Oct 1-2, 2001, The George Mouhtouris Collection, Sale 11
Lot 1924
1892-O. PCGS graded MS-64. The obverse is exceptionally clean for the grade, with satiny luster and a typical New Orleans strike. A scarce issue and a good coin for the collector who
needs the date.
Estimated Value $350-400.
Lot 1925
1892-S. AU-55 but lightly scratched. Sharp and bright, and the surfaces are clean at first glance, however, some ding-a-ling tried to "improve" a couple of small marks on Liberty's face
by erasing them with a pin. This is scarcely visible, but can be made out with a glass. One that would fit well in a mint state Morgan collection that is displayed in an album or a Capital Plastics holder, as few would ever notice this little
problem. Great luster and eye appeal otherwise.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.
Lot 1926
1892-S. AU-53. A high grade specimen that has some luster in the fields, but we note a long scratch on the reverse hidden along the dentils either side of the left wing, and into the
field by IN. Probably cleaned to a silvery white with the usual resulting hairlines, but good for a date collector who doesn't want to spend the money for a mint state example.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
Lot 1927
1892-S. AU-53. This one has been lightly cleaned in the past, and is still bright and untoned. We see a few minor hairlines, which may be from circulation as much as from anything else.
Downright expensive any better, and tough enough in this grade. An appealing coin for the grade.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
Lot 1928
1893-CC. PCGS graded MS-64. A truly rare date that is extremely tough in this grade, and almost impossible better. This coin is stone white with good luster in the fields. Moderate
handling marks are present, as expected for the grade. PCGS in their Population Report notes 217 graded as MS-64, with just 6 graded higher, all MS-65. This was the final year of issue for the beloved Carson City Mint, and not many were saved.
Estimated Value $4,000-4,500.
Lot 1929
1893-CC. MS-60+. This coin is bright and flashy, but we note some hairlines in Liberty's chin. The fields are reflective, and the reverse is especially nice. One of the truly rare
dates, and expensive in any grade, especially in Mint State. Check this one out to see if it would fit in your album today.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
Lot 1930
1893-S. VF-20. The rim along the upper obverse and reverse has been filed to remove some minor rim ticks, and is slightly rounded now, and therefore this coin should be inspected before
bidding. The Queen of the Morgans, the 1893-S is one of the true rarities in this most popular series. With all the millions of dollars held over the years, no bags of this date turned up, and hence few were saved. During 1893, the United States
economy suffered a sharp downturn, many people could not afford to save such a coin, and virtually all were spent. This one is no exception, the surfaces otherwise show normal handling marks for a circulated coin, but none are deep or distracting.
Only 100,000 were coined, and most were melted under the Pittman Act in 1918. It is probable that only 3,000 to 4,000 exist, if the Population Reports are any guide, from the original mintage. Finding an acceptable circulated example is a real
challenge for most collectors.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,400.
Lot 1931
1894. NGC graded Proof 64 Cameo. A stunning cameo proof specimen with an even hue of light tone adding to its contrast. Popular as a proof due to the scarcity of mint state examples.
Definately a Premium Quality coin.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 1932
1894-O. SEGS graded MS-63 "Light Toning". One of the semi-key dates of the Morgan dollar series, and this one has hazy gold toning on both sides, with darker shades on the devices as
opposed to the fields. Moderate handling marks, expected for the grade, with a minor cut on the lower neck of Liberty. The strike is typical for the date, with weakness on the upper feathers of the eagle's breast and shallowness on Liberty's curls
over her ear. Good luster beneath the toning.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,900.
Lot 1933
1894-S. PCGS graded MS-64. A near gem of this important and rare date, the surfaces are quite fresh and frosty, with satiny fields surrounding. Untoned and mint-fresh, and this one
looks like it was just taken out of a bag of mint coins. There are some minor striation lines running vertically on Liberty's cheek, and a trivial scrape in the frost nearby. Rare this nice, and downright impossible to find much better, unless you
have an unlimited budget.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.
Lot 1934
1894-S. MS-60. Well struck for this date, with good separation on Liberty's curls, and full breast feathers on the eagle. Frosty and white, without any toning.
Estimated Value
$300-350.
Lot 1935
1895. NGC graded Proof 65 Cameo. This is the "King of the Morgans" and the great rarity of the entire Morgan silver dollar set. Most found are in lower proof grades, and this coin is a
wonderful exception as a full gem. Further, it is an early strike from the dies, and the design elements have a special "cameo" appearance with the unusually heavy frost imparted by the dies on the first dozen or so coins struck after the dies were
prepared and polished. NGC recognizes these early strikes with a "cameo" designation on their grading inserts. Note the deeply mirrored fields and the snowy white devices on this specimen. This coin remains untoned aside from a hint of gold color
around the edges. Boldly struck and superbly preserved, with few signs of contact and minimal hairlines.
NGC has graded just one coin as such, and four have been graded higher, two as PF-66, and two as PF-67. If you demand a top quality coin for
your collection, and can appreciate the beauty of this early proof cameo strike, then take a look at this coin and bid accordingly.
Estimated Value $22,000-26,000.
Lot 1936
1895-O. PCGS graded AU-55. Bright and untoned, this one barely circulated for a brief time before someone plucked out the rare date that it is and held it aside. Good luster and
appealing.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Lot 1937
1895-O. AU-55. We note this coin has been cleaned, and faint hairlines can be seen on the obverse, especially on the left obverse field and Liberty's face. Still bright and untoned,
with a typical strike for the issue.
Estimated Value $650-750.
Lot 1938
1895-S. PCGS graded MS-63 Deep Mirror Prooflike. Here is an extremely rare date to find in Deep Mirror Prooflike condition. PCGS has graded just 39 to date in various grades, this is
one of 4 graded as MS-63, with 21 graded a notch higher, and 2 more above that (finest MS-67). We note the entire coin has a smoky gold color which deepens at the rims. As this is an early strike (hence, the highly polished dies creating the deep
mirror fields), we note no signs of weakness in the execution of the coin by the dies. Full curls over Liberty's ear and full breast feathers are the rule. Examination will note minor hairlines in the mirror fields, and these likely account for the
moderate grade. Liberty's cheek is clean, with no distracting marks or bumps. Most of the known examples of this date are from the Redfield hoard, but they tend to be bagmarked and weakly struck. A classic example of this rare date which is worthy
of a strong bid.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 1939
1896. NGC graded MS-66. Bright white and untoned, with abundant mint frost on the devices. A common date in uncommon condition.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 1940
1897-O. PCGS graded MS-63. Frosty and white throughout, with a good strike even on the eagle's breast. This one resides in a tiny old style PCGS holder, and many will note that.
Excellent surfaces for the grade.
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.
Lot 1941
1897-S. ANACS graded MS-65 Obverse Deep Mirror Prooflike. An interesting coin, the obverse is Deep Mirror Prooflike, while the reverse is reflective, but more in the normal range.
Untoned and quite flashy, with clean surfaces and appealing mint frost on the devices.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 1942
1899. MS-63. Nice surfaces on this scarce date.
Estimated Value $90-110.
Lot 1943
1899 (4 pieces). These grade MS-60 to 63. Three are toned, one white. Lot of 4 coins.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 1944
1899-S. MS-60. Nice color and surfaces for the grade, white in color.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 1945
1900-O. O over CC. MS-60+. This one has been carefully enhanced by a process which smooths Liberty's cheek, which now has a faintly polished appearance. The effect is quite nice, and
few would notice the carefully done work. Scarce and popular with the over Mintmark feature.
Estimated Value $150-175.
Lot 1946
1901. AU-55. Silvery luster throughout, and without toning. A good strike and this one has the surfaces of a coin that spent only a brief time in circulation.
Estimated Value
$75-85.
Lot 1947
1901-S. PCGS graded MS-65 Premium Quality. Resplendent surfaces that are aglow with mint luster, and the fields and cheek are clean for the grade. We note faint hairlines on this scarce
date, but these do not detract. Minor planchet roller lines are visible on the face of Liberty, as made and present on most specimens. As to the strike, it is typical, with good separation on all but the curl over Liberty's ear. A nice white coin in
every way. PCGS has graded 128 this high, with just 17 graded higher.
Estimated Value $2,750-UP.