS EF45. PCGS graded EF-45. CAC Approved. Light golden toning with pleasing surfaces and ample residual luster. The strike is sharp throughout, and the eye appeal strong. A popular San Francisco issue from the heady days of the Gold Rush! (PCGS # 8916) Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100
Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection.
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| Realized
$2,703 |
Lot 1643 |
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1857 $20 Liberty PCGS MS64. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. CAC Approved. Lovely golden toning on both sides. Probably the Finest Known and tied with the example from the Harry Bass, Jr. Collection which is also graded PCGS MS-64. It is noteworthy that only two examples of this date and mint were found on the S.S. Central America shipwreck (which sank in September, 1857), neither of which even approached the present coin in terms of quality. Similarly the S.S. Republic shipwreck of 1865, contained several of this issue, but none were mint state. An exceptionally fresh and attractive coin, with abundant mint frost and luster, and a solid strike. What really sets this apart though, is the amazing quality of the surfaces, remarkably satin smooth for a Type 1 double eagle. Pop 2; none finer. Tied for the finest at either grading service (PCGS # 8920) Estimated Value $30,000-UP
Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection.
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| Realized
$91,063 |
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