May 28, 2001, The Fairchild Family Trust Collection, Sale 10

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California Fractional Gold

Lot 1147 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1853, BG-435, High Rarity-5. Round liberty half dollar. The State Arms of California. PCGS graded MS-62. One of the classic rarities of the Fractional gold series, the State Arms of California is coupled with the Humbert style reverse of the eagle with outstretched wings and a long scroll in its beak. These were struck by an unknown maker, and have been extremely popular with collectors ever since. PCGS in their recent Population Report notes 5 graded this high with 20 graded higher. Color photo.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.

Lot 1148 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1853, BG-418, High rarity-7. Round Liberty Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. This the finest graded of 6 seen by PCGS, there are none tied. Thus, it is reasonable to assume this coin is the finest known of this die variety. Flashy luster throughout with no signs of toning. The central reverse is a touch weak, as always, but the date can be seen and read. Certainly a coin for the advanced collector, with superb surfaces and of the highest rarity and desirability.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.

Lot 1149 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1853 BG-302, Rarity-5. The Peacock Reverse. Octagonal Liberty Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-62. This variety was coined by Frontier & Deviercy in limited quantities. The eagle on the reverse incorporated the "with rays" designs then current on the quarter and half dollars of 1853, and as only a partial field of rays were used, they give the eagle the appearance of a peacock with its tail spread wide open. Always popular with collectors, this coin has a very distinctive design and is seldom found in decent mint state grades. We note minor hazy toning around the devices. with copper highlights in the fields. An impressive, well struck example of this highly important issue.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.

Lot 1150 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1853. BG-421, Rarity-5. Round Liberty Half Dollar. AU-50. Nicely struck and with light coppery toning on both sides. This one is from an old collection that has been off the market for many decades.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 1151
1853. "Eureka" gold fantasy piece. MS-60. Struck some time after the date 1853, the obverse die is a rather crudely engraved scene that resembles the state seal, on the reverse is a wreath and "CALIFORNIA GOLD with the date 1853. Prooflike surfaces.
Estimated Value $50-75.

Extremely Rare Period One Gold Dollar 1854 BG-605

Lot 1152 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1854 BG-605, Rarity-7. Round Liberty Dollar. PCGS graded AU-50. This rarity was made by Frontier & Deviercy for G.L. in 1854. All period one dollars are rare, they have been sought-after by collectors for over a century, and always bring strong prices from avid collectors. This one is well struck, there may be a small planchet crack through the star behind Liberty's bust point near her curls, and the only weakness is noted on the wreath. As to the number graded, PCGS has seen 5 so far, 2 in AU-50, 2 in AU-53, and 1 in AU-58. That's it. There are none seen in mint state. A foremost rarity which is seldom seen, and almost never offered for sale.
Estimated Value $7,000-8,000.

Lot 1153 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1854, BG-504, Rarity-6. Octagonal Liberty Dollar. PCGS graded AU-58 Premium Quality. One of the most popular designs in the entire California Fractional Gold series, the reverse copies the famous $50 slug by Humbert. Many of these circulated at the time of issue, the need for small change was very great at the time, and the San Frnacisco Mint was still getting started. Few are found today, just 6 have been graded this high with 13 graded higher. Light copper toning in the fields and quite well struck. No distracting handling marks or problems worthy of note. Later die state with the cracks. Color photo.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.

Lot 1154
Three coin damaged Fractional gold group. This lot includes the following: 1859 Octagonal Liberty Half Dollar with a hole; 1873 Octagonal Liberty Half Dollar mounted on the reverse and cleaned and 1869 Octagonal Liberty Dollar with a large hole. As each coin is damaged, no grade is given. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1155 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1865. BG-802, Rarity-6. Round Liberty Quarter Dollar. MS-65. A rare variety that has been turning up the last few decades as the PCGS Population Report notes that 31 have been graded. Even with some duplication, the rarity rating should be reduced to R-6 from R-7. Flashy luster and well preserved for this crudely made issue.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 1156
1867. BG-825, Rarity-5. Round Liberty Quarter Dollar. VF-20. There are some shallow scratches on the obverse and reverse.
Estimated Value $100-125.

Lot 1157
1871. BG-924, Rarity-4. Octagonal Liberty Half Dollar. EF-40. The rim appears to have been filed on the right side of the reverse. Light cleaning lines throughout.
Estimated Value $125-150.

Lot 1158
1871-G, BG-1027, Rarity-4. Round Liberty Half Dollar. EF-40. This one lightly circulated, and good for the type collector.
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 1159 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1872 BG-723, Rarity-6. The Washington Head. Octagonal Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64 W.H. Bass. One of the classic rarities of the fractional gold series, this is one of the scarcer varieties of the Washington Head obverse dies. Further, it is greatly enhanced by the illustrious "H. W. Bass" Collection (note the holder says W.H. Bass). Splendid gold color and untoned. The only complaint is a fine, thin scratch down Washington's face. This is one of the two finest graded by PCGS, with none graded higher of this rare variety. Don't miss this opportunity.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From Bowers and Merena's H. W. Bass I Sale, May 1999: 2578 or 2579.

Extremely Rare 1874 BG-1110 in AU

Lot 1160 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1874 BG-1110, Rarity-8. Octagonal Liberty Dollar. PCGS graded AU-55. This rare issue is by California Jewelry Company (Levison Brothers) and only a few exist. PCGS has graded 3 coins, this one as AU-55, one as AU-58 and the last MS-62. There may not be any others, and this is reported as a borderline rarity-8 in the Breen-Gillio reference work. The color is quite nice and ranges from antique gold on the obverse, to light copper toning on the devices on the reverse. Examination will note minor hairlines, but the coin is well struck and free of distracting handling marks or other problems. A foremost rarity in any grade, and certain to one of the highlights of an advanced collection. Color photo.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.

Lot 1161 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1875. BG-1126, Rarity-6. Octagonal Indian Dollar. EF-40. One small edge pinch on the upper right obverse and corresponding edge of the reverse. Light coppery toning and still scarce, though not nearly the R-8 that Breen-Gillio estimated when their reference work was published.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 1162
1880 BG-799X. MS-60. Frosty and bright, with a couple of handling marks and a wavy planchet.
Estimated Value $100-115.

Lot 1163
1862 (1910) Alaska 2 Too Wah token in gold. MS-60. These curious tokens were supposedly struck for the Alaska-Yukon Exposition of 1909, and the reverse is dated 1910. The design motifs include an eskimo on the obverse and a dog sled on the reverse with two tusks.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 1164
1862 (1910) Alaska 2 Too Wah token. EF-40. These curious tokens were supposedly struck for the Alaska-Yukon Exposition of 1909, and the reverse is dated 1910. This particular coin is a restrike in gold alloyed with copper or some other base metal combination.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1165
1909 Alaska gold token, 1/4 D.W.T., or one Quarter Pinch. Well struck on both sides, with the familiar miner and pick on the obverse, wreath reverse.
Estimated Value $100-125.

Lot 1166
1904 Lousiana Purchase Exposition Quarter Dollar and Half Dollar in gold. These both grade MS-60 and are prooflike in the fields. The obverse shows a large Fleur de Lis with the initals LPE on each end. On the reverse, is the denomination in a fraction form and the words LOUISIANA GOLD surrounding. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1167
1904 Lousiana Purchase Exposition Half Dollar in gold. MS-60. The obverse shows a large Fleur de Lis with the initals LPE on each end. On the reverse, is the denomination 1/2 in a fraction form and the words LOUISIANA GOLD surrounding.
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 1168
1898 Maine Battleship Spanish America War token in gold. EF-40. With a loup at the top for suspension, and obviously meant to be worn. A treasured momento with "Old Glory" on the obverse, and the Battleship "Maine" on the reverse. Octagonal shape and scarce.
Estimated Value $50-75.

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