Oct 1-2, 2001, The George Mouhtouris Collection, Sale 11
Lot 1051
1839 No Drapery. EF-45 Cleaned. Boldly struck by the dies, but cleaned and now a matte in appearance. Toning back with golden hues of gray surfaces. Problem free otherwise and good for
a type collector who needs this.
Estimated Value $500-550.
Lot 1052
1842. Small date. MS-60+. Delicate gold toning over lustrous fields is seen on both the obverse and reverse. Well struck for the date, as the stars are full and the eagle shows good
separation throughout. Minor handling marks expected for the grade. The small date variety has an estimated mintage of 191,000 according to Breen.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Lot 1053
1843. PCGS graded MS-63. This is a beautiful coin because of its rich golden red and blue toning. Frosty luster in the fields, and struck from cracked dies, with a crack extending off
the back of Liberty's head, another through the first two stars to the rock, and one on the reverse with vertically bisects the coin. Nicely struck, with most of the stars full, and overall quite pleasing.
Estimated Value $800-950.
Lot 1054
1846 over horizontal 6 (error). PCGS graded AU-50. One of the more dramatic "errors" produced by the Philadelphia Mint of the period. Breen speculates that this type of error, the
mispunched dates, were a silent protest by Mint workers over the employment of James B. Longacre as mint engraver, replacing the recently deceased C. Gobrecht in 1844. Breen speculates that these errors may have been created by Longacre himself as
he would have resented the menial tasks of punching in dates into dies, when he should have been designing new and important coins for circulation. Whatever the cause, the results are fascinating. In this particular instance, the 6 was punched into
the die sideways, as though it were taking a little nap, and was later engraved over upright, but both still plainly show. The surfaces are clean, this coin is steel gray with some luster in the fields. On the reverse, the usual die break is present
over UNIT.
Estimated Value $600-800.
Lot 1055
1853. Arrows and rays. PCGS graded MS-63. Bright and untoned with ample luster in the fields. Examination will note moderate surface marks, as usual for the grade assigned. Sharp, with
full details on the eagle, rays and even the stars on the obverse. A few more hairlines than usual, but this is an important type coin.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,200.
Lot 1056
1854 Arrows and 1874 Arrows. The first grades EF-45, the last EF-40. Both are nice for the grade. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1057
1855-O. Arrows and 1863-S. The 1855-O grades Extremely Fine 40 and the 1863-S grades Very Fine 20 but is damaged by rim marks, bumps, scratches and a punch mark. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $80-100.
Lot 1058
1857. NGC graded MS-64. Nice and frosty and creamy white. We note some light striations as made across the central portion of Liberty.
Estimated Value $1,300-1,500.
Lot 1059
1858. MS-64. This one has spectacular toning with rainbow hues in concentric rings on both sides, perhaps from an old Wayte Raymond album. Minor hairlines from long ago, and a couple of
ticks from perfection. We feel that most will like this coin for its lovely toning.
Estimated Value $1,250-UP.
Lot 1060
1861 Confederate States of America. Restrike. PCGS graded MS-62. The story of the Confederate half dollar is as follows, in late 1860 the Secession Convention resolved to take the New
Orleans Mint into the Confederate States of America. The new reverse die was engraved by A.H.M. Patterson and this was to be paired with the standard United States Seated Liberty obverse die. Of the originals, just 4 were coined, and the die removed
until after the Civil War. Dr. Taylor, the chief coiner, removed the die and maintained secrecy until 1879, when he felt it was safe to publish its story. Soon the die was purchased by J. W. Scott, who found the die to be extensively rusted. With
the help of David Proskey, Scott tenously struck 500 white metal impressions, fearing the die would break apart. The die did not fail, and 500 silver impressions were made using 1861 half dollars with the reverses plained down. This coin is from
that group of 500, which were sold to collectors.
Few have survived, PCGS in their Population Report notes that 12 have been graded as MS-62, with just 3 graded higher, all MS-63. The reverse boasts frosty luster and well struck devices, while
the obverse has minor surface scratches and shows the flattening from the restriking of the reverse. A popular rarity, and one of the few examples found in any grade.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 1061
1861 Confederate Half Dollar. Scott Token obverse. SEGS graded MS-62* "Scratched @ "C" of "CSA". This one has a few minor spots on the obverse, and we note a small circular scratch
around the C of CSA on the reverse where someone tried to "pin" off a spot. Other spots are noted on both sides, and these restrikes have long been popular with collectors. Don't let the minor surface problems trouble you too much, this is a scarce
piece and they are not offered all that frequently.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Lot 1062
1862-S. NGC graded AU-55. Satiny gray in color with some luster in the fields. Moderate handling marks, none of consequence.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1063
1863. NGC graded Proof 66. A magnificent toned gem that has simply superb colors throughout. The hues range through the deep sea-greens and vibrant golds of an old time collection, and
cover the entire coin, front to back. Boldly struck, and well preserved to be sure, and this is one of the top coins graded by NGC of the date. In fact, only 3 have been graded this high, with 3 graded higher (one in each grade PF-67, 68 and 69!).
If you want a truly special coin for your set, then here it is. Color photo.
Estimated Value $8,000-9,000.
Lot 1064
1871. PCGS graded Proof 63. Deeply toned with lilac gray hues with areas of blue around the periphery and gold towards the centers. Boldly struck as expected for a proof. The only
complaint are faint hairlines scarcely visible under the toning. If you want a lot of value for your collecting dollar, then take a look at this beauty.
Estimated Value $550-650.
Lot 1065
1874. Arrows. Proof 63. This proof has been cleaned and retoned in the past, and we note moderate hairlines in the fields. Small dark specks can be found on the obverse. A scarce type
coin with Arrows at the date.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.
Lot 1066
1875. PCGS graded Proof 65. Deeply frosted devices seem to float on a mirror sea. Bright and nearly free of toning. A gem that will entice many collectors to bid.
Estimated Value
$2,000-2,400.
Lot 1067
1875. AU-58. Prooflike fields with delicate rose and gold toning near the edges. Minor hairlines from handling.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 1068
1875-S. EF-45. Lightly cleaned some time ago, still lustrous and well struck.
Estimated Value $60-80.
Ex: Pine Tree Auctions, June 1978, Lot 582.
Lot 1069
1876. MS-65. A bright gem example of this popular Centennial year. The devices are piled high with mint frost, while the fields are exceptionally clean. Examination with a strong glass
will locate a few stray hairlines, but they are trivial and not distracting given the beauty and quality of the coin. Boldly struck by the dies, with strong details throughout. An impressive example for the type or date collector.
Estimated
Value $1,800-2,200.
Lot 1070
1877-CC. PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. One of the nicest of this small hoard and quite a beauty. Note the well mirrored fields as this must have been an early strike from the dies,
and the well frosted devices. We note minor handling marks on both sides and a few trivial hairlines. PCGS has graded 27 this high, with just 16 graded higher, making this one of the very best to survive from the original mintage. Mostly white on
the obverse, with flecks of color starting to from on the reverse, mostly around the periphery.
Estimated Value $1,300-1,500.
Lot 1071
1877-CC. PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. One of the nicest of this little group, the surfaces are very pleasing indeed, with great luster and no significant problems. A few tiny
hairlines and scattered ticks, otherwise all is mint-fresh and original. One small area of raised toning between Liberty's head and cap on the star. Splashes of hazy color starting in the fields of both sides. A rare coin in this grade, and well
worth a strong bid. Struck from a clashed reverse die, with outlines of Liberty around the eagle.
Estimated Value $1,300-1,500.