May 28, 2001, The Fairchild Family Trust Collection, Sale 10
Lot 1324
1854. EF-45.
Well struck on the devices but minor hairlines noted from circulation.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1325
1854. EF-45.
This coin is from an old time collection and was obviously put away years
ago. The surfaces are quite original and totally problem free.
Estimated
Value $500-600.
Lot 1326
1854. EF-40.
Nice color and surfaces for the date collector.
Estimated Value
$450-550.
Lot 1327
1854-O. NGC graded
EF-45. A scant 24,000 were coined and most circulated into lower grades.
This one has a few stray hairline scratches, and other typical handling marks
expected for the grade. The strike is average for the date and nearly all the
luster was worn away by circulation.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
Lot 1328
1856-S. NGC graded
AU-58. Nearly impossible to locate in full mint state, this lovely AU-58
example should find many potential bidders. Minor scrapes and handling marks on
both sides, well struck throughout and will some luster in the fields. One of
29 graded this high by NGC, with just 4 graded higher, making this one of the
finest available for collectors.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Lot 1329
1859. AU-55.
Not quite mint state, although most of the luster is present and the coin
is appealing. An important date, struck 100 years before this cataloguer was
born.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 1330
1860-S. PCGS graded
AU-53. During 1860, San Francisco experienced some production problems and
many of the Three Dollar gold pieces struck were light in weight. It was later
decided to melt them down, thus reducing the net number coined to 4,408. The
surfaces of this coin are prooflike but do show moderate lines from brief
circulation. Further, someone has scratched off something between the IC of
AMERICA, but this is minor. This is a fully struck example of this rare date
and should find a welcome place in an advanced collection.
Estimated Value
$3,500-4,500.
Lot 1331
1862. PCGS graded
MS-63. One of just 7 graded this high by PCGS, with only 7 graded higher.
Lovely surfaces and luster, and from an old time collection which recently
surfaced. Fully struck throughout, and an important Civil War issue.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 1332
1873. Closed 3. NGC
graded AU-58. A rare coin in high grades, only a couple are known in
various mint state grades. This one has minor handling marks scattered about, a
good, strong stike on the devices, and delicate copper toning. NGC has graded 9
this high, with just 4 graded higher. Don't miss out if you need this date.
Estimated Value $7,500-10,000.
Lot 1333
1874. EF-45. A
fresh and original lightly circulated example.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1334
1874. EF-45.
Minor hairlines, with some copper toning around the edges. Nicely struck.
Estimated Value $450-550.
Lot 1335
1878. PCGS graded
Proof 64. An extremely rare coin in proof, the Philadelphia Mint reports
just 20 were coined! This one is probably in the top ten known of the date,
with PCGS reporting 6 graded as such with 4 graded higher. Fewer at NGC, they
report a single coin graded as PF-64, with 2 graded higher. This one has
excellent surfaces but the fields do show hairlines when examined with a glass.
As to the coin it boasts lovely mint frost on the devices and the fields show
few tick marks from handling, even under the scrutiny of a strong glass.
Identifiable by a tiny mark left of the base of the 1 in the date. With the
familiar and beautiful "orange peel" fields that have a crackled appearance
from some special process used during the period. In an old green insert PCGS
holder and a wonderful coin in every way.
Estimated Value $18,000-20,000.
Lot 1336
1878. PCGS graded
AU-58 Premium Quality. This one is problem free for the grade and would
make an excellent type coin for this unusual denomination.
Estimated Value
$700-800.
Lot 1337
1878. PCGS graded
AU-58. Nearly mint state and with just a hint of rub on the high points of
the devices. Nice color and surfaces.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 1338
1878. AU-50.
With two spots of green on the reverse. Nice luster and good color.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 1339
1880. MS-60.
Slightly prooflike with mirror fields and only minor handling marks. Well
struck by the dies, and downright rare as a date. Just 1,000 were struck.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1340
1885. NGC graded
MS-65. This is one of the finest coins of this date graded by NGC. Only 4
have been graded as MS-65, with none graded higher. PCGS has seen a few more,
grading 9 as MS-65 and 5 a grade higher. Check out the mintage of this date,
800 coins! 800 struck for circulation, and somehow quite a few were saved as
this curious denomination dwindled down to its end. We note minor handling
marks in the fields, and identifiable by a spot below the U of UNITED, and
another on the reverse above the outside leaf point on the left side of the
wreath. Well struck and preserved, with blazing luster and a clean cheek on
Liberty.
Estimated Value $12,000-15,000.
Lot 1341
1886. NGC graded
Proof 64 Cameo. The Philadelphia Mint reports 142 were struck in Proof, of
those the best retain a cameo appearance from the dies. To obtain the cameo
appearance, the dies were first dipped in a light acid, which etches the
surfaces, then the dies were cleaned and dried, and the high points (the
fields) were then polished to a mirror smoothness. Thus, when a coin is struck,
the fields are reflective and smooth, while the devices show tiny raised areas,
with a pebbly appearance, which give the devices a frosted appearance from the
brief acid bath. The cameo effect is quite beautiful, and when done well as
offered here, makes a proof coin quite stunning in appearance. Identifiable by
a tiny mark in the field below the I of AMERICA and another centered in the
field under Liberty. NGC has graded 31 this high, with 18 graded higher.
Estimated Value $8,000-10,000.
Lot 1342
1887. PCGS graded
Proof 65. A lovely gem example of this rare date. Philadelphia coined 160
in proof for the year, of which PCGS in their recent Population Report note
only 14 graded this high, with 9 graded higher (all PR-66). The devices show
abundant frost while the mirror fields are clean, and show no handling marks
aside from very light hairlines. If you love pristine coins, then take a look
at this gem.
Estimated Value $16,000-18,000.
Lot 1343
1888. PCGS graded
Proof 65. Mintages peaked out in 1888 from proof $3s, a total of 291 were
coined and this is one of the few gems to survive. Frosty devices provide good
contrast with the mirror fields, and all are well preserved. Minor hairlines
and a couple of tick marks from perfection. We note some minor roughness in the
die (as struck) on the last A of AMERICA. PCGS has graded 31 this high, with
just 18 graded higher (all PR 66). In an old small PCGS holder.
Estimated
Value $16,000-18,000.
Lot 1344
1888. MS-60 +.
Bright and lustrous, with minor hairlines from a much higher grade.
Delicate gold toning on both sides.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,800.