May 28, 2001, The Fairchild Family Trust Collection, Sale 10
Lot 1237
1841-D. NGC graded
AU-58. This is one of the finest certified examples of this date known.
Similar to coin offered in the recent Harry Bass Jr sale (part II) but this is
a different specimen. Flashy yellow gold in color with minor surface ticks from
brief handling. The strike is full and complete, which is probably unusual as
this issue is normally weak and well worn in grade. Further, this is an extreme
condition rarity, only 4,164 were struck, and few are seen above VF grades. NGC
has graded this coin and a single coin higher above AU-55. PCGS has graded none
in AU-58, but 2 higher. Therefore, this is likely in the top half dozen known
for the date! Fully struck stars, curls and claws, everything is sharp.
We
note a faint die crack from near the third star through Liberty's nose into her
cheek, and on the reverse through the tops of OF to the wing and further. An
important coin and worthy of a strong bid.
Estimated Value $8,000-9,000.
Lot 1238
1841-D. Sharpness
of VF-30 but lightly burnished above the eagle. A rare date, only 4,164
were struck and few remain for date collectors. This one has been lightly
burnished above the eagle on the reverse, and moderate circulation marks can be
seen on both sides. Nice rims and decent for the grade.
Estimated Value
$1,000-1,500.
Lot 1239
1842. NGC graded
AU-58. An extreme rarity in high grade, only 2,823 were struck as demand
apparently was very low that year. Only 2 coins are reported in the NGC and
PCGS Population Reports, each grades MS-62 (the same coin?) and even in AU,
this is an extremely rare coin. NGC reports only 2 have been graded this high,
while PCGS has graded 2 a notch below, but none as AU-58 from that service. As
a date collector, experience will no doubt show that very few are offered, and
most collectors fail to locate an example of this extremely rare date. No signs
of die cracks or wear, as not enough were struck. An important offering for the
specialist who demands the finest available.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
Lot 1240
1842-D. PCGS graded
AU-55. With a mintage trickle of 4,643 coinage stopped for the year. This
is one of the top 20 known, with none yet graded as full Mint State by either
PCGS or NGC. Boldly struck for this Mint, with full device detail throughout.
We note minor handling marks on the surfaces, and delicate coppery tones on the
few worn curl tips. Luster in the fields, and a choice coin for the advanced
specialist. The PCGS Population Report shows 6 graded this high, with a scant 4
graded in AU-58, and again, none higher.
Estimated Value
$9,000-11,000.
Lot 1241
1843-C. Large date, plain
4. PCGS graded MS-64. This coin is simply stunning, the surfaces are
very choice for the grade and the luster is unbroken. Examination will note a
few trivial ticks here and there, but none deep or worth describing. This is
the finest graded example yet seen, it previously was offered in Heritage's
February 1999 sale where it was NGC graded MS-64. When this piece came to us,
we sent it to PCGS to cross it over into their holder, which they did without
hesitation. We note this coin is far better than those offered in the massive
Harry Bass Jr., auctions by Bowers and Merena the last few years, and therefore
we can only conclude that this particular coin is the Finest Known of the date.
Initially the Charlotte Mint struck small date coins, only 2,988 were
delivered in April, 1843. Then the large date dies were delivered to Charlotte
and coinage began again. The large date pieces were delivered from June 30
through December 30. Only 23,076 were struck and most circulated. Only a couple
have been graded as mint state, and this is far and away the finest seen. A
foremost opportunity for the advanced numismatist.
Estimated Value
$40,000-UP.
Lot 1242
1843-D. Sharpness
of AU-50 but carefully repaired on the face and neck. The face and neck of
Liberty have been carefully repaired, probably to remove circulation marks.
This can scarcely be detected, and a glass and careful examination is needed to
see the work done. Still a rare date, and seldom offered in any grade. Well
struck.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.
Lot 1243
1844-C. PCGS graded
AU-58. One of the finest graded of this date, 11,662 were struck and few
survive in high grades. This one is well struck by the dies, with full details
on Liberty and minor weakness on the lower eagle. Yellow gold in color and with
the usual and expected handling ticks. PCGS has graded 4 this high, with just 3
graded higher.
Estimated Value $6,000-8,000.
Lot 1244
1844-C. PCGS graded
AU-58. Mintage of only 11,662 as the Charlotte Mint was burglarized on July
27, 1844 and the Mint was burned down as a cover. It took two years to get the
Mint rebuilt and coining again. Needless to say, coinage was interrupted
abruptly by this event. We note minor weakness in the strike, with the fine
details soft on Liberty and the eagle. Nice luster near the devices, and the
usual minor hairlines and handling ticks from even brief circulation. Liberty
has some faint scratches on her face and others in the fields, but these are
scarcely worthy of note. Downright rare this nice and virtually unobtainable
better, PCGS has graded 5 this high, with only 3 higher. NGC has graded only 1
as AU-58, with none higher. That makes this coin well up in the top dozen known
for the date.
Estimated Value $6,000-8,000.
Lot 1245
1846-C. PCGS graded
MS-62. One of the finest graded of this rare date, only 4,808 were struck
and this is well within the top half dozen known. Struck from rusted dies with
small lumps noted around the date and upper obverse, similar on the reverse
with rust noted in the fields. This die state is identical to the
Eliasberg-Bass coin offered in 1999, which is PCGS graded MS-64. Only 2 coins
grade higher than this particular example, and just 2 have been graded MS-62 by
PCGS. Struck with clash marks on the reverse, above the eagle, and with
generally clean fields and devices for the moderate grade assigned. An
important opportunity for the specialist.
Estimated Value $15,000-20,000.
Lot 1246
1846-D. NGC graded
AU-58. This is one of the scarce "double D" Mintmark examples discovered by
Harry Bass some years ago. The Mintmark was cut into the die far to the left,
then moved way to the right where it was firmly punched in place. Sharply
struck from dies that exhibit clash marks and a light die crack through the
reverse legends. We note a curious mark on the rim between stars four and five,
which appears to be part of a large 8.
As a variety, this is a very rare
coin and one of the top grades found, and almost certainly well up in the
Condition Census for the variety. Tied with the finest offered in the recent
Bass Sale, and a worthy coin for the specialist.
Estimated Value
$3,000-4,000.
Lot 1247
1847-C. VF-25.
This one was likely cleaned in the distant past and the surfaces have the
usual circulation marks. Scarce and desirable from this mint, with a low issue
of 23,226.
Estimated Value $350-450.
From the ANA sale by Leo Young,
August 26-29, 1959, lot 455 with envelope.
Lot 1248
1848. PCGS graded
MS-63. This is an overlooked coin because of the 1848 "CAL." issue.
Nevertheless, this is one of the 3 finest graded by PCGS, with none graded
higher! Choice original luster in the fields and well struck by the dies, with
sharp stars around Liberty, and even her tiny curls are bold. Similar on the
reverse, with fine details on the eagle and few signs of weakness anywhere to
be found. A condition rarity that is seldom found in grades even approaching
this.
Estimated Value $12,000-15,000.
Lot 1249
1848. NGC graded
MS-61. Back in 1958 "J. F. Bell" circulated a want list for this date. No
dealers could locate an example, and the hunt was on (Breen). Despite a mintage
of 7,497, few are found today. Breen notes this date is "Ex. rare AU" and
doesn't even mention mint state coins. Similar readings from the grading
services, NGC has only graded 3 this high, with 7 graded higher. Not many coins
to satisfy a country full of date collectors! Orange-gold toning and minimal
hairlines and surface problems, despite the rather moderate grade.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 1250
1848-D. PCGS graded
MS-62. Here is a nice coin for the grade, only 13,771 were struck, and this
is one of the very nicest to come down through the ages to todays collector. We
note a couple of minor ticks, one on the obverse in the field behind Liberty's
lowest curl, on the reverse there is a scrape on the AM of AMERICA. Liberty's
cheek, and the field nearby is quite nice and has the appearance of a higher
grade. PCGS has graded 5 this high, with just a single coin graded higher, so
this is clearly one of the best of the issue.
The date logotype is punched
in a bit left, with the top of the 1 touching Liberty's truncation, and just
missing the denticle below. Both the obverse and reverse dies appear to be
dished or basined, as seen on the Harry Bass example of this date.
Estimated Value $10,000-12,000.
Lot 1251
1850. VF-25.
Minor handling marks on both sides, but still a decent coin for the
moderate grade assigned.
Estimated Value $120-140.
Lot 1252
1850. VF-25.
Fresh from circulation and undiminished since then.
Estimated Value
$120-140.
Lot 1253
1850-C. NGC graded
MS-60. As the Nineteenth century crossed its midpoint, the Charlotte Mint
coined 9,148 of these. The economy was in good shape at that time, and most
entered circulation and worked hard. A few were saved for various reasons, and
not spent repeatedly. Here is such a coin, the surfaces have minor handling
ticks and we note trivial roughness on the upper devices, perhaps from when the
planchet was rolled or due to die rust and wear. NGC has graded 3 as such, with
6 more graded as MS-61, and a single coin as MS-63 above. Another rare and
desirable coin for the specialist. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$10,000-13,000.
Lot 1254
1850-C. NGC graded
AU-55. A sputtering 9,148 were coined in 1850 from the Charlotte Mint, not
many survive today. This one has decent surfaces which retain the usual and
customary ticks and light scratches that are always attracted to the soft gold
coins of the era. Well struck, from heavily clashed dies. We note 4 eagle's
wings in the right obverse field behind Liberty's ear, as the reverse die
clashed and rotated a bit during the coining of these. NGC has awarded this
grade to 12 coins, with 21 graded higher, most of those as AU-58.
Estimated
Value $3,500-4,500.
Lot 1255
1852 (2 pieces).
One grades VF-30, the other EF-40. One has deep coppery toning while
the other may have been lightly cleaned. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value
$250-300.
Lot 1256
1852-C. NGC graded
AU-58. Another example of this scarce date in high grade, this one has some
luster in the fields and moderate handling ticks. Fairly well struck for Mint,
but minor softness is noted on the eagle. One thin scratch down through Liberty
can be seen with a glass. NGC has graded 10 this high, with only 3 graded
higher.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 1257
1852-C. NGC graded
AU-58. Bright yellow gold and untoned, examination will note average
surface marks and the usual softness in the strike. One of just 10 so graded by
NGC, with 3 graded higher. This one of the best of those offered in this sale,
which contains a small hoard of high grade examples of this date.
Estimated
Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 1258
1852-C. PCGS graded
AU-55. Well struck for this date, which is often found weak at the centers.
We do note some faint surface scratches in the fields, and the devices seem to
have a graininess a bit more than one would expect for the grade. PCGS has
graded 7 this high, with 3 graded in AU-58 and just 3 more graded in various MS
grades.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Lot 1259
1853. VF-30.
Decent surfaces.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 1260
1854-C. NGC graded
AU-55. While the mintage of 7,295 was decimated by its tiny brother from
San Francisco (mintage:246) this one deserves attention in its own right. Sharp
on the stars and Liberty, minor weakness on the eagle's fine feathers. One
small nick on Liberty's cheek, and another near the rim at the top of the
obverse. Luster in the fields, and typical handling marks elsewhere. One of 9
graded by NGC this high, with 24 graded above.
Estimated Value
$3,000-4,000.
Lot 1261
1855-D. PCGS graded
AU-55. A rarity in any grade, Dahlonega ticked off just 1,123 when the
counter stopped for the year. Here is one of the finest, with nice surfaces and
pleasing color on both sides. Quickly identifiable by planchet laminations and
a crack on the upper obverse, not affecting the design or stars, but close.
PCGS has graded 11 this high, with one in AU-58 above, and 3 more as MS-60.
There are none graded higher by PCGS or NGC. One for the specialist.
Estimated Value $14,000-17,000.
Lot 1262
1856. NGC graded
MS-62. Well struck on the devices and the fields retain flashy mint luster.
Scarce in any mint state grade, this would make an excellent type coin in this
affordable grade.
Estimated Value $500-700.
Lot 1263
1856-O. PCGS graded
AU-58 Bass. Nicely struck by the dies, with good definition on the stars
and rounded curls on Liberty. Minor flatness on the eagle and trouble free wear
for the brief time in circulation. Nicer surfaces than usually seen on early
mintmarked gold of the era. PCGS has graded just 6 this high, with only 2
graded higher, making this one of the finest to survive.
Estimated Value
$2,000-2,500.
From Bowers and Merena's Harry Bass II Sale.
Lot 1264
1856-S. NGC graded
MS-61. The digit 6 in the date is a bit bigger than the surrounding digits.
Well struck and preserved, with few signs of handling. We note one minor scrape
in the field near the second to the last star inner point, and on the reverse
we note just the usual ticks in the open field areas. Sharply struck on the
obverse, with each star complete and even the small curls on Liberty nicely
rounded. A bit weaker on the high points of the reverse, where softness is
visible on the high points. One of 4 graded as such by NGC, with 9 graded
higher.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Lot 1265
1857-O. VF-25.
There is a pin scratch in the lower left obverse field.
Estimated Value
$150-175.
Lot 1266
1858-C. PCGS graded
MS-62. One of the top graded pieces of this scarce date, PCGS has awarded
this grade to just 10 coins, with a single coin graded higher. As noted in the
Harry Bass Sale (part 2) under lot 501, the various grading service population
reports are becoming more and more skewed as the same coins are resubmitted
many times, making rarities appear to be "common" by virtue of the high numbers
recorded as the same coin is sent in over and over until the desired grade is
achieved. It is possible that there are 10 different MS-62 specimens out there
in PCGS holders, but there may be far fewer, we just don't know. This coin is
identifiable by a small tick mark under the forward tip of Liberty's bust, and
a small rim scrape above ST of STATE in the denticles.
Estimated Value
$10,000-15,000.