May 28, 2001, The Fairchild Family Trust Collection, Sale 10
Lot 1395
1859-S. PCGS graded
AU-58. Minor handling marks in the fields, and a rare date in high grade.
Only 2 have been graded by PCGS as such, with just 2 coins graded higher (both
MS-62). Well struck and seldom encountered above EF, and perfect for the date
collector.
Estimated Value $7,000-10,000.
Lot 1396
1859-S. PCGS graded
AU-55. Mintages fell to 13,220 for the year, and this is one of the best to
survive. Nice surfaces on both sides, with lovely coppery color. Hints of
luster near the stars and devices. A recent PCGS Population Report shows 3
graded this high with 4 graded higher.
Estimated Value $5,000-7,000.
Lot 1397
1860-D. PCGS graded
AU-58. H. W. Bass Jr. Coll. A choice coin that shows few signs of
handling although there are minor hairlines. One drift mark through the 18 of
the date and extending left into the field. An impressive example of this
scarce date, which boasts well struck devices and eye-appealing surfaces. The
recent PCGS Population Report shows only 14 graded this high, with 10 graded
higher.
Estimated Value $5,000-7,000.
Lot 1398
1860-S. PCGS graded
AU-58. One of the finest of this rare date, although the mintage shows
21,200 struck, most were apparently melted or lost over the years. This one has
nice luster and over the slightly reflective fields. As to the strike, it is a
bit weak on Liberty's love lock which cascades down her neck, but the small
curls behind her face are sharp, as are the feathers and fine details of the
reverse design. Trivial hairlines and minimal handling marks for this piece,
and desirable in every way.
PCGS has graded only 1 coin as such, with one
graded higher (MS-62), placing this coin high in the condition census for the
date.
Estimated Value $8,000-10,000.
Lot 1399
1860-S. PCGS graded
AU-53. Well struck with minimal wear on the high points of the design.
Typical circulation marks on the coin, and identifiable by a mark over the 0 in
the date. Rare in this grade, PCGS has graded 2 as such, with 2 more graded a
notch higher and a single coin above those as MS-62. A rare opportunity for the
specialist.
Estimated Value $6,000-8,000.
Lot 1400
1861. EF-40.
Typical circulation marks.
Estimated Value $150-175.
Lot 1401
1861-C. NGC graded
AU-53. An important issue struck during the cusp of the outbreak of the
Civil War. In fact, this may have been struck by the Confederates States of
America just after hostilities became formalized by the respective governments,
as it shows the light die crack through the tops of AMERICA noted in the Breen
Encyclopedia as possibly being struck after CSA soldiers seized the
Charlotte Mint. Moderate handling marks are noted on both sides and the
surfaces still retain some luster. The strike is decent, with most of the stars
showing radial lines. An important rarity in this grade, and one of just 6
graded as such by NGC, with 26 graded higher, of which only 3 have been graded
as Mint State.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 1402
1861-S. NGC graded
AU-58. A vastly underrated date that despite its mintage of 18,000 coins,
virtually all disappeared. In fact, neither grading service has graded one as
Mint State as of yet, but there is a small cluster of 11 graded AU-58 by NGC,
none have been graded higher than AU-53 by PCGS. This particular coin has
moderate handling marks scattered about the surfaces, but none deserve
particular description. Coppery luster around the periphery, and a rarity in
this grade.
Estimated Value $7,000-9,000.
Lot 1403
1862-S. PCGS graded
AU-53. Here is a true condition rarity. The finest seen by either grading
service is AU-55, and this coin is just a hair below that level at AU-53.
Certainly high up in the Condition Census for the date, which is exceedingly
rare above Extremely Fine grades. This particular coin has delicate orange-gold
toning on both sides and typical light handling marks throughout. Remnants of
original pinkish gold luster adheres near the devices and lettering, where
these small surface areas are undisturbed by circulation. Sharply impressed,
with each star showing full radial lines and the minute feathers are separated
on the eagle. A foremost rarity in any grade, and to offer one of the very
finest known is truly a pleasure for us. The recent March 2001 PCGS Population
Report shows only 2 graded this high, with 2 graded in AU-55, and none graded
higher by either service.
Estimated Value $12,500-15,000.
Lot 1404
1862-S. PCGS graded
AU-50. A magnificent coin of this extremely rare date, only 9,500 were
coined, but virtually all disappeared. None are known above AU-55 according to
the NGC and PCGS Population Reports. Only 6 have been graded this high by PCGS,
with 4 graded higher. Orange-gold color and well struck by the dies, the
surfaces show average marks for the grade, and there is a small bump on
Liberty's jaw. A rare opportunity for the date specialist.
Estimated Value
$10,000-12,000.
Lot 1405
1865. NGC graded
MS-60. One of the very finest known of this date, with just 2 so graded by
NGC, and 3 graded a notch higher. None have been graded as Mint State by PCGS.
Therefore, this is likely one of the finest known of the date. Only 1,270 were
coined, and most were spent as the country breathed a sigh of relief that the
long war was finally over. Typical bagmarks in the fields and on the devices,
with one small bump between stars ten and eleven. An important opportunity for
the date specialist.
Estimated Value $12,000-17,000.
Lot 1406
1865-S. NGC graded
AU-58. Nice luster and well struck by the dies, but with typical bag marks
that are common on gold coins of the period. Liberty's curls are especially
well struck. NGC has graded 18 this high with 4 graded higher (all MS61).
Estimated Value $6,500-7,500.
Lot 1407
1866. With motto.
NGC graded MS-61. This coin is perhaps the Finest Known of
the date. It is currently the finest graded by either grading service, and the
only one in its grade category. Further, it is better than the AU-55 offered in
the recent Harry Bass II sale, and the only coin that is close is an MS-60 also
graded by NGC. As expected, there are some handling marks in the fields and on
the devices, but this is still an appealing coin for the advanced collector who
demands the finest. Identifiable by a small scrape on the twelfth star, and in
NGC holder #289360-009.
Estimated Value $10,000-12,000.
Lot 1408
1867-S. PCGS graded
EF-45. Ignore the mintage of 29,000 on this date, as very few are known in
high circulated grades. PCGS has only graded 10 as such, with 7 graded in
various AU grades, and none graded in Mint State. The surfaces have just enough
wear to subdue the handling marks, giving the coin a smooth and pleasant
appearance overall. Sharply impressed by the dies, and a worthy coin for the
specialist.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 1409
1868. NGC graded
AU-55. As often seen, this one has rather heavy ticks from handling. Nice
luster and color, with a good strike from the dies. Just 5,700 were coined, and
any example of this date is rare. This is one of the higher grade coins, with
NGC reporting 5 graded this high and 11 higher.
Estimated Value
$2,000-2,500.
Lot 1410
1869. NGC graded
MS-61. This is apparently the second finest known of the date, with a
single coin graded MS-64 above in the recent Harry Bass II Sale, this coin now
offered is the only other mint state example graded by either grading service.
Satiny luster on both sides, with clean surfaces that show minimal handling.
Identifiable by a small planchet drift mark above the date and into the
numerals, and a spot on the edge near the outer point of the eleventh star. In
NGC holder #289360-016.
Estimated Value $12,000-15,000.
Lot 1411
1870-S. PCGS graded
AU-55. An extreme rarity in high grade, this one of the very finest known
of the date. None have been graded as Mint State by either service, and only a
single coin has been graded as AU-58 by NGC, none that high by PCGS. In this
grade, AU-55, PCGS has graded 6 this high while NGC has only awarded AU-55 to a
single coin. Orange-gold toning especially on the reverse. As to the strike, it
is full and complete, every star and notch on the eagle's craggy claws are bold
and defined. An impressive example of this rarity. Don't miss it.
Estimated
Value $6,000-7,000.
Lot 1412
1871. PCGS graded
MS-60. Demand for gold coinage sank as the 1870s unfolded. By 1871, only
3,200 half eagles were struck, and virtually all entered circulation. This one
was saved, somehow, by someone for all the ensuing years. The surfaces have a
few scrapes and scuffs from bag handling, but the curls and high points don't
show signs of wear. As so few were struck, the fields remain prooflike, as the
dies never had a chance to wear away the polish used to dress up the die after
engraving. This is the finest graded by PCGS, and alone as MS-60 by that
service. NGC has also graded a single coin as MS-60, with another as MS-61.
This date almost certainly does not exist in higher grade. There is a bit of
hazy toning on the reverse, surrounding the eagle.
Estimated Value
$10,000-12,000.
Lot 1413
1873. Closed 3.
PCGS graded MS-65. This is certainly one of the very finest known of
the date, in fact, PCGS has only graded two coins this high, with none graded
higher! Mint fresh luster throughout, with fully struck stars and minute
feather details on the eagle. Slight weakness is noted on Liberty's love lock
curl over her neck, and on the arrows and claws on the reverse. The fields show
light scuffs and nicks, but this is obviously a gem example of this rare date.
If your collection demands the finest examples then here is a special coin to
add. Color photo.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Previously in our
Brady Bloch Collection Sale, September 1999, Lot 1766 as NGC MS-65.
Lot 1414
1873. Closed 3.
PCGS graded Proof 58. This is probably the coin offered in our
September 1999 Brady Bloch Collection Sale, lot 1765. The surfaces show minor
handling marks, probably from a brief time in circulation during the sharp
depression of 1873 or later in the 1930s. Many proof gold coins were spent
during those periods as families needed necessities, and luxuries like this
rare proof half eagle found few buyers. Only 25 were coined in 1873, about half
of which probably survive today in various grades. This is the only coin graded
as such by PCGS, although 13 have been graded higher. This is a classic
American rarity that is seldom offered and is well worth a respectable bid
despite the slightly impaired status.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 1415
1874-CC. VF-25.
Original color, but there is a bad scrape on the left side of the branch
into the fields.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 1416
1874-S. NGC graded
AU-55. One of the very finest graded of this tough date, only 16,000 were
coined and none apparently survived in Mint State according to PCGS and NGC,
and precious few as nice as this coin. As to the surfaces, they show minimal
marks, none are deep or distracting, and the strike is sharp at the centers, as
well as the periphery. The NGC Population Report notes only 3 graded as AU-55,
with 2 graded a notch higher. A condition rarity for the specialist in half
eagles.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Lot 1417
1874-S. NGC graded
AU-50. This is the weak "S" variety and although not designated so on the
holder, this coin should be re-submitted as such. The NGC population report
lists a sole EF-45 example, although a small handful of others with no
designation also exist in this high grade. Very rare.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,700.
Lot 1418
1876. PCGS graded
MS-64. As a year, 1876 is overshadowed by its big brother, the 1875, but
1876 deserves attention in its own right. 1,432 were struck for circulation,
and most are found in circulated grades. This particular coin was struck from
the proof dies, as noted in the Breen Encyclopedia, with a small die lump on
Liberty's neck, just below her jaw. The fields are also prooflike, and the
devices wonderfully frosted. As to the strike, it is strong, but not quite full
on the eagle's neck, arrow feathers and on Liberty's love lock on her neck. Two
tiny planchet flakes are visible, one at the outer point of star six, the other
near the rim just above the last star.
Now that years of speculation about
populations has begun to be laid to rest by the stark data reported by the
grading services in their Population Reports, we now know that only 2 have been
graded higher by PCGS, and none higher by NGC. In this particular grade, only 3
coins have been graded this high by PCGS. This is not the October 1999 Harry
Bass coin, also PCGS MS-64, which realized $19,550 at that delightful sale.
This represents an opportunity for the specialist who demands outstanding
quality and rarity.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Lot 1419
1876. PCGS graded
MS-63. With a mintage of only 1,432 one can assume this date is seldom
offered in any grade. To find one in choice mint state is truly a chore, and
especially one with such lovely golden-yellow toning on each side. There are
scattered handling marks, to be expected for the grade. Fully struck on the
stars and on all but the centers of the devices, which show normal weakness.
The March 2001 PCGS Population Report shows only 2 graded MS-63 with 4 graded
higher. Color photo.
Estimated Value $10,000-15,000.
Lot 1420
1876. NGC graded
AU-58. This one has bright luster in the fields, and moderate handling
marks throughout. We note a couple of scrapes in the left obverse field.
Mintage dropped to 1,432 for the year, and of those NGC has graded 4 this high
and notes 9 are graded higher. A condition rarity that is seldom offered in any
grade, and is certainly rare in grades above EF.
Estimated Value
$3,500-4,500.
Lot 1421
1876-S. PCGS graded
AU-55. San Francisco coined 4,000 half eagles in 1876, our countries
centennial year. Light handling from circulation, but the fields and Liberty's
cheek are as nice as one could expect to find. PCGS has only graded 1 in this
grade, and 1 coin in AU-58 above, plus 1 more as MS-64. Don't expect to find a
better one! A rare, rare date which is seldom offered in any respectable grade.
Estimated Value $6,000-8,000.
Lot 1422
1880 (2 pieces) and
1880-S. These grade from VF-20 to VF-30. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $300-325.
Lot 1423
1880-S, 1881, 1885, 1898,
1898-S and 1899-S. These grade VF to EF. Several nice coins are
included, and nice for the date collector. Lot of 6 coins.
Estimated Value
$600-700.
Lot 1424
1880-S and 1882.
Both grade AU-50. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $250-275.
Lot 1425
1881. 1 over 0.
PCGS graded MS-63. One of the finest seen of this rare overdate.
PCGS has graded 8 this high, with none graded higher! Note the overdate
feature, it can be seen with a glass as many fragments of the 0 are visible
around the lower portions of the second 1. Also, note the second 8 of the date
is recut, with fragments visible below that digit. In an old PCGS holder with
the green insert. Clean fields and plenty of mint bloom add to the appeal of
this condition rarity.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.